PINK HILL — With spring budding just around the corner, it’s time to plant more pink roses to make Pink Hill live up to its name.
In fact, its name is said to originate from a patch of pink wildflowers growing on a hill where the town was once located, said Susan G. Myers, avid gardener and founder of the Pink Hill Flower Fund.
“We’re the only Pink Hill in the country,” she said.
After researching the history of Pink Hill, Myers took her love for roses to a town-wide level in 2011 with the idea to plant the town pink.
“I love roses,” she said, “and I have over 100 roses in my yard.”
Myers said she created the flower fund and selected double pink Knock Out roses because they are resistant, easy to care for and prolific bloomers — blooming from April through November.
“The reason why I did pink roses is because it makes an impact,” she said.
The first year, 50 rose bushes were planted, and 230 were planted last year. This year, there will be 400 — 186 have already been planted with 214 more to go.
A community rose planting day will take place Saturday at the Town Hall starting about 9 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help sort recycled materials and plant the rose bushes.
The effort involves residents, churches, businesses and organizations, including youth groups.
Pink Hill Boy Scouts Troop 244 has participated in planting the past two years, Wendell Taylor, the troop’s leader, said.
“It helps them develop character,” he said about the Scouts, “by helping out the town and helping out people.”
Norman Byrd, a member of Turning Point Assembly Church, also started planting roses last year at his church.
“It adds to the community,” he said, “especially our church. It’s the first thing you see when you come into Pink Hill from Kenansville.”
Roses are purchased at wholesale price from Darnell’s Nursery through Witherspoon Rose Culture in Durham, with the town providing the water. Funding to purchase the flowers comes from general donations and purchases in memory of a loved one.
Residents are encouraged to plant pink roses in their yards or have their landscapers plant them. General donations pay for community plantings, such as at public buildings and fire departments.
Kids who help will receive a pass to the inflatable playground at the Rose Festival on April 13th. Each Boy or Girl Scout will receive $50 toward their scout project. Other organizations helping will receive a donation from Pink Hill Pharmacy.
Myers, whose vision inspired the organization of the Pink Hill Rose Festival in 2012, said she hopes to plant 500 next year and continue the tradition for years to come.
“Pink flowers are just the beginning of putting the pink in Pink Hill,” she said. “Flowers give us hope; they give us vision. They give us confidence to improve our small town.”
To donate or volunteer, contact Susan G. Myers, Pink Hill Flower Fund, 100 S. Central Ave., Pink Hill NC 28572, susangmyers@gmail.com, 252-361-5437 or go to her Facebook page at Pink Hill Flower Fund.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box:
What: Community Rose Planting Day
When: 9 a.m., Saturday
Where: Pink Hill Town Hall
What to do: Volunteers needed to plant 214 rose bushes
For information or to donate or volunteer, contact Susan G. Myers, Pink Hill Flower Fund, 252-361-5437 or susangmyers@gmail.com.