Uptown Westerville is famous for a few things, but the overflowing strands of petunias from the hanging baskets on Uptown poles are among its most popular attractions in spring and summer.

It’s not where the flowers are purchased, and there’s no special recipe. The secret of the hanging flower baskets is just as simple as never missing a daily watering, says Westerville Parks & Recreation horticulturist Margie Fugate.

“Once they are up, we never skip a day of water,” says Fugate. “Most people just don’t see the watering, since it’s done between 4-7 a.m.”

Also contributing to their allure, a special soil blend and container help keep the baskets overflowing with petunias. “We use a container like a strawberry jar, with holes on the tops and the sides,” says Margie. “The flowers are also planted on the top and the sides to achieve that flowing effect.”

TIPS FROM THE EXPERT: Margie says people ask her regularly about the baskets, but she is most often approached about the varieties of flowers or shrubs used by the City. Margie says the key to a healthy landscape is good maintenance, quality plant material and a constant fertilization program.