Photo Courtesy of Queens Botanical Garden/Anne Tan-Detchkov
Nearly 740 plants have been placed on medians along 133rd Avenue between 82nd Street and 85th Street.
By Forum Staff
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) on Monday announced a $60,000 beautification project in Ozone Park’s Tudor Village.
Through the initiative, which was funded by Ulrich, Queens Botanical Garden staff placed nearly 740 plants along 133rd Avenue between 82nd Street and 85th Street. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October.
“I am thrilled to announce that my office has partnered with Queens Botanical Garden to beautify Tudor Village. For decades, the residents of 133rd Avenue have been putting their personal gardening touches along the stretch, but the upkeep has been a massive burden,” Ulrich said. “The funds I’ve allocated for this project will not only beautify the medians along 133rd Avenue, they will also cover maintenance costs.”
The species planted along the Ozone Park thoroughfare include:
• Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina domestica “firepower”
• Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina domestica “gulfstream”
• Japanese Holly, Illex crenata “Sky Pencil”
• Japanese laurel, Aucuba japonica “goldstrike”
• Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae, Thujaoccidentalis “Bobozam”
• Coral Bell, Heuchera “forever purple”
• Coral Bell, Heuchera “plum pudding”
• Coral Bell, Heuchera “dale’s strain”
• Coral Bell, Heuchera “citronella”
• Foamy Bell, Heucherella “buttered rum”
The species planted are drought and salt tolerant; provide four seasons of interest or stay evergreen; and stay within the boundaries of the median. A permeable weed block has also been installed for weed control, as well as a final topping of recycled rubber mulch, which will complete the design.
“One of the most important aspects of this project for me is the people and community input,” said Patty Kleinberg, garden educator for the Queens Botanical Garden. “We’re lucky to have a dedicated councilman and civic association that communicate effectively. I needed to know what was important to the people in the new design and also respect the history of what was already out there.”
