Main Street Vero Beach (MSVB) in collaboration with nine local landscape professionals, the City of Vero Beach, and dozens of committed community businesses and individuals recently completed a number of colorful streetscape improvements that are making Historic Downtown blossom.  The newly planted garden container pots, hanging flower baskets and bright banners have people slowing down to take pause of the lush and colorful scenery of  Downtown’s new ‘look’ that incorporates Vero Beach’s unique history while simultaneously celebrates the fact that the ‘Hibiscus’ City’ is vibrant and alive thanks to a caring community.

Colorful banners hang from traditional decorative street poles; a teal one depicting local artist Conrad Pickel’s familiar Downtown Vero Hibiscus mosaic, and a coral one which is Main Street’s graphic representation of the Pocahontas and Theatre buildings, two of Downtown Vero Beach’s original buildings. During the summer months, the hanging baskets will be home to hot-weather flowers and ferns, while the colorful street banners will be on display through next October “We’re excited that the community came together to create a more beautiful and vibrant downtown for people of all ages,” said MSVB’s President Vicky Gould.  “The incredible pride, spirit, and cooperation we’ve seen from folks toward making Downtown Vero Beach a welcoming destination for residents and tourists alike.”

The recent Downtown beautification efforts began when MSVB’s Design Committee, chaired by Robin Pelensky, ASLA, issued an Xtreme Garden Pots & Baskets Challenge to local landscape professionals and nurseries who were invited to fill and maintain irrigated planter pots and hanging baskets with blooming flowers and fresh greenery right in the heart of Vero Beach.   Nine nurseries, garden centers and landscape contractors stepped up and generously provided a variety of attractive plants and a diverse range of creative talent and services.  From now until the end of June a bountiful botanical display of Palms, gardenias, crotons, begonias, geraniums and other flora, all sponsored by local businesses, will spill from nineteen large pots and seven hanging baskets located along 14^th Avenue between 20^th and 21^st Streets.