Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association and Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake helped transform the landscapes of more than 25 homes in the neighborhood of Brooklyn in South Baltimore. The Perennial Farm in Glen Arm, Md., sent 360 variegated Liriope plants (grass-like) along as part of the pro bono project. A volunteer unloads Ilex crenata "Hoogendorn' along with "Soft Touch' (on the shelf).

For a neighborhood to be successful, contractors have to do more than just build houses. Gardens, play areas and trees make the neighborhood more acceptable, and lure new homeowners into that community.
Photos Courtesy of Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association

Volunteers from the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association and Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake came together to begin landscaping more than 25 homes in the neighborhood of Brooklyn in South Baltimore.

Habitat Chesapeake brings people together to build decent, affordable homes that change lives, empower families and strengthen communities. In 2003, Habitat Chesapeake started to acquire and rehabilite homes in Brooklyn. For the past decade, they've worked with more than 30 homeowners to achieve safe, decent and affordable housing.

As a re-investment in this neighborhood, various beautification projects have begun that include exterior painting and litter control. Now the MNLA has provided various donations from some of its 300 member companies to beautify the neighborhood.

Companies and the materials they donated included Patuxent Nursery and Valley View Farms, 100-foot hoses; Shemin Nursery, 21 crape myrtles; Grant County Mulch, bagged mulch; and Capitol LLC/Just This Side of Paradise Farm, 23 Kwansan cherry trees.

Companies that sent volunteers or donated time included: Clear Ridge Nursery, Mullan Nursery Company, Classic Lawn and Landscape, Akehurst Landscape Service, Kingsdene Nurseries, Capitol LLC and MNLA.

''Robust community appearance adds value to homes, helps attract business investment, and simply improves the neighborhood reputation,'' said Mike Posko, CEO for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. ''Research shows that beauty is one of the top three factors in creating community attachment as well as civic loyalty.''

''When we go into neighborhoods, we don't just build one house, we build a community. Without partners like MNLA members, who bring such great resources like skilled landscape labor as well as donated trees and shrubs, it would slow down the process. We'd have to find other resources or pay to get the work done. What we look for when doing neighborhoods are committed and dedicated partners.''

Posko said this process takes about three to five years. Some of the 40 homes had been there a number of years. Volunteers dressed up these houses to make the neighborhood more presentable. There were no fences, trees or shrubs.

Habitat Chesapeake serves Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County in Maryland. For more information, or to volunteer materials or labor, call 410-366-1250 or visit www.habitatchesapeake.org.