On your way to Gloucester coming north on Route 17, crossing the Coleman Bridge, and going slowly through the toll booths, the flowering planters grab your attention.

Known as “the Gateway to Gloucester,” this entryway has provided an opportunity for the Gloucester Master Gardeners to showcase flowers and other plants to welcome people to our county. Simultaneously, they demonstrate container gardening by showing which plants can flourish in different seasons despite oppressive conditions—high winds, full sun, drought, and fuel emissions.

This welcoming and educational display has been ongoing since March 2007 and originated as an award-winning entry in the 2007 America’s Anniversary Garden Contest sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension.  Gloucester Master Gardeners work in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation staff at the Coleman Bridge to plant and maintain the planters. The planters currently consist of pansies and flowering ...