Iris Garden Club plants tree to honor firefighters
Contributed by
Iris Garden Club

Chief Bradley Anderson, Margaret Wilson, Barbara Ridgill, Deputy Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, and Fire Marshal Carmen Floyd celebrate tree planting by Iris Garden Club.

In observance of Arbor Day, the Iris Garden Club planted a tree Jan. 17, 2007, at the Columbia Fire Museum to honor Columbia area firefighters.

The 69- year- old garden club composed of 24 members from the Midlands and one from Laurens, S. C., recognized the firefighters for their bravery in saving lives of others while risking their own; for often arriving first at the scene of an accident; and for their caring and professional manner.

The tree that was planted in the landscaped garden is a dwarf variety of the bigleaf magnolia, magnolia macrophylla. Native to the Southeast U.S., the magnolia macrophylla has the largest leaves and flowers of any deciduous tree or shrub in North America. It was discovered by Andre Michaux, the French botanist, in 1795. Two of these trees grow in the gardens of the Robert Mills House museum.

Members have planted gardens at both the Henderson Street and Blanding Street gates of the Robert Mills house with grants from Columbia Green and National Garden Clubs, Inc./The Principal Financial Group for the latter garden. The club has received numerous awards.