Does your club have a Blue Star or Gold Star Memorial Marker that needs new landscaping around it? Originally, the markers were designed to create a “ribbon of living plants” throughout America to honor our armed forces. Over time, plants around the markers need replacing or have died and new ones need to be planted.
A new NGC grant program (a collaboration of National Garden Clubs’ Plant America and Keep America Beautiful programs) offers up to $1,000 per marker to add landscaping to marker sites. Funds can be used to remove litter and plant flowers and greenery to beautify our special markers honoring our military.
July 4, 2026 is America’s 250th anniversary as a nation, and NGC encourages clubs to add red, white and blue flowering plants to their marker landscaping in honor of this special occasion. Petunias are an easy plant that fits the red, white and blue theme.
Take advantage of this great program and spruce up your memorial marker’s landscaping. Clubs receive 75% of funding up front and the remaining 25% at the end of the project when a final report is sent to NGC. Funds are awarded on March 5, and final reports are due by August 1.
For more information and the online application to apply for a grant, go to PLANT AMERICA Grants – Home
By Karen Bowen
AFGC Blog Manager
Photo 1 Trish Payne, Michigan Garden Clubs
Photo 2 WalmartAMERICA: Blue/Gold Star Memorial Beautification Grant!
Help beautify Blue & Gold Star Memorials in your community! Learn about this new grant opportunity from National Garden Clubs, Inc. in partnership with Keep America Beautiful, and submit your application today.
