Monica Bennett Commemoration Garden
Sandwell Council is to build a commemoration garden to the borough’s world-famous horticulturist Monica Bennett.
Monica, who died aged 89 at the end of 2000, was known worldwide for her involvement in hybridising geraniums at her garden centre Cypress Nursery in Blackheath.
Many of her geraniums were named after famous people all over the world.
She was a horticultural consultant, journalist, author, lecturer and national judge.
Now the Rowley Regis Town Committee is finalising plans to build a special commemoration garden in Blackheath town centre.
It is planned to have a plaque and small garden filled with geraniums at the top of High Street.
Town Committee chair Cllr Barbara Price said: “We want it to be a fitting tribute to Monica who was known worldwide.
“In addition to the garden we are planning to have a commemoration bench at the site.”
Cllr Price, who is also Sandwell’s mayoress, said it was planned to spend around £1,000 on the project.
“She was a lovely lady who lived and worked in Blackheath all her life and who was known worldwide. She played a major part in putting Blackheath on the map and as a result we want this to be a fitting tribute.”
Cllr Price said the money would come from the local area budget and should be in place by the summer.
Monica’s son Bruce Screen, who now runs the nursery, said he was thrilled that the council was marking his mother’s life with the garden.
He said: “She loved Blackheath and would never have moved away. She led such a full life and made friends with people all over the world.”
