Buchanan Garden Club members Nancy Ricordati, Liz Miller and Leanne Feldman work on planting three pink hydrangea bushes at McCoy Pond Park in Buchanan. The bushes are in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Daily Star photo/AARON MUELLER)

By AARON MUELLER

Niles Daily Star

BUCHANAN — Leanne Feldman thinks the Anabelle hydrangeas the Buchanan Garden Club planted Tuesday morning at McCoy Pond Park are a perfect symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And it’s not just because of the plant’s bright pink color.

“The bush survives really harsh winters,” Feldman said.

As a four-year breast cancer survivor, Feldman appreciates that the plants can fight through bitter Michigan winters.

The plants were added to the garden by the “Welcome to Buchanan” sign at the corner of Front Street and Red Bud Trail.

Feldman, a Buchanan resident, said this type of plant is unique in that it is the first pink-flowered form of the Anabelle, and it continues to produce new pink flowers up until frost. The blooms remain pink all season.

This is the first time the garden club has planted flowers in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The three garden members planting the flowers Tuesday — Feldman, Nancy Ricordati and Liz Miller — all have family members who have had cancer.

“Who hasn’t had their lives touched by cancer?” Feldman said. “It’s everywhere.”

The plants were donated to the garden club by Vite’s Garden Club in Buchanan.

October marks the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.