Typically, highway interchanges are boring but necessary features of the landscape. Drivers use them to turn from one roadway onto another.

But next spring, the U.S. 52/State Route 93 interchange in Ironton will become an eye-catching focal point and, perhaps, one of the prettiest intersections in the area.

Ironton In Bloom volunteers will spend Saturday planting approximately 3,000 daffodil bulbs in the triangle area between the westbound and eastbound entrance ramps from State Route 93 onto U.S. 52. The work this fall will translate to color next spring.

“It all started during the spring of 2009 when someone forwarded me some beautiful pictures of royal gardens in Europe and daffodils were one of the most used flowers,” IIB President Carol Allen explained.

“I sent it to our members and encouraged them to think out of the box.  Ralph Kline came up with the idea of planting daffodils at the SR 93 intersection.  “IIB members were all trying to figure out where to get daffodils when Viviane K. Vallance, associate director of Lawrence Economic Development Corporation and the chairman of the Lawrence County Visitor and Tourism Center, came up with this terrific idea.  

“There were daffodils growing wild at The Point in South Point and they were going to be turned under once the geological and anthropological study was initiated.  We sent out an e-mail to our members and friends and about eight of us went to The Point in May to dig daffodils.”  

One good idea apparently  deserved a few others. Allen said Eli Castle of the Shake Shoppe has donated an additional 1,000 bulbs to plant. Ralph Kline is donating a bucket full from his yard.  Allen said others may bring bulbs Saturday morning as well.

In addition to IIB volunteers, Frank Murphy Construction and the Boy Scout Troop 106 have also agreed to donate their time Saturday.