The planting of the planters

Robbie Kuykendall and Aubrey Howers are doing the spring planting of the planters May 16 on the Downtown Mall. Even though that's right before graduation weekend, John Mann, the guy in charge of landscaping for the city, says the date they really pay attention to is May 15, after which tender plants presumably won't be susceptible to frost— never mind that May 13 frost warning this week. The planters are restocked in fall and spring. Big for this season? "People really like the tropical look," says Mann.