In 2012, the SJCMG were an integral part of the Encore Azalea and Southern Living Plants City Restoration Project. Over $10,000 worth of Encore azaleas and other Southern Living varieties were donated to the county and planted around the San Jacinto County courthouse.
Master Gardener Gayle Erwin learned about the project from Encore Azaleas and Southern Living Plants through an email that she received. Erwin thought that the county courthouse would make a great place to plant hundreds of colorful azaleas so she entered the contest by writing an essay, submitting a site design and sent pictures of the current landscape. The next month, she was informed that Coldspring had been selected as the winner of the project which involved receiving 368 plants from Encore Azaleas and Southern Living Plants.
