John McLaughlin of the Swampscott Beautification Committee was weeding, edging and deadheading flower beds at the end of Monument Avenue on Thursday afternoon, July 27, before the rain came.
He spent more than three hours at the site, cleaning a circular bed and the rectangular one at the road's edge.
The project was spearheaded by committee member Susan Balleza and done in tandem with the Swampscott Public Works Department.
The bright-colored flowers, planted in mid-May, have replaced boxwoods that once spelled SWAMPSCOTT in the long narrow bed.
The boxwoods were not doing well being by the sea the past few years. They were scraggly and the leaves discolored, fading to brown and gray. They were even sprayed with a green coloring late in the year.
In their place grow plants and flowers including salvia, purple angelina and bright yellow daisy-like flowers.
The new plants are doing as well as can be expected, considering the wet weather of late, John said.
And the crossing guard who works this location said the beds have received lots of compliments, John said.
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