To finish off my native wildflower weeks on Garden Musings, I'll move to one blog subject that I'm planning to return to more frequently as this year goes on. I feel I should do a better job at alerting readers to the learning opportunities available at the K-State Gardens and the various sub-gardens in the project. I work only a block away from this fantastic gardening resource, and I have the honor of being allowed to provide some volunteer labor time in the KSU Rose Garden. So please allow me a small advertisement for a very deserving garden.
The Kansas State University Gardens project is a privately-funded display garden on the campus of KSU that serves as an educational resource and as a learning laboratory for KSU students and the visiting public. When completed, a 19-acre garden is planned that will show off hardscape and tested ornamental plant material in different aesthetic settings in the Flint Hills environment.
One of the already-existing specialty gardens in the project is the Adaptive/Native Plant Garden which was sponsored by the late John E. Tillotson. It was redesigned in the past two years by a KSU student under supervision of the Gardens Director and it is a marvelous display of plant material that is found growing in natural areas throughout Kansas and the Great Plains Region. As you can see from the pictures on this page, native prairie plants can make both a floriferous and cohesive display with a little pre-planning. Last year, I was stunned when the milkweed bloomed and as you can see from the clump of milkweed around the commemorative garden sign above, those large leaves and big flower heads make a standout display if properly placed. Amateurs and professionals alike can learn new approaches for commercial or residential landscape design from this garden. Visit it online at the KSUGardens site or in person on the KSU campus. And please consider becoming a Friend of the KSU Gardens to support the continued development of the garden. 
I enjoyed your post. I live near UNL's Statewide Arboretum. They have a nice display area, too, but not nearly as large as the one there. They do have other sites around the state, though. I have purchased plants from them, and plan to get some more Friday. I am trying to figure out how to place them around so they look good and somewhat natural, and grow well in our front yard.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you sure keep busy!