After bus-hosting the Fort Smith trip, I drove over to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks BackgroundThe Botanical Garden of the Ozarks has a unique and short history as it has been created by a local volunteer-led, grassroots effort. The Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks (BGSO) was incorporated in January 1994 as a non-profit organization with plans to develop the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. They soon signed a 25 year land-lease agreement with the City of Fayetteville for 100 acres of city property on the south shore of Lake Fayetteville. There, they have begun creating a series of gardens and an arboretum. Today, the Garden is a collection of ten themed gardens and includes the region's only butterfly house. The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is also developing an arboretum which will serve to separate and provide a backdrop for the gardens.
The garden currently includes seasonal plantings in a small area, a wildflower meadow added in 1998, a lakeside hiking trail and a self-guided tree identification tour. The Botanical Garden is actually a multi-use facility. Weddings, concerts, parties and various educational events are all held here. Additionally, the Fayetteville Farmers' Market is located at the Gardens on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
There are 12 different gardens located here.
My visitI pulled into the parking lot.
The sign at the entrance.
It was in this building I checked in with their staff who were expecting me.
These plants were along the parking lot on the way to the office.
This was in front of the bulding that I then entered and talked with one of their staff who gave me a good introduction to the place. All Springdale sixth graders have an opportunity to come here during the school year. I then went outside and started my visit making my way to the first of the gardens here, the Founder's Garden.
Views from the Founder's Garden which was designed by Chandler Harp and surrounded by engraved bricks. The bricks honour donors to the garden and can also be placed as memorials for a friend or family member, or to note personal milestones like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Now I would make my way to the Japanese Garden.
On my way there.
Now I entered the Japanese Garden.
Views of the Japanese Garden which was designed by Greg Bland. It represents peace and tranquility and serves as a serene place for quiet meditation. A small pond with koi fish adds to the peaceful setting. Unlike the rest of the garden, this space does not feature much color, instead relying on a lush mix of coniferous evergreen shrubs and trees, rocks and water to create a calming retreat. Next I would visit the Vegetable & Herb Garden.
Views of the Vegetable & Herb Garden, is one of the most dynamic gardens, providing an ever-changing array of edible plants in combination with pollinator-friendly flowers. This garden features a mosaic fountain, in the form of an ear of corn, created by Stuart Fulbright and Kathy P. Thompson.
Next the Tyson Chicken Coop. Next on my tour was the Children's Garden.
On my way there.
I entered the Children's Garden.
Views through the Children's Garden. Centered around a sculpted ferro-cement tree, this garden provides a place for exploration and discovery for children and the young-at-heart. The Children’s Garden was designed by Gerald Klingaman, Scott Starr, Cindi Cope, Gail Pianalto, Joyce Mendenhall and Betty Swope from the original design by Stuart Fulbright. Dr. Klingaman volunteered an untold number of hours in the creation of this garden and built most of the structures with his own hands. Be sure to peek inside the trunk of the tree to see a beautiful mural by local artist Brandon Bullette! This garden also has a water feature that includes tadpoles, frogs and water lilies.
This bridge took me to the Kiwanis Reading Railroad.
The Kiwanis Reading Railroad.
On my way to the Four Seasons Garden.
I now visited the Four Seasons Garden.
Views of the Four Seasons Garden which features plants that have interest in all seasons. The garden is designed to feature plants with some desirable characteristic in at least one of the four seasons. Walmart donated this garden and Better Homes and Gardens designer Kenny Kalke created the original design. Stuart Fulbright designed and constructed the crown arbor/shade structure. The top of the crown features six pieces of multi-color slag glass that can be illuminated at night. American wisteria grows up and over the structure. Next was the Rotary Peace Arbor.
Views at the Rotary Peace Arbor.
Looking back across the Great Lawn. Now I would make my way to the Butterfly Garden and the Butterfly House & Pavilion.
Views of the Butterfly Garden, also known as the "butterfly pathway", leads to the Butterfly House. This garden is filled with host and nectar plants to attract native butterflies. It is certified and registered by Monarch Watch as a Monarch Waystation, which means it provides milkweeds, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America.
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