The American Horticultural Society has recognized the Rotary Botanical Gardens, located in Janesville Wisconsin as one of the best botanic gardens in the Midwest. This winter I had the opportunity to attend a seminar given by Mark Dwyer, Director of Horticulture for the Rotary Botanical Gardens. The presentation was incredibly inspiring. In an attempt to pass along a bit of that inspiration, Mark has agreed to be interviewed for this column.
Mark, can you tell us a little bit about your horticulture background?
I grew up gardening from a young age with my mother who was my true inspiration. My two brothers were uninterested in gardening, so I was my mom’s assistant. I went to college (University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana) for Civil Engineering and quickly changed majors to Landscape Architecture, which exposed me again to plants and design. After graduation, I worked at a nursery for two years and really became addicted to plants and designed many landscapes. After heading back to school and receiving a Masters in “tree hugging” (Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point), I took a job at Fernwood Botanic Garden & Nature Preserve in Niles, Michigan and realized that the remainder of my life would be dedicated to public horticulture. I’ve now been at Rotary Botanical Gardens for almost 18 years.
When was the Rotary Botanical Gardens first established?
The gardens were first established in 1989 as a private non-profit located on 15 acres of City of Janesville land. Our founder, Dr. Robert Yahr, was the visionary that suggested an internationally themed botanic garden on a derelict piece of land that was the site of a former sand and gravel pit. Dr. Yahr secured a 99-year lease for $1 from the City of Janesville and the gardens added 5 more acres in 2001 (20 total acres including a 3 acre pond).
What is the connection between the organization Rotary club and the gardens?
Our founder, Dr. Robert Yahr, is an active Rotarian. He approached the two Rotary Clubs in Janesville to help support the idea of creating a garden on this site. The two clubs collectively helped with reclamation efforts which included significant clean-up, hauling off debris, delivering soil, removing trees, and in essence, cleaning up a mess which included debris that had accumulated for many years. Both clubs still support the gardens with annual donations and volunteer assistance and continue to have their weekly meetings at the gardens.
When are the gardens open to the public?
The gardens are open almost daily (some holiday restrictions) although the hours will vary depending on the season. See www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org for current hours.
Can you describe the scope of the gardens?
The current 20 acres of gardens includes an international and thematic approach with 24 very distinctive garden areas. The design of the overall garden is meant to be enjoyed as a series of “rooms” with specific experiences attributable to each space. Formality can be experienced in the French rose garden, Italian formal garden, reception garden, and sunken garden, while more informal spaces would include the shade garden, gazebo garden, arboretum, and prairie. Each space has a specific purpose and in most cases, an appropriate theme and/or plant palette can be enjoyed. The gardens also include display and trial areas that feature over 150,000 seasonal plants (900+ varieties) each season. The garden setting around an existing 3-acre pond is beautiful. This pond was originally a gravel pit that filled with water once natural springs were exposed during mining operations over 100 years ago.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the English Cottage Garden?
The English cottage garden is the first garden space experienced after visitors see the entrance garden and pass through the Parker Education Center. This small space has a center circle of lawn but the periphery includes a wide range of lush plantings. Plant combinations include vegetables, herbs, old-fashioned annuals and perennials. There are some interesting features in this space including two fountains and a large, copper cheese vat that has become a repurposed container. This is a lush and colorful space meant to engage visitors immediately. Over 30 colorful containers and hanging baskets also offer color in this intimate garden.
What types of plants and other features are included in the Japanese Garden?
The primary color in a Japanese garden is green. While there are many shades of green, this garden has significant color in both spring and fall. Spring flowers on redbuds, rhododendrons and flowering cherries offer color while the fall colors of red, orange and yellow are quite warm and very prevalent in October. There are many sheared and clipped evergreens (yews, junipers, etc.) that offer strong form in a space that includes lots of symbolism. This garden includes a waterfall, stream, and pool that collectively offer a soothing sound. A raked gravel sea represents an ocean with waves while rocks in this same space mimic islands. Authentic Japanese lanterns, stone-lined paths, benches and other elements lend to the peace and solitude of our most popular garden space which has been listed as one of the Top 25 Japanese Gardens in North America.
How was the French Formal Rose Garden developed?
The rose garden was developed as the northern most edge of the formal garden expanse that extends from the original visitor’s center. This space includes a 12’ tall, arching pergola in two sections that has climbing roses and vines along the columns. The original intent of this space was to display a multitude of roses, which continues to this day. Old-fashioned and species roses are include near the pergola while four, mirror-imaged, arching planting beds form a circle in a lawn space where another 120 selections of hardy shrub roses are featured. We also trial roses for Bailey Nursery (MN). This space lends itself to outdoor events including weddings.
To be continued in the June 16 edition.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
