Sculpture book final

A GUIDE TOGardens Sculptures&

Thanks for visiting the gardens today. Botanica Facts:

Opened in 1987

More than 17 acres of stunning gardenscaping

More than 4,000 species of plants both native and new to the region

30 themed displays

50 sculptures and works of art

Multiple flowing fountains

56,000 tulips

120,000 daffodils

15,000 annuals

5,500 chrysanthemums

12,000 pansies

701 Amidon • Wichita, KS 67203 • 316.264.0448 www.botanica.org

This book is a guide to Botanica’s 30 theme displays and more than 50 sculptures and works of art.

The guide includes a description of the gardens and sculptures, as well as their location and proximity to each other. Plantings are mentioned along with dates of installation, donors and memorials.

Written by: Helen E. PaulsPhotography by: James McArthur Thane Rogers & Keith WondraAdvised by: Diane PostDesigned by: Kristin Marlett & Mary Carol Franco

Bank IV Centennial Pavilions

Beverly Blue Teaching Garden

Butterfly Garden

Butterfly House

Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow

Concourse

Downing Children’s Garden

Frank Smith Woodland Glade

Four Seasons Perennial Garden

Frances Lattner Wildflower Woodland

Gene E. Spear Railroad Garden

Garden on the Rocks

Greenhouse

Hanna Jabara Entry

Jayne Milburn Aquatic Collection and Pond

Jessie Wooldridge Brosius Rose Garden

John Firsching Evergreen Collection

Linda Stewart Plant Evaluation Garden

Margie Button Memorial Fountain

Martha Parriott Terrace Garden

Murdock Entry Garden

Parking Area

Project Beauty Shakespearean Garden

Reflection Pool

Sally Stone Sensory Garden

Schnitzler Juniper Collection

Shakespearean Panels

Water-Well Education Garden

Woodland Bird Garden

Xeriscape Garden

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Murdock Entry Garden

Parking Area

Linda Stewart Plant Evaluation Garden

Hanna Jabara Entry

Reflection Pool

Martha W. Parriott Terrace Garden

Concourse

Shakespearean Garden

Arton Sundial

Shakespeare Panels

Jessie Wooldridge Brosius Rose Garden

Butterfly Garden

John Firsching Evergreen Collection

Butterfly House

Margie Button Memorial Fountain

Water-Well Education Garden

Woodland Bird Garden

Frank Smith Woodland Glade

Wildflower Woodland

Beverly Blue Teaching Garden

Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow


Xeriscape Garden

Bank IV Centennial Pavilions


Gene E. Spear Railroad Garden


Greenhouse

Garden on the Rocks

Jayne Milburn Aquatic Collection and Pond


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Contents

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The Four Seasons Perennial Garden surrounds the back of the Terrace Garden and extends from the pond to the Concourse. The area includes separate sections for fall, summer and spring blooming plants, and ends with the all season border. At the midpoint of the garden is the bronze statue Fine Feathered Friends.

Distinct flowers are grown in each seasonal section:

• All Seasons area lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantine), scabiosa (Knautia) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).

• Spring area daffodils (Narcissus), Virginia blue bells (Mertensia Virginica), peonies (Paeonias) and the pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris).

• Summer area shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum), daylilies (Hemerocallis), coneflower (Echinacea) plumbago (Plumbago).

• Fall area mums (Chrysanthemums), asters (Aster dumosor) and sneezeweed (Helenium).

Several thornless, fruitless osage orange (Maclura pomifera) trees are located in the border. A row of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) shrubs completes the hedge in the background.


Sculpture:Fine Feathered Friends

Artist: Gary Price

Donor: Don Tener family & friends, in memory of Janice

Installed: 2005Tener

Sculpture Index Arton Sundial

Beach Boy with Pail

Bella

Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture

Coyote


Fine Feathered Friends

Four Seasons

Garden Sprite

Great Blue Heron

Gold-Dipped Weathervane

Harvest Joy

Harvest Time

Immortality II

Kaleidoscope

Margie Button Fountain

Never Too Big

New Season

No Greater Love

Prairie Flowers

Prairie Wings

Shakespeare’s Bust


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In the heart of Botanica is its largest pond, the Jayne Milburn Aquatic Collection. A wooden boardwalk encircles a section of the pond, allowing visitors a close-up view of the water lilies and aquatic plants.

In season, the pond is full of water lilies grown in tubs (Nymphaea odorata), pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata), water irises (Iris), and lotus plants (Nelumbo Lutea). The ‘Victoria amazonica’ water lily is a main attraction with its leaf size reaching up to 9 feet and blossoms which turn from white to pink in a matter of 48 hours.

In the pond there are fish as well as the occasional turtle, toad or frog. The pond is 2-to-3 feet deep around the edges and 6-to-8 feet deep in the center.

A sculpture, entitled Great Blue Heron, is nestled near the northern edge of the Boeing pond, complementing the plant material in the area.

Garden Donor: Pond provided by Boeing Co. in 1988. Aquatic collection donated by Jayne and Glenn Milburn in 1989.

Sculpture: Great Blue Heron

Artist: Dennis P. Anderson

Donor: Delores Bean and daughters, in memory of Jim Bean

Installed: 2009

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Dennis P. Anderson

Robert Anderson

Charles Baughman

Rich Bergen

Terry Corbett

Jane DeDecker

Connie Ernatt

Marilyn “Sissy” Graves

Edward Hlavka

Jensen Designs

Greg Johnson

Norma Lewis

George Lundeen

Walter Matia

Rich Mino

Andy Newbrey

Charles Parks

Gary Price

Gino Salerno

Conrad Snider

Dustin Sypher

Nancy Kemper Tapp

L’Deane Trueblood

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Next to the Martha W. Parriott Terrace, the Garden on the Rocks is visible. The bronze sculpture Beach Boy with Pail highlights the area.

The Alpine plants such as sandwort (Arenaria montana) and snow-in-summer (Cerostium tomentosum) are naturals to this area. Succulents adapt to the dry environment by storing water in their leaves as well as having small root systems. Sedums and cacti can also be found here. Most plants in this area bloom in April and May.

The bubbling waterfall seeps around the rocks in the pool. The water source for this pool is conditioned city water and, therefore, is not suitable for fish. The water circulates but does not connect with the larger pond.

This garden was designed by Planning Development Services, Inc., Wichita in 1987.

Sculpture: Beach Boy with Pail

Artist: L’Deane Trueblood

Donor: Anonymous, in honor of Pat Kenyon and her love for gardeneing

Installed: 2002

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The Murdock Street entry was designed to create a pedestrian entrance to Botanica. To the right (or north) of the area is the gateway to Sim Golf Course.

Trees such as the lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) and river birch (Betula nigra) were planted to assist in screening the utilities and the water treatment plant. Wrought-iron arches and fences enclose the area from the street traffic, directing guests to the parking lot where cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians enter. Annuals add a touch of color and include seasonal plantings such as cannas (Canna), begonias (Begonia) and grasses.

A generous gift from the Wichita Greyhound Charities was instrumental in developing the entryway at Botanica.

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Opening onto the Terrace and adjacent to the Terrace Room is the Greenhouse. In addition to the tropical plants one would expect to find in a greenhouse, there are also recovering plants and newly planted seedlings of such exotic species as the ‘Victoria amazonica’ water lily. In addition to seedlings, cuttings are taken from established plants and grown in this area and in the Gardens.

Along the windows that overlook the Terrace Garden are two pools that are home to a variety of water plants. Grasses such as Madagascar palm (Pachypodium species) line the pools. Some of the plants to look for are the schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla), fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), bromeliads (Aechmea fasciata), and cacti of various types.

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In 1995, the parking lot was converted into an oasis of color and design. The islands of trees and shrubs that now separate the parking sections include lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia), osage-orange (Maclura pomifera), crabapple (Malus), callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), as well as shrubs such as firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) and crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia limii). Altogether there are 26 different species of trees in the area.

Located to the south of the parking area is the Linda Stewart Plant Evaluation Garden where plants new to the area are given a trial for suitability in the Kansas weather. To the east of the trial gardens are the iris beds as well as the Kansas Hybrides Hemerocallis (daylily) Display Garden.

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The Sally Stone Sensory Garden, located beside the Greenhouse, was designed to encourage and facilitate full sensory experiences found in gardens. More than 76 pockets situated at varying heights in the living herb wall enable visitors of all ages and abilities to interact with nature and enjoy the colors, textures and fragrances of a variety of plants.

The garden was opened to the public as an enabling garden that allows the physically challenged and cognitively challenged to enjoy the many benefits associated with gardening. Raised garden beds and container gardens at the wall’s higher level allow special populations to participate in the joy of gardening with tools specially modified to make gardening easier. A grouping of such special tools is on display on the back wall.

The Kaleidoscope is a wonderful piece of architectural art composed of two kaleidoscopes aimed at a rotating planter

Garden Donor: This garden, dedicated in 1999 in memory of Cliff Stone’s wife Sally.

Sculpture: Kaleidoscope

Artist: Robert Anderson

Donor: The Clifford Stone Trust and family in memory of Sally Connell Stone

Installed: 2005


This experimental garden at the south end of the parking lot features perennial trial beds in both shade and full sun areas. The primary purpose is testing for the viability of these plants in the south-central Kansas region. In order to test varieties that are not native to this area or not commonly grown here, several dozen herbaceous perennials are grown in the trial beds and observed for one to three years. Plants that do well are moved into the gardens and become part of the permanent display.

The two beds in the front of the permanent collection display annuals that have been noted as “All-American Selections.” The All-American Winners are new variations of flowers that have been tested and proven to be superior for home garden performance.

Garden Donor: Gift from family of Linda B. Stewart dedicated in 1990.

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This Railroad Garden, one of the more recent additions to Botanica, sits on the wooded hillside beside the Sally Stone Sensory Garden.

Trains run at intervals:

PASSENGER TRAINS—streamliner cars pulled by F-7 diesels in the Santa Fe Warbonnet paint scheme

FREIGHT TRAINS—various engines pulled by a Mikado steam locomotive

WORK TRAINS—various cars used in Maintenance of Way (MOW) pulled by a small 20 ton diesel

During Illuminations, the Polar Express, a Mikado leads standard Pullman-type passenger cars with figures of children.

The trains on the tracks are subject to change depending on the availability and purchase of new additions.

Designer: Wichita Area Garden Railway Society

Donor: Gene E. Spear & Wichita Area Garden Railway Society

Installed: 2012

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The expansive entry walkway is surrounded by luscious turf, stone benches, an array of shrubs, trees, blooms and greenery. Strategically positioned lights guide you during an evening stroll. This garden has an ever-changing palette of colors and floral designs with tulips in the spring, annuals in the summer and chrysanthemums in the fall.

The American flag, a gift from the Eunice Sterling Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, is noticeable to the right upon entering the gardens, as is the statue Never Too Big, on the lawn.

The Hanna Jabara Entry Garden leads to the administration building on the right and the Gardens on the left. Inside the building is the welcome center, offices, gift shop, restrooms, auditorium and terrace room.

Garden Donor: Dedicated in memory of Hanna Jabara in 1988 by Donna Jabara Baker.

Sculpture: Never Too Big

Artist: Jane DeDecker

Donor: Family and friends of Donna Jabara Baker

Installed: 1993

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After leaving the Centennial Pavilions, the Schnitzler Juniper Collection comes into view. In the stream that flows beside the walkway a grouping of bronze Sandhill Cranes appear to take flight. These five bronze cranes were modeled after birds from the International Crane Foundation and the National Zoo. Walter Matia, the sculptor, came to the Gardens to determine their permanent location.

Among the many juniper trees interspersed in this area are the creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis), dwarf canaert juniper (Juniperus virginiana canaertii) and many others. Also included in this area are evergreens of different species such as Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) and the Norway spruce (Picea abies).

At one time this area featured approximately 50 junipers. One of those was the “Wichita Blue” juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita’) which was initially propagated by a Wichita nurseryman, Fred Schnitzler. Unfortunately, it is not suited for this area but grows well in milder climates.

Garden Donor: The Schnitzler Juniper Collection was dedicated in 1988 by Bill and Jane Pearce and many friends in honor of Fred C. Schnitzler.

Sculpture: Prairie Wings

Artist: Walter Matia

Donor: Margaret Kessler, in memory of her husband Frank Kessler

Installed: 1994


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Upon leaving Botanica’s welcome center and entering the Gardens, the first site to the left is the Reflection Pool. The pool, which is only a few inches deep, has black-painted walls and water that has been dyed black; as a result, reflections are enhanced and algae growth has been inhibited. Floating in the pool are tropical water lilies which are significant for their unusual and intense hues (the type that are not present in the perennial water lilies found in the larger pond). Near the center of the pool is a cast-iron fountain, formerly part of a turn-of-the-century garden in New Orleans.

Surrounding the pool nearest the sidewalk is a row of hostas (Hostas), barberry (Berberis thumbergii ‘Crimson pigmy’) shrubs and (Berberis x gladwynensis ‘William Penn’) surround its outer perimeter. A stately southern magnolia tree (Magnolia grandiflora) sits at the end of the pool; it has been in this area since Botanica’s Grand Opening in 1987. Its lovely white blooms can be seen in the spring and, in the fall, its fire-red berries.

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Donor: Fountain by Dr. & Mrs. James P. Newby in 1988

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The Bank IV Centennial Pavilions are located at the highest point of Botanica between the Xeriscape Garden and The Schnitzler Juniper Garden. This position provides a sweeping view of the garden’s nearby trees: the American elm (Ulmus Americana), weeping willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’), river birch (Betula nigra), and the Osage orange (Maclura pomifera). Visible from the railing is the pond with a colorful school of koi fish, water lilies (Nymphaea) and lotus (Nelumbo lutea) plants. The bronze sculpture Bella is pensively sitting on the side of the pond among the evergreens and rocks.

The wooden structure of this area is a multi-purpose site used for meetings, lectures, picnics and formal occasions. The wrought iron chairs and tables add to the ambience of the setting.

Garden Donor: The Pavilions were a gift from Bank IV, in celebration of their 100th anniversary in 1987.

Sculpture: Bella

Artist: Edward Hlavka

Donor: Family & friends of Deanne Bumgardner, in her memory

Installed : 2003

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The Martha W. Parriott Terrace Garden can be seen from the gateway entering the gardens. The expanse encompasses the stone, dry-laid terrace and the Garden on the Rocks on its west end, as well as the sloping hillside. Shrubs and trees enclose the entire terrace area. The trees found in this area are Shantung maple (Acer truncatum), Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinensis).

The wrought-iron tables and chairs invite visitors to have lunch, bring a picnic, or just relax. The terrace is a popular site for musical events, concerts and weddings.

Garden Donor: The Martha W. Parriott Terrace Garden was Botanica’s first garden in 1987. It was donated by Bob Parriott.

Sculpture: Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture (rendering)

Artist: Charles Parks

Donor: Family of Bob and Martha Parriott, in their memory. Sculpture donated from their personal garden.

Installed: 2010

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Between the Pavilion and the Wildflower area, the Xeriscape Garden represents the leading edge of landscape water conservation technology. The term “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning “dry,” and scape, meaning “landscape.” Here you will find plants which tolerate heat and dry conditions, and require minimal water use. Factors which promote their growth are embodied in the seven xeriscaping landscaping principles:

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• Planning and designing• Limiting turf area • Amending soil• Plant selection

• Irrigating efficiently

• Mulching and appropriate maintenance

The Xeriscape Garden is divided into 3 water regime areas. The areas feature drought-tolerant plants, different mulches, and several irrigation techniques.

On the lower hillside area there are multiple species of sedums and cacti; they are the most tolerant of arid conditions due to their ability to retain moisture in their leaves. Other plants adaptable to drier climates are salvias or sages, ice plant (Delosperma cooperi), lead plant (Amorphi canescens), and common yarrow (Achillea milleform). Trees in this area include the sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima), shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria), Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) and Chinese or lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia).

Garden Donor : Donated by the City of Wichita Water Department in 1990.

Upon entering the Gardens from the Hanna Jabara Entry Garden or the Martha Parriott Terrace Garden, the Concourse comes into view. The lattice wooden structures enclose this area with littleleaf boxwoods (Buxus microphylla) shrubs. Annuals and flower-filled pots are interspersed between the shrubs.

Along the Concourse across from the entrance to the Shakespeare Garden is the bronze sculpture Harvest Joy, which features two children holding a large basket full of evergreen foliage or plants appropriate for the season. At the end of the Concourse is an Arcosanti bell, clanging in the wind, which was donated by Mary Leedon.

Sculpture: Harvest Joy

Artist: Gary Price

Donor: Gift of Kate Bell and Christine Paulsen Polk

Installed: 2002

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GRANDADDY’S MUSICAL MAZE At the entrance of the maze is a rainbow arch leading to several areas with musical instruments, such as pagoda chimes, drums and a rain maker.

Garden Donor: John and Jim Garvey, in honor of their dad, Willard Garvey.

Artist: Charles Baughman, “Musical Rainbow,” arbor

Donor: Jon & Kelly Callen

ENCHANTED GLEN Featured in this delightful area are the metal sculptures crafted to bring life to Eric Carle’s illustrations.

Artist: Andy Newbrey, “Mr. Pillar,” and other sculptures.

Donor: Judy and Don Slawson, Lattner Family Foundation and Martha and Keith Walker.

The Shakespearean Garden is to the left of the Concourse. This garden is composed of blossoms and herbs mentioned in William Shakespeare’s writings—as in Hamlet: “There’s fennel for you and columbine.”

In the center of the Shakespearean Garden stands the Central Fountain encircled by a stone walkway and teak benches. The impressive marble fountain was donated by Project Beauty in memory of its founder, Gwendolyn Houston Naftzger. Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crusgalli ‘Crusader’) trees are found behind each bench. The bronze bust of Shakespeare in the back of the garden, among the incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) hedge, is a copy of Roubillac’s Shakespeare from the Folger Library in Washington, D.C. Four sculptures mark each corner of the garden, each representing a season.

The organization Project Beauty has been instrumental in this garden’s upkeep, maintenance and beautification over the years.

Sculpture: Shakespeare’s Bust

Artist: Rich Mino

Donor: Elyn Harley Nagel family, in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Fredrik George Hull and Katheryn Ewing Lewis

Installed: 1988

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GRANNY JEAN’S TREE AND TREEHOUSE From the Treehouse, there is a gorgeous view of the entire Downing Children’s Garden. The Treehouse was donated by Jean K. Garvey and the Jean and Willard Garvey Fund.

Within Granny Jean’s Tree, several elaborately designed fairy houses and garden critters are hiding—perfect for imaginative play.

Artist: Connie Ernatt, “The Legend of a Laughing Child,” a series of fairy houses on the walls of the giant tree stump.

BOEING MONSTER WOODS Crafted tree structures, both real carved trees and manufactured, are spread throughout the wooded play area. Visitors can climb Granny Jean’s Treehouse and exit out the open mouth of the monster tree.

Artist: “Monster Head,” April Dodson of Dodson Designs

Artist: Gino Salerno. “Wood Spirits” and “Tree Creatures.”

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The Four Seasons carrara marble statues mark each corner of the Shakespeare Garden, each embody the unique characteristics of its season. All were created by Italian craftsmen and installed in 1989.

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Sculpture: Spring

Donor: Chris Paulsen Polk, in memory of Jack Paulsen

Sculpture: Autumn

Donor: William Fritzemeier, in memory of Jayne Fritzemeier

Sculpture: Summer

Donor: Olive Quiring Miller, in memory of William Quiring Miller

Sculpture: Winter

Donor: Tom & George Allan and Virginia Scrinopski, in memory of Alice D. Allan

FOSSIL WALL Hidden underneath the “trees” is a replica of a fossil wall displaying a native Kansas dinosaur, the Cleosaurus. Children can dig up faux fossils in the sandbox.

Artist: April Dodson of Dodson Designs, fossil wall“Muenster Mission,” mice collect twigs to build a rocket ship in the Monster Woods to travel to the moon.

Artist: Connie Ernatt

WOODLAND RETREAT Standing in the Monster Woods you will find a picnic area with a roof shaped like a leaf. This area is used not only by the public but also for education and special events.

ANT HILL: The “Ant Hill” features larger-than-life ants sitting on giant leaves. A lady bug push faucet on a tree stump provides the water to help children build fanciful sand creations.Artist: Rich Bergen, giant leaves and ants

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Upon leaving the Shakespearean Garden, the Arton Sundial comes into view. This sundial, one of twelve in the world, was manufactured in Sweden. (The King of Sweden has the first edition.)

When the sun hits the piano wire it casts a shadow onto the dial, telling the viewer the time of day.

Sculpture: Arton Sundial

Donor: Mr. and Mrs. Max Noble

Installed : 1994

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GRANDMA’S FARMHOUSE Equipped with toy furniture, play food, pots, pans and appliances, the house depicts country life. Donated by the DeVore Family Fund, children can come inside and fix supper with the days “harvest” from the farm. Eat inside, or enjoy the picnic area in the “backyard.”

POLLIWOG POND Constructed as a kidney–shape form, it replicates a natural

farm pond. Fish, stepping stones and hardy water lilies make up this pond.

Sculpture: “Nature’s Friends,” by Gary PriceDonor: Marni Stevens in memory of her husband Frank Stevens

SALAMANDER SPRING & STREAM Displayed among the rocks and crannies of a stone grotto are life-like salamanders. Visitors may use the water emanating from a multi-level water feature to “paint.”

Artist: Connie Ernatt

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The twelve steel panels, each devoted to a different quotation from Shakespeare’s writings, screen the second exit of the Shakespearean Garden. The panels were all installed in 2006.

Donors:

• Project Beauty, 2007 and 2006

• The Gial & Marge Kaegi Family (Gial, Grany & Chris)

• Those remembering Janice M. Stewart

• Jim Dole, in remembrance of Hazel

• John T. & Linda Stewart: “All work is a seed sown; it grows and spreads itself anew.”

• Skyscaping & Silhouette Designs, in remembrance of Anne Ophelia Todd Downey

• The children of Ben & Fran Peterson, in their honor (Meg, Mark & Bill): “Achievement with humility; pride and compassion.”

• Paula & Sterling Varner: “Wish all who enter the Garden know peace.”

• Those remembering Frank E. “Betty” Hedrick

• In loving memory of Dora Bradley


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CARGILL CHILDREN’S FARM A wrought-iron fence welcomes visitors into a replica of a rural Kansas farm with plots for regionally grown crops, such as wheat, cotton and soybeans. Raised beds with seasonal foods, a display of composting bins, a mural of a chicken coop and a dragonfly sculpture make up this area. A weathervane near the pond and bird houses on the raised garden beds were donated by Gial and Marge Kaegi.

PARTY BARN Representative of a typical Kansas barn, the building, pictured above, is utilized for birthdays and classes. The mural on the interior walls creates a realistic barn setting. Two bathrooms are located in this building.

Artists: Connie Ernatt, “Coffee Cluck,” mural

Dustin Sypher, “Entwined,” wrought-iron fence. Donated by Bob & Evelyn Neier.

Greg Johnson, “Mosquito Hawk,” dragonfly. Donated by Douglas & Pat Horbelt in memory of their granddaughter Julia Rose Horbelt.

The east side of the Margie Button Fountain is enclosed by an extensive semicircle of rose shrubs with a wooden pergola or arbor. The 150 shrubs include approximately 25 to 30 varieties of roses and are grouped by color.

A brick memorial path, with names of friends, relatives and persons wishing to be remembered or honored, forms a pathway along the roses.

The Wichita Rose Society’s interest in the garden has been shown throughout the years by their support.

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Garden Donor: Family of Jessie Wooldridge Brosius dedicated this garden in 1988.

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RAINBOW TRAIL A large clay squirrel planter greets children as they follow the yellow-stem path under the rainbow and through three small rainbows before winding their way up to the Sunflower Plaza.

Artist: “Mr. Biggles,” Conrad SniderDonor: TCK, The Trust Company of Kansas

SUNFLOWER PLAZA The fountain at the center of this plaza both replicates the complex geometrical structure of a sunflower head and is a cooling station. A metal pergola was

In July 2011 Botanica opened the Downing Children’s Garden. It was made possible by a donation from Paula and Barry Downing and many other donors and artists.

The Marjorie I. Meyer Memorial Plaza acts as a transition from the Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow and the Xeriscape Garden to the Downing Children’s Garden (DCG). The Hanna Family Tree Sculpture, donated by the Hanna family in honor of Janice Hanna and created by Connie Ernatt, and an expanse of green grass lead to the entrance. There, various signages, plantings, seating and a large, clay squirrel-planter called Mr. Biggles can be found.

donated by the Friends of Botanica and the Wichita Garden Show Association.

Artist: ”Sunflower Fountain,” Terry CorbettDonor: Fidelity Bank Foundation

To the east of the Jessie Woolridge Brosius Rose Garden, situated between the Shakespearean Garden and the Evergreen Collection, lies the Butterfly Garden. Plants in this garden—such as the butterfly-bush (Buddleia davidii) and verbena (Verbenea bonariensis)—serve as nectar sources for butterflies and food sources for caterpillars. Unusual plants in this garden include the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) tree and Manchurian lilac (Syringa patula). A fountain, especially designed to accommodate the butterfly’s yen for puddling, was donated by the Chi Omega sorority.

The tribute brick walkway winds through the Butterfly Garden ending at the site of a plaque with enamel butterflies, contributed by a host of donors.

This garden, which opened in 1992, serves as an educational resource for courses, classes and field trips; it is constantly emphasizing the complexity and intricacy of the natural environment.

Three bronze sculptures mingle with the blooms and blossoms of the Butterfly Garden: New Season, Skipper and Playmates.

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Sculpture: New Season

Artist: Gary Price

Donor: Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Nelson

Installed: 199824

The beauty and hardiness of wildflowers is evident in the Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow, a gift from her family and many friends. Wildflowers add season-long color and interest to the Gardens; they are drought-tolerant and carefree. Flowers and grasses flourishing in the Meadow include: blazing star (Liatris), blanket flower (Gaillardia), coneflower (Echinacea), goldenrod (Solidago), little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium) and many others.

Also in this Meadow, a pagoda surrounded by an ever- changing sea of wildflowers and ornamental grasses overlooks the pond. The garden was dedicated in 1993 and donated by the Cissy Wise family and friends.

The bronze statue, Prairie Flowers, stands amid the tall wildflowers of the Meadow. It is one of the most photographed sculptures in Wichita.

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Garden Donor: The Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow was a gift from her family and many friends in 1993.

Sculpture: Prairie Flowers

Artist: George Lundeen

Donor: Intrust Bank Charitable Trust and S. M. and Laura H. Brown Charitable Trust

Installed: 1993

Sculpture: Playmates


Donor: Friends and family of Margaret “Peg” Walters, in her memory

Installed: 2011

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Sculpture: Skipper


Donor: Children and friends of Jerry and Eleanor Carr

Installed: 2004

Beverly B

lue Teaching Garden

Sculpture: Immortality II

Artist: Norma Lewis

Donor: Emily Bonavia and Ann Garvey, in memory of their grandmother Leota Kindel

Installed: 2002

Sculpture: Garden Sprite


Donor: Gift from Jacqueline “Jackie” M. Smith

Installed: 2002

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After leaving the Butterfly Garden, a walkway leads to the John Firsching Pinetum and Evergreen Collection. This garden has gone through a number of transformations. The demise of most of the pine trees, due to pine tree wilt disease, has resulted in a number of tree replacements. A variety of spectacular evergreen trees have been added to the collection, hence the name change pinetum and evergreen collection.

The Collection includes a Himalayan cedar (Deodar cedar) and a blue pyramid cypress (Cupressus arizonica). Alongside perennial plants such as lavender (Lavendula augustafolia) and hostas (Hosta), annuals add significant color to the surroundings. It is interesting to note that benches in this area have the tree motif on each end.

Garden Donor In 1992 Botanica dedicated this garden to John Firsching, an authority on plant diseases and member of Wichita’s Board of Park Commissioners.

Sculpture (left): Harvest TimeArtist: L’Deane TruebloodDonor: Family and friends of Grethe Kofoed Christensen and Kurt Kasper Christensen, in their memoryInstalled: 2012

John Firsching Pinetum & E

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Sculpture (right): CoyoteArtist & Donor: Marilyn “Sissy” GravesInstalled: 198822

The Beverly Blue Teaching Garden provides its visitors with a learning setting that is different from the rest of the Gardens. This place could be considered an “outdoor room.” The garden’s design has contrasting circular and linear motifs. The paths through it are patterned concrete, brick and plain concrete. The arbors over the walks support vines and create shade.

The garden features a large sheet-waterfall and brick steps forming seating for an outdoor, circular classroom. The walls and fences made of natural stone, brick and wood give the garden boundary a sense of intimacy or inclusion.

Plants found in this garden are from the All-American Selections of annual and perennial plants of the current year. Among the vegetation are shrubs—seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconoides) and Virginia sweet spire (Itea Virginica)—and trees, such as the weeping crabapple (Malus floribunda), Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica).

The garden features two sculptures Immortality and Garden Sprite.

Garden Donor: The Beverly Blue Teaching Garden was opened in 1996, as a gift from Jerry Blue and family of Beverly Blue.

See sculpture donors and artists on next page.

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Botanica’s Butterfly House is a habitat dedicated to the education and exploration of butterflies. This themed garden is also a contained environment. It is designed to exhibit butterflies while allowing visitors the opportunity to observe the interaction of plant and animal species in a natural setting.

This 2,880 square foot, net-covered butterfly exhibit has numerous species of native butterflies in free flight and is colored by nectar plants such as lantana (Lantana camara) and pentas (Pentas lanceolata), as well as other nutritional plants. These types of plants can be added to a home landscape to attract butterflies.

In a hatching house found near the rear of the building, the butterfly life-cycle continues. Mature butterflies emerge from their chrysalides. Since the life cycle of a butterfly is about two weeks, the chrysalides are restocked every week from late May until the end of September. (This project is currently underwritten by Cox Communications.)

Around the end of September the Butterfly House is annually transformed into a Pansy House, home to 24 different varieties of pansies from late fall through early spring. Due to the netting, this well-protected area produces exceptionally large flowers.

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A winding path near the Woodland area leads to a cascading waterfall that creates a tranquil atmosphere in this secluded garden. The babbling brook is enhanced by columbines (Aquilegia alpine) and ferns (Athyrium ‘Ghost’). The fish add life to the pond at the base of the waterfall.

This uphill path is skirted by a profusion of shade-loving plants and shrubs: the witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’) and forsythia (Forsythia) bloom early in spring, followed afterward by a profusion of evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron ‘Cannon’s Double’) and many more cultivars.

This garden reflects the three-story concept of a woodland area: juniper (Juniperus chinesis), mulberry (Morus rubra) and hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) trees form the top story; the viburnum (Viburnum juddii), yews (Taxus xmedia) and dogwood (Cornus florida) trees represent the middle story. Lastly, the lilyturf (Liriope spicata), Lenten rose (Helleborus) and celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) create the understory.

Frances Lattner Wildflower W

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Garden Donor: Daughters of Frances H. Lattner and the Forest C. Lattner Foundation, in memory of Frances H. Lattner, dedicated in 1995

This quiet, secluded glade is nestled between the path from the Bird Sanctuary to the Woodland Walk. The shady, restful area, completely surrounded by woods, has rustic benches, a softly bubbling waterfall and a host of plantings.

In the spring an abundance of wildflowers bloom as well as crocuses, daffodils and tulips. Summertime brings the windflower (Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’), arum (Arum Italicum) and others. This area often attracts woodland animals.

Artfully placed around the waterfall is a family of life-sized foxes scampering about the hillside. These bronze sculptures commissioned by the sons of Betty Tanner are entitled No Greater Love.

Garden Donors: Dedicated in 1997 by area garden clubs, Friends of Botanica, The Wichita Park Foundation, The Wichita Board of Park Commissioners, Frank and Theresa Ptacek, area nursey men, community volunteers and supporters dedicated this garden to Frank B. Smith, Director of Park and Recreation for the City of Wichita, who was instrumental in making the dream of Botanica reality.

Sculpture: No Greater Love

Artist: Nancy Kemper Tapp

Donor: Greg, Roger, Jeff and Garry Tanner, sons of Betty Tanner, in her memory

Installed: 2002

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Just outside of the Butterfly House is the Jessie Wooldridge Rose Garden, dominated by the Margie Button Memorial Fountain. This fountain was one of the original structures at Botanica on opening day in 1987.

The fountain was designed to resemble a flower with four petals and a central, elevated head (the main fountain jet). The Margie Button Memorial Fountain is 35 feet in diameter and is formed from three tiers of concentric circles.

In 2001, artist Terry Corbett gave the fountain a face-lift. He designed, created and installed the colorful tiles which depict landscapes, trees and underwater scenes—complete with frogs and fish.

The huge, fruitless mulberry (Morus alba) tree shelters the area from the heat. Plantings to the right (or west) of the fountain include peonies (Paeonia lactiflora), of which Botanica has 85 varieties, the hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) and roses (Rosa). At the south end of the garden is a gazebo, topped with a Gold-Dipped Weathervane.

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Garden Donor: Dedicated and named in 1987 after Dwight and Margie Button in honor of their donation and support of Botanica.

Sculpture: Margie Button FountainDonor: Margie & Dwight Button, and friends Installed: 1987Sculpture: Gold-Dipped WeathervaneDonor: Mary Leedon Installed: Jensen Designs

An inclined pathway, lined with shrubs and trees, leads to a series of educational panels and displays. These informative panels explain the following:

• Origin of the area’s water supply

• Process implemented to obtain supply

• Need to conserve water

• Significance of water to mankind

• Historical context of water within the area

The water pump (mostly submerged) to the left of the panels provides water from beneath the Arkansas River for the water treatment plant.

The vegetation in this area includes trees such as the kobus magnolia (Magnolia kobus), yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava) and dogwood (Cornus mas). The Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) and an assortment of azalea shrubs are also grown here, as well as perennials and ferns that form the understory of the woods.

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Provided by: City of Wichita Water Department

Installed: 2000

“Birds are indicators of the environment, a sort of ecological litmus paper. Because of their furious pace of living and high rate of metabolism, they reflect subtle changes in the environment rather quickly; they warn us of things out of balance … It is inevitable that the intelligent person who watches birds becomes an environmentalist.” —ROGER TORY PETERSON

In the Woodland Bird Garden the path meanders to a bridge supported by trestles and side rails. Looking down into the ravine one can see trees, shrubs, perennials and annual plantings that provide food and shelter for a variety of bird species year-round. Featured vegetation includes hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), juneberry (Amelanchier Lamarckii) shrubs and John Pair sugar maple (Acer saccharum ‘John Pair’) trees.

The purpose of this garden is multi-faceted. The donors, Alvin & RosaLee Sarachek, who were both educators, wanted the garden to be embedded with projects that would educate visitors, make a positive impact on the environment and involve the sciences of ecology, biology and botany. The garden promotes habitat development and gardening for wildlife. Interpretive signage allows visitors to learn more about identifying birds, feeding preferences, plants in a home landscape and how these help attract different types of birds.

The “Tree Cookie,” also found in this garden, is yet another teaching tool. Cut in 1975 from a fallen redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) this slice of tree clearly shows the rings indicating its age.

Garden Donors: Dedicated in 2008 by RosaLee & Alvin Sarachek in lasting tribute to their parents: Rosa and John Ireland, Bea and Harry Sarachek

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Documents

Sculpture book final