The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden Location on Campus
Welcome to the Secret Garden.
Nestled
between the Thut Greenhouse and Life Science buildings is the most
beautiful hidden garden you (might) find on campus. The garden is
concealed from campus view by adjacent buildings and is accessible
from the main campus through a narrow passageway between the Life
Science Building and Annex. The Secret Garden is a collection of
nearly five hundred plant species and cultivar specimens growing in
a diverse series of garden settings. These gardens range from
full-sun to full-shade environments containing native and cultivated
plants, perennials and annuals, flowering and foliage plants as well
as trees and shrubs.Urban Prairie. On the south side of the greenhouse, wedged tightly between the building and sidewalk, is a micro-prairie. Dense prairie grass overflows onto the sidewalk.
Sunny Disposition. The garden space between the sidewalk and greenhouse widens to the east. A series of three full-sun garden areas separated by unusual brick borders host a variety of plants that can tolerate hot, dry environments.
Forest Break. Hostas, hostas, hostas. A full-shade garden under the branches of a large Bald Cypress is populated by various hosta cultivars. BIG Hostas. Other shade-loving perennials distributed throughout this area complement the host of hostas. Shade-loving annuals and ferns tumble from a series of raised beds within the garden. Two concrete benches on either side of a cypress mulch pathway provide a shaded rest area for garden visitors. Locally quarried limestone boulders form the southern edge of this raised-bed garden.
Wander in. Succulents and partial-shade plants grow along the west side of a short pathway. The raised-bed succulent garden is surrounded by an antique, locally-produced soft, un-fired red brick border. A matching brick border accents the east edge of the winding pathway. East of the pathway is a population of shrubs, trees, herbaceous perennials and annuals. The southern portion of this garden is terraced with native limestone boulders from a local quarry and a perennial and annual flower mixture ensures long-lasting color throughout the season. A concrete bench at the southern tip of the garden is waiting for visitors to rest upon while enjoying the garden ambiance.
Local Focal. This full-sun native garden barely contains a diverse collection of tall prairie flowers and grasses. Along the north side of the garden, rowdy prairie plants are kept from attacking pedestrians by a split-rail fence offset a short distance from the sidewalk. A bright, yellow brick border flows along the sidewalk and curves around the western edge, providing a colorful accent.
Urban Drawl. A series of whiskey barrel gardens rise abruptly from the concrete pavement south of the tall native prairie garden. These barrels contain arrangements of full-sun annuals.
Full Stun. Along the south side of the sidewalk is a full-sun garden area containing a selection of perennial plants. A line of colorful red and yellow bricks form a border along the south edge.
Dendron Road. Various rhododendron provide long-lasting flower color from early spring to mid summer in this full-shade garden. A pathway meandering through the middle of this garden separates azaleas and rhododendron from another garden area protecting deep-shade plants from the summer sun.
Twisted Trail. A variety of partial-shade to full-shade micro-gardens are home to annuals and perennials, shrubs and trees. The garden is split by a short pathway. A tall brick wall forms a backdrop on the east side and bands of antique road bricks form borders around these small gardens. Adjoining cypress mulch pathways provide easy and pleasant access to these gardens.
Made in the Shade. A variety of ferns, foliage plants and colorful annuals grow in this full-shade garden under the spreading arms of two towering Dawn Redwood trees. A cypress mulch pathway surrounds the garden and a dark red line of old road bricks form a meandering northern border.
Shady Characters. The native shade garden provides a variety of habitats for local plants. A broad pathway curving through the garden provides easy access. On the eastern and southern side of the pathway are natural areas divided into four different environments.
Along the south, under several dogwood trees is a moist shade garden. Old bathtubs and other containers buried in the ground provide wet conditions for a number of plants. A border made from local limestone boulders in the southeast corner separates this area from the adjacent garden area.
On the east side, directly under a Bradford Pear tree is a dry shade garden. A narrow pathway made from antique sidewalk bricks runs along its northern edge. Inside the brick pathway is a group of low-growing forest-margin plants. Immediately to the north is a forest-margin garden area for taller native plants.
On the west side of the main pathway is a raised bed specimen plant garden bordered by native limestone rocks. A narrow garden strip between the raised bed and pathway presents another assortment of native shade plants.
