Botanic Gems Indiana Public Gardens
including Greater Chicago, Dayton, Cincinnati & Louisville
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Charley Creek Gardens
Wabash, Indiana
"The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world."
Vita Sackville-West
Located a few block north of downtown Wabash, Charley Creek Gardens is a horticultural center dedicated to the study, conservation and appreciation of plants, both native and exotic, through garden displays, education and research.
Having visited gardens throughout the world, Wabash native, Richard E. Ford, was inspired to create a charming garden retreat where area residents and visitors could go for a relaxed day's outing. With the assistance of Charley Creek Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to historic preservation, the arts and education, Charley Creek Gardens was established.
The garden's Education Resource Center serves as the central hub of the gardens and is designed in the Arts and Crafts tradition. It includes a resource room, greenhouse, gift shop and restrooms, and houses the horticultural staff offices.
To the east rear of the center and parking area, gravel foot paths lead to the lower creek side floral exhibts. An impressive array of native Indiana plants appear in the lush wildflower floodplain meadow. Nearby is a labyrinth patterned after a Native American Indian design. Further south alongside Charley Creek is the Charley Creek Cottage where ornamental plants about the cottage dazzle the eye and raised beds harbor a variety of herbs and flowers.
Spanning Charley Creek, a decorative foot bridge leads to a bluff-side waterfall that is framed with spring blooming azaleas. Near the base of the 30 foot waterfall is a Bog Garden brimming with plant life native to Indiana wetlands such as marsh marigolds, skunk cabbage and wild iris.
The path continues through the Shade Garden above the meandering creek, providing dazzling seasonal change. Beginning in spring and later in summer, blooming annuals and perennials provide continuous color until autumn when late blooming asters, sunflowers and foliage color provide visual pleasure.
From the Shade Garden, the all-weather paved path leads to a living maze of over 800 arborvite trees. The evergreen maze was visually designed to wave in the wind and gates were placed so that the paths could be altered for added interest for repreat visitors.
A continual work in progress, new gardens are planned and will be added over time. Charley Creek Garden is a delightful place for unhurried visits in all seasons.
*Charley Creek Gardens, 551 N. Miami St., Wabash, IN 46992 Tel: (260) 563-1020 Web: www.charleycreekgardens.org Open: grounds daily, dawn to dusk Acreage: 10 Fee(s): guided tours, facility rental Botanical Collections: native wildflowers, grasses, bog plants, herbs, greenhouse, labyrinths, annuals, perennials, water features, sculputre, garden ornaments
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Throughout Indiana, Hoosiers in increasing numbers are discovering the joys of creating their own private gardens, as well as visiting public gardens; verdant sanctuaries where they often find ideas and inspiration. As we all realilze or should know, spending time in a garden, private or public, can be a rewarding experience of horticultural enrichment, beauty and inner peace.
The author, Alan McPherson, has spent considerable time wandering Indiana, seeking out the most outstanding gardens or "botanic gems" whose gates are open to the public. He shares his findings of these Eden-like public retreats in this readable companion guide.
The rich array of garden types found in Indiana and neighboring cities include historic, estate, ethnic, educational, commercial, arboretum, conservatory, and pleasure gardens. These public garden settings are designed with international landscape styles that include English, Italian, French, Japanese, American influences and an eclectic mix of several.
Brought to life by numerous color photographs and a delighful informative text, this guide book directs readers to Indiana's diverse public gardens with ease.
About the Author
A native Hoosier, Alan McPherson has a long time interest in gardens and gardening. In his travels across Indiana for the past four decades, he has made visiting public gardens a priority. McPherson has authored several books about nature and history of Indiana. When not traveling or writing, he is contently enjoyng free time in his garden, orchard and yard in north central Indiana.