Friends of the Garden Daily News – The FOG Blog | Celebrating the beauty of the Ozarks

IT’S A NEW APP! NEVER GET CAUGHT WONDERING WHAT TO PLANT!

Posted on May 17, 2012 by George Deatz

Note from Bob K: Here is a possible story for your FOG Blog. The Pollinator Partnership’s APP

With the Bee Smart™ Pollinator Gardener’s easy user interface, browse through a database of nearly 1,000 native plants. Filter your plants by what pollinators you want to attract, light and soil requirements, bloom color, and plant type.

This is an excellent plant reference to attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles, bats, and other pollinators to the garden, farm, school and every landscape.

More information here: http://pollinator.org/beesmartapp.htm

App Features include:
• Nearly 1,000 pollinator friendly plants native to the United States.
• Customizable plant lists based on your preferences including pollinator type, flower color, soil type, sunlight and plant type.
• Regionally specific plant lists based on the geographical and ecological attributes of your location (your ecoregion) just by entering your zip code!
• A wide variety of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and vines to browse.
• An easy to use search option for querying on common or botanical plant names.
• Colorful plant images.
• Once you’ve created and edited your customized plant list, simply bring it to a nursery or garden center – never forget what to buy or plant again!

The Pollinator Partnership’s mission is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research. Signature initiatives include the NAPPC (North American Pollinator Protection Campaign), National Pollinator Week, and the Ecoregional Planting Guides.

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The Gardens at Woodfield Walking Trails & Gardens Nixa, MO

Posted on May 17, 2012 by George Deatz

The Gardens at Woodfield is a new public park under development in Nixa.

It is located a couple of blocks south on Truman Blvd where Truman intersects W Mt Vernon St (Hwy 14). The park has a number of new trees now in place plus very nice hard surface walking trails with plenty of parking. The plans call for continued development including a number of gardens. Take a few minutes to stop by and go for a walk in this new park. A park that is sure to become a Christian County “Hidden Jewel”.

For questions about the park or how you can help with the volunteer effort to continue the development of this new community asset contact Dow Whiting, Garden Adventures Nursery, 417.725.3223.

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Springfield Botanical Gardens Historical Timeline & Facts 2012

Posted on May 17, 2012 by George Deatz

In our docent/volunteer training meetings, we didn’t get much time to talk about the park and it’s history. Here is a very informative fact sheet for your reading enjoyment. Lisa Bakerink

Springfield Botanical Gardens Historical Timeline & Facts 2012
2400 S. Scenic Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
417-891-1515

1975, Nathanael Greene Park, 60 acres, is created. The property was donated to the City of Springfield as surplus property from the U.S. Department of Interior and Bureau of Prisons. The park is named after Nathanael Greene (August 7, 1742 – June 19, 1786) who was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington’s most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United States are named for him including Greene County (Greene County, organized in 1833) and Nathanael Greene Park which is now owned and operated by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

1984, Gray-Campbell Farmstead is relocated to Nathanael Greene Park. The Gray-Campbell Farmstead is the oldest house in Springfield, Mo. Along with the oldest house in Springfield, circa 1856, there is a log kitchen, a two crib barn, and a log granary. The House was built by James Price Gray and was later sold to his brother-in law, John Polk Campbell, nephew and name-sake of the founder of the city of Springfield. The house was occupied by the Campbell family from 1865 to the 1950′s and was moved to the Nathanael Greene Park in 1984 when the Kansas and James River Expressways were constructed.

1985, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is created on 7.5 acres.

1986, Springfield Sister City Association forms a relationship with Isesaki, Japan.

1994, Master Gardeners developed the original demonstration gardens on land provided by the Springfield/Greene County Park Board.

1998, Close Memorial Park was established in cooperation with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Its purchase was made possible through a donation from the C.M. Close family. The same year, Friends of the Garden was formed to support the park and now creates and maintains the botanical gardens in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

2000, Friends of the Garden incorporates as foundation to raise funds for the Botanical Center. Drummond Lake was stabilized, and a rose garden was started.

2001, Close Memorial Park, opened in June, includes 54 acres, sited for an arboretum includes a number of mature trees, good soil and plenty of water in the form of the pond and a small stream that trickles across the area.

2001, The Master Gardener demonstration gardens were completely reworked and expanded. The Rose Garden, the first garden established in Close Memorial Park was completed, the roses were planted in April 2001.

2003, A Missouri Department of Conservation grant helped expand the park and clear it to create open space. Each year since, thanks to funds from the Close family and the work of volunteers, more gardens have been added and existing gardens expanded.

2004, The Butterfly Garden was developed and opened to the public.

2006, Greene County voters approve $3 million for the Botanical Center. A 20-year Master Plan is approved by Friends of the Garden and Springfield-Greene County Parks to develop 45 gardens in the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.

2009, Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House featuring host and nectar plants to attract native Missouri butterflies was opened.

2009, Construction of the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center began. Designed by H Design Group of Springfield, the Botanical Center is an energy-efficient “green” building and currently applying for LEED certification.

October 2010, The Botanical Center opens! The facility includes a workshop studio, meeting and exhibit space, an elevated plaza entrance and roof garden, a reference library, a gift shop, and offices for the Springfield-Greene County Parks Botanical Center staff; University of Missouri Extension; the Master Gardeners of Greene County; and Friends of the Garden. The park also added six new playgrounds created by Playcore ®. Look for the “Naturegrounds,” “The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly,” and four Trailpods around the lake including “Trees,” “Falling Leaves,” “A Swinging Toadstool,” and “Dragonfly teeter-totter.” Friends of the Garden complete the Dwarf Conifer Garden.

2011, Friends of the Garden is 1,000 members strong. Missouri Prairie Foundation adopts the Prairie Garden and names it the Kickapoo Edge Prairie in reference to its proximity to the historical location of the Kickapoo Prairie. Missouri Native Plant Society Springfield Chapter adopts the Rain Garden and Wildflower Garden. The Botanical Society of Southwest Missouri becomes a committee under the Friends of the Garden. Friends of the Garden begin construction on the Azalea Garden, the Winter Garden and the Kay Cummins Finnie Memorial Dogwood Garden. Efforts to catalog and create signage for all the plants in the park are initiated. The Greater Ozarks Hosta Society is pursuing national accreditation for its collection.

2012 at a Glance:

May 11- October 7 – Butterfly House open on weekends 10am-6pm
May 19 – Young Sprouts hosted by Master Gardeners of Greene County activities for kids!
June 9 – Bark in the Park
June 23 – Lily Show
July 21 – 4th Annual Butterfly Festival
September 7-9 – Japanese Fall Festival Hosted by Springfield Sister Cities Association
September 15-16 – Gray-Campbell Farmstead 1860s Lifestyles Expo
December 1 – Christmas at the Gray-Campbell Farmstead.
December 1 – 30 – Ozark Garden Railway Society Holiday Train Garden Exhibit

…and beyond!
Major fundraising efforts for the Sensory Garden and Kitchen Studio begin. This garden area will set the stage for conducting horticulture therapy programs, youth education and culinary classes. Many garden rooms, gathering space, and garden attractions to stimulate the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch!
Current gardens include the Butterfly Garden, the White Garden, the English Garden, the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, the Federated Garden Clubs Garden, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Butterfly Garden, Butterfly House and “Windrider” and individual collection gardens devoted to azaleas, dwarf conifers, dogwoods, flowering shrubs, native shrubs and wildflowers, hostas, daylilies, iris, lilies, ornamental grasses, peonies, roses, redbuds, a restored prairie, turf grasses, and viburnums.
Additional attractions in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park are Lake Drummond; the Gray-Campbell Farmstead; playgrounds; picnic areas with grills; pavilions; statuary; over 3 miles of paved, scenic walkways; Lion’s Club History Walk; and access to the South Creek Greenway Trail.
The Botanical Center is owned, operated, and maintained by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

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FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN/SPRINGFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS FACT SHEET

Posted on May 16, 2012 by George Deatz

FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN/SPRINGFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS
FACT SHEET

The mission of the Friends of the Garden, a local volunteer organization with more than 1,000 members, is to inspire the discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature. The organization meets its mission by creating and maintaining the Springfield Botanical Gardens and by supporting the Springfield/Greene County Park Board.
The Springfield Botanical Gardens is located at 2400 S. Scenic Ave. in the Park Board-operated Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. The gardens surround the two-year-old Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, the focus and centerpiece of the 114-acre expanse of green space.
The Springfield Botanical Gardens include 20 themed gardens, 15 collection gardens, five natural areas and three play areas.
A themed garden is defined as one that reflects a culture, a period in time, tells a story, changes seasonally and contains more than one of the main garden elements of plants, water, stone, wood, seating, structures, statuary, light or reflection. Themed gardens include: The White Garden; English Garden; Mizumoto Japanese Stroll and Meditation Gardens; Winter Garden; Federated Garden Club Perennial Garden; Heritage Garden at the Gray-Campbell Farmstead; Roof Garden Plaza; Woodland Garden; Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park entrance garden; Butterfly Garden; Bill Roston Native Butterfly House; “Windrider,” the Planted Butterfly; MSU Trial Gardens; Dwarf Conifer Garden. Themed gardens also include vegetable potager, herb, trial, turf demonstrations, shrub and perennial border and native plant gardens created and maintained by the Master Gardeners of Greene County.
Collection gardens, one type or one genus of plants, highlight roses, hostas, ornamental grasses, viburnum, redbuds, dogwoods, azaleas, columbines, iris, daylilies, lilies, peonies, flowering shrubs, the Ethnic Trail of Trees and Arboretum.
The five natural areas are restored or re-created landscapes that reflect the beauty of the Ozarks and contain plants indigenous to this region before the 1860s. They are the Kickapoo Edge Prairie, Native Wildflower Garden, Native Shrub Garden, Rain Garden, Wetlands, South Creek Waterway and Lake Drummond. The three recreational areas include a one-mile nature trail and separate playgrounds for pre-schoolers and older children.
Fundraising efforts are underway for the Sensory Garden featuring an Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen. The barrier-free project is planned as a working and teaching garden to stimulate the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch as well as provide horticulture therapy programs, youth education and culinary classes.
Tax-deductible $25 annual memberships to the nonprofit Friends of the Garden, which include admission to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, 10% discount on merchandise at the Botanical Boutique and Marketplace and a one-year subscription to Greene Magazine, can be purchased at the Botanical Center.
For information or interviews, contact President Nancy Hopkins at 417.425.9859. The website is FriendsoftheGarden.org. Contributions to the Growth and Maintenance Fund can be sent to P.O.Box 8566, Springfield, Missouri 65801.

Timeline

1975 The initial 60-acre Nathanael Greene Park was created from property donated by the U.S. Department of Interior and Bureau of Prisons.

1984 The oldest house in Springfield, the circa 1856 Gray-Campbell Farmstead, is re-located to the park.

1985 The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is created on 7.5 acres, and, in 1986, the Springfield Sister City Association forms a relationship with Isesaki, Japan.

1994 Master Gardeners of Greene County develop the original demonstration garden.

1998 With a donation by the C.M. Close family, an additional 54 acres was added and the name changed to Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Friends of the Garden is organized to support the park.

2000 Friends of the Garden incorporates as a 501C(3) to help raise funds for the Botanical Center.

2003 A Missouri Department of Conservation grant helps to expand the park and clear it to create open space. Each year since, thanks to funds from the Close family and the work of volunteers, more gardens have been added and existing gardens expanded.

2006 Greene County voters approve $3 million to build the Botanical Center.

2009 Construction begins on the energy-efficient LEEDS-certified building. The Bill Roston Native Butterfly House opens featuring host and nectar plants to attract Missouri butterflies.

2010 The Botanical Center, owned, operated and maintained by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, opens to rave reviews from the public.

2011 Friends of the Garden begins construction on the azalea and winter gardens and the Kay Cummins Finnie Memorial Dogwood Garden. Efforts to catalog and create signage for all the plants in the park are initiated.

Talking Points & Added Information

Each garden has a history and an ongoing dialog. On any given day year around, an army of volunteers plant, weed and mulch a garden they have adopted. For instance, the Missouri Prairie Foundation recently adopted the Prairie Garden and named it after the Kickapoo Edge Prairie in reference to its proximity to its historical location.
The Friends of the Garden is spearheading the drive to provide signage for all the plants in the park. Find out why this is important to visitors and for the national status of the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
The natural areas of the park, including the rain garden adjacent to the Botanical Center, the native shrub garden east of the Butterfly House and the South Creek waterway, Lake Drummond and wetlands provide important wildlife viewing areas. Find out what animals and birds call these areas ‘home.’
The one-mile Nature Trail includes interpretive signs and activities for families about butterflies, leaves, trees and mushrooms. Start at the Botanical Center, walk toward the Butterfly House and around Lake Drummond. There’s a dragon teeter-totter along the way.
Horticultural therapy, locally sourced food and culinary knowledge are important to Americans right now. Learn how the Friends of the Garden and the Park Board’s plans for the Sensory Garden featuring an Edible Garden and Kitchen Classroom are on track with these trends.
Stroll through the popular Springfield Botanical Gardens and find out about the wide range of visitors. They come to play, learn, relax and experience the great Ozarks outdoors.
More and more couples are getting married in venues around the Springfield Botanical Gardens. The pavilions, flowers and scenic views make wonderful backdrops for pictures.
The late Ann Drummond sits and reads peacefully on a concrete bench overlooking Lake Drummond. Visitors to the park are drawn to sit next to her statue and meditate on the beautiful view
Find out what’s blooming weekly. Subscribe to the Friends of the Garden newsletter at on the link HERE.

NOTE: For question call President Nancy Hopkins at 417.425.9859 or e-mail nancy.hopkins1219@gmail.com

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“Nature in the Park” Photo Contest – Entries Due by June 30, 2012

Posted on May 16, 2012 by George Deatz

“Nature in the Park” Photo Contest 2012
Presented by: The Southwest Missouri Camera Club in partnership with
The Friends of the Garden Butterfly Festival, July 21, 2012

Sponsored by:
Black River Imaging: www.blackriverimaging.com
GREENEMAGAZINE: www.GREENEMagazine.us
Lawrence Photo: www.lawrencephotovideo.com
Mpix: www.mpix.com
National Art Shop: www.nationalartshop.com
Southwest Missouri Camera Club: www.swmocameraclub.org
TCI Graphics: www.tcigraphics.com

There are two divisions for entries:
Open Division–
1. Color photo
2. Black & White photo
(If you submit a photo in each category the same photograph cannot be used.)

Optional Division for Youth–
1. 14 years and younger
2. One entry in either Black & White or Color
3. You may enter only one division.

Theme: “Nature in the Park”
1. Entries are due by June 30, 2012
2. Digital or film cameras may be used.

Additional requirements or rules for entries:
1. All photos must have been taken in the confines of the 114 acre Nathanael Greene Park, Close Memorial Park, or the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO 65807.
2. Only basic corrections are acceptable for digital images: (darken, lighten, crop, contrast, sharpen).
3. Your entry must be 8″ x 10″, mounted on 11″ x 14″ foam core with a black or white mat. (No frames please)
4. Your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, division (open division or optional division for 14 and under), must appear on the back of the entry. No identification should appear on the front of the entry.
5. Photos may show natural habitat, plant life, natural landscapes, wildlife or people interacting with nature during events and festivals. Photos are not restricted to a specific time of year.
6. If you include clearly identified people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary publication releases from the individuals depicted, and must be able to provide copies of those releases to The Southwest Missouri Camera Club upon request.
7. All entries will be displayed at the Botanical Center (for at least one month) and Lawrence Photo will have a display of the winners. Selected winning photos will be published in GREENE MAGAZINE (George Freeman, Editor).
8. Winners will be announced at 9:00 a.m. at opening of the Butterfly Festival, July 21, 2012.
9. There will be no entry fee. Donations will be accepted with proceeds going to “Friends of the Garden Maintenance Fund”.
10. Entries will be accepted through June 30th at The Botanical Center gift shop or mailed to:
Nature in the Park Photo Competition
Springfield/Greene County Botanical Center
2400 S. Scenic Ave.
Springfield, MO. 65807
(Phone 417.891.1515)

Prizes:
All Winners will receive a Family Membership to the Southwest Missouri Camera Club. See www.swmocameraclub.org for activities and meetings.

Open Division:
First place Color: $100 gift certificate to Black River Imaging
First place B&W: $100 gift certificate to Black River Imaging
2nd place Color: $50.00 gift certificate to Lawrence Photo
2nd place B&W: $50.00 gift certificate to Lawrence Photo
3rd place Color: $25.00 gift certificate from Mpix
3rd Place B&W: $25.00 gift certificate from Mpix

Optional Division for Youth– 14 years and younger:
First place: $50.00 cash Southwest Missouri Camera Club
2nd place: $25.00 cash Southwest Missouri Camera Club
3rd place: $15.00 cash Southwest Missouri Camera Club

Drawing– After the winners are announced there will be a drawing for all participants:
1. Mpix: Two (2) $25.00 gift certificates for printing and several coupons for free shipping.
2. National Art Shop: Two (2) $25 Gift Cards for purchasing anything in the store. All who enter the contest will receive a (20%-40%) off coupon for certain items in the store.
3. TCI Graphics: One (1) $25 Gift Certificate for printing.

For more information about Friends of the Garden visit: www.friendsofthegarden.org

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