A staging area that shows off native plants in a designed landscape.
Conceived as a way station between classroom and the campus natural areas, this garden doubles as a demonstration of Indiana native plants and cultivars in a forest edge (part shade) plant community.
Befitting its location next to the Sommers Mansion, the most landscape-worthy natives are planted between stone-lined paths and surrounding a grassy seating area.
The garden includes a library of native shrubs, a “biohedge” that sustains wildlife. The garden affords lessons in plant identification, seasonal change, butterfly habitat, and seed-gathering.
A Project Learning Tree grant supported the design of this garden, and grants from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society, and individual donors provided the materials and native plants.
Featured in The Nature Conservancy’s “Get Wild, Go Native” Video Series
Follow the link and click on School Gardens to view a video of the Gathering Garden at Cold Spring School.
Ideas for Lesson Plans
Download a slideshow featuring ways to use the Gathering Garden with the curriculum...