Not the center piece garden but no less important. This area sets the theme, standard and quality understandings of the entire collection of gardens. The area includes from the parking lot until just passing the entrance gate. Designed to attract and bring people into the gardens with several small annual gardens, common shrubs and topiary. Simple exhibits and educational areas.
Gate/Main Entrance
Surrounding main building
- Plants
- Annuals – included but not limited to:
- Marigolds
- Geramium
- Vinca
- Zinnia
- Impatiens
- Cornflowers
- Begonia
- Petunia
- Nasturtium
- Celosia
- Calendula
- Sweet pea
- Primrose
- Snapdragon
- Daisy
- Alyssum
- Dianthus
- Pansy
- Shrubs
- Boxwood (for topiary)
- Hydrangea
- Butterfly bush
- Roses
- Trees
- Weeping Cherry
- Crape myrtle
- Poplar
- Maple
- Oak
- Boxelder
- Annuals – included but not limited to:
Bike Path
Bike paths are a great way to connect the gardens to surrounding cities and towns. Paths shaded with trees wide enough (and marked) for bikes and pedestrians. Shading tree and meadow flowers to surround the pathways allowing for breath taking views.
Pathways are to be well marked with bike and pedestrian lanes and beaches to rest every 100-300 yards. Small rest area/pavilion to be located halfway between the gardens and each path’s destination. These areas will include water stations and bike repair stations. Cameras and police/emergency call boxes will be located throughout the pathways for safety.
- Plants:
- California Poppy, Siberian Wallflower, Rocket Larkspur, Baby’s Breath, Perennial Gaillardia, Blue Flax, Bachelor Buttons, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Dwarf Godetia, Palmer Penstemon, Catchfly, Showy Goldeneye, Columbine, Shasta Daisy, Fleabane Daisy, Forget-me-not, Tussock Bellflower, Black Eyed Susan
- Oak, poplar, maple, Apple, cherry, peach
Parking Lot
At SG, we love plants and will try to include them everywhere, even the parking lot. Our plan is to design a safe and environmentally conscious area for guests. Simple gardens with drought tolerant plants will are mainly in this area. The plants will be located in parking lot islands which will provide the start of the garden experiences as well as shade and some weather protection for peoples vehicles. Vase and rounds shaped trees would be best to provide protection and allow people to walk under.
- Plants
- Butterfly bush, False Indigo, Feather Reed Grass, Ice plants, Lavender, Catmint, Peony, Russian Sage
- American Elm Tree, Burr Oak Tree, Kentucky Coffee Tree
Safety in this area is our biggest concern in this area. We hope to increase this safety using tree islands with sidewalks. By using slightly larger then standard parking stalls, people will have a easier time parking and walking between cars easier. This will allow people to walk towards the tree island’s sidewalk located in between each row and avoid walking in main driving lines designed for cars.
Water Conservation is very important throughout the gardens. Water collection though water permeable areas and runoff gutters leading to a collection area will be valuable to save and reuse water (after cleaning) for the gardens. Snow collection areas will also be used so snow melt can slowly melt in a safe area to collect water for cleaning.
The pavement/cement/asphalt itself is even looked at for environmental friendliness. SB plans to use lighter colored and more infrared reflecting colors to avoid creating a heat island as well as help reduce global warming. Other factors must be looks at as well such as environmental CO2 cost to create materials. Other possible ideas are a hybrid of grass areas and pavement/asphalt.
We plan on having Green/High fuel efficiency vehicles and electric vehicles park in the front with electric recharge SUV, truck and bus parking in the back. There will be drop off and pick up area separate from the parking lot.
Stoneburner Botanical Gardens 