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Benton House Historic Garden |
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Beautification Project of the Irvington Garden Club Those of us living in Indianapolis are fortunate to be able to visit a number of public gardens including Garfield Park with it's sunken gardens, the beatifically manicured grounds of the Lily House and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, White River Gardens, and the wetlands and low forest at Marian University's EcoLab. While each of these gardens is noteworthy this site; the "home grounds" of Irvington's 1873 Benton House, is unique for it's display of pre-1900 heirloom plants. Thousands of daffodils, some hybridized between 1777 and 1897, are in bloom during the garden's annual Daffodil Week in early April of each year. Other spring bloomers, include species tulips: T. biflora (1776), T. marjoletti (1894) and 1875's T. turkestanica. Additionally, a number of "'minor" bulbs including snowdrops Glalanthus nivalis (1597), the ground hugging, star-like flowers of Anemone blanda (1898), and the pink, white and vivid-blue flowers of Scilla siberica (1830) which carpet the lawn. The dappled light in the home's shade garden illuminates woodland flowers including sky-blue Virginia blue bells, Dutchman's breeches, prairie trilliums, and the golden paper-like pedals of celandine poppies. In late May visitors will relish the garden's historic peony collection including the still popular; after 156 years, P. Festive Maxima (1851), the fragrant rose-scented blossoms of P. Madam de Verneville (1885), and the deep rose blossoms of floriferous P. Edulis Superba (1824). Iris lovers will see a number of heirloom cultivars including I. Mme. Chereau (1844), one of the first picatas, I. pallida "variegata". the source of the sweet fragrance found in many of today's hybrids, and I. Caprice (1898) noted for it's grape popsicle smell. Mid season brings into bloom Lillium tigirun (Tiger Lily) with it's deep orange recurved flowers and "Florence Vaughn" canna the highlight of the 1893 Chicago World Fair. Close by, can one gaze on Hemerocallis species daylilies including the fragrant, narrow yellow petals of H. citrina a nocturnal blooming daylily and H. dumortieri with its warm, yellow-glowing blossoms and copper-colored petal backs. Those venturing to the garden's Downey and Ohmer corner must sit on a memorial bench placed there in memory of a deceased club member, then stroll a Victorian "'fernery", a garden of native ferns, including the billowy fronds of Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern) and the evergreen fronds of the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Growing among the ferns are several species hosta: H. Plantagenet (1838) with it's large white, fragrant flowers and H. Sieboldiana (1794) the parent plant of H. "Elegans." Encompassing almost an acre, this site requires hours of maintenance. Hence, we welcome the help of those who share our vision. Should you be unable to assist in the garden, contribution a donation toward the cost of acquiring additional spring bulbs. For more information contact the garden's site supervisor at 359-3231.
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Irvington Garden Club |
