Gardens at the Bank of Springfield

In 2004, BOS doubled the size of their flagship facility at 3400 West Wabash Avenue in Springfield, Illinois. Adam Woodruff Landscapes, LLC was engaged to redesign the 3 acre site. The chief consideration of the design process was to boldly impact the streetscape while enhancing the architecture of the building. Woodruff designed naturalistic yet vibrant flower borders scaled to the site to accomplish his goal. The gardens cover 22,000 square feet and include a massive perennial and annual bed running the length of the Wabash Avenue façade. Several auxiliary flower beds dot the property echoing color and texture rhythms found in the main bed. Annuals, which represent 40% of the plant material found in the gardens, are woven between shrubs, roses, grasses and perennials to insure consistent bloom. The annual plantings are redesigned each year.

This blog is a resource tool for individuals interested in information about the plant materials used on site. Research aids include: photo galleries and a comprehensive plant list with links to photos and details. Additionally, the blog allows for interaction with the designer. Your questions and comments are encouraged!

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Adam Woodruff is classically trained as a Botanist and has been practicing landscape design since 1995. He specializes in the design and installation of modern, grand scale gardens for commercial and residential spaces. Taking cues from nature, Adam's gardens are less formal and include masses of flowering shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials & grasses. Designs are thoughtfully conceived and orchestrated to insure a natural and uncontrived look.

Member: Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Landscape & Nurserymen Association of Greater Saint Louis, Grow Native & Perennial Plant Association.

Sponsor: Missouri Botanical Garden: Plants of Merit & Springfield Green

Adam Woodruff Landscapes, LLC serves clients in Illinois and Missouri. PH. (217)744-7119 Illinois or (314)225-7119 Missouri. Email.

Look for Adam at . . . Gardening Gone Wild.

7/16/2009

A bright new border for BOS's Stevenson Drive facility.

7/13/2009

GGW Plant Pick of The Month- Celosia argentea plumosa

Feather cockscomb (Celosia argentia plumosa) is an old garden favorite. I’ve used the annual (perennial in USDA Zones 10 to 12) in seasonal displays the past couple of years with great success. Plants provide high-impact color all summer long while requiring little to no maintenance. It’s no wonder cockscombs are a favorite of gardeners and designers!

Seasonal border including Celosia argentea plumosa 'Fresh Look Red', Canna x 'Striata', Cleome 'Spirit Merlot', Verbena 'Homestead Purple', Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer', Mandevilla amoena 'Alice Dupont', Datura innoxia , Codiaeum 'Petra', Verbena bonariensis, Zinnia elegans 'Zowie Yellow Flame'.

[Read more →]

7/08/2009

A few new photos . . .

6/21/2009

Cottage Garden

In Fran Sorin’s March 4, 2009 post ‘Favorite Seed and Plant Mail Order Sources: From our GGW Contributors’ Steve Silk and I both mentioned Cottage Garden in southwestern Illinois as a ‘favorite’ mail order resource for their vast range of unique plants. Fortunately, I live about 45 minutes from Cottage Garden. My visits there are always informative and inspirational. I feel a more detailed post is appropriate. [Read more →]

6/19/2009

GGW Plant Pick of The Month: Colocasia

As I have addressed in previous posts, much of the attention my corporate design work (e.g. Gardens at the Bank of Springfield) receives can be attributed to my use of tropicals in the mixed border. It is unexpected to see lush tropical foliage flourishing in central Illinois. This season I have installed a truly subtropical garden complete with several species of palm, banana, croton, ginger, canna, fern and the like.

In seasons past I have had great success growing elephant ear (Colocasia). Not surprisingly, they are an important part of this year’s display. Named for the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield, June’s GGW Plant Pick of The Month instantly adds an exotic touch to any container or garden. [Read more →]

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Beauty'- a mutation of the cultivar 'Illustris' with 3-4' nearly black leaves, try pairing with Solenostemon 'Sedona' or Helichrysum petiolare (Image courtesy of Agristarts, Inc.)

5/29/2009

Spring planting

The gardens have been installed for the '09 season. I'll be publishing an updated plant list in the next couple of weeks. The design includes many exciting new cultivars. Below are photos of a few of my favorite new additions.

Yellow Bells- Tecoma stans GOLD STAR (Image courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden)

Purple Heart- Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea' (Image courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden)

Elephant Ear- Colocasia esculenta 'Elena' (Image courtesy of Agristarts, Inc.)

5/15/2009

GGW Plant Pick Of The Month: Echinacea

Echinacea purpurpea 'Rubinglow' at the Lurie Garden in Chicago, IL

This winter I finalized a 10,000 square foot design for clients who reside in a rural setting in central Illinois. Their recently renovated Prairie Style home has lovely views of nearby timber and a vast meadow. The site and home lend themselves to a more naturalistic garden.

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are in abundance in the design. As I’ve been submitting plant orders for the upcoming installation, they seemed an appropriate choice for May’s GGW Plant Pick of The Month. [Read more →]