Gardens at the Bank of Springfield: Plants of Merit

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.

7/01/2008

Plants of Merit

My June 11 post included links to several recent editorials about the gardens. The Gateway Gardener feature titled: "Springfield Business Banks on Plants of Merit!" deserves special attention.

The article notes that in 2006, the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) designated our site an official Plants of Merit Garden. To provide some background on the Plants of Merit Program I have included language from the MBG's web site:

"The Plants of Merit Program aims to raise the public’s awareness of beautiful and environmentally friendly plants for the home landscape. The program centers on a list -- of regionally proven annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines and trees. The list is published each year by a consortium that includes Missouri Botanical Garden, Powell Gardens, Mizzou Botanic Gardens and University of Missouri Extension.

Each year, members of the horticulture industry review regional plant performance for choosing new Plants of Merit. Judging criteria include increasing landscape plant diversity, minimizing pesticide usage, energy and water conservation and reliability with low maintenance. And while, each year, a certain number of listed plants are retired to an emeritus status, retirees remain as a feature of the list.

The Plants of Merit program also gives out awards to gardens using successful mixes of its plants. The recognition program shows a shared commitment of the Plants of Merit partners and its sponsors for enhancing the region’s cultivated landscape while protecting natural green spaces.

Across the region, businesses and communities, as well as homeowners, are increasing their commitment to environmental stewardship with the use of Plants of Merit. These are award-winning, non-invasive, reliable plants that display outstanding ornamental attributes while preserving and protecting the environment. And in an era of personalized choices for educated, environmentally conscious gardeners, Plants of Merit offers everyone the opportunity to garden and landscape 'green.' "

I have used many Plants of Merit in the Gardens at BOS and in my day to day work as a designer. I highly recommend these reliable plants! Follow the link for a complete list of the Plants of Merit.