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from the issue of June 14, 2007
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Garden tours offer campus color, planting insight
Jazz ‘n Blooms
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
They stayed for the jazz, but were captivated by the blooms.
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| | | BLOOMING TOUR - UNL groundskeeper Michelle Dipple (far right) points out cone flowers in the Sheldon Wall Gardens during the June 5 Jazz in June Garden Tour. The opening week tour also featured a look at the Cather Garden, led by groundskeeper Amy Alderman. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
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Venturing early to the June 5 opening of Jazz in June, more than 30 garden buffs opted for a tour of UNL's Cather and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery gardens over vying for prime seats.
The garden tours - organized by Landscape Services - have been a regular feature of the jazz event for at least five years.
"We try to mix it up each year, offer tours of different locations or cover different topics," said Eileen Bergt, director of Landscape Services. "The tours have been well received. And, it gives us an opportunity to show off the work we do on campus."
The tours average at least 20 in attendance each week. Those numbers include a host of regulars - including Donna Westlund and Linda Ayres. The duo left a lasting impression after the last garden tour a year ago, telling Bergt they would see her next year.
"Initially, we came to Jazz in June to relax and listen to the music," said Ayres. "But we went on our first garden tour four years ago and we were hooked.
"Now, we come for the tour and stay for the music."
The two friends love to garden. Both said their own yards feature ideas plucked from the garden tours.
| | IN THE GARDEN - Garden tour visitors walk through the Cather Garden on June 5. The Cather Garden is located west of Love Library North. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
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"We learn so much on the tours," Westlund said. "I always walk away with a new idea or a desire to find a particular plant for my yard."
Ayres said the garden tours are a great way to become familiar with campus.
"You drive by and you see the edges, but many people don't venture onto campus often," Ayres said. "These tours give you the chance to get to know the university, take pride in it and these beautiful gardens."
The tours are also popular among Landscape Services employees - who are often the individuals guiding the tours.
"It's great discovering that so many people are interested in campus, particularly in the work we are doing," said Michelle Dipple, a groundskeeper III who led the tour of the Sheldon garden (her first) on June 5. "We worked really hard getting things mulched up and looking pretty. I weeded all day (June 5) to make sure things looked nice for the tour."
Bergt maintains the draw of the tours by incorporating different areas of campus.
This year, Bergt has planned a new tour of plantings around the Osborne Athletic Complex and Hawks Championship Center. The June 26 tour will close out the season.
"We are going to show people the entire process on that project," Bergt said. "Before, that area of campus was pretty much a utility area. Now, it has become a front door to campus, and we've been able to do some great things over there."
While new ideas draw in first-time tour-goers, old standbys like the annual tour of Sheldon's outdoor sculptures - given by Karen Janovy, education coordinator for the Sheldon -remain popular.
"That one is always popular," Bergt said. "But, Karen also mixes things up each year. I know last year she let the people who attended decide where they went. And she always has something new to tell us about the sculptures."
The Jazz in June garden tours begin near the east entrance of the Sheldon at 6 p.m. each Tuesday in June. Everyone who attends receives a printout of plants in the specific tour. Two tours remain, June 19 and 26.
"We don't know exactly when the tours started as part of Jazz in June, but they have grown to be very successful," Bergt said. "It's
Jazz In June Garden Tours
June 19 - Ornamental Trees
June 26 - Osborne Athletic Complex and Hawks Championship Center
Find out more online at www.jazzinjune.com.
Click this link to take a picture tour of the Cather Garden.
GO TO: ISSUE OF JUNE 14
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