Stop and Smell the Roses (and Other Flowers) on Campus

Before the bounty of flowers that now grace nearly 300 acres of Northwestern’s campuses, geraniums were the predominant choice. These were grown from seeds in the University’s greenhouses, which are now long gone. Today, thousands of flowers of hundreds of varieties colorfully welcome visitors to the Evanston and Chicago campuses.

The key players from Facilities responsible for beautifying Northwestern are Steve Camburn, groundskeeper foreman, and Sarah White, campus planner. Steve has been tending to Northwestern’s landscape for over 37 years. He and his team of 24 landscapers are responsible for grass cutting, tree maintenance, and planting. Sarah has been at Northwestern for several years and is responsible for the University’s planting and landscape design.

Throughout the seasons, Steve and Sarah compare notes about the changes to the environment, including any newly opened spaces due to downed trees or tree growth that has caused an area to have more shade, and which plants and flowers flourished, and which ones were less resistant to pests. Then, the planning begins in January, including determining the kinds of annuals, perennials, and native plants to grow.

Both capital funds and generous gifts from donors make landscape maintenance and legacy gardens possible, such as the bed of purple hyacinth embellishing the Northwestern sign on the Evanston campus at the corner of Clark and Chicago.

Hidden Gardens 

Several dedicated gardens scattered across the campuses are supported through partnerships. Perhaps the most notable of these is the Shakespeare Garden. It has been stewarded for over 100 years by the Garden Club of Evanston. However, consider locating one of the lesser-known but equally beautiful gardens the next time you trek to your on-campus meeting or spend your lunchtime at the lake. 

• The Gladys “Hap” Pancoe Memorial Garden is nestled between the Bienen School of Music and the Block Museum at the Arts Circle on the Evanston Campus. It is undergoing restoration this year.  Look out for limelight hydrangea, Joe-Pye weed, and a variety of annual flowers this summer, and watch out for the nesting red-winged blackbirds!
• The student-directed Wild Roots Garden at the Norris University Center grows fresh produce using sustainable practices for the Northwestern and Evanston communities. In addition to the food garden, you can observe student-supported native planting beds at Wild Roots.
• The Marjorie Weinberg Garden was donated in her memory by her children. Tucked next to Deering Meadow, it’s a secluded spot to relax and enjoy campus sounds.
• Trienens Garden is located along Sheridan Road in front of Cahn Auditorium. It was a gift from the Trienens family in 1999. This garden is also undergoing restoration this year. Be on the lookout for an increased presence of native plants in the garden that will contribute to its four-season appeal.
• The Edna Weber Garden is at the Arts Circle near the entrance to Pick Staiger. It is in memory of the wife of Northwestern University President Emeritus Arnold R. Weber. It is home to a special collection of small ornamental trees and a colorful annual display in the summer.
• The Abbott Garden is north of Abbott Hall on Northwestern’s Chicago campus. The urban floral wonderland has received multiple awards from the Streeterville Organization of Residents (SOAR) for its well-maintained beauty.

Breaking New Ground

The newest addition to the Evanston campus landscape is Shakespeare Woods. Intended to complement the adjacent Shakespeare Gardens, the student-managed project is in partnership with Facilities and sustainNU. It will feature plants and shrubs native to Illinois. Groundbreaking and design began last year, and the first spring plantings are underway. Read more about the Shakespeare Woods redevelopment project.