The non-profit organization, Project EverGreen, will make its mark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this summer with the 2009 Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes Landscape Project. Project EverGreen has brought together area landscape professionals to make rejuvenating Milwaukee’s public landscapes a priority.
The Mitchell Park Conservatory rises seven stories above old growth trees able to be seen miles from its near south side location. The three well-known conoidal-shaped domes is a landmark of tradition in this midwestern city. The new elegant design will introduce more plant material at the Domes entrance offering a visual welcome to the conservatory displays inside. Landscape architect Chris Miracle, of Landworks Landscape Services, created the design plan as part of the Project EverGreen team in Milwaukee.
Domes Landscape Design Project
The purpose of the project is to improve visual interest and increase gardens at the entrance of Mitchell Park Conservatory. The promenade design will have an interactive sundial, dual-purpose student areas, a crushed granite gravel surface entrance and more deciduous trees. The plans incorporate the existing reflecting pools, lighting fixtures and full-grown trees. The historical stone lion-head fountains, part of the original Sunken Gardens, are being reclaimed from storage to become part of the new design.
More planting beds and containers will be added with a consideration towards low plant maintenance. Plant criteria meant allowing more space for annuals, fewer perennials and using a limited amount of plant varieties. The plant highlights includes:
- Gymnochidus dioicus, Kentucky coffee trees form a visual center in line with the Domes entrance. These trees have a late spring flower and leaves that have yellow fall color.
- Amur maccakia form a symmetrical intersecting line under planted with Hosta ‘Sum and Substance.’ The hardy Amur trees bloom mid summer while the peeling coppery colored bark will add all-season interest to the landscape.
- Hydrangea paniculata ‘Ruby’ will edge the reflecting pool walls and the Clematis terniflora, also known as sweet autumn clematis, will spread across the trellis fencing. The clematis will provide a late summer flower display.
For many community residents, the Domes landscape project will demonstrate a marked increase in flower and plant displays valued by Milwaukee.
The Domes and Historic Sunken Gardens
The glass houses now commonly known as the Domes opened in 1964 after the original conservatory was demolished. The historic outdoor Sunken Gardens were built in 1905 but were removed in 1994, when the original four lion-shaped fountainheads were put into storage.
The Domes are located on 61 acres of land called Mitchell Park bridging the downtown area with southeast Milwaukee. There the seasonal floral shows have been a cornerstone of the conservatory since its creation.
Each glass house has a different environment or theme. The tropics dome, also called the rainforest, is where visitors will find a collection of tropical green plants and colorful birds; meanwhile the desert conservatory houses a collection of succulent and cactus. The seasonal display dome regularly puts on a floral show just in time for holiday events with mass flower displays at Christmas or Easter that have been popular with local citizens for decades.
Project Evergreen in Milwaukee Wisconsin
The Domes was the kick off site for Project EverGreen in Milwaukee in May. In a conversation with Suite101, Chris Kujawa stated, “The Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes Landscape Project design respects long term maintenance needs,” when referring to the potential for success with public green space renovations. Chris Kujawa is current President of Project EverGreen. Kujawa has been in the landscaping industry since his early teens and is now vice-president of KEI, a family owned landscaping business located in Oak Creek, part of Milwaukee County.
Other Milwaukee Project EverGreen plans include renovation of ball fields by aerating, top dressing or replacing sod. Later this year volunteers will be at Red Arrow Park handing out seed packets to the public.
In July, awards were distributed for winners of the Art of Green Space Competition for school age children in Milwaukee. In June, representatives of St. Luke’s Medical Center received an award from Project EverGreen for their new healing garden that includes a roof top garden and conservatory with a planted green roof.
Local Wisconsin green industry professionals involved in Project EverGreen include gardening expert Melinda Myers. Myers regularly speaks to the public about the positive benefits of green spaces and landscaping in local communities.
The Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes Landscape Project will improve the outdoor entrance infusing enthusiasm for future projects at the conservatory.
For readers interested in more public gardens in Milwaukee, consider Boerner Botanical Gardens and boulevard gardens.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
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