BRYAN KNOWLES
Inniswood Gardens Manager
As one may have inferred from a theme titled “Vertical Visions,” the gardens at Inniswood Metro Gardens certainly have you looking up this summer. This year’s display gardens feature an array of annual vines and towering plant material aplenty. Helping to showcase plant material this year includes a myriad of uniquely crafted display structures made in-house by Inniswood Metro Gardens staff.
Vigorously-growing vines are having their moment in the Tropical bed behind the Rose Garden and the Oval bed adjacent to the Herb Garden. Having indeterminate growth, the ferny foliage of cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit ‘Funny Valentine’) is rambling freely on the rose trellis, breathing new life into an otherwise decaying structure. Scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), also featured in the Tropical bed, lives up to its common name by “running” (err sprinting) on its designated growing structure. The Oval bed features a meandering trail framed by metal arches draped with black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Amber Stripes’) and hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus).
While selecting plant material for Vertical Visions, non-vining, tall and tight-habited plants were also of desire. We need not look too far beyond our own greenhouse to bring to the forefront plant material that has otherwise served as accent material in past displays. Variegated snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata var. laurentii) are featured prominently in the Circle beds and elephant ears (Alocasia ‘Borneo Giant’) serve as the peak of the cascade of plants in the Boxwood beds at the Innis House.
Thoughtful planning, creativity and resourcefulness from the Horticulture staff resulted in unique display structures featured in many of the gardens. Remnants of drainage pipe were turned into bold, red pillars in the East End display in the parking lot. Plastic tulip bulb crates serving as containers have wood affixed to their exterior to mimic rustic wooden crates. Plastic pallets were turned on end and planted to make a living wall along the Brookwood Trail.
We look forward to your visit!
This is beautiful! I love the use of recycling items and using them in the garden, and this has given me ideas to use myself. You all did a great job putting this together (just like you always do!) in a very creative, original format. The hort crew at Innis Wood is the best…Great photography job too, Bryan. Miss working with you guys!
I always look forward to seeing how you bring the annual theme to life. Such creative ideas . The displays are very unique and colorful.