Elements of Nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water

MEGAN FLEISCHER
Horticulturist, Inniswood Metro Gardens

Since 1999, seasonal displays at Inniswood have been designed around a specific theme. The theme helps to inspire diverse, exciting displays that introduce a fresh array of plants to the gardens every year. The theme is determined in February and from there staff and volunteers bring the theme to life. Thousands of plants are grown in our greenhouse or acquired from local nurseries. More than 80 containers throughout the gardens are also designed and planted around this theme, too.

Last year’s seasonal display theme, Vertical Visions, saw the gardens reach new heights. A wide array of tall plants and unique structures had our garden visitors in awe asking “how can this theme be topped?” Enter Elements of Nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water, our 2024 display theme. When part-time gardener Devin Osborn proposed the idea I knew it was going to fuel an explosion of design ideas from our uber-talented horticulture staff. Any anxiety about topping last year’s theme quickly melted away.

Elements of nature are those that are crucial for life to exist. The four main elements of nature —Earth, Air/Wind, Fire and Water— served as our inspiration when designing the displays. We’ve left it up to the viewer’s eye to determine the element(s) featured within each display; however, I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the time to highlight a few plant attributes used to represent these elements.

EARTH

● Shades of green, brown and yellow plant material

● Decaying wood and stones

Plants such as Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ create a pause and often bring confused looks followed by a common question: Is that plant dead? ANSWER No! A decayed tree stump and branches were artfully placed to symbolize a fallen tree within the bed.

AIR/Wind

● Plants with fine, wispy foliage that sway in the wind

● Weeping, arching habit

● Air plants

FIRE

● Reds, yellows, orange flowers and foliage

● Accents of white, blue and purple flowers representing the hottest part of a fire

WATER

● Flowers and foliage in various shades of blue

● Plants with open, broad habits

● Plants with silvery, furry leaves representing frost

Grown in our service area throughout the summer, 1,100 mums were recently incorporated into these seasonal displays. There’s still time to check out the gardens but don’t wait too long, we’ve got 10,000 tulip bulbs to plant this fall!