Martha Springer Botanical Garden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martha Springer Botanical Garden |
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Entrance to the garden
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| Type | Botanical garden |
| Location | Salem, Oregon, United States |
| Area | 1-acre (0.40 ha) |
| Owned by | Willamette University |
| Status | Open to the public |
The Martha Springer Botanical Garden is a special plant garden located at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, United States. It opened in 1988. This garden is about 1 acre (0.4 hectares) in size. It has twelve smaller gardens inside it. These gardens are spread out along the Mill Race, a small stream that runs through the university campus.
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Discovering the Garden
The Martha Springer Botanical Garden was created in 1988. It was named to honor Professor Martha Springer. She was a biologist who taught at Willamette University. Elaine Joines was the first person to manage the garden.
A Hidden Gem
Many people call the Martha Springer Botanical Garden a "secret garden." This is because it's tucked away behind buildings on the campus. Not everyone knows it's there! It's a peaceful place to visit. The garden is free to enter and is open to everyone.
What You'll Find Inside
The garden is long and narrow. It is divided into 12 different smaller gardens. Each one has its own special theme. Some of these include:
- A butterfly garden, which attracts beautiful butterflies.
- An herb garden, filled with plants used for cooking or medicine.
- An alpine rock garden, with plants that grow in rocky, mountainous areas.
- Special theme borders, showing different plant designs.
- Ethnobotany gardens, which teach about how people use plants.
Many of the plants you'll see are native to Oregon. This means they naturally grow in the state. You can also find pretty pink varieties of Lagerstroemia, also known as crape myrtle.
The Mill Race Connection
The botanical garden is located right next to the Mill Race. This stream flows through the university campus. It starts near the Willamette Heritage Center, which used to be the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The Mill Race adds to the natural beauty of the garden.
Relax and Learn
The garden has benches where you can sit and relax. There's also a rock fountain and many beautiful roses. Students at the university use the garden for learning. It's a great place to discover new plants and enjoy nature.
