Entry Garden
This was the first themed garden that MNGI implemented. The co-sponsor for this garden is the Friends of Madison County Library. Entry areas and spaces around buildings provide great gardening opportunities because they can be easily accessed and enjoyed. When planning an entry garden, use a variety of low-growing native plants that are in scale with the building. Choose plants that will provide year round landscape interest and color while supporting habitat for pollinators and birds. Click the button, below, for a list of plants we’ve used here.
Cliff Plants and Native Vines
The area directly opposite the entry bordering the parking lot has been planted with a variety of “Cliff Plants,” that are also adapted to growing on steep and rocky slopes.
Cliff Material
Witch Hazel
Medicinal Garden
A garden-within-a-garden, the Medicinal Garden features native plants that have been used to treat various ailments. They were well-known and used by the Cherokee people who lived here for centuries. See the display sign to find and identify some of these useful plants.
Amsonia Garden
Another garden-within-a-garden, the Amsonia Garden showcases these adaptable natives. Commonly known as common or eastern bluestar, this is a genus of beautiful, adaptable, long-lived perennials native to the United States and Mexico.
Read more about these beauties on the informational display sign.
Amsonia in Spring
Evolution of the Entry Garden
This garden is intended to demonstrate that native plants can provide year round interest, color, and texture adjacent to buildings. Native plants can be attractive and in scale with homes and entryways.
