Here's the story behind the downtown Iowa City gardens that greet visitors

This week, I asked Master Gardener Linda Schreiber to tell me about the downtown Iowa City gardens.

Schreiber and a group of Master Gardeners started in 2011 working to bring some design and color to the Capitol Street parking garage. Of course, it expanded each year, and now there are many bright flower gardens to enjoy in our city.

She said:

“Iowa City’s public lands are transitioning to meet community climate goals, visual diversity and interest. Iowa City Park Superintendent Tyler Baird is heading efforts for the City of Iowa City. He employs a perennial movement design in new installations in the downtown and the city’s park lands.

"He carefully selects perennial plants that will co-habit in proximity, producing a pleasing effect. Importance is placed on the plant’s architectural form, structure and texture. Color adds to the diversity. The perennial movement involves searching for plants that have beauty, movement and purpose after the growing season has ended.”

The design offers contrast and harmony, repetition, proportion and balance, Schreiber said, and she and her Iowa City volunteers work to implement Baird’s vision.

Changes are made each year, and according to Schreiber, “Many of the daylilies along the block, but not all, have been replaced with prairie natives — Northwind (Panicum virgatum), Blackhawks Big Bluestem (Andropogon), Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) and Heliopsis (Helianthoides NGN38). The cannas will remain until the new plants achieve some height.

"The new plants join Russian sage and butterfly bush (Buddleja alternifolia) in the same location.

"The drought-tolerant perennials and native plants will expand and increase in size as the plants mature. The new plant design will provide Iowa City visitors with a memorable visual impression that is both unique and sustainable.”

Schreiber noted: “Gardens are spaces for people to relax, focus and connect with nature. Gardens provide a feeling of peace and contentment for many in our 24/7 culture. I believe downtown gardens are vital to welcome residents and visitors to the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature and the University of Iowa.”

Schreiber reports that, during the coronavirus pandemic, gardening surged in popularity — nearly 20 million people were introduced to gardening, swelling the ranks to 63 million.

“They caught on to what many already know about gardening — it benefits our lives,” she said.

Master Gardeners also maintain the Secret Garden in the Dubuque Street parking garage and gardens on the Northside and 55 other city locations. The 2022 season is Schreiber’s 15th year as an Iowa City volunteer and her 10th as a Master Gardener.

Take a drive or walk now around the city and find the gardens and plantings that make our city colorful and diverse.

NOTE: Project GREEN wants your garden. They ask, “Would you share your garden for a good cause?”

Project GREEN is calling for Iowa City or Coralville residents to open their gardens for the Open Gardens Weekend 2022 event, July 9-10. Anyone who is excited about gardening and proud of their efforts is encouraged to sign up: large property or tiny patio; flowers, vegetables, whatever. Your participation can inspire others to begin gardening by showing what you’ve done and raise money for Project GREEN’s mission of making the Iowa City area an even more beautiful place to live and work. Sign up by June 15 at www.projectgreen.org.

This is a wonderful weekend and I hope to see many of you there,

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: The story behind the downtown Iowa City gardens that greet visitors