Design of the Arboretum

The original concept for the arboretum was sketched by a landscape architect according to the ideas conceived by Mark Reese, Scott County Extension Agent, and Dr. Barbara L. Rafaill, formerly the Dwight M. Lindsay Endowed Chair of Biology, Georgetown College. 

The Scott County Native Plants arboretum is about  1/2 acre in extent and is planted mostly to native trees, and shrubs.  Although the term “arboretum” refers to an area designed to display woody plants, and in particular, trees, no garden area is complete without herbaceous species.  Therefore, over the years, we have incorporated several areas which feature native herbaceous perennials as well.. currently the arboretum supports 40 native woody species and about 45 native herbaceous perennials.  

Several different habitats are represented as once would find around the undisturbed sections of the Bluegrass and other areas of Kentucky.  In particular are the Kentucky River Palisades, the Bluegrass Savannah, mesic woods, and various perennial gardens. These areas are described below.   

The Perennial Gardens

• A general Woodland Garden is located along the foundation of the old white building facing Main street. Here one finds native ferns, wild ginger, and Virginia willow, a woody shrub.
•  A Prairie Garden enhances the parking area. Here coneflowers and mints bloom in the summer attracting honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies galore.
• Along the east fence is a Native Grass Garden. Indian grass, little bluestem, and a few native asters and goldenrods are found here.
• The more formal gardens facing Main St. are being developed into Knot Gardens. Knot gardens are generally made up of herbs or shrubs planted in a unified formal pattern usually set off by gravel or stone. It is one of the oldest forms of garden in America and descends from the walled gardens of the Middle Ages. Our first knot garden, which was completed last summer, but suffered a bit from the drought, consists of two species only: germander around the outside, and lavender in a cross pattern in the interior. We are hoping to complete the other three beds as knot gardens with different plants later this season.

Kentucky River Palisades

Our Palisades Area is located in the southeast corner of the arboretum and is highlighted by a small water fall and pool.  In this area are planted several woody and herbaceous species which characterize the actual palisades such as the spring blooming shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans), and wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), several species of goldenrod (Solidago spp. and aster (Aster spp.) which bloom in late summer and fall, and woody species such as Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentuckea), and fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica).

Our Palisades Area suffered greatly from this past winter, especially as a result of the ice storm, and will be extensively reworked and repaired over the summer.

Bluegrass Savannah

The Bluegrass Savannah occupies the central area of the arboretum encircled by the path. Some researchers feel the original Inner Bluegrass region consisted of sparse tree cover interspersed by canebrakes or natural meadows consisting of grass and legumes. It is with this presettlement scenario in mind that our “Bluegrass Savannah” was developed.  Eventually we hope to substitute a natural ground cover for the nonnative grasses currently sown here for erosion control. Trees particularly indicative of this habitat type are burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and blue ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Also found in this area is Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii).

Other Areas

Mixed Mesophytic Forests of southeastern Kentucky are being developed in the southwest corner of the arboretum.  Here the conditions need to be a bit more shaded, mesic, and acid than in the rest of the arboretum. Such areas are more conducive to species such as big-leaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), and native Euomymus.