History

The idea for the Scott County Native Plants Arboretum was first discussed during the spring of 1991 by several interested individuals. However, the Arboretum was not formally organized until sufficient funds could be raised for the initial plantings and that process took nearly two years. Consequently, the Arboretum was organized as an nonprofit corporation and a Board of Directors elected in 1993. A formal dedication of the Arboretum took place in July of 1995. 

A Joint Project …

The Scott County Native Plants Arboretum is the result of a joint community effort by the city of Georgetown, the Scott County Fiscal Court, and Georgetown College to establish an area to display trees and shrubs native to Kentucky and in particular, originally quite common to the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. After more than 200 years of agriculture in this area of Kentucky, many of the state's native trees and shrubs are no longer in abundance and obvious to the homeowner. In addition, local nurseries often do not carry some of these species. Therefore, the Arboretum hopes to educate people about those species and hope they will consider planting native species on their own properties. 

Facts

The Arboretum is an area that is approximately one-half acre displaying trees and shrubs along with herbaceous perennials native to Kentucky and in particular, common to the Bluegrass Region. Today it supports 40 native woody species and nearly 45 native herbaceous perennials. It also displays a few of the native habitats one would find in undisturbed natural areas in Kentucky such a Kentucky River Palisades area, a Bluegrass Savannah area, and a mesic woods area. The formal gardens fronting Main St. are being converted to “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.

The arboretum provides a sanctuary for native species and a place for people to view them.