Fragrance Garden
Landmarks, 2.46266
April – September 1984 created
Located just west of Thornhill Education Center with an entrance at the north end of Joy Path on the Arboretum's West Side, this 15,000 square foot garden was constructed and planted in 1984 in collaboration with the Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. and designed by Arboretum landscape architect, Anthony Tyznik.
While on a spring walk along Joy Path to discuss the merging of the Arboretum's Fall Festival and the 1984 Illinois State Advanced Flower Show, the idea of a permanent garden to commemorate this joint venture came to fruition. Arboretum director, Dr. Marion Hall, commented on how frustrating it was to see beautiful gardens built for flower shows, then torn down just days later. Violet Dawson, 1984 State Flower Show chairman, agreed wholeheartedly and with that, Anthony Tyznik, Arboretum landscape architect, began sharing his vision of what the Fragrance Garden could be. Joan Kelly, Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. president, recognized the great educational and environmental value this garden could bring to the community and seized the opportunity for Garden Club members to help support and sponsor this endeavor.
Its dedication ceremony was held on September 22, 1984 as part of the Fall Festival and Illinois State Advanced State Flower Show, the first flower show held at the Arboretum since 1942. The garden now holds over 150 different types of plants recognized for their fragrance. Though regularly closed during the winter season, the Fragrance Garden continues to offer a secluded destination for visitors seeking relaxation, reflection, and inspiration.
While on a spring walk along Joy Path to discuss the merging of the Arboretum's Fall Festival and the 1984 Illinois State Advanced Flower Show, the idea of a permanent garden to commemorate this joint venture came to fruition. Arboretum director, Dr. Marion Hall, commented on how frustrating it was to see beautiful gardens built for flower shows, then torn down just days later. Violet Dawson, 1984 State Flower Show chairman, agreed wholeheartedly and with that, Anthony Tyznik, Arboretum landscape architect, began sharing his vision of what the Fragrance Garden could be. Joan Kelly, Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. president, recognized the great educational and environmental value this garden could bring to the community and seized the opportunity for Garden Club members to help support and sponsor this endeavor.
Its dedication ceremony was held on September 22, 1984 as part of the Fall Festival and Illinois State Advanced State Flower Show, the first flower show held at the Arboretum since 1942. The garden now holds over 150 different types of plants recognized for their fragrance. Though regularly closed during the winter season, the Fragrance Garden continues to offer a secluded destination for visitors seeking relaxation, reflection, and inspiration.
The garden is planned as a harmonious blending of fragrances in a setting of plants, pavements, and architectural units. Form, color, texture, mass, and line combine into a rhythmic unity of poetic cadences.
- BRAHMS Online. http://bol.mortonarb.org/
- Fall Festival 1984 File. The Morton Arboretum records. Sterling Morton Library, The Morton Arboretum.
- Tyznik, Anthony. Aut 1984. The Fragrance Garden. The Morton Arboretum Quarterly 20:3 33-37.
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