By Kären Haley Executive Director, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail Public Space Fellowship is inspired by a similar fellowship launched by The Bentway, a linear park created underneath an interstate in Toronto, Canada. We became familiar with The Bentway and got to know their two amazing leaders and program staff through […]
Category: Flora & Fauna
New on the Canal – Natural Play Logs
We’ve added a few new pieces to the Vermont Street Plaza so you can make the space whatever you can imagine. Repurposed logs and tree stumps are scattered on the lawn and can be arranged to fit your needs. We’re all looking for an outdoor spot to safely gather with others or a sunny spot […]
Lunch and Learn Series – Stormwater Planters
Ethan, Cultural Trail Horticulture Manager Stormwater planters are an element of outdoor landscape that are often overlooked or misunderstood. In this week’s Lunch and Learn, we dug into the nitty gritty of why stormwater planters are critical to our city’s infrastructure. What are they? Stormwater planters, also called rain gardens or bioswales, are a type […]
Lunch and Learn Series – Garden Prep Tips
Ethan, Cultural Trail Horticulture Manager This week’s Lunch and Learn covered the basics of Garden Prep. Once the snow melts and the grass peaks out, it’s time to start planning for your garden. However, be careful because freezing temperatures are common throughout April and frost will kill certain plants. However, that doesn’t mean that you […]
Ask us anything – Garden Edition
On last week’s Instagram Live, we have Ethan answer your questions about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail gardens. Here’s a recap of “Ask us anything” Garden Edition with ICT Horticulture Manager, Ethan. Has the Trail considered growing veggies or community gardens along The Trail? It has been discussed but it is not something we plan on […]
Featured Plant: Dwarf Crested Iris
Common Name: Dwarf Crested Iris Scientific Name: Iris cristata ‘Alba’ Location: Washington Street outside of the Indiana Government Center; Southeast Corridor in Fountain Square Description: This Iris won’t make many Insta posts even though it has some beautiful flowers. During the craziness of everything blooming in May it gets overshadowed by other popular plants. It is worth […]
Featured Plant: Dwarf Fothergilla
One of the newest plants on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Fothergilla Mt. Airy is a dwarf shrub growing to a size of 3’-5’. Native to the Southeastern US it’s honey-scented flowers are blooming right now. When those fade the leaves will be dark green on top with the underside a shade of blue, all this […]
Featured Plant: Paperbark Maple
Common Name: Paperbark Maple Scientific name: Acer griseum This tree is loved by everyone, be it children playing with its flaking bark or a city arborist loving its durability. It has bright red fall color, a rich green leaf, a unique form, and its naming feature, the cinnamon colored paperbark. This plant can be found […]
Bugs, Bacteria, and Fungus, oh yum!
Bugs, Bacteria, Fungus: Scary things when you read them out of context, but the combination of these three things and the soil structure is what makes all the difference in landscapes. Without these organisms underground, there would be no healthy plants above ground. Bugs: The extremely unscientific term used to make the headline for this […]
Fast Facts about Cultural Trail Irrigation!
Ethan, Cultural Trail Horticulture Manager Ten Fast Facts about The Cultural Trail’s Irrigation system All 5 acres of gardens along the Trail are watered with drip tube irrigation. That covers the entire Trail. Each hole in the drip tube emits 0.26 gallons per hour, no matter the water pressure. Just like a home, the water […]