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Rotary Gardens
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for Rotary Gardens
2 reviews in English
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Review from Susanne C.
Dundee, IL
3/8/2008 3 photos
I was encouraged to visit during a workshop at L'Atelier. Janesville residents are very proud of this garden and rightly so. Plantings are imaginative and original. For a relatively small space the gardeners have done a great job incorporating unusual plants and familiar ones in some very clever ways. One year there was a bed of black plants using beet foliage as one of the color notes. The Japanese gardens are a favorite of mine, but then, so is every other garden there. Somehow I have never been into the gift shop in the half dozen times I have walked the grounds. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the color and peace.
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Review from Jeff K.
Wausau, WI
9/25/2007
So while all the Packers fans are vegetating in front of their TVs, my wife and I are out enjoying a long walk at this very good garden. A beautiful day in September with many plants still blooming.
It's amazing to learn that this used to be an area where they mined sand to use in construction in places like Chicago.
They have a variety of gardens with themes such as Alpine, Italian, Japanese, Sunken, Demonstration, and alphabet (for kids). The topography is varied. Contrasts in texture of plants seems to be something the gardeners like there; it's really a treat for the senses.
There is a large pond that narrows at one point where there is a neat bridge. One portion of the pond has a number of interesting features but unfortunately it looks quite gunky with decaying vegetable matter this time of year. Plus there is some trash in the pond. Nothing detracts from a beautiful setting like a large plastic jug floating out of reach.
The highlights for me was the Japanese garden, the sunken garden and some in-your-face mounds of varied plants around tall wooden trellis like structures.
Many plants are well labeled so you can write down names to ponder this winter for your garden. Many of the gardens are tended to by small groups of gardeners. The administrators acknowledge this with little signs naming the gardeners. A nice touch.
A theme through many of the gardens are large wooden benches, each with a quote about a gardening or environmental topic by artists, naturalists, etc. A very nice touch.
My wife and I plan to return in the spring when there is more in bloom.
Admission is free; donations are welcome. The gift shop is OK.
