The Martha Springer Botanical Garden is a botanical garden on the campus of Willamette University, in Salem, Oregon, United States.[1] Opened in 1988, the 1-acre (4,000 m2) garden contains twelve smaller gardens stretched along the Mill Race that bisects the campus.
About
The garden was dedicated in 1988 in honor of Professor Martha Springer, a biologist at the school.[2] Elaine Joines served as the first curator of the garden.[3] The garden's long, narrow site behind the athletic building is divided into 12 smaller gardens, including a butterfly garden, herb garden, alpine rock garden, theme borders, and ethnobotany gardens.[2][4] Much of the garden contains species native to the state of Oregon. Other plants include pink varieties of Lagerstroemia.[5] The botanical garden lies along the Mill Race that splits the school's campus after leaving the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill site to the east.[2]
Martha Springer Botanical Garden is sometimes referred to as a secret garden since few people are aware of its existence and it is tucked away behind buildings on the campus.[6] Other features of the free garden include benches, a rock fountain, and roses.[6] The 1-acre (4,000 m2) site is used for educating students at the school, and is open to the public.[7]
