The collaboration of Luthy Botanical Garden and Green View Companies can only mean one thing: something beautiful is on its way. The two teamed up for a Fall Border Garden, planted at Luthy in October, for the simple reason that both organizations strongly believe that foliage is a necessary part of life.

Lisa Hoerr-Grandstaff, vice president of marketing at Green View Companies, and Bob Streitmatter, manager of Luthy Botanical Garden, put the Fall Border project in motion. “Over the summer, Collections Specialist Amy Lister and I bounced around the concept and the design of the Fall Border. We thought it would be an ideal partnership for a botanical garden and a nursery,” Streitmatter said.

“Bob was a senior landscape architect at Green View for 21 years, and I’d mentioned to him that if Luthy was ever in need of plants to please contact us,” Hoerr-Grandstaff added. “So in August, Bob approached Green View with the concept of a Fall Border Garden and asked if we’d be interested in donating the entire collection of plants to the garden. We quickly became excited about this garden for a couple different reasons. First, Green View would have the opportunity to give back to the community. Secondly, it would help fulfill our mission of educating the community about plants and landscape design.”

The garden consists of plants that have great autumnal appeal, and many are native to the Midwest, she said. “The garden truly embraces the beauty of autumn and is a tribute to the unique Midwestern beauty. The ornamental grasses give texture, sound, and movement, while many of the perennials and shrubs add showy fall color. I hope visitors to Luthy have a better appreciation for Midwestern gardens and the splendor of autumn. We want visitors to become educated about plants that work in our climate and that are native, disease-resistant, and drought-tolerant.”

Streitmatter explained, “Upon entering the south gate, you’ll be greeted with bright orange sprays of Bittersweet rambling over the fence and lamppost. Shrubs in the garden will include Rudy Haag Burning Bush, Dwarf Gray Dogwood, Butterfly Bush, Carefree Delight Rose, and Fragrant Viburnum, which terminate each end of the border. Along the walk, large drifts of ornamental grasses will be intermixed with Goldenrods, Joe Pye Weed, Blue Star, fall-blooming Crocus, Aster, and Mums. Ornamental grasses will be especially prominent; as the backbone of the border, they’ll add vibrancy to the garden throughout the year as they take on a different character with each season.”

Though it only took a couple of weeks to install the plants, he said it’ll take one to two years before the garden will start to mature. When that happens, Streitmatter foresees an interesting and dynamic display. “It’ll offer people the opportunity to interact with the garden and learn about nature. Beyond the educational qualities, though, we want the garden to be a peaceful retreat people can enjoy throughout the year. In our fast-paced society, it’s important that we create a place where one can watch prairie grasses flow with a breeze or butterflies flutter over a flower. “

Both organizations have collaborated on community horticulture projects in the past. “Part of Green View’s mission is to improve the environment and quality of life through our products and services,” Hoerr-Grandstaff said. “Green View believes that, as a company, we need to give back to the communities where we have our businesses. We’ve given plants and gardens to various public spaces like the Methodist St. Jude Healing Garden for Children, Pettingill-Morron House, Illinois Central College Land Lab Arboretum, Lincoln Memorial Garden, Illinois State University, Valeska Hinton School, and Robert Allerton Park/University of Illinois.”

Collaborations and partnerships are essential to many of Luthy’s events and projects, Streitmatter said. “A lot of the theme gardens have been donated by local businesses and organizations, and the Peoria Ballet recently held a wonderful event here at the Garden. Working with numerous artists and art organizations, we have a Rotating Sculpture Exhibit and Rhapsody in Bloom. The Peace Train in the Children’s Garden came about through a collaboration with the Children’s Home and Boys & Girls Club. Of course, we have some very strong ties to many local garden groups, as well.”

In addition to having grown up in the horticulture industry, Hoerr-Grandstaff said she’s a proponent of gardens and gardening because it’s therapeutic. “Gardening can act as a stress reliever and improve one’s feeling of well-being. Many cutting-edge hospitals have ‘healing gardens’ because they know gardens help people heal—physically and emotionally. Through gardening, you get out in the fresh air; benefit greatly from the exercise; and engage in healthy, active living. When I garden, I get a feeling of tranquility and appreciation of the seasonal beauty. Also, I feel I’m making a difference in the world by planting and improving our landscape and neighborhood.”

Green View has been making a difference in the world through plants for 50 years. “We’re so proud of our 50th anniversary because so many family businesses don’t make it to this major milestone. This March, we began celebrating our anniversary at our 8th Annual Flower & Garden Show benefiting Children’s Hospital of Illinois. In addition, we hosted Green View associate events and promotions for our customers celebrating our anniversary. We’re planning to have an exciting 50th anniversary holiday party in December for our associates, ending our 50th year with a bang,” she said.

Times certainly have changed since Green View opened its doors, but Hoerr-Grandstaff said what hasn’t changed is women’s roles in gardening. “Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in gardening organizations and public and private gardens. Even during times when women’s lives were socially restricted, gardening and its many related hobbies gave women an outlet for creativity. Today, women are working away from the house and have less time to spend gardening, and these busy schedules have resulted in the low-maintenance landscape designs we see today.”

She said gardening remains extremely popular, however, and women are still a driving force behind the industry. “Women have an enormous impact on our garden centers, plant production, and landscape design-build services. Females impact how we market, what products we offer, what type of plants we grow, and how we present our design-build services.”

Hoerr-Grandstaff said for everything her industry represents for women—and the community as a whole—there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. “I love the design-build and green industry. I can truly say that Green View—and the industry as whole—makes a difference in our communities by making the world a better place.”

Luthy, too, is dedicated to making this corner of the world a better place, and, as always, the Garden has a full plate with the always-busy holiday season now in full swing. “We do have a lot going—from the Poinsettia Show, with all the fun new themes, to our Candlelight Walks and Jinglin’ Jazz, a night of great music and incredible food,” Streitmatter said.

A few of the highlights include:
• The Poinsettia Show—through December 31.
• Candlelight Walks—7 to 9 p.m., December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17.
• Jinglin’ Jazz—6:30 to 9 p.m., December 1.
• The Kwanzaa Display—December 26 to 31.

Also this winter, he said gardening enthusiasts—or those who want to get started—can take advantage of some great garden classes. “We’ll even offer a garden design series, which will be a hands-on, interactive class where each participant will create a garden design of their own.”

Luthy also has several projects lined up for the future, Streitmatter said. “Specifically, they include a new Spring Border, the renovation of the plantings along Prospect, and enhancement of our orchid display in the conservatory. Currently, we’re going through the certification process to achieve designation for the Hosta Glade as an American Hosta Society Display Garden. Finally, we’re in the process of developing a master plan, which will encompass future projects, signage, education, and the overall interpretive goals for the garden. Stop by and check our progress.”

For more information about Luthy Botanical Garden, call 688-3362. For more information about Green View, call 243-7761. TPW