Hartman ArboretumThe Hartman Arboretum was founded in 2001 to provide an outdoor classroom for schoolchildren, as well as a place where other visitors could enjoy nature and learn about the diversity of trees and shrubs found in Southern Indiana. Their website is: http://www.hartmanarboretum.org/ For more information call Hartman Arboretum at 812-963-5418.
Areas of interest include the Wildlife Garden which was planned and developed by master gardeners and includes nectar and host plants for a multitude of butterflies. Other features include a hydrangea collection, an espalier wall of crabapples, a “stumpery” woodland garden, groves of young oaks and fall color trees, a collection of spring blooming trees, a wild meadow, a collection of “under-story trees” that grow in the woods below the leaf canopy, a collection of shrubs, a blueberry patch and a memorial garden.
The Arboretum has about 500 trees of all varieties, including 17 different Redbud cultivars and 18 types of Oaks. Other areas of interest include the Wildlife Garden which was planned and developed by Master Gardeners and includes nectar plants and host plants for a multitude of butterflies.
NOVEMBER 2024 UPDATE:
On October 10 a Weed Wrangle organized by Carol Pettys in conjunction with the Vanderburgh County CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) group took place. The City Arborist and representatives from SWIMGA and Vanderburgh CISMA led 18 volunteers in identifying and removing invasive plants. What a great partnership! Piles and piles of invasive plants were removed! The targeted plants were Autumn Olive, Chaff Flower, Japanese Stilt Grass, and Asian Bush Honeysuckle. A BIG THANKS to everyone who helped make the first Weed Wrangle at the arboretum a success!
On October 12, a Tree Identification Hike was led by Evansville Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation, Paul Bouseman. Around 45 people attended, including some of our volunteer group and a variety of community members. Paul, who also assisted Grant Hartman in the early planning days of the Arboretum, did a tremendous job discussing the many tree varieties present at the Arboretum. From magnolias to gums to oaks and many more in between, he demonstrated the defining features and functions in the landscape. It was a very informative and fun event!
SEPTEMBER 2024 UPDATE: Butterfly Day was a big success, thanks to all the volunteers! This annual event at the Arboretum features two gardens: the Wildlife Garden and the Pollinator Garden. The event is focused on teaching about the life cycles of butterflies and their host and nectar plants. We created signs and tags for plants in the gardens and brought them to display. On the day of the event, volunteers were stationed around the gardens and Info Center, teaching about butterflies and plants.
The Hartmans welcomed visitors and provided materials. Others brought caterpillars and chrysalises to share. One of the monarchs even molted into its chrysalis during the event with a number of kids watching! There were a total of around 125 visitors that day, mostly children, who had a truly magical time discovering the world of butterflies. It was a fantastic event, and we are again so thankful for all who helped it come to be!
AUGUST 2024 UPDATE: Even through challenging weather, our dedicated SWIMGA volunteers have persevered. We maintain four major areas in the Arboretum: the “Stumpery” woodland area, the Espalier/Hydrangea Garden, the Wildlife Garden, and the Pollinator Garden. Now is the season for the latter two areas to shine. With the recently completed mulching paths through both the Wildlife and Pollinator garden, we are prepared for visitors to walk through and enjoy the blooms and flying flowers. All of that preparation is just in time for the biggest event of the year at the Arboretum: Butterfly Day, Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is an opportunity for the public to visit the Arboretum and explore these gardens, the butterflies, and their host and nectar plants. We will share caterpillars, chrysalises, and educational materials so our guests have up close views of the amazing transformation of these creatures to learn how to identify and support them.
APRIL 2024 UPDATE: A Wildflowers in the Woods event in the Stumpery had been scheduled for Sunday, April 21, but had to be cancelled due to the Gardens receiving 3.75 inches of rain the night of Thursday, April 18 . Watch for this event in spring of 2025.
MARCH 2024 UPDATE:
Warm days spark spring fever and the Hartman crew is eager to enjoy spring at the arboretum and to share it with you. We are trying a couple innovations this season. First, we are changing our work schedule a bit to accommodate those who work throughout the week and cannot make the Thursday morning work sessions we’ve been doing for years.
Second, we are planning a spring stumpery wildflower weekend, which will be a pop-up event since Mother Nature can be full of surprises and wildflowers don’t flourish for long. Watch our Hartman Arboretum and SWIMGA Facebook pages along with your email for announcements and plan to come out to enjoy the variety of blossoms. There may be some colorful trees in bloom as well. Visitors are always welcome to drop by during our work sessions or by appointment. To make an appointment, call 812-568-3661. Spring is in the air!
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