The newly completed Jane Andrews Stream Garden will become the newest feature at Virginia Tech's Horticulture Garden when it is dedicated Sept. 12.

"This adds a new dimension to what the Horticulture Garden offers," said Holly Scoggins, assistant professor of horticulture and director of the Horticulture Garden. "It will also serve as the literal and figurative bridge from the old portion of the garden to the new portion."

The stream garden includes a stream, several ponds, a waterfall, a bridge, and a viewing deck and is located at the back of the current Horticulture Garden, which faces Washington Street on the Virginia Tech campus. The bulk of the work over the year and a half-long installation of the water feature was done by horticulture faculty, staff, and students. When other improvements to the garden are completed the water feature will be near the center of an expanded five-acre facility.

"The generosity of Preston Andrews made this portion of our expansion plans possible," said Scoggins. "His support gives us something beautiful and truly useful to our students and to our outreach efforts. It's also something we can use to show the potential for the garden as we continue our fund-raising efforts."

Andrews, a resident of Altavista, donated $50,000 toward the construction of the stream garden. He made his donation in the memory of his late wife.

Scoggins said an open house will be held at the garden from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12. The dedication ceremony will be conducted at 3 p.m. at the bridge over the stream. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be conducted in a classroom at the university greenhouse complex adjacent to the garden.

The public is invited to the open house and the dedication ceremony. During the open house faculty, students, staff, and garden volunteers will be available to discuss various aspects of the horticulture garden to individuals and small groups.

For more information, call 231-5970.

Contact:

Tags

Share this story