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Wellfield Botanic Gardens - Elkhart, Indiana

Updated on July 3, 2019
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Kimbesa loves gardens, her own or others that are well-planned and grown with love.

Got a Wellfield? Create Botanic Gardens

The vision of a public botanical garden on Elkhart's water well field, began to grow more than 10 years ago.

Today, the Wellfield Botanic Garden is well on its way to a fruitful expression, including 24 different gardens, and plans for more educational facilities.

All while the well field continues to produce water for the city's needs.

My first visit was to attend the Taste of the Gardens event, featuring food, art and music, as well as the gardens. August may not be the best time for blooming flowers, and our summer has been terribly dry. But these gardens are doing well, and a great place to visit often.

A gorgeous garden gem in our community!

All photos by kimbesa

Wellfield Gardens Panorama

3 photos to show the main pond and landscape
3 photos to show the main pond and landscape
Map showing Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart
Map showing Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart

About Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Acres of Green Space in Elkhart, Indiana

Wellfield Botanic Garden is just a few blocks from downtown Elkhart. This 36-acre site has been part of the North Main Street Well Field for more than 150 years, and remains the single largest source of fresh water for the city.

And today it’s a garden.

Thirteen wells, deep in the earth, keep the water flowing to serve the city residents. Above ground, the garden is a place for residents and visitors to enjoy the natural world.

The garden started more than 10 years ago with a service project by Elkhart’s Rotary Club. Now the Wellfield Gardens has its own non-profit organization and governing board.

Wellfield Botanic Garden has and will continue to give for years and years.

My first visit was on a Saturday, for the annual Taste of the Garden, featuring food, art, music and garden beauty. It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful event.

The garden also hosts a spring event, Tulips and Tunes, and others through the summer months.

What an enjoyable place to walk around, sit on a bench, and just soak in nature!

Botanic Garden Entrance

Botanic Garden Entrance
Botanic Garden Entrance
Tethys sculpture by Tuck Langland
Tethys sculpture by Tuck Langland

Graceful Tethys Celebrates Fresh Water

Tethys is the Titan goddess of fresh water, which nourishes the Earth and makes our gardens grow.

Her children oversee rivers, streams, fountains and clouds. A very appropriate goddess to be represented among Wellfield Garden's statuary.

Tethys statue by Harold "Tuck" Langland, sculptor, author, and professor emeritus at Indiana University South Bend. Gift of Geoff and Kathie Church, and Chuck and Janice Grodnik.

Just one of a number of beautiful sculptures located on the Wellfield Gardens grounds.

Colorful Roses in Wellfield Gardens

Colorful Roses in Wellfield Gardens
Colorful Roses in Wellfield Gardens

Old Fashioned Favorite Cleome

Old Fashioned Favorite Cleome
Old Fashioned Favorite Cleome

Quilt Garden Is A Focal Point - A Giant Quilt Square In Growing Flowers

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Reflected quilt garden looks twice its sizeA closer view of the quilt garden from across the pondYou'll notice the quilt garden from across the garden siteQuilt garden plants close upOne corner of the quilt gardenThe Wellfield quilt garden is one of many in the countyList of flowers in the quilt garden
Reflected quilt garden looks twice its size
Reflected quilt garden looks twice its size
A closer view of the quilt garden from across the pond
A closer view of the quilt garden from across the pond
You'll notice the quilt garden from across the garden site
You'll notice the quilt garden from across the garden site
Quilt garden plants close up
Quilt garden plants close up
One corner of the quilt garden
One corner of the quilt garden
The Wellfield quilt garden is one of many in the county
The Wellfield quilt garden is one of many in the county
List of flowers in the quilt garden
List of flowers in the quilt garden

Visited a Botanic Garden Lately? - Any On Your Bucket List?

Grasses at Wellfield Botanic Garden
Grasses at Wellfield Botanic Garden

Ever Been To A Botanic Garden?

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Pink Flower At Wellfield Garden

Pink Flower At Wellfield Garden
Pink Flower At Wellfield Garden

Rock Garden Beauties

Rock Garden Beauties
Rock Garden Beauties

Wildlife Enjoys The Gardens - Creatures Great And Small

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Turtle suns on a rock in the streamLots of bees visiting flowersButterflies getting nectarAnd those humans, enjoying the elk statuesPollination at work
Turtle suns on a rock in the stream
Turtle suns on a rock in the stream
Lots of bees visiting flowers
Lots of bees visiting flowers
Butterflies getting nectar
Butterflies getting nectar
And those humans, enjoying the elk statues
And those humans, enjoying the elk statues
Pollination at work
Pollination at work

Classic Water Lily Blossom

Classic Water Lily Blossom
Classic Water Lily Blossom

Monet Was Inspired By Water Lilies

Monet Was Inspired By Water Lilies
Monet Was Inspired By Water Lilies

Water Gardening and Water Features

Wellfield Botanic Garden centers on water. This site has been used by the city as its main water source for more than 150 years.

Water is a charming feature in any garden, and if you have it, you can flaunt it for natural beauty as well as practicality.

More Statues In Wellfield Botanic Garden - Beautiful Additions To Natural Beauty

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Nesting birdsA young visitor enjoys Roosevelt elkWind sculptures in the pond
Nesting birds
Nesting birds
A young visitor enjoys Roosevelt elk
A young visitor enjoys Roosevelt elk
Wind sculptures in the pond
Wind sculptures in the pond

I really like this kind of metal sculpture that develops a patina over time. It makes it blend into the natural landscape.

Bench And Trellis - Sturdy Garden Furnishings

Bench And Trellis - Sturdy Garden Furnishings
Bench And Trellis - Sturdy Garden Furnishings

A Place to Rest Your Feet

There is so much to see at Wellfield that I've sat on this bench, and others, in my path around the gardens.

It is nice to have a spot to rest, be quiet, and look at the gardens, hear the birds, and enjoy a cool breeze. This bench is in shade in the morning.

Garden Texture And Color

Garden Texture And Color
Garden Texture And Color

Moss Roses at Wellfield Gardens

Moss Roses at Wellfield Gardens
Moss Roses at Wellfield Gardens

Botanic Garden In Dinnerware

Botanic Garden In Dinnerware
Botanic Garden In Dinnerware

Set A Botanic Garden Table - Dinnerware To Create A Special Tablescape

Bring your botanic garden visit to your dinner table, with classic china dishes that feature beautiful garden flowers.

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