Creighton Educational Garden

This garden, located atop the stone wall across from the Visitor Center, is named for Wellesley College alumna and Professor of Botany Harriet Creighton '29 and is guided by her interest in the educational asset provided by the botanic gardens. A fieldstone wall supports the garden, which comprises three major design elements: Specimen Conifers, Rock Garden, and Butterfly Garden. The garden is designed and maintained by landscape designer Mary Coyne, Professor Emerita in Biological Sciences at Wellesley College.

Specimen Conifer Collection

Over 50 dwarf and miniature conifers, chosen in consultation with the American Conifer Society, are planted in the garden.  These are unusual cultivars representing many different genera and species.  Corresponding wild type (typical) specimens of many of these species are found elsewhere in the Botanic Gardens. The garden is a reference garden of the American Conifer Society.

                           Growth/season (in)      Size in 10-15 yrs (feet)                       

            Miniature                              < 3                               2-3
            Dwarf                                      3-6                               3-6
            Intermediate                       6-12                             6-15
            Large                                       >12                              >15

Dwarf and miniature conifers are genetic mutations, chance genetic changes that alter a seedlings growth rate, shape, or color from that of a parent.  Usually seeds of the mutants are sterile, but can be propagated by grafting.  Many mutants appear as witch's brooms, multiple side shoots with small leaves.  These off-shoots can be successfully propagated by grafting.

Rock Garden

Plants adapted to rocky slopes are planted in multiples around rocks in the Creighton Educational Garden, providing an opportunity to study microclimatic influences of rocks on plants.  Plants in this garden are slow-growing and diminutive to stay in scale with the rocks. The rock garden specimens are interplanted with the conifer collection.

Butterfly Garden

The goal of this collection is to support butterflies known to occur in the vicinity of Wellesley, by providing host plants for their caterpillars as well as nectar plants generally suitable for butterflies.  These plants are allowed to senesce naturally, to avoid disturbing any overwintering eggs or pupae.  They are also allowed to spread and to seed in, although more aggressive species are thinned to maintain space for the full initial diversity of plants.