Work's Secret Garden

I work at a local science museum in their education department.  One of the old employees gave our Museum a financial gift that was to be used to create a garden for our department.  Due to how our building is laid out, the garden is tucked into a courtyard that can't be accessed by the public.  It's only access is through the classrooms.

As with many gardens, when it was first installed it was beautiful.  Now, with very minimal care, it's looking a little rough.  It is finally starting to get used more, and I think that will eventually turn into it being cared for and looking better.  I suppose, that's one thing to take from this garden.  It isn't enough to pay for a garden's creation.  You really need to plan for it's future too.

I always wish that they would create a garden educator job that would be all mine.  I could get the garden whipped into shape for sure.

There are still a few flowers that are blooming.  Most of them are known for their toughness.

The American Beautyberry is blooming right now.  Mine at home are covered with bees. Today the one in the garden was empty.  Maybe it was the time of day.  I can't decide if it was planted on purpose, or if it was a volunteer.

It's placement right in front of the bench is sort of weird, so I assume that it wasn't original tot he garden.  It doesn't completely block the access to the bench, so I would probably keep it.  I love beautyberries.

There are tons of lambs-ears and strawberries all over the place.  Neglect doesn't seem to bother them at all.  They've become almost a groundcover in many places.

Teachers keep planting random plants in random places too.  Right now, the only random plant is a chrysanthemum that is growing the the shade of the bird planted mulberry tree.  You can see them in the corner of this picture of a pokeberry.

It is doing really well here in the garden.  According to my research they are found in moist areas of the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains.  I can assure that this garden is in either of these locations, nor would I call any part of it moist.

I guess nobody told this pokeweed plant.  It grows up every year and while the building maintenance clears out other weeds and plants, they never touch this one.

Maybe someday this garden will get used the way it's creator thought it would...and if they are looking for someone interested, I'm available.