John Firsching Pinetum
& Evergreen Collection

The John Firsching Pinetum & Evergreen Collection displays a variety of pine specimens and aims to increase the diversity of pines growing in south-central Kansas. Pine trees prefer cool, moist climates, hence, evergreens were added to the Pinetum. There are no native pine trees in Kansas and they tend to suffer significantly from insects, fungus and weather-related problems.

Currently, 15 species of pine trees grow in the Collection including Cedar and Cypress varieties. In spring, the Pinetum hillside is filled with Daffodils, Hyacinth and Creeping Phlox. A collection of Lavender fills the air with fragrance throughout the year. The Evergreens also serve as a natural barrier to the Wichita Water Treatment facility located nearby.

Dedicated: 1992

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Art in Garden Feature Facts Additional Details

Art in Garden

Coyote by Marilyn Graves was installed in 1988 and sits on a limestone rock under the Evergreens’ shade.

Harvest Time features a little girl pushing her wheelbarrow in the flowerbed. Artist L’Deane Trueblood installed the sculpture in 2012.

Feature Facts

Look for the Himalayan Cedar and Blue Pyramid Cypress. One popular use for cedar wood is in clothing storage furnishings, such as wardrobes, chests and trunks. Cedar wood is aromatic because it contains thujaplicin, a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent.
It takes two years for a pinecone to mature. As the famous Chinese proverb reflects, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.” The second best time to plant a tree is today!
The Scotch Pine has short needles and is the most popular for a Christmas tree, whereas Austrian Pines have long needles.
Lavender is plentiful on the hillside. Most lavender plants are blue or purple, but some varieties are yellow and pink. The word lavender originates from the Latin verb lavare, which means to wash. Lavender is the most used essential oil in aromatherapy.
During the height of summer look for the Castor Bean or Castor-Oil Plant frequently grown in the Pinetum. This is a dramatic tropical plant and can grow up to 10’ tall. It is a source of castor oil, which is high in triglycerides. Castor oil is also known as palm of Christ for its reputed ability to heal wounds and cure ailments. Castor beans contain ricin, a water-soluble toxin.
Trees provide many environmental benefits in addition to adding value to your home and keeping it cool. Trees help moderate temperatures by creating a cooling effect that counteracts heat produced from pavement and buildings in urban environments. Trees produce oxygen, intercept airborne particulates and reduce smog, enhancing a community's respiratory health.

Additional Details

Polliwog Pond is Botanica’s kidney-shaped farm pond with fish, stepping stones, Hardy Water Lilies and Water Hyacinths. In the spring, keep your eyes and ears peeled for polliwogs and frogs in the pond area. Made entirely of car parts, the towering dragonfly sculpture, Mosquito Hawk, looks over Polliwog Pond.
Hidden underneath the trees is a replica Fossil Wall displaying a native Kansas dinosaur, the Claosaurus. Children dig up and bury faux fossils in the sandbox.
Look for mice on a Muenster Mission collecting twigs to build a rocket ship for traveling to the moon in search of green cheese. They think Einstein’s equation, E=mc2, means Earth=mooncheese2
The Ant Hill Sandbox features larger-than-life ants sitting on an ant hill surrounded by giant leaves.
Every year, hummingbirds lay eggs in the Downing Children’s Garden. Hummingbird eggs are turquoise and as small as one Hershey’s Kiss. Hummingbirds are among the smallest and fastest birds, and the only bird that can fly backwards. Ask a Botanica volunteer if the hummingbirds laid their eggs yet this year.
The large, clay squirrel planter, quaintly named Mr. Biggles, is typically planted with a foxtail fern. These fern-like plants have arching plumes of tightly packed, needle-like leaves that appear soft and delicate.
The Woodland Retreat provides a public picnic area and gathering space for special events. Sneak past the Monster Heads to get there and look for the leaf-shaped roof.

John Firsching Pinetum<br>& Evergreen Collection

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John Firsching Pinetum& Evergreen Collection

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John Firsching Pinetum
& Evergreen Collection