We've talked about the Fling hotel, transportation, food, and fun things to do. Now let's take a look at the gardens, shall we? Let's start with the last one on the schedule: We'll be visiting the Allen Centennial Garden on Sunday afternoon, June 26, and you won't want to miss it! Described as the "artful living laboratory" of UW-Madison's Horticulture Department, Allen Centennial is a public botanical garden, open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Located on a cozy 2.5 acres surrounding the historic Dean's Residence, the gardens were designed to complement the home and its existing plantings. A substantial gift from a former UW faculty member, Ethel Allen, meant she was instrumental in providing support for the early phases of garden construction. Her husband, Dr. Oscar Allen, was a professor at the university for nearly three decades. The couple co-authored what is considered the "encyclopedia" of the role of legumes in nitrogen fixation.
Allen Centennial is a "comfortable" garden: It has plenty of magical nooks and crannies to explore, but it's compact and not sprawling. It's divided into 14 distinct areas—from English cottage gardens, to an iris meadow, to a Japanese garden, and a Wisconsin woodland garden. The property serves as an outdoor classroom for UW-Madison students and surrounding communities, providing learning opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Imagine this picturesque spot as a comfy, peaceful venue for the close of the 2022 Fling. Hopefully, it will be a mild, calm summer afternoon/early evening. Our ending surprise send-off will add an extra touch of whimsy to a beautiful place to share with gardening friends.
Photos courtesy Allen Centennial Garden