Hidden Landscape Gems

by Heather Prince

Under the shadow of the capitol building lies a unique small park tucked away in downtown Madison, WI, at the corner of Gorham and Pinckney Streets. Period Garden Park is maintained by a cadre of volunteers and is a terrific example of a small urban green space preserved with love and dedication.

In 1975, the City of Madison took ownership of this parcel after a proposed development threatened to block the view of the neighboring landmarked 1854 Keyes House and ruin the historic character of the neighborhood. A combination of private contributions and state and city funding made the purchase possible. Once the front lawn of the Keyes House, the now-parking lot was transformed into a public park and designed to resemble the type of garden found in the Victorian era. The brick walkways and carved sandstone steps are typical examples of gardens in Madison of that era. The wrought iron fence dates to the period and was moved to the park from Forest Hill Cemetery. Over the years funding has waxed and waned, until 2007 when it went through a deep refresh fueled by volunteers.

Today, step through a pair of huge mature yews and into a garden of yesteryear. Informal shrub plantings screen the gardens from the street, creating a private oasis. Birds fly overhead and splash in the fountain and birdbaths. Thousands of spring bulbs carpet the beds. There are plenty of handy wrought iron benches where you can sit and soak in the layered plantings. Seasonal flowers fill a variety of urns and planters scattered along the paths.

A magnificent weeping mulberry, originally planted in 1977, graces the path and creates its own shadowy garden room and site of many a prom and wedding picture. The brick paths swoop in toward a tall three-tiered fountain set in a round base where it splashes into stones. Installed in 2008, the fountain is surrounded by colorful annual seasonal flowers. A low trimmed boxwood hedge anchors the fountain and is filled with a collection of roses. The paths sweep around the corner of this L-shaped site and wander uphill to the back corner where a female statue stands watch over a patch of hellebore. The end of the rear garden is paved in flagstones and is often a site of events in the cool shade of tall trees. Planting beds are filled with hosta, ferns, lungwort, lamium, and Annabelle hydrangea for a lush green and white effect. In spring, carpets of scilla, clumps of bright daffodils, and sweeps of blooming forsythia start off the season. Volunteers plant waves of annuals before hundreds of perennials steal the show. This is a wonderful small park that showcases a balance between formal hardscape and informal perennial design. Antique and vintage planters allow you to almost step back in time while you stop and enjoy the luscious perfume of roses. Stroll up the historic sandstone steps the next time you find yourself in Madison.

110 East Gorham St., Madison, WI http://www.periodgardenpark.org Admission: free Hours: daily 4:00 am to 10:00 pm