FRENCH GARDEN AT BOTANICA

BOTANICA, THE WICHITA GARDENS

The French Garden at Botanica is designed as a transect and continuous thread linking three distinct garden traditions or views of landscape in France, from Medieval to Renaissance to Impressionist. Occupying a site of less than one acre, the organization of the garden allows for several distinct experiences while also providing a sense of openness and continuity.

The “Medieval Terrace” comprises the upper third of the garden, operating as a cloister or walled garden through the creation of stone ruins. A series of stone walls frames a courtyard area with seating under the shade of London plane trees. An open silo or tower creates a unique acoustic room with an interior living wall, as if the archaic structure had been reclaimed by plants. The “Renaissance Miroir d’Eau” grounds the central core of the garden with a grand reflection basin, celebrating the opening of the garden toward the sky. Moving from enclosed courtyard to open plaza and promenade, visitors will be greeted with a sense of expansiveness and views toward the Impressionist Garden and miniature Eiffel Tower beyond. The “Impressionist Garden” occupies the lower third of the garden, offering remarkable displays of ornamental planting. Inspired by French Impressionist painters like Claude Monet and Pierre Auguste Renoir, the intent is to offer the sensorial experience of beautiful fields of color, texture, and light. Curving paths circulate through the garden to the miniature Eiffel Tower replica planted with climbing vines. Seating provides places for relaxation, and a lower garden entrance leads visitors to the Memorial Obelisk honoring Wichita citizens who bravely contributed to liberating France during World War II.