Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Courtesy photo/Boyce Thompson Arboretum<br />
After a 2021 renovation, the arboretum’s Smith Greenhouses are once again filled with succulent plants from around<br />
the globe.<br />
Continued from page 30<br />
bled in some areas. The<br />
plant collections housed<br />
within were in danger of<br />
irreversible damage; maintaining<br />
proper conditions for<br />
these fragile specimens was<br />
no longer possible.<br />
Restoration of the Smith<br />
Greenhouses got underway<br />
in January 2021, when demolition<br />
of the exterior began.<br />
Beforehand, starting in late<br />
2020, the plant collections<br />
were temporarily relocated<br />
– a process that took several<br />
weeks. The original greenhouse<br />
manufacturer, Lord<br />
& Burnham, is now part of<br />
Arcadia GlassHouse, and the<br />
updated structure was created<br />
in the same style as the<br />
original by using lightweight,<br />
energy-efficient, low-maintenance<br />
materials to replace<br />
the cypress wood, glass and<br />
steel. Throughout the renovation,<br />
several delays due to inclement<br />
weather and material<br />
shortages posed significant<br />
challenges.<br />
Jason Wiley, director of<br />
horticulture at Boyce Thompson<br />
Arboretum, designed<br />
a brand-new layout for the<br />
plant collections. You will<br />
now see succulents native<br />
to the Eastern Hemisphere<br />
in the East House and those<br />
native to the Western Hemisphere<br />
in the West House.<br />
Tiered succulent fountains<br />
in each house pay homage<br />
to the tiered fountains at the<br />
historical Picket Post House,<br />
former winter residence of<br />
Arboretum founder William<br />
Boyce Thompson. The fountains<br />
serve as a striking focal<br />
point as you enter. New pathways<br />
at least three feet wide<br />
line the greenhouses; these<br />
paths offer gentler curves, allowing<br />
wheelchair and stroller<br />
access. Built with repurposed<br />
rock from the previous<br />
walls, the gabion-raised beds<br />
have beautifully shaped contours,<br />
giving visual depth to<br />
the scene. Benches placed<br />
above the gabions provide<br />
a welcome place to rest and<br />
linger.<br />
Individual donors assisted<br />
Boyce Thompson Arboretum<br />
in repairing these unique,<br />
historic structures. Donors<br />
include friends and family of<br />
Bill Benson, who donated in<br />
honor of his 100th year. Bill<br />
was the Arboretum’s assistant<br />
director from 1948 to<br />
1962 and an emeritus board<br />
member. On Oct, 16, 2021<br />
Bill attended the greenhouse<br />
dedication ceremony; he<br />
passed a few weeks later, on<br />
Nov. 3. Thanks to the generosity<br />
of these individuals, the<br />
greenhouses are once again a<br />
place of refuge and a beautiful<br />
focal point of the Arboretum.<br />
Boyce Thompson Arboretum<br />
is located in Superior,<br />
Arizona, at 37615 E. Arboretum<br />
Way. The Smith Greenhouses<br />
are open to the public<br />
during regular operating<br />
hours.<br />
For hours, directions and<br />
admission info, visit btarboretum.org.<br />
<strong>Gateway</strong> to the Copper Corridor <strong>2022</strong><br />
31
Change language