Wildflower Labyrinth
The Wildflower Labyrinth, located at the center of the Core Park, is a riot of color and interest in late summer. Based on a traditional seven ring labyrinth, Gary Smith, our Landscape Architect, designed the plantings to emulate life's journey. In places, the going is easy as low growing plants brush along your knees. In other spots, the going is more difficult as grasses and taller plants lean out into the walkway.
Although a few early blooming plants such as Coreopsis, Baptisia and butterfly weed provide interest in early summer, the show doesn't really start until late summer. Until mid-July you can see all the way across the labyrinth. In early July, however, Echinacea varieties herald the soon to dominate joe pye weed, Rudbeckia lacinata and native grasses. By August they will be shoulder high.
In late summer the labyrinth design fades as the wildflowers and grasses take over… turning what used to be an open and expansive experience into a private and intimate stroll through seas of color and foliage. Underneath the taller flowers, masses of asters, goldenrod and Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum' complete the feeling of being lost in a colorful southern Appalachian meadow.
Almost as interesting as the festival of color in summer are the earth tones that arrive in late fall when seed heads and dead stalks turn to black and brown and persist through the winter.
The labyrinth is a solitary experience but the adjacent lawn area of the Mossy Bench area provides a spot for social interaction and pause before venturing down The Azalea Walk.
