TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Shawnee County’s Ward-Meade Botanical Garden has received national recognition.
Shawnee County Parks and Recreation announced on Thursday, May 15 that the Ward-Meade Botanical Garden has been named a Peony Reference Garden by the American Peony Society (APS), making it one of the first gardens in the country to receive this honor.
Shawnee County leaders held a dedication ceremony on Thursday at Old Prairie Town. Parks and Recreation staff, volunteers, Friends of Ward-Meade board members and a representative from the American Peony Society board made remarks.
“Peonies are beautiful,” said Mary Blubaugh, Volunteer, Peony Garden at Ward-Meade. “They smell gorgeous. Also, they’re good for the land and they are easy to grow. You plant them and they can live up to 50 years. The only bad thing about peonies is they only bloom once a year.“
The Friends of Ward-Meade have played a key role in working alongside garden staff to achieve this distinction. Their ongoing support and dedication have been instrumental in earning the recognition.
The APS, established in 1903, promotes cultivated peonies and fosters ongoing study to enhance their value as garden plants. one of the society’s early and continuing missions is to standardize peony names – an effort that remains a cornerstone of its work.
Ward-Meade Botanical Garden is proud to join a select group of public gardens recognized by APS for their commitment to excellence in peony cultivation, display and education.
Ward-Meade is one of eight such gardens designated with the honor.
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