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For the past twelve years, I've had the privilege of working for Wellfield Botanic Gardens. A place built on a dream the Elkhart Rotary Club dared to pursue over 20 years ago. As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, I'm reminded that what makes Wellfield, and our community, so special isn't the flowers or the trails. It's the people; the volunteers, staff, and neighbors whose generosity and dedication built this place and sustain it still.

"This Garden needs to stand for 100 years." Twenty years in, founding Executive Director Eric Amt — with reflections from fellow founders Stuart Barb, Tom Pletcher, and Chuck Grodnik — traces how a well field trail became a homegrown, world-class garden, and why that story echoes America's own at 250.

One of the many monarch butterflies hatched at Wellfield after being released into the gardens, summer 2025. The Monarch is considered a "flagship species" for pollinators worldwide — and for good reason. Since the 1990s, their population has dropped an estimated 80%, landing them on the International Red List as endangered. In Spring 2025, Wellfield volunteers and staff began raising Monarchs in an on-site butterfly hatchery, giving guests a front-row seat to the magic of me

Whether it's a small fountain feature or a full-blown pond, water in the Garden can add a feeling of relaxation and peace. Not only can a water feature add aesthetic beauty to the Garden, it also appeals to many natural garden helpers, like pollinators and birds. Water sources are also attractive to wildlife, so you may even see an increase in rabbit, groundhog, and even deer populations. This, of course, can also prove to be a nuisance if you have certain plants that are con

Spring is on the horizon, and it's time to start thinking about your vegetable garden! Here in Michiana (zone 6a), our last frost date falls in mid-May, so timing is everything. Whether you're starting seeds indoors or sowing them directly into the ground, understanding your crops is the key to a thriving season. Get ready — gardening season is almost here!

How to care for bronze sculptures in the Gardens

What makes a Botanic or Botanical Garden different from any other garden or park? When you walk through a botanic garden, it may seem...

With spring on the horizon, flowers are beginning to bloom at Wellfield. One of the first blooms of the growing season is the flower of...

Winter can feel dreary and unending for all of us gardeners. Pruning trees and shrubs, with an emphasis on their winter appearance, is...

With the growing season behind us, we often use the winter to reflect and plan for the next year. Planning involves annual bed design,...

When we think of conifers, we typically imagine evergreen trees like pines, spruces, and firs—those steadfast symbols of winter...

September’s Native of the Month at Wellfield is one of the most underrated flowers in the surrounding area: Blue Wood Aster, also known...

The native plant of the month for August at Wellfield Botanic Gardens is the compass plant, or Silphium laciniatum. Compass plant is a...

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive species native to Europe and Asia which can be described as a perennial with a...

Phlox paniculata, also known as Garden Phlox or Tall Phlox, is an herbaceous perennial native to the eastern and central United States....

Ailanthus altissima, more commonly known as Tree-of-Heaven, is an invasive species growing across the United States. This deciduous tree...

June’s Native of the Month: Baptisia australis The perennial Baptisia australis, with the common name blue false indigo, is June’s native...

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formerly known as gypsy moth, has been a problem species in the United States since they were...

There are many types of mulch for garden use; each one has its own benefits and could be the best type of mulch for your future project....

We’ve enjoyed a fairly mild spring and are seeing many of our plants come into bloom; many of them are early! With all the attention on...