A Piece of the Limberlost

Indianapolis, IN

A demonstration garden in the hypothetical town of Moonville, this landscape architecture project focuses on the use of plantings, spaces, and forms to educate visitors and to provide a space away from the city while conveying a theme. “A Piece of the Limberlost” was inspired by Indiana author Gene Stratton-Porter’s book, A Girl of the Limberlost, which follows the story of Elnora Comstock paying her way through high-school and college by collecting and selling moths from the Limberlost and her simultaneous growth from country girl to sophisticated woman. The design process involved literature analysis, historical and environmental research, conceptual design, and study models, culminating in a final design, presentation model, and planting plan for this 140’ x 140’ site. The overarching goal was to use native plants providing lepidopteran habitat, other themes include education, performance, and exploration, all tied together in the juxtaposition of swamp and sophistication through landscape forms and plantings.