This article was originally posted Thursday, May 27, 2021.

By Sophia Holt-Wilson, Eiteljorg Digital Marketing Coordinator

Volunteers from the Eiteljorg Museum and local gardening organizations got their hands dirty at a planting session around the Whitetail Deer fountain on Tuesday. Volunteer Coordinator Jay Harkness launched an effort to enrich the area around the fountain at the front of the museum grounds with plants native to Indiana, with help from local plant and garden businesses and organizations.

The deer fountain is officially known as the Billie Lou and Richard Wood Fountain, featuring the bronze sculpture Whitetail Deer by artist Ken Bunn. In the past, the area had been difficult to cultivate due to the combination of wind and drifting water from the fountain. However, with help from the Indiana Native Plant Society, Marion County Master Gardener Association, and Indiana Wildlife Federation, the appropriate plants were researched and recommended and are expected to thrive.

This planting session is part of an ongoing effort to improve the flora around the museum grounds. The deer fountain garden area will continue to be maintained throughout the year during more work sessions with volunteers.

The majority of the plants were generously supplied by Native Plants Unlimited, with additional plants from Woody Warehouse Nursery.

The Eiteljorg would also like to thank Landscaping with Natives State Program Leader Coralie Palmer, Central Indiana Chapter Leader and Purdue University Extension Urban Agriculture Educator Brooke Alford, Home Horticulture Educator Carey Grable, Eiteljorg Assistant Event Operations Technician and Landscaper Ian Poynter, Mary Durkin, Wendy Ford, and Sarah Gray.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Eiteljorg, apply here or email volunteers@eiteljorg.com.