Bert & Josephine Kleinmaier Perennial Garden

The colorful Bert & Josephine Kleinmaier Perennial Garden was donated to the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens in 1994 by Josephine Kleinmaier to honor her late husband, Bert Kleinmaier. Mr. Kleinmaier was a leader in the horticulture industry of Central Ohio. As a graduate of The Ohio State University, he took an active interest in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.

The Kleinmaier Garden consists of three beds that are located north of the gazebo. The garden was originally designed by horticulture students and installed in 1994–1995 in the Lane Avenue Gardens. In 2001, the garden design was revised by Deb Knapke, a well-known garden designer and Ohio State graduate. Using her design, the Kleinmaier Garden was moved in 2003 to its current location in the Learning Gardens.

In 2020, the Kleinmaier Garden began a third design renewal under horticulturist Pam Poeth. This garden now showcases many native plants to Ohio that bloom later in the summer when the students return to campus after their summer break. With a focus on providing habitat for pollinators and biodiversity, the Kleinmaier Garden showcases how beautifu;, vibrant, and sustainable our native landscapes can be.