Courtyard Landscape Progresses

The Nebraska Association of Former Legislators organized and funded the Courtyard Landscape Restoration Project which will return the four courtyards in the Nebraska State Capitol to their original 1934 Ernst H. Herminghaus planting plan. Beginning in May, Campbell’s Nursery and Judson Irrigation have been working on and off as weather conditions allow to prepare the courtyards for plant material. Finally in August, the first plant arrived much to the excitement of all people involved.

 

Courtyard sketch by Capitol landscape architect Ernst H. Herminghaus

Courtyard sketch by Capitol landscape architect Ernst H. Herminghaus

Courtyard sketch by Capitol landscape architect Ernst H. Herminghaus

Former State Senators DiAnna Schimek and Vickie MacDonald with the Association of Former Legislators present Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley a check to begin the restoration process.

Former State Senators DiAnna Schimek and Vickie MacDonald with the Association of Former Legislators present Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley a check to begin the restoration process.

Former State Senators DiAnna Schimek and Vickie MacDonald with the Association of Former Legislators present Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley a check to begin the restoration process.

The courtyards held mowed turf prior to the landscape restoration project

The courtyards held mowed turf prior to the landscape restoration project

The courtyards held mowed turf prior to the landscape restoration project

Rain this spring and summer hindered progress

Rain this spring and summer hindered progress

Rain this spring and summer hindered progress

Underground pipes will feed the water to the drip irrigation system

Underground pipes will feed the water to the drip irrigation system

Underground pipes will feed the water to the drip irrigation system

Proper drainage in the heavy compacted soil will help plant survival

Proper drainage in the heavy compacted soil will help plant survival

Proper drainage in the heavy compacted soil will help plant survival

Drainage laid out with sand covering for better infiltration

Drainage laid out with sand covering for better infiltration

Drainage laid out with sand covering for better infiltration

Contractors install edging outlining the planting beds

Contractors install edging outlining the planting beds

Contractors install edging outlining the planting beds

Once the edging is in place the design begins to take shape

Once the edging is in place the design begins to take shape

Once the edging is in place the design begins to take shape

Installing irrigation pipe and drip irrigation

Installing irrigation pipe and drip irrigation

Installing irrigation pipe and drip irrigation

Shrubs and petunias are delivered to the Capitol

Shrubs and petunias are delivered to the Capitol

Shrubs and petunias are delivered to the Capitol

Potted privet hedge set in place between the irrigation pipes

Potted privet hedge set in place between the irrigation pipes

Potted privet hedge set in place between the irrigation pipes

Trailer full of petunias being unloaded outside the Capitol

Trailer full of petunias being unloaded outside the Capitol

Trailer full of petunias being unloaded outside the Capitol

Petunias are planted in another quarter section of the courtyard

Petunias are planted in another quarter section of the courtyard

Petunias are planted in another quarter section of the courtyard

Shrubs and roses are planted

Shrubs and roses are planted

Shrubs and roses are planted

Privit hedge planted with petunias waiting

Privit hedge planted with petunias waiting

Privit hedge planted with petunias waiting

Sod is laid as the last step.

Sod is laid as the last step.

Sod is laid as the last step.

Sod goes down

Sod goes down

Sod goes down

Sod almost done in NW courtyard

Sod almost done in NW courtyard

Sod almost done in NW courtyard

Southwest courtyard is completed and the fountain is running.

Southwest courtyard is completed and the fountain is running.