Courtyard Landscape Progresses

By Roxanne Smith • • Capitol Update

Courtyard sketch by Capitol landscape architect Ernst H. Herminghaus

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
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
Rain this spring and summer hindered progress
Underground pipes will feed the water to the drip irrigation system
Proper drainage in the heavy compacted soil will help plant survival
Drainage laid out with sand covering for better infiltration
Contractors install edging outlining the planting beds
Once the edging is in place the design begins to take shape
Installing irrigation pipe and drip irrigation
Shrubs and petunias are delivered to the Capitol
Potted privet hedge set in place between the irrigation pipes
Trailer full of petunias being unloaded outside the Capitol
Petunias are planted in another quarter section of the courtyard
Shrubs and roses are planted
Privit hedge planted with petunias waiting
Sod is laid as the last step.
Sod goes down
Sod almost done in NW courtyard

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