‘Floral Mandrel’ sculpture centers butterfly garden

If you happen to be out and about in the Trackside District – Downtown Columbus, we invite you to enjoy our newly planted garden space located at the entry of the Visitors Center in Columbus. The focal point of the garden is ‘Floral Mandrel’, a flower arbor sculpture created by Carl Weiss of Springfield, Nebraska. The stainless steel and copper sculpture stands nearly 8 foot tall and boasts entwined metal flowers and cattails stemming from a metal and rock base. Beneath the arbor, is a cement bench for visitors to rest and enjoy the beauty.

The sculpture was donated in memory of Pam Kluck of Richland, Nebraska. Kluck was an avid gardener who loved flowers and watching birds. She always had a smile to share and a welcoming demeanor. The space reflects Kluck’s kind spirit.

Extension Master Gardeners, Pat Mueller and Mari Melcher, were instrumental in developing the design and selecting plants and flowers to brighten the area. The Sprigs and Sprouts Garden Club contributed the plants. The plants include dazzleberry sedum, yellow coreopsis, blue boa hummingbird mint, orange and yellow butterfly weed and fineline buckhorn.

“We wanted to design a welcoming space,” stated Melcher. “My vision was to create a butterfly sanctuary with a mix of perennials for the butterflies to enjoy.”

Through their hard work and design, the Visitors Center now has a place for visitors to stop and enjoy the flowers, sculpture and butterflies.

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