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The Footprint Garden, located to the west of the Visitors Pavilion, is a large, foot-shaped garden plot that symbolizes the impact of humans on nature. The garden is designed to raise awareness of sustainability issues and present the role of gardening in maintaining balance with the ecosystem and the importance of a diversity of organisms, large and small, and the role of each one in the web of life.
A colourful mix of butterfly-attracting vegetation grows inside and outside of the footprint: nectar in flowers, and leaves as a surface for egg-laying and as food for larvae. Besides providing enjoyment and beauty, butterflies serve as a biological indicator of the changes occurring in the ecosystem.
For example, fringed rue (Ruta chalepensis) is a medicinal plant with a controversial aroma in the human world, but the Old World swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) finds safe lodgings within it to rear its young.
Most of the plants in the crucifer family will probably be hosts for the cabbage moth (Pieris brassicae), but during tough times the garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) will also suffice. But don’t worry; the larvae will not come to nibble leaves in the nearby shrubbery. Even scutch grass (Cynodon dactylon), which is generally considered a ‘weed’, is favoured by the large brown wall (Lasiommata maera); the females of this species lay their eggs on it.
our deeds today determine the ecological stamp we’ll leave for generations; it’s better that we choose to leave the colourful, free footprints of flowers and butterflies…
Bird-attracting plants also grow in the Footprint Garden: species of Buddleja, Hibiscus, and Lantana, which breathe life into the garden. To illustrate this, breeding boxes were hung to strengthen the songbird populations.
Renewable energy devices are scattered around the garden: windmills that present the potential use of wind energy; a solar tree that uses solar energy to cool water for the visitors’ wellbeing; and the plumbing of the geothermal cooling system deep beneath the garden – you can see the pipes leading through a window to the soil’s depths.
These all convey an important message for the future: our deeds today determine the ecological stamp we’ll leave for generations; it’s better that we choose to leave the colourful, free footprints of flowers and butterflies…
At the heel of the footprint is a shaded sitting corner that encourages sustainability: this corner tells the story of sustainability at Ramat Hanadiv and provides information about sustainable conduct in the home.
The garden is looked after by the green fingers of Ramat Hanadiv’s volunteers, who take part in the gardening.
Any question? We will be glad to help
The main entrance to the Memorial Gardens – located next to the Visitors Pavilion. In the entrance plaza are temporary exhibitions on a range of subjects promoted by Ramat Hanadiv
Sustainable gardening is defined as gardening that considers the needs of the current generation without harming the needs of future generations. It includes garden design that considers the existing elements on site – the landscape, soil, environment and vegetation suitable for the region
The picnic area is located near the secondary parking lot. You are welcome to spend time there before or after your tour of the Gardens.
