Betsey Stockton Garden

Beautiful garden on the campus of Princeton. I am sure during the spring and summer the gardens are gorgeous. We went 1 week before Christmas. Cold weather and no flowers blooming. I will definitely have to come back to explore the gardens during the spring

My original review of this planting is below, which pointed out that nonnative white clover and crown vetch were spreading through the plantings. As of June, 2024, it looks like they have learned how to keep white clover in the pathways from spreading into the flower beds, but crown vetch continues to spread, and there are also large patches of rabbitfoot clover. A small patch of mugwort would best be pulled right away before it, too, spreads. Though many native plants remain intact, I'm worried that this planting is being increasingly affected by the spread of invasive species. People don't understand that maintenance is what determines the fate of complex native plantings. Lack of early intervention to remove invasives makes the job much harder later on. Original review:
This native prairie planting looked great for the first couple years, and made me think that Princeton University had learned to maintain a complex native planting. So disappointing to see it this spring, 2022, now being overrun by white clover and crown vetch. Daisy fleabane, though less difficult to control, is also being allowed to spread. The white clover started in the lawns and has now spread to the flower beds. I can understand that sneaking beneath a gardener's radar, but crown vetch? This would be at least the third native meadow planting at the university to fail, following the meadows at Neuroscience and the old Butler Tract. Please find someone knowledgeable to intervene and steward this exceptional planting before it goes further downhill.

Cute place to hang out on massive lawn chairs, wildflowers and native species in meadow gardens. Inspirational backstory for its namesake

Grass and flowering plants in this sprawling garden honor Betsey Stockton who was a former slave of University president Ashbel Green. Ms. Stockton was a prominent missionary and educator.