The dedication of the Reiman Gardens, south of the Cyclone Stadium Saturday, drew comments from many leaders in the Iowa State community including President Martin Jischke and Roy and Bobbi Reiman.

Michael Chaplin, ISU professor and head of the department of horticulture, opened the ceremony by speaking of the two miracles of the project, the Jischke’s and the Reiman’s.

He said both couples were determined to see the project through and to make it a success.

Chaplin then introduced David Topel, dean of the College of Agriculture, to remark on the gardens.

Topel said the Reiman Gardens is a special education center, which shows the quality of teaching and advising of horticulture in Iowa.

The Reiman Gardens provides a better environment to learn horticulture, Topel said.

“This center will take ISU to another level that will be recognized all over the country,” he said.

Extension programming will demonstrate principles of design, plant materials, horticulture methods and natural systems, Topel said. The Extension Home Horticulture Resource Center in the John P. Mahlstede Horticulture Learning Center will provide several opportunities for outreach, Topel said.

Chaplin spoke again about the rapidly expanding industry of horticulture and how the center will provide the needs of Iowa’s industry.

He said Iowa is two-thirds urban agriculture and the center understands the jeopardy of the environment. This is why the basis of the education center is on urban horticulture, Chaplin added.

One of the services is a toll free hotline, available in the spring and fall from 10 a.m. to noon and 1p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1-800-262-2224, Chaplin said.

He then introduced Patty Jischke and bestowed upon her the award of Honorary Master Gardner of the Reiman Gardens.

Patty Jischke began by thanking the 250 cohorts, or “soldiers of the Gardens,” who donated $10 to $1000 in annual monies.

These people also donated their time by planting, watering, weeding and giving tours, she said.

She also said she hoped the Gardens will entwine beauty into our lives and last throughout the ages.

Martin Jischke also commented on the Gardens.

“I hope these Gardens will be one that will grow on all of us,” he said, adding that the Gardens will tell people who and what we are.

The roots of this land-grant university are in our soil, he said.

“Roy and Bobbi Reiman are two sweet flowers,” he said.

“The words inscribed on the Reiman Gardens campanile capture the spirit of the Gardens, they are ‘come ye apart and rest awhile…’,” he said.

This is a day to rejoice and be glad because the vision so many people have had has finally come, Bobbi Reiman said.

She said she wishes that all people who come to the Gardens will appreciate who built it.

“I hope that they will stroll the pathways, drink in the colors, and even whisper a thank you,” she said.

Roy Reiman said the Gardens started as just a bud, and then the bud bloomed. “Iowa State, this buds for you,” he said.

“I hope all of you grow up to be givers because by giving, you receive so much more than you give,” he said.

A tree was then planted in honor of the dedication.