Edward Lyon realized horticulture might be something more than a passion when his Madison, Wisconsin home had a vegetable garden, rose garden, fish pond and prairie, but no lawn.

Lyon will have 17 acres to cultivate as he chooses when he begins his tenure as Reiman Gardens’ director Jan. 20, replacing director Teresa McLaughlin, who has moved on to run the popular Nature Connects exhibit full-time.

McLaughlin will continue to be an employee of Iowa State in the business and finance office, but her new position will focus on driving revenue for Reiman Gardens.

Lyon said he plans to emphasize the educational possibilities at the garden.

“I’m as interested in the educational component as I am the horticultural component,” Lyon said. “Coming from a university setting and a university garden, I certainly put education as an extremely high priority.”

Lyon refers to Reiman Gardens as a “hidden gem” and said he thinks he can bring more attention to the garden in the same way he did at his last to stops in Madison and Janesville, Wisconsin.

“I like taking these gardens that are called ‘gems’ and bringing them more into the limelight,” Lyon said.

Senior Vice President of Business and Finance Warren Madden said Iowa State interviewed four candidates for the job since last summer and concluded Lyon was the best fit. He agrees that education should be a priority at the garden.

“As we move forward with Reiman Gardens, we want to strengthen the relationship with outreach programs,” Madden said.

Both Madden and Lyon said the interview process was extensive and comprehensive. A multi-disciplinary committee was charged with finding the right fit for the job. Staff and faculty from horticulture, the university administration and Reiman Gardens itself were all involved in the process.

“One of the most important things is the kind of support system an organization has,” Lyon said. “To see that many people who want to be involved, that doesn’t happen often. The one word that just kept coming up time and time again was ‘opportunity’.”

Jeff Iles, professor and department chair in horticulture, has known of Lyon for some time and worked with him on a limited basis.

“[Lyon] has a wealth of experience,” Iles said. “He’s been around the block a time or two. Now that he’s here, we’re looking forward to seeing his vision.”

Madden said one of Lyon’s first challenges will be the role he plays in the Green Space Project in connection with the stadium expansion.

“We’re looking forward to someone who can continue to develop the garden,” Madden said. “President Leath wants the garden to continue to grow and develop its reputation locally and nationally.”

In regards to Reiman Gardens’s past and future, Lyon said, “The first 20 years has been about baking the cake. Hopefully the next 20 will be about adding the frosting.”

Upcoming exhibit schedule.