In December 2002 the Landscape Committee at Bryant Elementary School began work with Landscape Architect Karen Kiest to develop plans for landscape improvements at the school. Planning and implementation resulted in the development of several different gardens around the perimeter of the school and inside the playground:

Spring Garden:  the formal garden at the north façade builds of f the existing symmetrical layout with the existing meandering lawn edge straightened out, and with additional plantings of spring ornamentals in colors of pink and white, including a pair of magnolias, backed by deeper beds of drought tolerant Mediterranean azaleas and foundation planting spring-blooming evergreens.

Winter Garden:  at the northeast entry, where the ivy has been removed, a winter garden is proposed, inspired by the Winter Garden at the Arboretum and including witch hazels, viburnums, hellebores, camellias, bulbs and other winter-blooming plants offset against a backdrop of evergreen shrubs and groundcovers.

Fall Garden:  at the east and west entries to the playground fall plantings are suggested to highlight the return to school with brilliant fall foliage, including burning bush, cranberry bush, and other fall favorites.

Hands-On Garden:  identified at the outset for the fenced area developed during the renovation project for potential use for independent childcare, this area includes a raised pavement and unimproved planting beds.   A separate committee has been established to develop this area.

Woodland Edge Garden:  The mixture of different types of plants (ferns, spreading shrubs and groundcovers), helps address the diverse and challenging site conditions.  Ideally, some tough and quick-growing plants will help nurture other slower to establish plants, so that a rich matrix or tapestry of plantings are eventually established.  The intent is that the native plantings, and the plant establishment effort can provide short and long term environmental education opportunities on-site.