Wally Scales: The Green-Thumbed Guardian of Indiana University’s Living Wonders
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
October 15, 1959
Dearest readers,
On this day in 1959, a snapshot captured the indefatigable spirit of Hugh Wallace Scales—affectionately known as “Wally”—hard at work within the verdant sanctuary of Indiana University’s greenhouse in Bloomington.
A gardener of passion and dedication, Wally was the first manager of the Jordan Hall greenhouse, a space now home to the university’s biology department.
Born with dirt under his nails and a heart for plants, Wally’s career blossomed at IU, where he collected an extraordinary teaching collection and helped establish the conservatory that would bloom for generations.
His efforts have seeded a legacy that lives on, not only in thriving tropical ferns and succulents, but also in a very special plant: the titan arum, or corpse flower, lovingly nicknamed “Wally” in his honor.
This famously rare and spectacular titan arum first unfurled its enormous and unique inflorescence in 2016, drawing visitors who stood in hours-long lines to witness the moment when nature’s giant flower, with its unforgettable aroma, unveiled itself.
The greenhouse has seen “Wally” bloom multiple times since, each event generating awe and connecting the community with the wonders of the plant kingdom.
Wally’s legacy is also one of family tradition and dedication—his relatives carry on the spirit of service at Indiana University, spanning multiple generations and various roles that keep the campus humming and its green spaces thriving.
In remembering Hugh Wallace Scales, we honor not just the man, but the living legacy of growth, care, and wonder he nurtured daily—a reminder that behind every leaf and flower in a greenhouse is a story of love, commitment, and a hearty handshake with the earth itself.
