Centered in the front of the IMA’s main façade, Sutphin Mall and Fountain have been an Indianapolis landmark for over 30 years. Some of the trees are underplanted with the perennial Geranium ‘Brookside,’ whose bright blue early summer flowers are followed by red and orange highlighted foliage in the fall. Other trees are underplanted with early spring flowering blue Grecian windflowers (Anemone blanda ‘Blue Shades’). In these beds you will also find plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides) which has cobalt blue flowers in early fall followed by bright red highlights in its foliage. Around the fountain are 17 large concrete planters filled with colorful foliage and flowering plants from May to October. Outside the Café, they are planted with evergreens and twig dogwoods for the winter months. A large curved bed in front of the fountain is filled with bright annuals and tropicals for the summer months.

The geometric beds of the Mall contrast beautifully with the curvy, relaxed and mingled plantings of the nearby overlook, and the large blocks of a single species give the illusion that the Mall is longer than its 300 feet. The permanent plantings were chosen for their multiple seasonal interests, as all of the selections contribute something to the malls beauty at least 2 seasons of the year.