Memphis Botanic Garden history

The following year, 1958, the Michie Magnolia Garden was donated by Mrs.

A public daylily collection was added in 1963 that now resides as a companion to the Iris Garden with the two gardens working together to provide a color display from April through June each year.

In 1964, the Memphis Botanic Garden Foundation was formed and contracted with the City of Memphis to be caretakers of the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a Japanese Garden, designed by Doctor P.T. Tono of Tokyo and developed in cooperation with the Bamboo Chapter of Ikebana International, were held in December of 1965.

The Commercial Appeal stated that “the gardens of Audubon Park are getting a new name, The Memphis Botanic Garden,” on July 17, 1966.

Then, in 1968, they added the Sculpture Garden, affording those who were meeting in the main hall of Goldsmith Auditorium a beautiful view from the east windows.

The first meeting of the Herb Society was held at the Garden in March 1986 and resulted in an area of the Garden being designated as an herb collection.

The Japanese Garden was redesigned in 1989 by noted garden designer, Doctor Koichi Kawana, working with local landscape architect J. Ritchie Smith.

In 1996, a major gift from Helen and Jabie Hardin served as the catalyst for the construction of the current Visitors Center and Hardin Hall.

In 1997, the Anne Heard Stokes Butterfly Garden was created on the grounds just east of Daffodil Hill.

1999 saw the beginnings of a renowned Hosta collection that has grown each year thanks to support from the Memphis Hosta Society.

With three distinct spaces boasting more than 2000 plants of 500 varieties, the Herb Garden is one of the largest in the South, and provides a popular attraction for casual visitors as well as an interactive space for education and herb programs.

Live at the Garden has been providing Memphis with music since 2001! Each year, the Memphis Botanic Garden is the setting behind the successful Live at the Garden concert series.

In 2006, the garden was expanded and a water feature was added at the east end of this attractive stand-alone garden.

The Midsouth Hydrangea Society and landscape designer Diane Meucci were involved in planning and planting the main portion of the collection in 2007 with 142 plants directly across from the Hosta Trail, making the Hydrangea Garden a destination point for Garden visitors.

2008 saw the ground-breaking for the long-awaited children’s garden, and a 2.5 acre, $5.8 million construction project began.

The result was My Big Backyard, a world-class garden that opened on August 1, 2009.

In spring of 2010, the new Blecken Pavilion was constructed in the Hydrangea Garden in honor of donors Ann and Robert Blecken, founding members of the Memphis Horticultural Society.

In October 2011, a new .75 acre Herb Garden was created from design by Tom Pellett and Chris Cosby.

In 2012, because of continued efforts by the MBG staff and volunteer Tree Team, the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council awarded the Garden the designation of Urban Forestry Center of Excellence.

In 2014, a $6.5 million capital campaign made possible a new performing arts venue, now called the Radians Amphitheater, at the Garden.

2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the Seijaku-en and the bridge reconstruction ensured that this Mid-South icon continues to be a focal point for visitors.

The botanic garden launched a capital campaign in September 2018 with the goal of raising $6 million.

In addition, the urban home garden, which opened in 2019, was created with funds from the capital campaign.