The Buzz

 If you've been out to the Japanese Garden over the past few months, you have probably noticed a new member of our wildlife family. Tennessee Safari Park offered a male Mute Swan (they're not really "mute" but more on that later) as a partner for our female swan Ziggy.   Our new male swan was introduced to the Japanese Garden in spring 2015, and has been making himself at... Read More

This is the time of year when my thoughts turn to food. I feel the influence from my primitive ancestors; the season begs me to hibernate! I want comfort food: grilled cheese sandwiches, chili, beef stew, etc. Rich food: cheesy, beefy, thick, and redolent of herbs! (A little crunch is good, too.) Which herbs are included in my cold-weather desire?  ... Read More

  Throughout the spring and summer most of the garden work is done in earnest. In the spring, just as the plants around us burst forth with a vibrant energy, so to do gardeners emerge from their winter hibernation, prepared to soak in the sun. Longer days and warmer temperatures come with an ever-growing list of weeds to be pulled and... Read More

   Most all winter bedding plants need at least four hours of full sun to do well.  Theses plants include pansies, violas, cabbage, kale, dusty miller, and parsley. At this point, the best options for a shady space are spring bulbs. Memphis Botanic Garden has a container garden in mostly shade. To get as much show as possible, we use a layering style of planting bulbs in the containers.  Fill the container half way with a well-draining potting mix. A container... Read More

I have worked at the Memphis Botanic Garden for over sixteen years, and I am amazed daily at what new thing may catch my eye that I had not noticed. Recently, I was going through the Garden and, as I approached the Blecken Pavillion, I was taken aback by the brilliant yellow fall color of the garden’s largest Pignut Hickory tree ... Read More

ABOUT THE SHOW "This series presents landscapes in both conventional and unconventional settings—the natural environment  versus nature interacting with the manmade environment—and challenges the mainstream perception of beauty." MBG ARTIST INTERVIEW MBG: In your words this show challenges mainstream perceptions of beauty in photography, but certainly not contemporary photography. I think this is perhaps because the mainstream is not aware of the state of... Read More

    For the first time in my life, I am caring for an Agave americana `Marginata’ that is about to bloom. I can’t begin to describe the pleasure seeing the magnificent bloom stalk that it produces.    Agave americana `Marginata’ is often  called the Century Plant. It’s range is through subtropical and tropical Americas, as well as the Mediterranean. Agave americana `Marginata’ has been a useful economic plant to Native Americans for centuries, as a food plant and... Read More

When I tell people I meet socially that I work at the Memphis Botanic Garden, the most common response is, “Oh my, that place is just gorgeous!! Y’all do such a good job there.” I am of course always thankful for their complements and visitation, but in my day-to-day drudgery, there is seldom time for me to actually stop and appreciate the garden for what it is; a ... Read More