June 23, 2025

The Memphis Fling in Full Swing

bouquet
A lovely bouquet at a help desk.

Mostly photos here, friends. The first full day of the Memphis Garden Fling was brimming with fun and beauty.

As I've previously mentioned, it was a great event, and I admit I took way too many photos. Narrowing them down for coverage here is tough, so I'm not including much text. Links are posted throughout for more information on many of the locations and highlights.

We started at the Memphis Botanic Garden:

fountain and pond

backyard sign

flower beds

whimsical restroom

car and bikes

chrysalis swing

sunflower

butterfly chairs

I spent most of my time at the botanic garden's My Big Backyard area, with whimsical displays aimed at families and children of all ages. Included: flower "beds," a "stuffed" toilet, and a chrysalis swing.

Mandevilla sanderi
Mandevilla sanderi

Franklinia alatamaha
Franklinia alatamaha

fountain

The Memphis Botanic Garden also had impressive water features and lovely plant displays.

Next up, the gardens of Dr. Arsen Manugian:

manugian front view

chairs

manugian shed

sedges

waterfall

Described as a plant-lover's English estate garden, it featured an expansive front view, graceful props throughout, a nifty garden shed, a circular sedge display, and more impressive water features.

Our next garden, that of Karen and Alex Wellford, offered tiered walkways and surprises beyond the garden gate:

gate

calla lily
Zantedeschia elliottiana

rose
Unknown Rose hybrid

lily
Lillium hybrid

statue

The plants, including the homeowners' amazing Roses, really captured my attention, as did the raised brick bed above, with its sweet juvenile statue.

The Charles Kistler property greeted us with its unique architecture, designed by George Awsumb, a nationally recognized architect: 

kistler front view

hibiscus

ivy planters

cannas and companions

The gardens, with fun planters and plant combinations throughout, are dedicated to Kistler's late wife, Nancy.

pool view

The artistically designed pool area was a favorite spot for Flingers.

Mary and Jeff Sexton's garden also had a welcoming entrance:

sexton front view

fun pot

vignette

toy tractor

Fountains and whimsical planters and props were found throughout the gardens.

hydrangeas

But...perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Sexton garden was the amazing collection of more than 30 varieties of Hydrangeas. I took way too many photos to include them all here.

The Jacki Distretti garden opened with a beautifully designed front garden area:

planting bed

back patio

The back patio area was welcoming and fun, too.

basket planter

succulent planter

juvenile statue
Phyllanthus myrtifolius

Magical planters and touches greeted us throughout. (Can you see the cherub figure within the evergreens above?)

Our final private gardens of the day were those of Susanne and Walter Allen:

allen shed

bird prop

They had another cute garden shed and creative props throughout the gardens.

raised planting beds

Impressive raised-bed cutting gardens greeted visitors at the front.

creative planting mix

fountain

The plant combinations and arrangements were artfully done.

Our final destination of the first full day was Dixon Gallery and Gardens:

archway

arrangement & greenhouse

seating area

Tithonia rotundifolia
Tithonia rotundifolia

memorial bench

It was a breathtaking collection of stunning vistas, lovely architecture, and peaceful props, including benches donated in honor of garden supporters.

There were so many amazing displays and beautiful, healthy plants. I honestly wish I could include them all here. Stay tuned for more coverage of the Memphis Garden Fling here, and on the Fling website.

1 comment:

  1. It looks like there was lots to see! I'm surprised by how much I like the simplicity of the 4th area in the Manugian garden. I loved that array of rusted metal containers with their simple plants in the Kistler garden too.

    ReplyDelete

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