The Memphis Fling in Full Swing

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:

















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

Franklinia alatamaha

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

Next up, the gardens of Dr. Arsen Manugian:











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:

Zantedeschia elliottiana

Unknown Rose hybrid

Lillium hybrid

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: 

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

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

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









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



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:





The back patio area was welcoming and fun, too.

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:





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



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





The plant combinations and arrangements were artfully done.

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

Tithonia rotundifolia

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.

Nevada Highlights: Plant Treasures at Springs Preserve Botanical Garden

We're recently back from a trip to Nevada, where we enjoyed both exploring natural areas and sightseeing in urban Las Vegas. One highlight was a visit to the Botanical Garden at Springs Preserve. As always, I could have spent many more hours exploring the plant collections, but our brief visit was educational and fun.



One plant that really caught my eye, was the four-colored Opal Flower (Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor). I think I've seen this plant before; perhaps during travels to other warm climates, or on another blogger's post. In any case, it's certainly colorful and fascinating. It's native to southern Africa.

The botanical garden has an amazing collection of cacti and desert succulents, both around the various trails and in its Cactus Alley display. A few examples:



California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)



Thistle Cholla (Cylindropuntia tunicata)



Argentine Giant (Echinopsis candicans)



Silver Torch (Cleistocactus strausii)



Cottontop Cactus (Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus)

Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria pseudoperbella)

Parry's Agave (Agave parryi var. parryi)



Springs Preserve's water system is designed to be self-sustaining--collecting gray water for treatment and recycling for plant irrigation.



The Palm Garden offers shade and a welcoming resting spot.



During our visit, the botanical garden also had sweet displays of common garden plants, including potted Pansies (Viola spp.) and Kale (Brassica oleracea).



Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)



Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

Other interesting plants of note:



Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida), popular with the bees, ants, and other pollinators.



Peach blossoms (Prunus persica), with their lovely, delicate beauty.



Texas Virgin's Bower (Clematis drummondii), native to the Southwestern U.S.



'Spring Bouquet' Viburnum (V. tinus), delicate and fresh, and also popular with the pollinators.

And Desert Bluebells (Phacelia campanularia): Who can resist that bright, true blue?

It was a lovely afternoon visit. If I'm ever in the Las Vegas area again, I'll make sure to stop by this fabulous botanical garden for more exploration.