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| View of the Hernando de Soto Bridge from Tom Lee Park |
The first day of the Memphis Fling took us to the edge of the Mississippi River. Two parks offered beautiful views of the surrounding area, including lovely walkways, native plants, and views of the Hernando de Soto Bridge, sometimes called the "M" bridge.
Tom Lee Park spans 31 acres, with a planting design that prioritizes biodiversity, seasonal interest, and long-term resilience. It's named after Tom Lee, a Memphis resident who rescued 32 passengers from a capsized steamer in 1925. Passing by in his small wooden skiff, Lee's rescue was all the more remarkable because he couldn't swim!
Visionary Point, closed when we walked by, offers a climb to a higher spot for an even loftier view.
Fellow Flingers were anxious to learn more about the history of the city and its riverfront parks.
Not far from Tom Lee Park is the Memphis River Garden, providing native habitat that nurtures pollinators, birds, small mammals, and human visitors. While we were there, many native plants were on lush display in various stages of growth, including the native Swamp Roses (Rosa palustris), included in my previous post. Others included:
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| Baptisia australis |
The lush seedpods of Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis),
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| Echinacea tennesseensis |
Flowers of various Echinaceas, including Tennessee Coneflower (E. tennesseensis), and
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| Monarda fistulosa |
Developing blooms of Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa).
Our first tour day in Memphis was rewarding. And I must say the city's gardens, overall, exceeded my expectations. Stay tuned for more memories of a wonderful trip to the Bluff City.
