CELEBRATE: 70 YEARS AT THE GARDEN – Memphis Botanic Garden

It’s our 70th birthday!

Celebrate: 70 Years at the Garden

Celebrate 70 years of horticultural excellence, Memphis milestones, & community connections as we revitalize, revisit, & revel in some of our favorite initiatives from our history in 2023.

Join Us at the Garden this Year!

There are so many ways to celebrate your Garden in 2023. From concerts to classes to volunteering or visiting, we love sharing the Garden with you. We hope to see you soon!

Welcome Spring Blooms

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a Japanese Garden, designed by Dr. P.T. Tono of Tokyo and developed in cooperation with the Bamboo Chapter of Ikebana International, were held in December of 1965. The Japanese Garden, with its Red Bridge, has become an iconic Memphis landmark. Each year we look forward to the blooming of the Cherry trees both inside the Garden and along Cherry Road. Delight in the coming of spring at the Cherry Blossom Picnic on March 18, 2023.

Discover Our Origins

In 1953, 2,500 iris rhizomes from the gardens of Mrs. Morgan Ketchum were given to the park and the Ketchum Memorial Iris Garden was created. This gift marked the beginning of planned beds and displays for the Gardens of Audubon Park. Join us in our Iris Garden on April 22 from 10 am-2 pm to create an iris craft to take home.

Explore Rich Soil at the Garden

Big Bugs took over in 2017, Origami at the Garden unfolded in 2018 & 2019, Alice’s Adventures at the Garden took us down the rabbit hole in 2022. Don’t miss our fourth major outdoor exhibition, Rich Soil at the Garden, featuring work by Kristine Mays, opening in May 2023. Click to learn more.

Garden with a Purpose

The Garden has long offered a variety of diverse year round educational programming for youths & adults. From painting & pruning to field trips & fungi we are dedicated to being an exemplary center for horticulture and environmental enrichment. Join us as we kick off the Urban Home Garden Speaker Series on June 13 which features topics about gardening with a purpose this year. Click to learn more & register.

Play in Nature

My Big Backyard opened a world of outdoor discovery for Mid-South families in 2009. Celebrate another year of play in the Garden with a birthday treat & a children’s craft on August 5 from 10 am-2 pm.

Rock Out at the Radians Amp

In 2001, the Memphis Botanic Garden decided to expand its mission and host a summer concert series called Live at the Garden. 2023 marks the 22nd season of the poplar outdoor concert season at the Radians Amp. Join us this summer for another season of memories & music under the stars.

Establish Your Roots

An arboretum was established in 1957 to honor W.C. Paul, who died in 1951 and was an active member of the Memphis Men’s Garden Club. Mr. Paul had long dreamed of an arboretum for Memphis. Visit our revitalized Arboretum & Orchard in the southwest corner of the Garden which opens this fall as part of our Rooted at Park & Cherry capital campaign.

Experience Art in Nature

In 1968, the Sculpture Garden made its debut, and with sponsorship from the Memphis Garden Club, it was renovated to include several noteworthy sculptures and new landscaping. Celebrate 55 years of public art at the Garden by enjoying a self-guided sculpture tour of the Garden.

Delight in Seasonal Fun

Fall for the Garden this autumn with a variety of seasonal offerings for children, adults, and families. Paint en plein air. Join in for storytime & singalongs. Shop the Nursery at the Garden. Learn a new skill. Enjoy a boo-tanic halloween. Sign-up for a workshop. Kick back at an after-hours event. There’s always something to explore at the Garden. Click to see our upcoming events.

Become a Member

Membership support is critical to our success! Not only do membership contributions help us accomplish our mission and care for our 96 acres of Garden grounds, but your family will enjoy year-round rewards including free daily admission, discounts to special events, and more! Click to join today.

Support the Garden

As we celebrate 70 years at the Garden, we also look forward to many more years of serving our community, members, and visitors. Consider supporting our efforts to remain a resource for a myriad of organizations & individuals by making a donation, volunteering time, or gifting a membership.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Did you know the Garden publishes a horticulture e-newsletter called Vine Line? It’s written by our Horticulturists and offers seasonal information on plant maintenance and care, horticultural features, gardening advice, and more. We also publish an arboretum e-newsletter called Under the Oaks, with helpful information on tree care, identification, tree trivia, and more. Click here to subscribe to one or both of these.

Enjoy Extended Hours

Each Thursday from May 11 through October 26, the Garden will be open until 8 pm for some after hours enjoyment of the Garden. The second Thursday of each month will feature food trucks. Dogs are welcome for these special extended hours. Click to learn more.

Celebrate Your Own Milestone

Celebrate every day with 96 acres of versatile spaces in the heart of Memphis. From intimate wedding ceremonies and over-the-top private parties to corporate retreats, meetings, and holiday parties, we have the perfect space for you. We offer multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces for groups of all sizes. Click to see our spaces.

Start a Holiday Tradition

The Garden staged its first holiday light show in 2002 in the Rose Garden. Now encompassing eight acres of lights & cheer, we invite you to revel in this holiday tradition which brings holiday magic each year to the heart of Memphis. Join us after two decades of getting bigger & brighter at Holiday Wonders at the Garden this holiday season.