Tennessee Bicentennial Iris Garden
"In 1953, 2,500 iris rhizomes from the gardens of Mrs. Morgan Ketchum were donated, and the Ketchum Memorial Iris Garden was created. This gift marked the beginning of planned beds and displays for the Gardens of Audubon Park, later to become Memphis Botanic Garden. Later designated as the Tennessee Bicentennial Iris Garden, this breath-taking area with well-tended circular beds and statue of the goddess Iris in the center of a serene reflecting pool, is a focal point for Garden visitors and a scenic spot for garden weddings.
Bearded Irises are the primary species of iris in the garden, with hundreds of varieties of bearded irises planted here. Other types of irises planted in the garden include Louisiana, Japanese, Siberian, and Spuria." -MBG
Rose Garden
"In 1958, the Rose Garden from Overton Park was moved to Audubon Park, now the current site of Memphis Botanic Garden. 11 years later, Mrs. Vance Norfleet donated the fountain that is currently the centerpiece for the 75 species of roses located in this garden. Since its major renovation in 2001, the Rose Garden has been a major attraction for visitors. It is maintained with the support of The Memphis & Dixie Rose Society.
Roses have been cultivated for hundreds of years, creating many varieties within the three main types, modern, antique, and climbing. Our Rose Garden is fashioned after formal gardens of the past. The center beds contain modern roses, most of which are either hybrid tea, floribunda, or grandiflora roses. The beds on the outer rings of the garden consist of antique and climbing roses.The Rose Garden begins blooming in late March or early April, and continues throughout the warm season, with some still blooming as late as Thanksgiving." -MBG
It was the perfect day and time of the year to sketch at the garden. The Iris Garden and Rose Garden had beautiful new blooms.
