About Us

The Mission of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens:

Serving the community by inspiring interaction with plants and the environment, creating adventure and conveying knowledge.

 

Contact Us | Newsletter | History | What's Ahead

 

Contact Us

 

Enjoy Our GardenTalk Newsletter

  • Don’t miss our quarterly update on what’s happening at the botanical gardens! Along with the website, it’s your resource for what’s new at the gardens, what’s coming up and much more!  Read an issue now. 

 

The History and Development of the Gardens

  • In 1929 an enterprising group of hardworking women banded together to create the first garden club of Amarillo.  They set out to prove gardening was possible in the challenging high plains of Texas.  The environment and soil of the local area tested their knowledge as they sought out plants which could survive drought, windy conditions and extensive sun.  Soil amending was mandatory to loosen heavy soils and improve pH.   After many successful years, they tackled numerous city beautification projects.  By 1945, 125 members belonged to the thriving Amarillo Garden Club.  With varied interests and goals the group divided into 13 garden clubs and societies over the next 10 years. 

  • In 1954, under the direction of Vera Deason, the Garden Center was formed in Memorial Park as a home to the various garden clubs and their activities.   Later around 1960, a new home for the Garden Center was sought that provided more space for test gardens and the addition of classes for the handicapped.  In 1968 after years of fundraising, the new Garden Center was dedicated on November 17th at the current location in the Medical Center Park. 

  • The garden clubs and other volunteers tackled amending and preparing the soil for landscaping.  They made thousands of cuttings to fill the gardens, started seeds and also brought plants from their homes to fill the new sizable Garden Center spaces.  Jane Meyers guided the clubs and volunteers giving vision to the gardens as Director from 1979 to 1992.  Jackie Wilson, as Executive Director from 1992-2007, guided the transition from Garden Center into the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. Under her guidance, the original buildings were expanded, the Mary E. Bivins Tropical Conservatory was built and new programs such as the summer Music in the Gardens began.

  • We owe special thanks to local citizens who financially supported, volunteered and otherwise contributed and continue to contribute to the success and future of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.   

 

What's Ahead...Continuing the Vision

New Construction!

    An Edible Landscape Garden

    We are currently under construction on an edible landscape garden.  This garden will be a great educational tool for all ages.  The garden incorporates herbs, vegetables, edible flowers and fruit bearing trees and shrubs which will produce an attractive landscape with edible plants.  Thanks to the Master Gardeners and ABG staff for their many hours of hard labor, the ground has been improved and new siding added to the greenhouse.   Come out and see the progress!

     

    The Jackie Wilson Welcome Garden

    This garden celebrates Jackie Wilson's 15 years of service and dedication as the founding Executive Director of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.  The garden will be located along the front of the building and welcome guests as they enter through the garden gate.  It will feature a collection of trees, perennials, shrubs and annuals which are disease and pest resistant and can thrive in the local Panhandle environment.  Full of inviting colors including shades of blue, purple, orange, yellow, chartreuse and silver, it will showcase such plants as salvia, lavender and roses. Complimenting the current ABG signage will be a decorate trellis to hold vines and add an artistic element. View the proposed plan.

     

    The Gilvin-Terrill/Raymond and Martha Chow Meadow Garden

    In honor of generous contributions by Mr. and Mrs. Chow and their company, a dedication garden will be created on the peninsula near the popular Palo Duro garden on the west side of the garden property.  Replicating a peaceful, wooded area opening up to a meadow, this space will incorporate a flagstone walkway and seating to allow maximum enjoyment of the garden.  An assorted collection of shade loving perennials and annuals will be utilized as well as native meadow flowers and grasses to complement the surrounding gardens.  Plant materials will include coneflower, Pensteman, Gallardia, Hosta and Lamium. View the proposed plan.     

     

    Completed in May 2009, the authentic Harrell Palo Duro Garden has become a favorite with our visitors. It is a fabulous representation of the landscape and plant materials found in the Palo Duro Canyon area.  Given by Ed Harrell in memory of his wife, Carol Ray Flynn Harrell.  Features "Sentinel of the Canyon" mosaic by artists Kenneth & Tarrie Sue Pirtle.

     

    We are in the process of seeking funds for designing a fun, yet educational Children’s Garden for kids and people who are kids at heart!

     

New Events and Programs!

    Keep checking our Calendar and Programs pages so you don’t miss any of the new activities we have in development for the coming year.