Myriad Botanical Gardens(36)

Jonathan Elmore
Aug 1
3 min read

What seems like 200 years ago, I went to the Myriad Botanical Gardens with my parents. Back then, I had zero interest in plants. Give me a good rock and crystal exhibit and I would have needed to be dragged out of there. But plants weren't on my radar when I was that young. All that has changed now that I'm closer to something resembling an adult. I love the plants at my house. I've even stopped on my morning walks to look at neighborhood plants. "Don't mind me, folks, I'm just admiring that purple flower in your yard." HA!

When you get to the Myriad Gardens, you can either head right in or you can take in the many plants surrounding the giant tube. Either way is fine. I chose to wander through the outdoor exhibits first and there is a lot to see. I had forgotten there was a little fish pond in the shadow of the building. It was cool to see a bunch of koi and ducks floating around looking for snacks. Once I had seen all there was to see outside, I headed in to the indoor plants.

When I got into the lobby, I saw that there was some brightly colored art hanging around. I was told it was part of an art show called "My Friends, The Trees" featuring works by Madeline Dillner, and there were some impressive paintings there. Me being who I am, I took a ton of pictures and I've posted some of them at the end of the gallery below. After I had my little Art Break, I paid my entrance fee and went into the giant greenhouse that is the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

In 1964, the legendary architect I.M. Pei was hired to revitalize the downtown area and a garden was a big part of the design. The city hired the architect firm of Conklin & Rossant to design the Garden's iconic Crystal Bridge conservatory. The layout was designed in the style of the Trivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. Construction in the mid-80's led to the opening day in March of 1988. I can't imagine in that amount of time, from '88 to now, how many plants have come and gone inside this great building as they've tried to bring us the best exhibit possible. It's really a masterpiece of horticulture. Once you step inside the doors, you're immersed in greenery and it doesn't stop until you leave. I'm not going to pretend like I knew what any of the plants were. I'm not that guy. "Is that like an iris or something?" "No, Jonathan, that's a cactus." Let's just say my wife is a saint for putting up with me. What I'm trying to get across is you don't have to know the names of these plants to thoroughly enjoy them. To help folks like me, they have nearly every plant labeled with a little sign. I learned the names of some of my new favorite plants like Zombie Palm, Voodoo Aloe, and Dwarf Buddha's Belly Bamboo. Those and dozens more plants wait for you to find your new favorite in the Myriad Gardens.

You can check out their website to find out all the events and services that The Gardens offers all year round like Fall Vegetable Planting, Kid's Workshops, and Horticulture Tips. You've seen the building. Now it's time to go. Or in my case, go back. Have fun. Wear light clothes because I think it was hotter inside than it was outside.

301 W. Reno, OKC

405-445-7080

https://myriadgardens.org/