Dixon Gallery and Gardens announces the opening of the newly renovated Woodland Gardens, made possible by a grant from the International Paper Foundation.  With this grant the Dixon has transformed the Woodland Gardens, the largest of five gardens in its 17- acre property, into a living educational resource highlighting the nature of the Mid-South shade garden. 

To serve its mission and supplement horticultural education for children and adults, the Woodland Gardens will be a primary destination and educational resource for every student, educator and visitor. The renovation included thinning the canopy of surrounding trees to create a berth for successful native plant growth; revamping paths and circulation to provide handicap access on 1,000 feet of pathways; providing interpretive signage explaining the relationship between ecology and gardening, using labels with color photos to continue education when plants are dormant; and removing large areas of English ivy with volunteer support. Additionally, the Dixon has installed a lighting system and a "council ring" based on the creative idea of landscape architect Jen Jensen (1860 - 1951), a pioneer in the native plant movement, to provide a gathering space for informal educational programs. A new water element made up of three, ten-foot interlocking rings teaches about the relationship between plants and water quality and enhances the aesthetic qualities of this space. 

These gardens will offer a self-guided cell phone tour in December 2009 and docent guided tours in late March, during peak wildflower season.  

The renovated Woodland Gardens affirms Dixon as a leader in cultivating native and woodland plants, teaching ecology as it relates to horticulture, and encouraging visitors to understand the role of gardening as it relates to the natural world.

For more information, please contact Dale Skaggs at (901) 761-5250.