Munch and Learn: 2026 Plant Sale Preview

2026 Plant Sale Preview

Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture, Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Dale Skaggs is a native Memphian and holds a BS degree in Horticulture from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. While in Oregon he worked as landscape manager for the nationally prominent mail order company Joy Creek Nursery.  

Horticulture has been Dale’s passion from a very early age. During high school he worked in the nursery business, developing his skills through mentors and, prior to moving to Oregon, operated his own landscape/garden contracting business for almost 7 years. During this time, he was an adjunct faculty member at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis teaching woody and herbaceous plant identification courses.

Upon returning to Memphis from Oregon in 2005, Dale worked in a variety of horticultural positions. He was the Shelby County Horticultural Extension agent with the University of Tennessee, where he was responsible for the coordination of the Master Gardener program.  

Dale became the Director of Horticulture at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis in 2007. He has shaped and provided new vision for the numerous gardens there with his designs, including the renovation and installation of the gardens surrounding the Bowlin stage, making it a premier wedding venue, and the universally accessible gardens surrounding the recently created Farnsworth Arts and Education Building. Dale has prioritized and focused resources on plant collections. He has also led garden-related Dixon tours to England, France and Italy.

Dale frequently lectures on various horticulturally related topics, has written a monthly garden column for the Commercial Appeal and is a contributor to At Home Memphis magazine. He has also been featured in Southern Living magazine.

Dale is past president of the Memphis Horticultural Society. He has received the Horticulture Commendation award from the Garden Club of America, and he has also been awarded Zone Commendation by the GCA, and Club Commendation by the Memphis Garden Club, a Garden Club of America.  

Wednesdays can be especially busy at Park and Cherry. If you're attending Munch and Learn, please plan ahead and place your lunch orders early. To reduce disruptions during the lecture, guests are asked to bring their own food from the cafe to the auditorium. You may request to-go containers to make the trip to your seat easier.

▶ Pre-order by calling (901) 312-1277.

MUNCH AND LEARN IS ENDOWED BY THE LANDAU FAMILY IN MEMORY OF LESLIE MANN LANDAU

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