The In-Laws were here two weekends ago and Mom was here this past weekend. To entertain both sets of parents, we showed them the same sites around Tulsa, just on different weekends.
Linnaeus Teaching Garden is truly a grass roots effort, no pun intended. It was built with donated money, supplies, and labor and is staffed by volunteers. It is free to the public.
Every time we go we come away with another idea. (My MiL was super excited to visit because she had read about it in Southern Living.)
How I would love a wood carving like this in our yard. I could have taken twenty pictures of this sculpture from the fox peeking out to the bunny at the base. Notice the state bird of Oklahoma, the scissortail flycatcher.
This garden is about ten years old, but they have taken great pains to make it look like it has been there for years and years.
Especially the water garden and ponds. They look like they were built decades ago.
The plantings seem so natural to me.
I could just sit and listen to the water and bird sounds for hours.
There are a number of water features in the garden. I love this more formal approach.
This archway leads to the vegetable and herb gardens.
Basil Boulevard
A very formally edged thyme, marjoram, and oregano garden. Love this idea!
Also love this trellis of gourds.
And this pot of chives.
And, I must get one of these dwarf pomegranates!
Linnaeus stands at the entrance and greets all visitors.
I can’t tell you how beautiful this garden is and how helpful the volunteers are. They are eager to share their knowledge and expound on the beauty of this Tulsa treasure.
After we visited the gardens, we headed to Philbrook for a spectacular exhibit, Monet and the Seine. I have now seen this exhibit twice and would happily go again.
Spectacular.
My favorite of the entire exhibit (from both visits) has to be this:
Claude Money
The Willows, 1880
Oil on canvas
The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Edward C. and Mary Walker Collection
There was actually a silent film of Monet painting in his own garden (to continue my garden theme).
And finally, a visit to Philbrook would not be complete without a stroll around the extensive formal garden.
I am sure there are fairies and elves hiding here somewhere.
I’m not sure what was fuzzing up all the boxwoods. It was either web worms or more likely cotton wood “dandruff.”
I would love to be your tour guide if you are ever in the Tulsa area. There are even more gardens to explore.
This SOOOOOOOOOO up my alley. I love gardens. In fact I have a semi-fantasy trip to travel with my itinerary totally driven by going from one public garden to the next. I even bought a special book that was a driver for that idea. In another life for many years I co-owned a landscape construction company and did some very elaborate residential grounds. Now I have what I call a Grandma’s garden. Kind of hodge podged, but colorful and loved. Gorgeous. And then in combo with the art exhibit—perfect.
The best public FREE garden we ever visited was in Birmingham. I would love to see a book that had a garden itinerary in it.
I love visiting gardens! And wow! Talk about spectacular. Love everything here. Terrific pictures — one can really get a feel for things. Thanks so much.
Well, if you and Mrs. KR are ever in the Tulsa area, I hope you get to enjoy this garden.
Wow – lovely gardens and a great tour of them. If I am ever in Tulsa, I will look you up! 🙂
Just do that!
These are such beautiful gardens! Thank you for the tour. I will keep them in mind, if I ever visit Tulsa!
I will book you a private tour.
Holli has loved the Philbrook since she was about 4 and wanted so badly to be married in the gardens but the cost was just incredible! Too bad she didn’t know about the other gardens…………however, I’m going to tell her about them so in the fall when she goes up there, she will be sure to stop by for a visit – she will love it!
Holli has good taste! We really don’t go there as often as we should.
It’s gorgeous! I want to love there, well….near there. I love the deep blue color of the skies there. We have lots of clouds.
There is actually a HUGE house that backs up against this garden (and the rest of Woodward Park). I would love to live nearer to here too.
I have never been to Tulsa before, it is a beautiful place 😀
I love to stroll in gardens, read in them everything – just can’t grow them 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Well, that’s why there’s public gardens! 🙂
I’ll definitely take you up on your being my tour guide is I ever make it to Tulsa. What a lovely visit you provided your in-laws. I never would have dream that there was such lush gardens in Tulsa. Thanks for sharing these pictures. They’re gorgeous! I do have a question – who is “Claude Money” (The Willows)? 🙂
Hahahahah…..I kept hitting the “y” instead of the “t” throughout this post. Guess one slipped by me! LOL
Such gorgeous gardens! Who knew Tulsa had such a treasure?!!! Very nice.
thanks, Liz.