Children’s Discovery Garden

The Children’s Discovery Garden encompasses almost two acres in a fantastical “wonderland” garden environment offering experience-based learning opportunities for children and families. Look for the two ornamental blue metal banners which mark its entrance/exit.

Children’s Discovery Garden

The Children's Discovery Garden encompasses almost two acres in a fantastical “wonderland” garden environment offering experience-based learning opportunities for children and families. Look for the two ornamental blue metal banners which mark its entrance/exit.

The focal point of the garden is the Spring Giant, a 20’ rugged stone face entered through a hidden grotto. Inspired by garden follies popular in 18th century European gardens, the Spring Giant is a one-of-a-kind art piece, built and hand-sculpted by artist Dan Jennison and Weber Group. Water which drips from the Spring Giant’s mouth is the source for the Stream Valley. The Stream Valley includes fountains of spitting animals and the nearby Art Wall, a favorite for kids of ALL ages!

Be sure to look for the Bog Bowls near the pond where Venus fly traps and other carnivorous plants catch their next meal.

The Meadow offers exploration of trails through grasses and flowering perennials as well as larger-than-life insect whirligigs hovering above. It's a great place to look for caterpillars, butterflies, hummingbirds, or the occasional lizard sunning on a rock.

A grove of post oaks, at the highest point of the Children’s Garden, is home to the Tree Fort, offering vantage points through windowed portals set among the tree limbs. Local artist Clayton Coss created one-of-a-kind 'Oak Thrones' – oversized, ornate wooden thrones for the Tree Fort. Butterfly and bird wings are available for imaginary play. The Amphitheatre nearby offers shaded seating under umbrellas.

A Sensory Walk invites all to experience plants through touch, smell, sound and sight. Look for, touch and sniff the lamb's ear, wax myrtle, sweetshrub, thyme, rosemary and more growing here. Take the steps up the hill for a short walk in the trees and listen for birds or other small animals.

Check our calendar of events for information on Story Times and other programs that may be scheduled.

A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces

Over 3 acres in size, the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces displays over 8,000 permanent plants including trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, roses and perennials set in terraced beds on a hillside which offers a glimpse of downtown Tulsa from its peak. 

A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces

Over 3 acres in size the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces displays over 8,000 permanent plants including trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, roses and perennials set in terraced beds on a hillside which offers a glimpse of downtown Tulsa from its peak. 

A prominent feature of the Tandy Floral Terraces is the Garden Cascade, a six-foot wide central water runnel emanating from the top of the hillside and flowing down into the lake. Seasonal color display beds surround the water channel from top to bottom and provide vivid swaths of color from spring bulbs to summer tropical plants. Over 50,000 bulbs are planted each fall for Tulsa Botanic Blooms, one of the largest spring bulb displays in the region.

Visitors can explore the garden’s four terraces – Lawn, Rose, Perennial and Mediterranean - on a serpentine, ADA accessible walk winding to the Garden’s peak or through a central stairway along the Garden Cascade.

Art Deco details throughout the garden reflect Tulsa’s rich architectural history.                          

The A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces is named in recognition of the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Foundation, which provided the lead gift for its construction. It was designed by nationally prominent landscape architects: StudioOutside (Dallas, TX), 3.fromme DESIGN (Sanford, FL), and Howell & Vancuren (Tulsa, OK).

Look for: concrete rabbits tucked in among plants as an homage to Marylouise Tandy, who was recognized nationally for her success and knowledge in breeding and raising rabbits.

Autumn:

Fall in the Tandy Floral Terraces allows you to experience the biggest diversity of flowering plants, showcasing most of our summer plants that are still blooming, but also a new palette of fall plants such as chrysanthemums, ginger lilies, doll’s daisy, and sunflowers. The bottom of the garden is home to the beautiful doll’s daisy which looks like clouds of white throughout the garden, as well as the more tropical looking cannas and extremely fragrant ginger lilies. The top of the Tandy Floral Terraces offers a spectacular overall view of the garden, while being surrounded by our room of blue spruce trees and magenta blooming crape myrtles.

Cross Timbers Nature Trail

Just west of the top of the A.R. and Marylouise Tandy Floral Terraces, the Persimmon Grove is a gateway into the Garden’s 110 acres of natural beauty. Visitors can explore the native flora and fauna found in the unique Cross Timbers ecoregion – where the tallgrass prairies from the west meet the eastern deciduous forests. The convergence of these two habitats offers an abundance of life and diversity. Each season offers something different: wildflowers, migrating birds, butterflies, changing leaves and majestic grasses.

Lakeside Promenade

The Lakeside Promenade encircles the Garden’s seven-acre lake and is comprised of a succession of planting beds including some of the oldest plantings at the Garden.

The Sarah G. Allison Lake Trail is the main pathway guests use to visit the Tandy Floral Terraces and the Lakeside Promenade. This three-quarter mile loop meanders past an ever-changing palette of color, texture, pattern and fragrance with panoramic views across the lake.

Please note: A portion of the Sarah G. Allison Lake Trail is currently closed due to construction.

Bumgarner Lotus Pool

Groundbreaking for the Bumgarner Lotus Pool was in February 2022. Anticipated completion is mid-2023.

The Bumgarner Lotus Pool will provide an exceptional experience in the Garden overlooking the northeastern circular portion of the lake closest to the visitor center.

Bumgarner Lotus Pool

Groundbreaking for the Bumgarner Lotus Pool was in February 2022. Anticipated completion is mid-2023.

The Bumgarner Lotus Pool will provide an exceptional experience in the Garden overlooking the northeastern circular portion of the lake closest to the visitor center. A new Art Deco bridge will be built to allow visitors a short walk around the water’s edge with multiple vistas to enjoy the blossoms of aquatic lilies and lotus. Iris and other water-loving plants will offer resting sites for darting dragonflies. Overlooks onto the Lotus Pool will allow visitors to experience, up-close, the magical qualities of this area. 

The Bumgarner Family Charitable Foundation made the lead gift for the garden. The Bumgarner Lotus Pool was designed by 3.Fromme Design (Florida) and Szafranski Landscape Architecture (Tulsa). 

Stanford Family Liberty Garden

Groundbreaking for the Stanford Family Liberty Garden was in February 2022. Anticipated completion is spring 2023.

The Stanford Family Liberty Garden is a ceremonial civic space embedded within an elegant garden setting in the center of Tulsa Botanic Garden. It will be a place to celebrate and share the qualities and concepts unifying individuals into the diverse citizenry of the United States through interpreting patriotism as a forward thinking and living concept.

Stanford Family Liberty Garden

Groundbreaking for the Stanford Family Liberty Garden was in February 2022. Anticipated completion is mid-2023.

The Stanford Family Liberty Garden is a ceremonial civic space embedded within an elegant garden setting in the center of Tulsa Botanic Garden. It will be a place to celebrate and share the qualities and concepts unifying individuals into the diverse citizenry of the United States through interpreting patriotism as a forward thinking and living concept.

Visitors will experience four outdoor rooms – Entry Grove, Lawn, East and West Pavilions and Flagpole Terrace and Skyline Stairs

The Entry Grove will offer shaded seating and ornate ironwork gates framed by stone columns. Once inside the view will expand to the Taylor Alan Gravender Lawn surrounded by walkways on each side. Outlining the walkways on west and east sides will be flower borders, benches, and layers of evergreens, shrubs and trees.

An ornate plinth and flagpole flying an American flag will be the focal point on the south side of the lawn. The plinth will include decorative masonry and perforated metal panels which will glow at night as if they were lanterns. 

Opposite the flagpole on the east and west edges of the garden will be 20’ by 20’ pavilions with artisan ironwork railings framing views of the lake and creating an arbor for flowering vines. Past the Flagpole Terrace, a progression of wide “seating stairs” drop to the water’s edge and present a panoramic view of the lake and Oklahoma sky.                         

The Stanford Family Liberty Garden was designed by 3.Fromme Design (Florida) and Wallace Design Collective | Howell & Vancuren (Tulsa).