Tennessee Bicentennial Iris Garden

Memphis Botanic Garden

Ritchie Smith Associates designed a new iris garden to create a more elegant and focused display commensurate with the quality of one of the nation's foremost public iris collections. An evergreen hedge frames a more formal, oval-shaped garden comprised of terraced iris beds separated by brick walks and grass paths. The newly hybridized Bicentennial Iris was placed on the main axis to feature prominently among the nearly 1,500 varieties of iris, the state flower. At the center of the garden is a reflecting pool, designed to have a mosaic depicting a bouquet of iris in vivid jewel tones. The long-range plan also includes a curved pergola on the upper terrace. Perennial flowers and trees native to Tennessee were planted for seasonal interest.

Award: American Society of Landscape Architects, Tennessee Chapter - Merit Award