Texas-size garden awaits
Plants, flowers fill 66 acres in Dallas
Plants, flowers fill 66 acres in Dallas

By Chris Jones

Published: April 13, 2008

DALLAS — You know you're in Texas when you see a Texas star topiary with 2,200 flowers.

As the saying goes, everything is big in Texas, and that describes the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, a public botanical garden with 66 acres of lush gardens off the shores of White Rock Lake.

Dogwood, flowering peach and cherry trees are among the spring-blooming annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees in what is considered one of the top floral display gardens in North America.

The 400,000 colorful tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and Dutch iris compete for attention with 80,000 pansies, violas and poppies.

Walkways twist and turn throughout the grounds and grassy areas provide places for a quiet picnic lunch. The arboretum is truly an inspirational and ideal setting for gardeners and photographers, as well as groups of school children who can be seen frolicking on the green grass, and darting in and out of a thatched roof cottage.

Playful squirrels and birds thrive in the protected area, and add to the enjoyment of a leisurely walk through the trees, fountains, sculptures and flowerbeds.

Plants and trees are marked for identification for visitors who aren't familiar with a tree or flower.

The DeGolyer House, a 1940s-style Spanish mansion, is also on the grounds. The Johnson Color Gardens, Woman's Garden and Lay Ornamental Garden with water walls are favorite features of visitors.

The Star of Texas theme continues through April, with Texas-themed topiaries in the shape of a cowboy hat, life-size Longhorn cattle figures and a wagon.

Displays and themes change with the seasons, and numerous family events are held throughout the year.

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