Amarillo Botanical Gardens, Amarillo, TX

The year was 1929 when a group of Texas women got together and planted the first gardens that would eventually become the basis for the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. The address is 1400 Streit Dr, Amarillo, TX 79106. What started as multiple garden clubs around the city wound up becoming the Garden Center and in 1968 it was moved to its current location. All of the garden clubs and many volunteers worked to prepare the soil, took cuttings, began seeds and offered plants from their own homes to fill the new Garden Center. The transition to becoming the Amarillo Botanical Gardens began under Executive Director, Jackie Wilson, from 1992-2007. She saw to the expansion of original buildings, a tropical conservatory was built, and programs like Music in the Gardens were begun.

The Amarillo Botanical Gardens are open throughout the year. Tuesday through Friday the hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sunday, Monday and Holidays they are closed. Hours can vary in the summer so call before heading to the gardens. Winter hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The gardens are closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Holidays in the winter. Leashed dogs may enter the gardens as long as they are supervised and any accidents are cleaned promptly.

Membership to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens is thirty dollars a year for individuals and sixty five dollars a year for a family of four. Members receive unlimited admission to the gardens at regular business hours, free admission to most events and exhibitions, the quarterly newsletter, GardenTalk, and early registration for classes and lectures.

The gift shop at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens sells beautiful tote bags, interesting jewelry, stained glass jewelry boxes, sun catchers, floral note cards, butterfly wind chimes, and bird feeders. Check at the gardens for hours of the gift shop. Guests at the gardens can make an appointment for guided docent tours at least one week prior to the scheduled tour. There is no extra charge for a guided docent tour; it comes with the gate admission.

There is a plethora of exotic plants in the newly constructed tropical conservatory. There are four acres of land that are planted in seasonal landscapes. The gardens are planted in outdoor themed gardens such as Japanese, fragrant, xeric and butterfly gardens. The gardens sponsor seasonal events and special exhibits.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens offer rental space for private parties, business events, conferences and many other events. Guests can rent an outdoor space in one of the seasonal planting and container gardens. Small groups of fifty or less can use the Entry Court for an event. The Event Lawn is especially nice for weddings because it is surrounded by themed gardens and ample shade trees. This area can accommodate up to one hundred and fifty guests. The amphitheater space provides a patio and tiered grass steps; this area can seat up to two hundred guests. The Gallery provides an indoor arena for small receptions of up to seventy people and seating for thirty.