Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Tour

Guests enjoy a privately led tour throughout the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, one of the top botanical gardens in America. With over 66 acres of finely manicured grounds, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden provides breathtaking views for residents and tourists year-round.

The Trammell Crow Visitor Education Pavilion and Entry Plaza. The Entry Plaza welcomes visitors to the breathtaking surroundings of the Dallas Arboretum. It always features a beautiful selection of whatever is seasonally in bloom. Education Pavilion Built with native Texas limestone and wood and copper sheathing, this structure serves as the gateway to the gardens. Upon entering, visitors will encounter the Scott K. Ginsburg Family Plaza and Junkins Fountain, which are enveloped by a menagerie of seasonal flora. This entryway gives visitors a glimpse of the 66 acres of stunning vistas ahead. Live choral performances and other live music occasionally take place just inside the ticket booth, welcoming guests.

The Lyda Bunker Hunt Paseo de Flores. Commonly referred to as simply The Paseo, this meandering pathway serves as the central walkway of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and is the main artery of the garden for guests. Guests can access nearly every garden from the Paseo, including walking all the way to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden to the north or taking a tram ride, and can find the DeGolyer and Camp houses, and all of our dining options off this main walkway. The path begins after the Bella Via near the Tram Stop and concludes near Fogelson Fountain, which was donated by the late Greer Garson in memory of her husband, Buddy. Along The Paseo, visitors can stop for photo opportunities and fun at the Magnolia Glade, the Crape Myrtle Allee, the Toad Corners Fountain, the Shadow Garden and the Pecan Grove.

The Trial Gardens. The Trial Gardens at the Dallas Arboretum were created for the purpose of expanding our research efforts and providing information to the public. The focus of the trial program is to grow and evaluate many different plants in the drastic climate of the Metroplex and North Central Texas. Information generated from the trials is provided to commercial plant producers, retailers and home gardeners. Between 3,000 and 5,000 plants are trialed yearly from over 150 plant breeding companies. These gardens represent the cutting edge of horticultural research into heat-tolerant plants.

Lay Family Garden. The Lay Family Garden (formally known as the Lay Ornamental Garden) is a 2.2-acre garden filled with hundreds of perennials and woody plants set against two amazing water features, the Lay Grotto, which boasts a waterfall and koi pond, and on the other side, another set of cascading water elements under a lush trellis. An Abundance of Flora and Koi Fish. Especially nice when it’s hot, the garden is enjoyable all year due to the abundance of flora and fauna one can find. Beyond weddings on the main lawn, families like to take photos here, or stop to admire and play with the koi fish. One of the most popular features is the native limestone walls with waterfalls cascading from them. Complementing the waterwalls is a new grotto with a 12-foot waterfall directly across from them. The water gardens are also of great interest and include a large lagoon for aquatic plants, a stream with three weirs and a Koi pond.

A Woman’s Garden. Guests’ favorite aspects of this garden are the various sculptures, the vista across the infinity pool and the flower water in the fountains and features. This is a wonderful place for selfies and posed photos, because of the beautiful view of White Rock Lake behind the infinity pool. Children also love the flowing water.

Crape Myrtle Allee. Sweeping crape myrtle trees enclose a stone walkway to create this magnificent garden. This natural tunnel leads visitors to the popular toad fountain feature, “Toad Corner.” Stunning All Year. Crape Myrtle Allee garden is stunning from late spring through winter, transitioning from lush green leaves to full blooms to a starkly beautiful holiday scene in the winter. In the fall, winter and spring, we welcome various vendors to set up tables and sell their wares. The Allee features a new lane of crape myrtle trees, which replaced the original trees planted by the DeGolyers. Paved with Pennsylvania bluestone, the Allee runs from the Paseo to Toad Corners. The Crape Myrtle Allee is a popular destination for family photo shoots and engagement photos.

Jonsson Color Garden. The Jonsson Color Garden features large, sweeping beds of seasonal flowers and plants and is home to more than 2,000 varieties of azaleas, which bloom lavishly in the spring along with daffodils and tulips. Summer brings a vibrant display of bananas and tapioca plants, while autumn ushers in brightly colored chrysanthemums. The Waterwise display, donated by Region IV of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, provides a location for home gardeners to learn how to install and manage a low-water landscape. The Palmer Fern Dell serves as a shady respite within the Color Garden, boasting a collection of ferns, camellias, azaleas and many other shade loving perennials and shrubs. Spring through summer offer the best views of this garden, as we transition from pansies to tulips to summer flowers, surrounding lush, inviting green grass and set against a backdrop of cherry blossoms and crape myrtles.

DeGolyer Gardens & DeGolyer House. The 21,000-square-foot home of Mr. and Mrs. Everette DeGolyer serves as the centerpiece to this luxurious garden that sits in front of the home. Featuring a beautiful fountain and ample space for seasonal and perennial blooms, it’s an inviting place to sit on the grass or just enjoy the view before visiting the house. Landscape architects Arthur and Marie Berger designed the 4.5-acre DeGolyer Gardens for the DeGolyer family in 1940. Many of the original garden features remain, including the Magnolia Allee, the Sunken Garden and the Octagonal Fountain. In 2012, the existing entry landscape was replaced with a new design featuring lush, hardy tropicals and palms. The DeGolyer House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Texas Register of Historic Places, and is open daily for tours. January and February daffodils make the view of the DeGolyer gardens particularly striking for photos or a stroll.

McCasland Sunken Garden. The Chico y Chica de la Playa sculpture and accompanying fountain provide a tranquil setting for the many weddings that take place in this secluded garden. The staircase and small lawn and courtyard create a unique, calm, intimate setting, whether for an event or a quiet moment sitting in one of the benches. This garden is beautiful all year, but especially shines in the spring and summer, when it blossoms with verdant life. Guests take a lot of photos and selfies here, sit for a spell and relax, soak in the cooling effects of the fountain and afternoon shade, and enjoy private events and weddings.

Rose Garden. This classically designed pocket rose garden contains over 200 Hybrid Tea Roses of 16 different varieties, making for a stunning backdrop when the roses are in bloom, coupled with an enchanting opportunity to stop and literally “smell” the roses. Beautiful Blooming Rose Season Peak rose season is in October, depending on the weather, and when this garden is in full bloom it is overwhelmingly beautiful. It stays green most of the year, and is also popular throughout the summer because of the shade if offers.

Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill. Perhaps the most impressive feature of this two-acre garden is a fabulous collection of over 80 varieties of signature Japanese Maples planted along the stream. A Walk through the Garden. Walking, taking great selfies, enjoying the view. This garden is best experience with a slow walk to take in all the colors and the sounds of the stream. This charming area also includes a series of paved walkways and a stone bridge connecting the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage to the Magnolia Allee. An especially large weeping Japanese maple, nearly 100 years old, anchors the center of the garden.

The Eugenia Leftwich Palmer Fern Dell. Roughly 10 degrees cooler than the rest of Dallas due to the shade and misters, the Palmer Fern dell features more than 90 varieties of ferns, camellias, azaleas and mature trees that border the peaceful brook winding through this enchanting mini-garden. Cool Off in the Mist. The heat of summer and late spring creates beautiful moments to sit in the cool, misty shade while enjoying a view of Jonsson Color Garden and the surrounding crape myrtles. Guests relax on benches here, take photos of the beautiful moving water, wander the shady paths and hunt for beautiful pieces of art tucked throughout. The Palmer Fern Dell, designed by Naud Burnett II, is located within the Jonsson Color Garden. This tranquil spot is a welcome oasis during the summer months due to the micro-fine mist system that regularly envelops the garden.

A Tasteful Place. This 3.5-acre, potager garden, pavilion and kitchen is inspired by the movement toward growing and eating fresh, sustainable, locally-grown food. Unparalleled views of the Dallas skyline over White Rock Lake. Discover daily free tastings, Seasonal displays and year-round beauty.