Information on Dallas Arboretum

TX oil baron Everett DelGoyer purchased 60+ acres nestled against White Rock Lake and built the family's summer mansion. Over time, the mansion became the primary residence and it was landscaped accordingly, with residential gardens and manicured lawns. The mansion was bequeathed to Southern Methodist Univ, which is not an agricultural university nor strong in botanical sciences. SMU eventually sold the property to the City of Dallas and with the help of corporate and individual sponsors the Dallas Arboretum has become a favorite spot for residents and visitors alike, lovingly maintained and financially self-sufficient.

Two hundred year old pecans and magnolias can be found in the property. While the DA doesn't appear to be as ambitious a collector of flora as other gardens I've visited, their azalea collection is particularly impressive.

During my visit, which will not be the last, I found plants to be properly labeled, including those in their test gardens.

I would never compare the Dallas Arboretum to the RHS gardens of Europe, but with an open mind, anybody can greatly enjoy these wonderful gardens for what they are, a slice of TX history.

This was a great place back a few years ago, but signs are worng weeds have taken some areas and the bamboo grove gets thicker each year. They took more land for a play area with houses and such - just not what it used to be. The show and trial gardens are on the small side.

The only thing keeping me from rating them 5 stars (excellent) is the incompleteness of signage. This is a daunting task, to put it mildly, for any large garden, botanic garden or arboretum. However, my main goal when visiting is to acquire knowledge, and when an unfamiliar plant has no sign, it becomes frustrating. If you're wanting to commune with nature, gather ideas for landscaping in North Texas, or looking for some pretty flowers for photo opportunities, this is *the* place to go in the Dallas area!