The Dallas Arboretum has opened another beautiful garden called The Val Late Garden of Memories. Located off the Paseo de Flores and in front of the DeGolyer House, this peaceful garden has been dedicated in the name of Val Late by her daughter Jan Late McMillan, son-in-law Dick McMillan, and their children, Kirsten, Lindsay, Richard and Emily.
Walter Dahlberg of Dahlberg Landscape Design Studios and Steve Dodd with Steve Dodd & Associates, were commissioned to design this charming garden area. The designer's goal was to create a beautiful garden featuring a vista of the DeGolyer House from the Arboretum's main walkway. It would also provide a place for a restful stop or meeting place for visitors or families. The historic DeGolyer House is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Dallas.
By opening up the view to the DeGolyer House from the Paseo, the designers used limestone into the gracious stone seat walls, landings and steps, similar to the palette of the DeGolyer House.
A signature element of the new garden is the magnificent Metroplex champion Magnolia, which was planted in 1936. The area was named the Val Late Garden of Memories for the many fond moments Mrs. Late and Mrs. McMillan had as they came to the Arboretum for many years and wanted to see the impressive magnolia. Additionally the landscape architects wanted to not only show the beauty of the DeGolyer Estate but also its history, which will be on brass plaques within the garden. Because of the trips to Dallas and the DeGolyer Home history, the name Garden of Memories became a part of the garden's title.
Dave Forehand, Vice President of the Gardens said, "The Val Late Garden of Memories is so special not only because of its aesthetics, but also due to the meaning and memories behind it. What a beautiful addition to the DeGoyler estate and to the Arboretum."
A small circular seating area surrounds a bubbling water feature, providing visitors a signature attraction with the fountain sounds. Surrounding this enclave are flowering cherry trees, George Taber azaleas and seasonal color that encloses part of the garden, thus giving visitors some solitude.
The central lawn area is surrounded by stone bench walls, seasonal color, flowering crape myrtle trees, hollies and the fall color of the yellow orange persimmons from its deep-rooted tree at the entrance to the new garden.
Watch a Video of the Val Late Garden of Memories
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular general admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 3-12 and free for Arboretum members and children two and under. On-site parking is $15; pre-purchased online parking is $8. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum. For more information, call 214.515.6500 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org.