Visiting the Myriad Gardens

Posted by Angela England Aug 2, 2007

“Fyower! Mommy, Fyower! Leaves! Fyowers!” My two and a half year old son was yelling with delight at the beautifully colored plants and flowers that surrounded him as we entered the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory portion of the Myriad Gardens. I shared his awe as it seemed we had indeed entered a new world.

The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory houses two main ecosystem displays; the Tropical Rainforest Zone on the southern end and the Tropical Dry Zone on the northern end. The Tropical Rainforest, or Wet Zone is watered daily because the plants in this area are accustomed to lots of rainfall – some areas in the wild receive as much as eight feet of water a year. The Tropical Desert Zone is a little bit warmer, and much dryer with plants being watered only in certain parts of year.

Kendle Riley, Operations Manager has been part of the Myriad Gardens staff since 1983 and took us on a quick tour of the gardens sharing some of his favorite features. He shared how the positioning of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory allows the variance in ecosystems as well as one side of the hall to be planted with sun loving plants, and the other side with shade loving plants. We also enjoyed viewing the rainforest from up above the canopy line because of the walkway that runs the full length of the Conservatory and allows viewing from above. Rily said it's the only time, “Visitors get to view the tropics from above”.

The Myriad Gardens and Crystal Bridge Conservatory is financed in partnership with Oklahoma City, the Myriad Gardens Foundation, and of course, revenue from the over 1 million visitors that tour the gardens each year. There are also school education programs geared for 2nd-6th graders that teaches rainforest conservation as well as adult education programs and special events. Riley also shared that visitors can even rent the facility for reunions, receptions or weddings.

Whether you want a tropical wedding setting, or just a fun family outing, the Myriad Botanical Gardens would be a great vacation spot to consider visiting.