The sedum rock located at the base of the main entry steps exhibits Mexican Feather Grass and sedums. It appears a small oasis in the midst of the hardscape and eases the transition from the landing to the steps leading to the main walkway.

Repetition can be seen in the colors and forms of plants that line the walkway. To fully realize the element of repetition, the entry showcases mass plantings of shrubs and trees like crepe myrtle, junipers, and butterfly bush, combined with colorful annuals like petunias, impatiens and begonias.

Colorful tropicals intermixed with more traditional boxwoods and crape myrtles add splashes of color in the Entry Garden. The statue of Carl Linnaeus in the background welcomes visitors into the Grand Pavillon.

A view westward from the Grand Pavilion gates displays a portion of the saddle wall to the right (north). Several benches along the walk invite visitors to pause, rest and enjoy the view of the gardens.

Another view westward from the Pavilion Gate displays the cool and inviting Woodland and Groundcover areas of the Entry garden. Look for the Hinoki Cypress with its two-toned foliage and inhale the lovely fragrance of Summer Sweet Clethera while admiring the many other trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers in these areas.

The Woodland area located on the south side of the Entry Walk immediately outside the main entrance gate contains many shade loving perennials. Standouts include Endless Summer, Light -o-Day, and Alice oakleaf hydrangeas.

The Barn Door area features a Weeping Red Jade crabapple, as well as red and white Meidiland™ roses, Little Henry Iteas, barberries, hollies, junipers and spirea surrounded by annuals such as lantana, vinca, and supertunias.

The area immediately outside the fence next to the drive showcases Knockout ™ roses and Taylor junipers. Throughout our gardens you will find many beautiful roses, including several of the EarthKind™ cultivars that take very little care and no spraying. These roses were donated, selected and planted by the Tulsa Rose Society.

At the curve of the drive, Coral Knockout and Double Pink Knockout Roses are surrounded by White Supertunias, New Gold Lantana and Dakota Gold Charm Spirea. A Fireworks Double Althea is also located in this area. Above the wall, white butterfly bushes and violet Shockwave Petunias are dwarfed by the Alice Oak Leaf Hydrangea.

The Test Plot area changes yearly depending upon donations and new varieties of plants we wish to observe. Here we have some of the hot new annuals introduced by the horticultral trade for 2009 and 2010. These include new varieties of petunias, verbena, euphorbia, lantana, zinnia and more, donated by Oklahoma Proven and Ball Horticultural.