When we’re in the weeds (pun intended) it can be difficult to step back and take a bigger look at our highlights and successes. There’s this magic that comes with the new year - fresh eyes, dreams of the future, and a clear reflection on the past. The new year magic affected us too, and now we feel the need to brag on ourselves a bit! Awards were plentiful in 2023!

All American Selections A whimsical Garden Winner

Second Place, Category 2 (10,000-100,000 visitors)

The garden’s koi pond is a visitor favorite, so it seemed fitting to pay tribute to the beloved inhabitants with this whimsical display. Our incredible team and dedicated volunteers created four impressively gigantic living koi sculptures filled with AAS Winning flowers and plants placed aside the koi pond. This was a long, detailed, and perfectly executed garden design plan. From building the koi structures and creating an ideal growing environment in the koi, to choosing the perfect combination of plants, it was an intentional process every step of the way.

AAS Winners were planted into the sculptures, and the finishing touches of fins, tails, and eyes were added. Four giant colorful koi fish swam amongst boulders in a pond made of Blue by You Salvia, Vertigo Deep Blue, and Summery Love Torenias. Candle Fire Okra and Goldilocks Squash stood in for cattail and waterlily. The four fish were planted with Holi Scarlet Zinnia, Bicolor Red and Yellow Profusion Zinnia, Bees Knees Petunia, or Wave Carmine Velour Petunia.

American Public Gardens Association PROFESSIONAL Citation Award

Leigh Taylor, Teaching Garden Manager

Excellence and Leigh Taylor are synonymous here in the Woodward Park ecosystem. Since assuming the role as Teaching Garden Manager in 2021, Leigh has propelled forward the horticultural vision and educational mission of Tulsa Garden Center through their exceptional ability to balance modernization goals while nurturing a core volunteer base that has been with the garden since its establishment in 2005. Beyond Leigh’s exceptional horticultural capabilities, their leadership and contribution to Tulsa Garden Center’s DEI work has been critical over the last several years. All of Tulsa and beyond benefits from Leigh’s commitment to their position and their enthusiasm for the combination of growing things and people.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award

Tulsa Garden Club Youth Committee Award, Non-Profits >40,000

Tulsa Garden Club serves as Tulsa Garden Center’s longest and most thoroughly integrated educational partner in Woodward Park. Founded in 1929, the club played a central role in the incorporation of the Garden Center in 1950, and the two organizations have been inseparable ever since.
Beginning in the fall of 2022, the Club’s Youth Committee assumed responsibility for youth education at the Teaching Garden, most notably in revamping the Children’s Corner of our Barn & Visitor Center with new books, a discovery carpet, and take-home activities.
The Garden Club’s commitment to our youngest guests ensures that future generations will remain passionate about a healthy, sustainable environment.

Plant Society & Flower Shows Staff Awards

It should come as no surprise that Tulsa Garden Center team members excel at gardening who were recognized repeatedly in 2023!

Laura Chalus, Tulsa Rose Society - Beverly Hybrid Tea Rose Class 8 Fragrance Award, Blue Ribbon First Place, and Best in Class.
Tatum Thrasher, Tulsa Garden Club NGC Horticulture Show - Fruit Punch Celosia First Place and Award of Merit
Leigh Taylor, Tulsa Rose Society - Dublin Bay Modern Shrub Rose Blue Ribbon First Place, Court of Honor, five additional First Places, one Second Place, and one Third Place
Laura Chalus, Tulsa Area Iris Society - Novice Classes multiple Blue Ribbons (not pictured)