Check out our latest Conservation Habitat in the China Pond located in the China Exhibit. In June 2012, the Water Quality and Horticulture Departments collaborated on a Habitat Restoration within the China Pond. A Floating Island made up of four parts and connected through hidden cables was covered with Peat Moss and planted with a pallet of perennials.   Purpose of the Floating Island The purpose of the floating island was to use plant material that would reduce... Read More

What have you done with your leaves? At the Memphis Zoo, the Horticulture Department collects our leaves at the end of the “drop season.” This started due to the Dinosaur experience. We saved the leaves to use as a mulch to conceal our equipment. The leaves were left at the end of the season and we discovered in September a wonderful pile of composted material which we call leafy bits.   Uses  We use the “leafy bits” compost as mulch on our flower beds and around our tree... Read More

Fall color is best depicted through garden mums. It is time to say good-bye to our summer perennials and annuals and say hello to a different palette. Chrysanthemums are hardy and come in a variety of bloom shapes and colors. They provide that wonderful transition to the winter garden. Their bloom time occurs during October into November.    At the Memphis Zoo, we have several Fall Displays to provide your family a wealth of photo opportunities. There is a mum bed tucked in between... Read More

Rice is grown in six states. Arkansas produces more than 50 percent rice in the U.S. There are specialty varieties or long, medium or short grain rice. The Rice Federation has developed a great website that showcases rice, its nutritional information, publications and its farm assistance.    You will find our Rice Paddy Pond at the corner of the Pig Exhibit. It is a raised bed filled with water. We raised three 24” x 36’ planters with bricks. Inside the planters, we filled the... Read More

On September 28-29, Once Upon A Farm will bring back Harvest Fest. The event will showcase all the important factors that make up the family farm. One of those components is cash crops. Today we will look at cotton. Cotton is found in the Hibiscus family and has beautiful flowers. Gossypium hirsutum is the genus and species of local cotton.    Currently, our cotton plants are found between the pig and cow yards. The flowering has finished. What you will find is actual... Read More