A Brief History  Beginning with 33-acres of Oldham County farmland in 1941, Theodore and Martha Lee Klein spent the next 60-plus years developing an exquisite private estate, a successful commercial nursery and an extensive collection of unusual plants and outstanding gardens. Known locally, nationally and internationally as a first-rate plantsman, Theodore Klein was also a self-taught artisan who personally crafted the buildings and gardens that became known as Yew Dell.  Through the years, Klein collected over one thousand unusual specimen trees and shrubs which were displayed and evaluated in his arboretum. He also worked to develop new plant varieties for the regional landscape, amassing an impressive list of more than 60 unique introductions over his professional career. Almost immediately following Klein's death in 1998, development pressures began to threaten the property, which had been zoned industrial. Recognizing the unique attributes of Yew Dell, a board of community volunteers raised the funds to purchase the property, and then began the longer term plan to restore Yew Dell Gardens and share its treasures with the public. The unique nature of the property was further recognized by The Garden Conservancy, a national non-profit dedicated to saving America's most unique gardens. The Conservancy named Yew Dell a Preservation Project, at the time one of only nine such projects in the nation. In 2002, the Garden Conservancy authored Yew Dell's stabilization plan, which describes the historical background and design significance of the many unique gardens and landscape features on the property. The stabilization plan has assisted Yew Dell board and staff in prioritizing the rehabilitation work done to date and continues to offer valuable assistance for future projects.
	The Gardens  Klein developed gardens that covered a wide range of styles. Formal topiary gardens, a traditional English Walled Garden and Yew Dell's signature Serpentine Garden provided a ready pallet for new plant evaluation. Today, the gardens are the subject of ongoing rehabilitation to restore the beautiful displays that once graced the grounds, and to provide for continuing evaluation of new and better plants.
	A Passion for Plants  Yew Dell is committed to bringing the best the garden plant world has to offer to visitors, gardeners and the regional community. Continuing Klein's passion for new and better plants, Yew Dell's staff continues Klein's work with a wide-range of collections and evaluation projects and constant experimentation with new and better plants for the regional landscape. Yew Dell is currently working with commercial nurseries to promote some of Klein's plant selections. In addition, current breeding work is designed to create new plant varieties that are well adapted to the local climate.
Hydrangea macrophylla
	Education and Events Yew Dell sponsors educational programs on plants, gardens and gardening for professionals, avid gardeners and all of those looking for support of their gardening efforts. An annual lecture series offers speakers with local and national expertise, who share their inspiration through a wide array of programs. Public events including the annual Twilight in the Garden Gala, Plant Sale & Garden Market, hands-on workshops, weekly guided tours and special members-only events fill the calendar throughout the year. Yew Dell Gardens' facilities are also available for corporate and private events.

Yew Dell Gardens Board of Directors

Lisa Barr Eunice Blocker Mary Broecker Sue Brown Holly Cooper E. Neal Cory, II Bob Griffith - Secretary Louise Hickox Jill Howard Rosemary Kirkwood Mary Klein Robert E. Kulp, Jr. Blair Matthews Louis Rob Nunnelley Phil Payne - Vice President Mary Rounsavall - President Mary Anne Thornton Marianne Welch Suzette White David Whitty - Treasurer

Yew Dell Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.