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.
Yew Dell Gardens has now emerged as a thriving botanical garden with local, national and international reach. With over 1200 members and 250 volunteers, the gardens serve as a major center of gardening, research and education for the greater Louisville region. Collaborative projects and programs have been developed with the American Horticultural Society, Horticulture Magazine, Magnolia Society International, 21st Century Parks, and many others. The grounds are open throughout the year and offer an ambitious schedule of classes, workshops, community events and seasonal festivals. |
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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. |
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Education and Events Yew Dell sponsors educational programs on plants, gardens and gardening for gardeners of all levels. School children, beginnig home gardeners, avid amateurs and professionals in the green industries will find a packed slate of offerings from casual plant walks to hands-on workshops, formal lectures and professional certification classes. The annual Plant Sale and Garden Market, held every year the weekend before the Kentucky Derby, has become one of the best sources in the region for new and unusual plants. A Summer concert series, Hummingbird festival and Boo Dell offer the community non-gardening events for the whole family. Yew Dell Gardens' facilities are also available for corporate and private events.
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