Castle Gardens Capital Campaign

Help support this transformative garden project to chart a magical future for Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. We have raised more than $4.8 million of the $5.1 million goal. Now’s the time to come on board to help us hit our goal!

Discover a Magical Garden…

. . . an ever changing landscape that sparks the senses, inspires the mind, and nourishes the soul.

This is the magic of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.

Since 2002, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens has been a thriving center of horticulture and a cultural cornerstone for the community. But we’re far from finished. Through the Castle Gardens Campaign, we are excited to embrace our mission to:

spark a passion for plants and gardening through accessible science and inspiring beauty.

The iconic castle will rise from newly designed gardens. The reimagined arrival experience will orient visitors towards discovery and surprise while providing accessibility for all. This project will plant the seeds to inspire and teach future generations. Yew Dell will emerge as a treasured crown jewel as we embark on this exciting, transformational project.

Follow our progress:

Rather than just fixing a few structural problems along the old kitchen stairway, the stairs were reimagined into a majestic layout to provide plenty of space to exhibit container plantings throughout the growing season.

Crews added Decision Points- where multiple pathways intersect- that include historic millstones at the center.

Crews working on a ramp that will take guests from the castle to the garden below.

Crews finish the wall and stairs below the castle.

Rebar placed in the footer of the new wall that will be below the castle.

Workers digging the footer of the new wall that will be below the castle.

Workers assembling rebar that will be part of the footer of the new wall that will be below the castle.

Crews removed bluestone that was once used as pathways in and around the Walled Garden. In true Theodore Klein fashion, we are repurposing the bluestone to other parts of the garden- not to mention the few millstones we found too!

Construction crews have been focused on demolition to make way for the new gardens, retaining walls, water features and accessibility features.But don’t worry, the castle stays where it is!

Hundreds of plants were removed from the Castle Terrace site in preparation for the new garden construction

Castle Gardens Groundbreaking: April 2024

A History of Passion

Since its earliest days, Yew Dell Farm – the home, farm and commercial nursery of Theodore and Martha Lee Klein and their family – has been a place of innovation, passion and celebration of Kentucky. (Read more about Yew Dell’s History.)

With thousands of visitors annually from all across the globe, more than 1,700 active memberships and hundreds of volunteers, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is a strong and growing organization. And with five successful capital campaigns completed in its first 20 years, the organization is poised for its next phase of growth.

The Castle Gardens Campaign

Current View

Proposed Plan

The Castle Gardens Campaign Project Goals

Create a completely re-imagined entrance experience that will allow Yew Dell’s unique story to unfold as visitors first experience the grounds
Transform the Castle Terrace space into a stunning horticultural display garden with extensive new plantings, demonstration rain gardens and enhanced and shaded seating throughout
Recreate the original Klein family swimming pool on the Castle Terrace as a dramatic water feature and display space for water plants
Develop a dramatic transition from the upper Walled Garden, to the main Castle Terrace and to the lower Overlook Garden and Pollinator Meadow spaces with a series of grand stair cases and fully accessible ramps
Add significantly to the ability to accommodate increased visitation and expand the capacity for revenue-producing events
Through endowment funds raised for this project, add a full time horticulturist position to ensure the highest level of horticultural management of Yew Dell’s gardens

The Team

Richard Hartlage, Land Morphology

To guide this project to a successful completion, Yew Dell has engaged the Seattle, Washington, firm of Land Morphology. Founded by renowned horticulturist and designer Richard Hartlage, Land Morphology is focused on creating rich, emotive places across the country. The firm is comprised of a talented interdisciplinary team of landscape architects, designers, urban planners and horticulturists, who create highly varied spaces that integrate exquisite built form, sophisticated horticulture, and the fine arts. Each space is uniquely memorable, vibrant, carefully crafted, and environmentally sustainable.

An added benefit to the firm’s selection for this project is that founding partner, Richard Hartlage, grew up in Crestwood, Kentucky, and knew Theodore Klein whose property now serves as the core of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.

Dr. Paul Cappiello

Executive Director, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

Yew Dell’s staff is led by Dr. Paul Cappiello, internationally-known plantsman, researcher, garden designer, and for since 2002, Executive Director of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. Along with a talented staff and strong board of directors, under his leadership the organization has grown from one part-time staff member to a staff of 24, a board of 17 and a track record of having raised more than $30 million to build a highly respected and admired organization.

The Numbers

Planning and design $300,000
Construction $3,000,000
Project administration and project management $150,000
Fundraising and recognition $50,000
Endowment $1,000,000
Contingency (10%) $500,000
TOTAL $5,000,000

20% of all campaign gifts will be held in Yew Dell’s endowment accounts to provide ongoing operating funds for the gardens

Let's raise the flag!

Timeline

Follow our progress as we grow!

*With a gift of $2,500 or more, your name(s) will be prominently displayed on the Donor Display to recognize your generosity and support of the Castle Gardens Campaign.

Check our social media channels for the latest updates on weather closings.