An Elegant Garden Party Becomes a New Tradition — Fort Worth Botanic Garden Gets Another Boost With Blooming Beds and Benches

The Fort Worth Garden Club held its third annual soiree to honor its Blooming Beds & Benches donors on the evening of March 27. Sponsors and benefactors enjoyed “An Evening in the Garden” set inside one spectacular backdrop ― the mesmerizing Japanese Gardens at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (FWBG)

Only a small portion of the FWBG, the Japanese Garden (7.5 acres of authenticity) celebrated its 50th  anniversary in 2023. It is a sight to behold year round ― filled with cherry trees, blazing Japanese maples, magnolias, bamboo stands, arched bridges, and ponds filled with frolicking koi fish.

This year, some 300 guests were delivered to the entrance of the Japanese Gardens by black sedans, and greeted by Japanese Taiko drummers from the Dallas Kiyari Daiko group, setting the scene for a memorable evening.

This year’s Blooming Beds & Benches campaign by the Fort Worth Garden Club (nearing its own 100th anniversary in 2026) raised $121,000, enabling continual improvement projects at the garden.

Upon checking in, guests strolled the garden to view the specific bed or bench that they had generously sponsored during the walktails hour. Chauffeur-driven golf carts were on hand to take guests to their specific bed locations.

An Evening Blushing With Surprises

The entrance to the garden was decorated with a large display of pink parasols in various shades. The walkway through the Garden was decorated with the same pink parasols as guests made their way to the main decks where they were greeted with beautiful floral displays of cherry blossom branches, springtime tulips, roses, and hydrangeas.

“The weather was perfect,” co-chair Lauri Lawrence tells PaperCity Fort Worth. “Storms had been in the forecast, but there was no humidity, wind, or rain.” A rare treat from early spring in Fort Worth.

Molly Moon Jones took charge of the floral design and décor which included lanterns hung with satin pink ribbon from the trees over the walkways. And, the blushing pink color scheme worked its way throughout the evening as guests were served champagne in pink-hued flutes topped with their own tiny parasols. Supporters enjoyed two full bars hosted by Rock Springs Café (located on the grounds) ― including a signature strawberry mule cocktail created for the evening.

Hand-passed hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner were catered by City Kitchen, and one-of-a-kind tablecloths were topped by custom table settings.

“The pearlized caviar plates were a special touch to the evening,” Lawrence notes.

For dessert, a special cake was created by Back Home Bakery in Weatherford, and pink slices of almond-flavored cake with matching pink buttercream icing were passed, as well as handmade chocolate truffles in shades of pink glitter were served in shot glasses.

Intimate sitting areas were created with benches, pillows, and lighting welcoming guests to stop and enjoy their dramatic surroundings. Live music was performed by Trey and the Tritones ― enticing party-goers to dance as the sun set over the Japanese Garden.