How many plants does it take to grow a pizza? That's one of many facts that young visitors can learn at The Delicious Dining exhibit on display at Memphis Botanic Garden through mid-October 2011. With the sponsorship of TruGreen, the exhibit helps viewers make connections between the food they love and the plants those foods contain.
MBG staff and horticulture experts have transformed the dining room of the Home Sweet Home area into a display garden showcasing several vegetables, herbs, and tropical spice plants and how they're used in the culinary world. For instance, cucumber and dill plants grow alongside a jar of pickles. At the Menu du Jour table, lemon balm grows next to a lemonade pitcher. And at the Tropical Treats hutch, kids can discover why some of their favorite desserts taste so good; they see the link between the flavors of sugar, cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla — and those foods' natural sources.
MBG partnered with TruGreen with the goal of sparking interest and excitement in children and youth about our diverse plant world. The exhibit's MyBotanicPlant website offers nature-based, online resources to both teachers and students. For more information, go to www.memphisbotanicgarden.com.
