Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens

Located along Cypress Creek, the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens includes over 200 acres in Humble, Texas. The original 14.5 acres belonged to the Mercer family, who used the land for their residence, with extensive gardens surrounding the house. In 1974, their land was deeded to Harris County and preserved as a public park. Since then, the site has expanded to include significant plant and tree collections, ornamental gardens, a butterfly house, trails, and picnic areas. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is bisected by Aldine Westfield Road, with the Arboretum on the west side and the Botanic Gardens on the east side.

Currently a museum of plants, Mercer Botanic Gardens was originally established through a 1974 donation of land to Harris County by Thelma and Charles Mercer. In the 1940s, the Mercers bought 14.5 acres northwest of Houston, where they developed extensive private gardens around their home. When they relocated to Zapata in the 1970s, the property became part of a public site to be enjoyed by all. Adjacent to Cypress Creek, the site includes gardens reflecting various habitats. These include a fern garden, bamboo collection, ginger collection, daylily garden, maple collection, open grassland meadows, a prehistoric garden, riparian wetlands, a hickory bog, a collection of Louisiana irises, and other plants that grow near the Texas Gulf Coast. The site is also known for its aromatic camellias, flowering dogwood trees, rare orchids, and daisies, while a wooden boardwalk and trail system extends through preserved woodlands.

A life-sized figurative sculpture of Thelma Loraine Mercer was installed on site next to a palm tree. Created by Edd Hayes, the sculpture depicts Thelma Mercer holding a gardening implement, while standing beside one of her favorite cats. She lived to be 98 years of age, and during her long lifetime, she was active in garden clubs, cat clubs, political clubs, and the Daughters of the American Republic (DAR) Library. The plaque that accompanies the sculpture states: "Visionary naturalist and innovative horticulturist, Thelma Mercer and her husband, Charles, created a charming and unique garden sanctuary on the original 14.5-acre property that would become Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens on January 8, 1974. Her legacy endures in this place of beauty, serenity, and learning that is enjoyed by all who enter these gates."

The Friends of Mercer Botanic Gardens is an affiliated non-profit organization that sponsors plant sales, horticultural propagation, and outreach opportunities at the Botanic Gardens. By drawing people to the site, the Friends of Mercer Botanic Gardens help fulfill its mission to “improve quality of life and inspire greater appreciation of the essential value and beauty of the plant world.” Mercer Botanic Gardens hosts special events, programs, and workshops throughout the year. A recent springtime event highlighted Native American culture and dance with a performance by the Chikewa Aztec Dancers at Storey Lake. Featuring dance, drums, and cultural education, this event celebrated spring migration season for birds and many other animals. Participants were invited to wear a themed butterfly, bird, or dragonfly outfit and to come prepared to dance. 

On the west side of the property, the Mercer Arboretum contains numerous trees, from the cypresses that grow naturally near Cypress Creek to a variety of species that were introduced to the area, such as Chinese strawberry trees. The Arboretum provides plentiful natural sources of food for many birds. It attracts black-capped chickadees, cardinals, bluebirds, pine warblers, red-bellied woodpeckers, green herons, and Carolina wrens, in addition to drawing birders who hope to catch a glimpse of these avian species. The Arboretum also attracts less frequently seen species such as bald eagles, American woodcocks, cliff swallows, and Inca doves. In conjunction with the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens hosts a public lecture series on topics related to plants, animals, ecology, and habitat conservation.

"Bird Surveys: Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens", Houston Audubon. Accessed May 22nd, 2023. https://houstonaudubon.org/birding/bird-surveys/mercer.html.

Holt, Vanessa. "Newly reopened Mercer Botanic Gardens introduces Shakespeare Garden, featuring roses, boxwoods", Community Impact. April 23rd, 2018. Accessed May 18th, 2023. https://communityimpact.com/houston/lake-houston-humble-kingwood/features/2018/04/23/mercer-botanic-gardens-opens-shakespeare-garden/.

"Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens", Garden Visit. Accessed May 22nd, 2023. https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/mercer_arboretum_and_botanic_gardens#.

"Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens", Visit Houston. Accessed May 18th, 2023. https://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/mercer-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens/20078/.

"Mercer Botanic Gardens," Facebook. Accessed May 18th, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/MercerBotanicGardens/.

"Mercer Botanic Gardens", Harris County Precinct 3. Accessed May 18th, 2023. https://www.pct3.com/MBG.

Thelma Loraine Small Mercer, Find a Grave. Accessed May 21st, 2023. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92288864/thelma-loraine-mercer.

"Thelma Mercer, Welcome to My Garden", Edd Hayes. Accessed May 21st, 2023. https://eddhayes.com/portfolio/thelma-mercer/.

Visitor Map, Mercer Botanic Gardens. Accessed May 18th, 2023. https://www.pct3.com/Portals/45/Documents/MBG/Brochure15.875x18-Visitor%20Map-MercerBotanicGardens_g3_WITH%20BLEEDS.pdf.