July 02, 2025
A bronze figure prostrating himself, embracing the earth, fascinated me in the Memphis garden of Dr. Arsen Manugian. Created by New York artist Emil Alzamora, Abrazo rests on a carpet of golden moss near the Guardian Oak.

But let’s back up and start at the beginning. The Memphis Fling in early June brought together 70+ bloggers and other gardeners on social media to tour the city’s gardens. The Manugian garden was the first private garden on the tour.

We started in back, where a stone-edged rill pours a ribbon of water into a half-circle pool. A feathery Japanese maple floats above. Flagstones outlined in green invite you in for a closer look.

Just beyond, a stone shed with shutters and round window is tucked into a shady grove. Golden sedge, mondo grass, and ferns add texture and shades of green.

The path leads on through a long allée of pyramidal American hornbeam — an immersive, formal walk softened with ferns and hydrangeas.

You emerge into a glowing grassy garden near the garage, with golden sedge encircling an elevated millstone.

Salvias add complementary blue to the golden circle.

Leading back to the house, a flagstone path curves through a moss lawn accented with small trees.

And here I caught my first glimpse of Alzamora’s Abrazo.

Just then I spotted one of the Flingers, Anna, embracing the mossy earth as well.

Well, who could resist in such a setting?

One more

A sentinel stands watch — an enormous oak tree.

A rope loosely tied around the trunk and a sign — the Guardian Oak — mark the tree as a significant presence.

The Guardian Oak with Abrazo

And here is the giant tree in the larger scene.

Moving around the house, I found a circular lawn etched with grassy plots…

…and accented with two cairns, one squat and the other beehive shaped.

Another Alzamora sculpture, Hone, is displayed here.

The figure’s curved body echoes the graceful grasses behind it.

Humbler art appears in the garden as well, like this funny little propane-tank bird.

A stone plaque commemorates the garden’s late creator, Elizabeth Keljik Manugian.

Hydrangea in bloom

One more sculptural element awaits in this garden — and it’s a big one. A curving stone wall opens into…

…a moon gate — a moon window, really — which frames a view of the garden. A built-in stone seat invites you to rest and be haloed by the stone circle.

Standing in front of it works too.

As I did in many of the gardens, I took a photo of Rachel making a quick garden sketch…

…and presenting it to the owner. What a beautiful garden in life and on paper!
Up next: A floral and bow-making demonstration by florist and Instagram star John Mark Sharpe. For a look back at the floral extravaganza at Memphis Botanic Garden, click here.
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