the garden dirt
FOR FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
Cultivating the Wild
Once a scrubland lost to the shadow of invasive overgrowth, an oak-pine savanna now glows with new life at the northern edge of the Kaul Wildflower Garden
Seasonal Hours
Don’t forget! Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open every day of the year! Fall/winter hours are 7 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Be sure to explore our wintertime wonders—because of your support and commitment, the Gardens is a magical place year-round.
This Holiday Season (and Throughout the Year)
Save When you Dine and Shop at the Gardens and our Local Member Partners
Show your Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens membership card and enjoy 10% off regularly priced purchases at The Gardens Café by Kathy G and these local nurseries, garden centers, and flower shops. Certain restrictions may apply. Please visit bbgardens.org/membership for details.
DOROTHY McDANIEL’S FLOWER MARKET FARMSTAND BY STONE HOLLOW • HOUSE PLANT COLLECTIVE • LEAF & PETAL AT THE GARDENS • MYERS PLANTS & POTTERY • PETALS FROM THE PAST • SHOPPE/ GENERAL: BIRMINGHAM • SWEET PEAS GARDEN SHOP VIVATIA PLANTCARE SERVICES • WILD THINGS
Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2024 Board of directors
Emily Bowron Chair
wally Evans immEdiatE Past Chair
KirK ForrEstEr sECrEtary
d�C Coston trEasurEr
dEriCK BEldEn Chair oF CommuniCations & marKEting
EvElyn JonEs Chair oF dEvEloPmEnt
CarolinE littlE Chair oF EduCation & Community EngagEmEnt
John smith t Chair oF govErnanCE
liBBa vaughan Chair oF govErnmEnt rElations
lEE mClEmorE Chair oF oPErations
Members at Large
Maggie Brooke
Sharon Deep-Nelson
Eleanor Estes
Sid Evans
Wendy Evesque
Nicole Faulk
David Germany
Leigh Haver
Janet Kavinoky
Anne Sanders Rand
Sarah Slaughter
Dr. Desmond R. Layne G. Ruffner Page, Jr.
Martha Emmett Sims
Joanice Thompson
Larry D. Thornton, Sr. Jesse Vogtle, Jr.
Sharon Walker
Ginny Willings
Mazie Bryant, Junior Board President
Our Mission
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. We are dedicated to serving the Gardens, serving the community, serving our visitors, and inspiring a passion for plants, gardens, and the environment.
Staff
Tom Underwood.....................................................Executive Director
Julia Adams Horticulturist—Japanese Garden
Stephanie Banks Chief Financial Officer
Katelyn Bahr Horticulturist—Specialty Gardens
Rachael Daughtry Library & Information Services Manager
Dawn DeFrank Donor Services Coordinator
Amelia Haas Office Coordinator
Ellen Hardy Education Program Coordinator
Penney Hartline Director of Development
Cassia Kesler Director of Communications & Marketing
Tina Nelson Accounting Clerk
Sebastian Ortiz Muñoz......................................Communications & Marketing Associate
Kendra Poleshek Education Associate
Drew Rickel Donor Relations Officer
Kensley Sandlin Development Associate
Rebecca Stivender Director of Education & Community Engagement
Emma Thompson Volunteer Coordinator
Keith Turney Senior Horticulturist–Kaul Wildflower Garden
Jane Underwood Director of Gardens Support
Editor: Cassia Kesler
Art Design: Ellen Padgett
Cover & Lead Photos: David Frings, Graham Yelton
Contributors: Susan Alison, Dawn DeFrank, Ellen Hardy, Penney Hartline, Carmen Michael, Sebastian Ortiz Muñoz, Kendra Poleshek, Drew Rickel, Melissa Schultz-Jones, Keith Turney, Graham Yelton
©2024 Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. All rights reserved. 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223 205.414.3950 | bbgardens.org communications@bbgardens.org
A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a mission-driven membership organization that seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. We hope you enjoy this issue of the Friends’ award-winning quarterly publication, The Garden Dirt. Thank you for visiting and supporting the Gardens! Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens practices a policy of equal opportunity and equal access to services for all persons regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, orientation, or gender identity.
Dear Friend,
As the days grow shorter, nature’s winter slumber provides rest and replenishment, preparing seeds, bulbs, and plants for the coming splendors of spring. During this season of contemplation and anticipation, we celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together this past year and look ahead with excitement as we plan for the next season of growth at the Gardens.
The transformation of the Kaul Wildflower Garden has continued this year with the development of a bird sanctuary. This project is about intentionally cultivating a part of the garden that was long left fallow, to better benefit the native species—not only beautifying the space but also making it more ecologically sound. Read more on page 4.
The culmination of weeks and months of planning and preparation, our Fall Plant Sale was a success, demonstrating an exceptional level of volunteerism and dedication. We often hear from volunteers how their work in the Gardens can be transformational in their own lives. Read more about FBBG volunteer LaToya Lambert and how her work in the Gardens has inspired her passion on page 2.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make Antiques at the Gardens a huge success. Event Co-Chairs Paige Albright, Marguerite Johnson, Bart McCorquodale, and Rachael Rummel are to be commended, as well as our Gala Chairs Fran Keenan, Symone Shaw, and Kathleen Varner. Thanks to the efforts of our tireless show committee and all who donated, sponsored, and volunteered time and energy, this event continues to attract international attention from some of the top names in design and Southern lifestyles. It was a beautiful, awe-inspiring weekend!
Looking ahead to next year, we are excited to announce two special events coming up soon. Our annual Member Celebration in January will feature guest speaker Mike Gibson for our 3rd annual John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture. Mike is quite the garden celebrity these days, eager to share his passion for topiary and property art. Read more about his unique take on creative horticulture on page 11. We’re also excited to welcome the return of our biennial Native Plant Conference on March 21–22, 2025.
Thank you for the generosity and passion that help us sustain this special place and all that it makes possible. May your holidays be filled with beauty, wonder, and joy.
Tom Underwood Executive Director, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Gardens
Gift memberships to the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a wonderful way to celebrate friends and family while also supporting the Gardens. Member benefits include garden shop discounts and reciprocal benefits at over 360 other botanical gardens across North America. Wrap a member keepsake as part of your gift! Available for pickup weekdays. Last day to order gift memberships for mailing is December 6.
FVOLUNTEER PROFILE: LATOYA LAMBERT
Gratitude Through Growing
By CASSIA KESLER
or many people, the Gardens is a source of hope and restoration through life’s changing seasons. LaToya Lambert found the same when she first became involved with the volunteer program through the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Her life was forever changed by the experience.
In 2020, LaToya was involved in a devastating motor vehicle accident when a distracted driver rear-ended her car. She sustained injuries to her foot, neck, and back, and was debilitated for over 18 months during an arduous recovery. It was a very difficult time in her life. However, the experience motivated her to seek opportunities to give to those in need.
“Gardening is my therapy,” said LaToya, “and I will jump to do anything involving community service. You know, when I’m growing plants that will help feed people, I see all the beautiful things that nature can bring us. And that is a part of what helps to fill my heart throughout the day.”
Besides being a licensed cosmetologist and pursuing a Business Management A.A.S. degree at Jefferson State Community College, LaToya is also a 5th-generation military veteran. She joined the Army when she was 26 years old, working as a chemical operations specialist in Birmingham, and then at a combat support hospital at Fort Meade in Odenton, Maryland. “I’ve always loved the sciences,” she said, “so that’s where my interest in the science of plants ties in, as well.”
Cooperative Extension Agent Bethany O’Rear. The program involves 50 hours of in-class learning and 50 hours of volunteer community service annually to maintain certification. This year, the class went through training at Jones Valley Teaching Farm every Thursday from January through April. LaToya said with a laugh, “I was the youngest in the class, but I learned so much.” She graduated on November 12. “It elevated my knowledge and will open more doors for me into the future,” she said.
The Master Gardener interns worked on a special project to beautify and improve the landscaping at the entrance to the Jones Valley Farm Stand at the downtown location, including planting herbs that community members are welcome to harvest. Part of Jones Valley Teaching Farm’s mission is to address food insecurities and food justice by making fresh produce more accessible. The Farm Stands, located downtown and at Woodlawn High School, offer a variety of produce, free of charge, throughout the warmer months. This past year, the Woodlawn location donated 50,000 seeds to local schools.
LaToya first connected to the Gardens through the Community Seed Exchange and by discovering various gardening books at the Library. She was especially interested in learning how to save seeds and propagate plants and wanted to learn more about horticulture and botany. She and her husband, Joaquin, and two children live in Springville, Alabama, where LaToya cultivates her own flower garden with a special love for roses (see opposite).
She soon began volunteering at the Gardens, first in the Conservatory and then in the Rose Garden. “They were all just so welcoming to me,” she recalled. “The coordinator and all the other volunteers welcomed me with open arms. You always see familiar faces whether you come during the week to help in different gardens or are here for a plant sale. The plant sales are like our little reunions!”
Through her volunteer work, she learned about the Jefferson County Master Gardeners program, led by Alabama
LaToya has also been involved with the Grow More Give More program through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. “Programs like these inspire me to want to do something similar,” she said. Her dream is to buy additional land and create her own family farm, with some space devoted to a teaching area where community members could lease their own raised beds. “I want to create a warm, welcoming space where people can come to ask questions and learn how to grow their own garden or farm.
“My foundation, working as a volunteer at the Gardens, was the catalyst for me to go deeper into learning about horticulture and farming,” said LaToya. “The Gardens will always be home for me.”
As we reflect on what gives us joy and meaning during this holiday season, stories like LaToya’s remind us that the Gardens not only connect us with nature but are also a means of connecting with each other and with the community—a way of giving back just as much as we ourselves have received from others. If you’d like to volunteer with the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, email volunteer@bbgardens. org or call 205.414.3950. See how the Gardens could make a difference in your own life and what difference you might make in the lives of others.
Photos by Graham Yelton and Sebastian Ortiz Muñoz
“My foundation, working as a volunteer at the Gardens, was the catalyst for me to go deeper into learning about horticulture and farming. The Gardens will always be home for me.”
LATOYA LAMBERT
DAVID AUSTIN 'CROWN PRINCESS MARGARETA'
GRIFFITH BUCK SHRUB
JACKSON & PERKINS 'POPE JOHN PAUL II'
Cultivating the Wild
Once a scrubland lost to the shadow of invasive overgrowth, an oak-pine savanna now glows with new life at the northern edge of the Kaul Wildflower Garden
By SEBASTIAN ORTIZ MUÑOZ I Illustrations by MELISSA SHULTZ-JONES I Photography by DAVID FRINGS
When longtime volunteers are asked what drives their passion for gardening, many reminisce about the fruit trees planted by their grandparents, the smell of wildflowers, and the woods and fields that grew outside their childhood doors. Their memories reflect a time when nature was more accessible, contrasting with younger generations who often travel to experience it in parks, national forests, or the few remaining untouched areas. In the South, many landscapes have been altered by invasive species like kudzu and privet, leading to feelings of nostalgia for natural spaces that seem out of reach.
Yet there are stories of land restoration that inspire hope. One such example is the Kaul Wildflower Garden, which showcases a vision for the future and encourages curiosity about what is attainable.
Once a sandstone quarry during the Great Depression,
Seated in the northern part of the Gardens, the paths leading to Kaul Wildflower Garden gently slope upward to an oak-pine savanna, a grassy landscape that stretches out, punctuated by the silhouettes of young oaks and pines.
Previously a scrubland lost to the shadow of overgrown invasive plants, the space has been completely transformed over the past year, thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and the vision of people like Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney.
On a recent morning, Keith led a tour to document the progress of the oak-pine savanna and bird sanctuary. Accompanying him was volunteer Bob Koons, who began volunteering at the Gardens in January 2017. Over the years, Bob has become a key figure in the development of the Kaul Wildflower Garden and the trees and shrubs plant
the Kaul Wildflower Garden is now a space that celebrates Alabama’s biodiversity and natural landscapes. Its transformation is chronicled in our article “Happily Ever Becoming” found in the fall 2022 issue of The Garden Dirt
This progress began in the 1980s with a group of visionary women, including Bobbe Kaul, who championed the preservation of wild spaces with the assistance of Swiss horticulturist and landscape architect Zenon Schreiber. The garden stands today not only as a tribute to Birmingham’s history but as a testament to what can be achieved through dedication and vision.
Kaul’s evolution embodies a spirit of rekindled optimism— one that invites us all to honor our past and look toward the future with wonder. Today, we invite you back to the Kaul Wildflower Garden to explore its newest feature: the oak-pine savanna and “living bird feeder.”
sale growing group, as well as a multitude of other projects throughout the Gardens.
The savanna has had a full year to settle since the start of the project, and Keith insists that the fall is the perfect time to take it all in.
Just two years ago, this northeastern corner of the garden was a tangle mess a wild remnant of what Bobbe Kaul and her comrades inherited at the very beginning of the garden’s creation. Here, towering cherry laurels and privet had claimed the upper ridgeline, providing a scaffold for invasive wisteria and aggressive smilax to weave into the canopy of taller trees.
“By attempting to leave the area to grow ‘naturally’ and remain undisturbed year after year, we were sacrificing aesthetic value to support more wildlife But that doesn’t have to be the case,” said Keith.
The turning point came when
OPPOSITE: A purple haze of mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) covers the meadow garden with intermingled bursts of narrow leaf sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) and pops of Turk’s cap mallow (Malvaviscus arboreus). Boasting more than 400 different species of native plants, the Kaul Wildflower Garden celebrates the incredible diverse flora of Alabama.
& SEBASTIAN ORTIZ MUÑOZ
CEDAR WAXWING (BOMBYCILLA CEDRORUM)
ABOVE: The edge of the oak-pine savanna showcases a mosaic of habitats created by varying forest edges. This diversity supports a wide range of plant and animal life, reflecting the garden’s commitment to ecological balance. OPPOSITE: Illustrating a few of the mutually beneficial relationships among species in Kaul Wildflower Garden: An American robin enjoys a berry from a black gum tupelo tree, which is a host plant for the striped hairstreak butterfly in adult and larval stage. The larvae also make tasty morsels for baby birds! The plum leaf viburnum is a host plant for the spring azure butterfly, whose larvae attract the cedar waxwing. An American goldfinch is lured to a witch hazel seed pod, which is also a host plant for the large lace-border moth.
internationally recognized landscape architect Thomas Rainer was invited to Kaul. Rainer, a leading voice in ecological plant design, spent a day and a half walking these paths with our Gardens Support team. Together, they created a road map for Kaul’s development, dividing the garden into distinct zones with their own spatial identities and plant palettes.
This helped lay the groundwork for the garden to be ecologically sound and attractive year-round. Keith and the Kaul Wildflower Garden volunteers translated this vision into reality. Using the framework provided by Rainer, with their nuanced understanding of the site, they crafted this space into a vibrant oak-pine savanna, while also leaving key areas uncleared for hawks and owls to nest.
“Almost the entire northern portion of the drop-off has been designed with birds in mind,” said Keith. “Between the sunny, dry habitat on the east side of the garden and the shady, moist habitat on the west exists the intermediary that birds need.”
No bird spends its entire life in the shade or the sun, and most birds are migratory, simply passing through the garden on their journeys. This variety of habitats ensures that birds can find the conditions they need at different times, making the savanna a dynamic stopover for different species.
Slowly walking through the savanna, Keith paused and pointed at a black gum tree (Nyssa sylvatica). This is how most walks with Keith go: three steps at a time, because each new step contains a world of conversation.
NARROW LEAF SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANGUSTIFOLIUS)
“Between
the sunny, dry habitat on the east side of the garden and the shady, moist habitat on the west exists the intermediary that birds need.”
—KEITH TURNEY
“Just last week there were probably a thousand or more robins here in every tree,” said Keith. “It was almost deafening to hear them all. They were mostly crowding around that one black gum tree.” This tree is one of many fruit-bearing trees planted extensively around Kaul to sustain visiting birds.
But it doesn’t stop there. Keith and the garden’s volunteers have carefully chosen plants from seed producers to caterpillar host species, creating a rich feeding ground for birds at all stages of their lives. “A nestling baby bird cannot eat seeds or fruit, so it has to eat something juicy and soft like a caterpillar,” said Keith. He credits much of his understanding of caterpillar ecology to the pioneering research of Doug Tallamy, an entomologist whose work has redefined how we think about native plants and their relationship to bird populations. Tallamy’s studies highlight how birds rely on caterpillars as a primary food source for their young. A single pair of Carolina chickadees, for example, might need thousands of caterpillars to feed their nestlings throughout a breeding season. Tallamy’s research also underscores that native caterpillars are preferred by birds because of the coevolutionary relationship between native plants and insects. This coevolution has created specialized adaptations, making native caterpillars not only palatable but essential to the diet of most birds.
Beyond the savanna lies a section known to volunteers as “the ramble,”—winding pathways meant to ecourage wandering and exploration. “‘Ramble’ means leisurely walk, and that’s the spirit of this area,” said Bob. The pathways lead to “pause points,” where stone structures invite visitors to stop and appreciate the views over Kaul. The area is noticeably cooler and more humid, offering a refreshing contrast to the dry savanna.
Bob proudly points out new plantings of vacciniums, or blueberry bushes, which support the garden’s songbird population. “These are
berry-producing plants, lending themselves to what Thomas Rainer calls ‘berryology’—a play on the word phenology,” he said.
Standing by a large white oak, Bob elaborated on the tree’s role as a host for butterflies, caterpillars, and other insects. “Oak trees are the high-rise condos of the insect world. They’re a wonderful part of the ecosystem here,” said Bob. Flowing water is another essential element for sustaining wildlife. At the center of the bird sanctuary lies an in-ground bird bath, seamlessly integrated into the landscape. Constructed with carefully leveled concrete steps and stonework, the birdbath not only collects rainwater, but also contains a small, auxiliary water feature. Bob recalled how just a few years ago,
OPPOSITE : Sunlight dances on the water of the in-ground birdbath, sheltered by overhanging grasses. The secluded design ensures a safe, inviting space for songbirds to pause and replenish. The oak-pine savanna and bird sanctuary were made possible by the generous support of EBSCO Industries, Inc. and The Comer Foundation.
DENSE BLAZING STAR (LIATRIS SPICATA)
AMERICAN ROBIN (TURDUS MIGRATORIUS) ON A SPARKLEBERRY TREE (VACCINIUM ARBOREUM)
the area was overrun with invasive vines. Through native plant conservation and protection of natural processes, what was once a forgotten corner of the Kaul Wildflower Garden is now a space representative of Alabama’s native landscape.
In the book, Planting in a Post-Wild World, Claudia West wrote, “Disturbed landscapes heal fast, driven by the powerful and ever-present spirit of the wild.” The Kaul Wildflower Garden demonstrates how a thoughtful balance of ecology and design can preserve natural spaces while creating landscapes that inspire and engage. The oak-pine savanna embodies Kaul’s forward-thinking spirit and serves as a reminder to look for what is possible.
ABOVE: The in-ground birdbath provides a steady source of water, contrasting with the dry conditions of the surrounding savanna. This feature attracts a variety of bird species, enhancing the area’s biodiversity.
Beyond the savanna lies a section known to volunteers as “the ramble”—winding pathways meant to encourage wandering and exploration.
THE CENTENNIAL TREE PROGRAM
Each fall, Keith collects acorns from Avondale Park’s centuryold white oaks (Quercus alba) for The Centennial Tree Program. This 15-year-old program cultivates several species of oaks, American beech, tag alders, hickory, and other trees. These acorns are nurtured in the Garden’s greenhouses over a two-year period. Keith and other volunteers tend to the young saplings, preparing them for life beyond the Gardens. When ready, they are planted by Brasfield & Gorrie volunteers throughout Birmingham’s green spaces. This is part of a large-scale effort to grow the next generation of native trees. Because of squirrels, pavement, and poor soil conditions, many of these acorns would not otherwise be able to grow successfully. In addition, new trees planted in parks and other green spaces are often ornamental trees that do not carry the same sustainable benefits as native trees.
FEMALE REDWING BLACKBIRD (AGELAIUS PHOENICEUS)
2025 Annual Member Celebration
Tuesday, January 28 • Reception: 5:30 p.m.
Annual Member Meeting and Presentation: 6–7 p.m. • Garden Center
Free (Members) • $15 (Nonmembers) • Registration required: bbgardens.org/celebrate
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is pleased to welcome Mike Gibson as the special guest speaker for our annual John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture. Mike is a renowned self-taught property artist, topiarist, and entrepreneur whose work has been featured in botanical gardens and museums across the nation. From a young age, Mike learned from his father how to cultivate the grounds of
his childhood home in Youngstown, Ohio, including pruning and shaping shrubbery. He later became the artistin-residence at the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville, South Carolina. Inspired by the history of the garden and Pearl’s astounding feats of artistry and horticulture, Mike maintained the garden under Pearl’s mentorship. Mike started his own business, Gibson Works Property Art, LLC, in 2015. He has since been featured on HGTV’s reality TV show “Clipped” with Martha Stewart, and SCETV’s “Making It Grow” with horticulturist and Extension Agent Amanda McNulty.
John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture Series
Lifelong gardener, skilled horticulturist, and longtime editor in chief of Southern Living, whose commitment from 1981 to 2021 made a lasting impact at the Gardens, John was a driving force in the creation of our Southern Living Garden in 1981. While serving as Board chair, he oversaw the Gardens’ second master plan and the fundraising efforts that made it a reality. Through his work with Southern Living, he was instrumental in positioning Birmingham as an epicenter of Southern gardening, style, and
hospitality. He continued that effort in retirement through tireless community service, volunteering weekly in our Japanese Garden, helping shape our latest master plan, and generously sharing his expertise, talents, and enthusiasm until his passing in 2021. The John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture seeks to honor his memory and passion, which live on in the garden spaces that he elevated and in the gardeners he inspired.
DR. JOHN ALEX FLOYD, JR.
MIKE GIBSON
AROUND THE GARDENS
Seed Pods
As varied as the plants that grow from them, seed pods come in all shapes and sizes. They also utilize different methods of seed dispersal, from allowing seeds to hitch a ride on a passing creature, floating freely on the wind, or even launching explosively into the air with a pop! The pods in which they grow often play a key role in how the seeds are dispersed, ranging from capsules holding balls of fluff to cones that act like envelopes.
1. ORANGE JEWELWEED “TOUCH-ME-NOT” (Impatiens capensis)
Kaul Wildflower Garden
This unassuming little pod packs a punch! As its name suggests, you may get a surprise when you touch this plant, due to the explosive nature of its seed pods. The pods have five valves that coil back rapidly to eject the seeds in a process called “explosive dehiscence” or “ballistochory.” In the mature pods, the explosion can easily be triggered with a light touch, launching seeds as far as 2 feet away.
2. DAWN REDWOOD
(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
Formal Lawn
Known as a “living fossil,” the dawn redwood was thought to have been extinct until a live specimen was found in the 1940s. Before then it had been found only in fossil form, dating back to 100 million years ago. It’s a rare type of sequoia tree, being deciduous. Its small, uniquely shaped cones can hold up to a
By CASSIA KESLER
hundred seeds each. Perhaps these cones hold the secret to its longevity!
3. STRAWBERRY BUSH OR HEARTS-A-BUSTIN’
(Euonymus americanus)
Kaul Wildflower Garden
Named for its bright, warty, pink fruit that at maturity splits wide open to reveal the seeds, this showstopper is a favorite snack for birds and other wildlife. The seeds have a fleshy orange-red cover called an “aril” and a unique dispersal method: Birds eat them and then distribute them far and wide in their droppings. Despite the misleading name and pretty colors, you don’t want to eat this fruit—it’s poisonous to humans.
4. CRESTED COCKSCOMB (Celosia cristata)
Natural Dye Garden
This ornamental plant carries its seeds in small capsules that grow along the stem. They are extremely small, with each plant
producing thousands of seeds. They are very easily and widely dispersed by the wind, which is why in some parts of Asia, this plant is considered a troublesome weed. It can even resprout after a wildfire! However, it is also edible and considered a good source of nutrition, containing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The vibrant, distinct color of the flowers is used as a source for natural dyes.
5. COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum)
Bruno Vegetable Garden
When the capsule of the cotton boll splits open along its four seams, thousands of puffy white fibers burst out in a distinctive ball of fluff. These fibers are the secret to cotton seed dispersal—they act as little parachutes, helping the seeds float in the wind. Each boll contains several dozen seeds, which must be combed out of the fibers in a process called ginning, before turning the fiber into textiles. Fun fact: It takes 56 cotton bolls to make one T-shirt!
Community Seed Swap
Saturday, January 25 • 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Auditorium
Free and open to the public
Join the Library at the Gardens as we celebrate National Seed Swap Day with a community seed swap in the Garden Center’s Auditorium. Bring any open-pollinated,* heirloom seeds you would like to share: locally saved seeds, specialty seeds, or excess seeds you have purchased. No seeds to share but interested in learning more? You don’t have to bring seeds to participate. Discover tips and tricks for growing from seed, take home information, and chat with others who share a love of seed saving.
For more information on participating in the Library’s year-round Seed Exchange, visit bbgardens.org/seed-exchange
* Open pollination occurs by insect, bird, wind, humans, or other natural mechanisms, helping to conserve genetic biodiversity.
STAFF NEWS
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens welcomes a new Library and Information Services Manager!
Rachael Daughtry joined our education team in September. As Library and Information Services Manager, she oversees the daily operations and functions of the library and archives. She is excited to share this space and library resources with our members, visitors, and community. Since childhood, she’s held onto an avid love of reading and learning, making libraries a natural place to share her passion and creativity while empowering those around her with resources and knowledge. She has a Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama and previously worked in the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from 2016 to 2020 as our weekend library associate. Please stop by the Library at the Gardens on your next visit and check out our vast collection of resources on floral arranging, foraging, home gardening, landscaping, and more!
your hand tools in this hands-on workshop. Bring along a pair of used pruners, a trowel, loppers, or a soil knife. Please refrain from bringing in any power tools or large items, such as a long-handled shovel or pitchfork.
Cost: $25 (Members) | $30 (Nonmembers)
5. DISCOVER & EXPLORE: BOTANICAL STILL LIFE
Monday, January 13 | 10–11:30 a.m.
During these colder months that lend themselves to study and reflection, our winter class offerings are full of opportunities to broaden your horticultural knowledge, enhance your nature observation skills, and discover botany in new ways. Learn more and register at bbgardens.org/classes.
WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP WITH ZACHARY WESTALL
Sunday, December 8 | 2–4:30 p.m.
Ring in the holidays with Zachary Westall, local landscape and garden designer, as he shares favorite tips for creating dazzling wreaths. Greenery and other materials will be provided. This signature holiday event is hosted by the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Junior Board and proceeds benefit our summer internship program.
Cost: $80 (Members) | $100 (Nonmembers)
1. LINOCUT BASICS: WILDFLOWER WORKSHOP
Tuesday, December 10 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Jessica Leitch
Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills, this workshop offers an overview of single-color linocut printing. Teaching artist Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop will guide you through the fundamental techniques of carving and printing your own relief prints using pre-drawn templates of Alabama wildflowers. All materials and tools provided.
Cost: $55 (Members) | $60 (Nonmembers)
2. CREATE YOUR OWN DESERT TERRARIUM
Thursday, December 12 | 5:30–7 p.m.
Location: The newly renovated greenhouse in the Outdoor Classroom
Instructor: Astrid Jerez
Take a break from your holiday preparations to create your own mini ecosystem in an
engaging make-and-take workshop with Astrid Jerez of Vivatia Plants. You will learn how to craft a desert oasis and make it thrive. This workshop is perfect for low-maintenance plant lovers and small-space gardeners. All materials and tools are provided. (Hint: Terrariums make wonderful gifts!)
Cost: $55 (Members) | $60 (Nonmembers)
3. GROWING YOUR OWN MUSHROOMS
Thursday, December 19 | 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Outdoor Classroom
Instructor: Bronson Lubresky
Using logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. Many types of mushrooms can be grown on logs—Shiitake, Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail, to name a few. Join Urban Regional Extension Agent Bronson Lubresky as he guides you through the basic steps for growing mushrooms using this fascinating method. All materials for log inoculation, including logs and live spawn, will be provided in this make-and-take workshop.
Cost: $40 (Members) | $45 (Nonmembers)
4. CARING FOR YOUR GARDENING TOOLS
Thursday, January 9 | 11 a.m.–noon
Location: Outdoor Classroom
Instructor: Katelyn Bahr
Winter is a great time to restore your wellloved gardening tools. Correctly caring for and maintaining your tools will increase their longevity and the health of your plants. Learn how to properly store, clean, and sharpen
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Erica Scott
Join teaching artist Erica Scott of Dabble, a Birmingham arts studio, in the Gardens’ first Discover and Explore workshop. You will learn drawing techniques using colored pencils and pastels with plenty of time to play! Registrants are asked to bring botanical elements such as prunings, cut flowers, leaves, pine needles, etc. to be assembled in a classroom still life. All drawing materials are provided.
Cost: $35 (Members) | $40 (Nonmembers)
6. WINTER BIRDING IN ALABAMA
Saturday, January 18 | 9–11 a.m.
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Greg Harber
You’ve probably noticed that a new suite of birds have arrived in your yard with the arrival of the shorter, colder days of winter. Current Secretary and long-time member of Alabama Audubon Greg Harber will help you learn to identify these winter visitors and discuss how you can attract them to your yard. This class includes a walk to the bird habitat, the newest section of the Kaul Wildflower Garden. Binoculars will be provided (or you can bring your own).
Cost: $40 (Members) | $45 (Nonmembers)
7. THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF LICHENS
Thursday, January 30 | 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Curtis Hansen
Have you ever seen a lichen and knew that it was a lichen? Not many people know what lichens are, and who would? They seem as though they are from another planet! Lichens are bizarre organisms, and no two are alike. Join Curtis Hansen, curator of plants at the John D. Friedman Herbarium, to learn all about lichens and why they are an important part of wooded ecosystems in Alabama. As a part of this class Curtis will take our group on a walk through the wooded parts of the Gardens to learn to spot and identify these complex life forms.
Cost: $25 (Members) | $30 (Nonmembers)
8. TAMING THE WILD: LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS
Thursday, February 6 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Hodges Room
Instructor: Molly Hendry
Alabama boasts some of the richest native flora out of all 50 states, but often they aren’t our go-to landscaping plants. In addition to adding beauty to your garden, native plants help support wildlife and are more adapted to our native soil and climate. Many of us understand the value of natives but have questions about how to incorporate these plants in our home landscape in an intentional and manageable way. Gain tools from
landscape designer and horticulturist Molly Hendry of Roots & Ramblings garden studio as she shares strategies for designing with native plants in a residential landscape context.
Cost: $20 (Members) | $25 (Nonmembers)
9. NATURAL DIVERSITY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DISCOVERING ALABAMA WITH DR. DOUG PHILLIPS
Tuesday, February 11 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: Lecture Hall
Instructor: Dr. Doug Phillips
Dr. Doug Phillips, executive producer and host of the Emmy Award-winning documentary public television series Discovering Alabama and coordinator for environmental Information and education at The Alabama Museum of Natural History, will be joining us at the Gardens! In this program, we will watch highlights from Discovering Alabama with commentary from Dr. Phillips as we learn about the status and threats to Alabama’s exceptional natural diversity.
Cost: $25 (Members) | $30 (Nonmembers)
10. THE ORIGIN AND LEGACIES OF THE ENGLISH ARTS AND CRAFTS GARDEN
Tuesday, February 18 | 11 a.m.–noon
Location: Hodges Room
Instructor: Susan Hagen
Growing out of a late 19th-century reaction to Victorian design and industrialization, Arts and Crafts gardens became some of the most influential, world-renowned gardens of the turn of the century. They continue to have an
enormous influence on how we garden today. Contemporary gardening approaches— garden rooms, the use of local materials in the hardscape, abundantly planted beds, and painterly awareness of plant choice—come from the Arts and Crafts period. Join Professor Emerita of English and Master Gardener Susan K. Hagen in an idea-generating digital tour of some of Britain’s most influential Arts and Crafts gardens and gardeners.
Cost: $20 (Members) | $25 (Nonmembers)
11. THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FIELD JOURNALING
Friday, February 21 | 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Melissa Shultz-Jones
What is blooming? Going to seed? Or budding in February? Teaching artist Melissa Shultz-Jones invites you to get curious about the living world of plants on a leisurely stroll in the Gardens. In this workshop you will experience the joy and intimacy of recording your observations in nature and learn from Melissa as she models her approach to the practice of field journaling. Participants will provide their own journal. Watercolors and pencils provided. Dress appropriately for a winter walk in the Gardens!
Cost: $40 (Members) | $45 (Nonmembers)
12. PROPAGATING WOODY PLANTS
Friday, February 28 | 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Japanese Gardens
Instructor: Julia Adams
Join us in the Japanese Gardens as horticulturist Julia Adams demonstrates methods of propagating woody plants through grafting and air layering. While these horticultural methods require skill and practice, each can be used to propagate plants that don’t root well from cuttings. In this hands-on workshop, you will practice grafting using Japanese maples and experiment with camellias to learn air layering techniques.
Cost: $40 (Members) | $45 (Nonmembers)
KIDS & FAMILY
1. MUSICAL GARDEN STORYTIME
Tuesday, January 28 | 10 a.m.
For preschool children under age 5*
Location: Adventure Classroom
Musician and Children’s Librarian
Alyssa Jewell, a.k.a. The La La Librarian, will lead this interactive playgroup for young children and the caregivers who love them—combining music and movement with storytelling centered on nature. Following the program, we invite you to let your little ones explore and play in our newly refreshed Garden Lab.
Cost: $10 (Members) | $15 (Nonmembers) | $5 (Additional Family Member)
*Siblings under the age of 18 months may attend for no fee.
2. SCHOOL DAYS OUT AT THE GARDENS
Monday, February 17 | 9 a.m.–noon
For children in Grades K-5
WINTER BIRDING ADVENTURE
Explore forest habitats at the Gardens, seeking what birds and other wildlife need as we take a nature hike, learning to identify birds using our senses. We will make birdseed ornaments you can take home to welcome them to your backyard.
Cost: $32 (Members) | $40 (Nonmembers)
3. MINI MAKERS
For children ages 3–6
Fridays in February | 10–11
Location: Adventure Classroom
Instructor: Erica Scott
Join us at the Gardens with Erica Scott, owner of Dabble Arts Studio, for childled art playgroups where children are given the opportunity to create, explore, and enjoy art. We ask that caregivers stay and assist their children as they experiment with and enjoy creating. Clothing that can get messy is recommended.
Cost per session: $20 (Members) | $25 (Nonmembers)
LIBRARY & ARCHIVES
The Library at the Gardens is a wonderful resource for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone who would like to learnmore about gardening. Bring your Jefferson County library card to check out books. Visit the Library 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekdays.
THYME TO READ
A monthly book club
Select Tuesdays | 4 p.m.
Location: Library at the Gardens
Free and open to the public
Tuesday, December 3
Real Food Fake Food by Larry Olmsted
Tuesday, January 7
The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl
Tuesday, February 4
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
A celebration of support for the Gardens and all that it makes possible
The 18th annual Antiques at the Gardens was a spectacular weekend of stunning interior design, exquisite floral artistry, and fascinating lectures by international experts. In recent years, the event has attracted guests and participants from across the United States and beyond—helping the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens flourish in our mission to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. This year’s Antiques at the Gardens, adorned with fragrant blooms and artistic marvels, was a harmonious fusion of design and horticulture.
Running October 3–6, the four-day show was presented by McCorquodale Transfer with design sponsor Lee Jofa. Led by Co-Chairs Paige Albright, Marguerite Johnson, Bart McCorquodale, Rachael Rummel, and a committee of over 150 dedicated volunteers, the event featured lectures by 17 internationally acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects, and landscape artists.
The black-tie Gala in the Gardens kicked off the weekend on Thursday evening with a remarkable display of décor and floral artistry crafted by 20 local floral artists, who transformed
our gardens into a resplendent feast for the eyes. The garden entryway designed by Norman K. Johnson and installed by Landscape Services, Inc. transported guests into a world of wonder. Sponsored by Jones Walker LLP & ServisFirst Bank, the gala honored former board chair William R. “Bill” Ireland. The lovely evening was orchestrated by Gala Co-Chairs Fran Keenan, Symone Shaw, and Kathleen Varner.
During the weekend, patrons had the opportunity to shop exquisitely curated furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, and home and garden accessories.
The Red Diamond lecture series was headlined by Bunny Williams, one of the most talented names in interior and garden design, and award-winning architect Gil Schafer. Other panels, led by moderators Steele Marcoux, Margot Shaw, and Michael Diaz-Griffith, included some of the top experts in interior design and architecture from across the nation. Kravet Archivist Lina Forrester presented antique textiles from their collection, featuring fabrics throughout history from across the world. Special weekend events included Shop the Show with Stacey Bewkes and a floral workshop with Calvert Crary.
THANKS TO OUR LECTURE SPONSORS!
by
Photos
CGraham Yelton and Dee Moore
THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Garden entryway by Norman K. Johnson and Landscape Services, Inc. • Hill Garden with design sponsor
Lee Jofa • Flower Workshop with Calvert Crary • Kravet, Inc. Archives presentation • Shop the Show with Stacey Bewkes • Rose Garden floral installation by Ray Jordan of Flower Buds • Bunny Williams • Influence & Inspiration panel moderated by Margot Shaw.
Gala in the Gardens 2024
TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Patti and Bill Ireland, Jr. • AATG Co-Chairs Marguerite Johnson, Rachael Rummel, Bart McCorquodale, and Paige Albright • John Damrich, Elizabeth and Ingram Tynes, Patti and Bill Ireland, Jr., Mary Pat and John Grizzle SECOND ROW: Steven and Frances Nichols, Stewart and Virginia Dansby, Mallie and Stewart Dansby, Jane and Daniel Drennan • Emily and Bill Bowron • Gala Co-Chairs Kathleen Varner, Fran Keenan, and Symone Shaw THIRD ROW: Don and Anna James • Jim and Anna Cooper, Anna Jackson Cooper and William Monroe • Mary Lauren and Bart McBride FOURTH ROW: Timothy and Kate Wakefield, Andrew and Wendy Davis, Trey and Elizabeth Melancon, Ryan and Alex Green • Jennifer and Jimmy Ard • Angela King and Sarah Reed
Plant the Seeds for Your Lasting Legacy at the Gardens
JOIN
OUR PERENNIAL LEGACY GIVING CIRCLE
You can help us perpetuate the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and all that it means to our community and region by including the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens in your planned giving. Every gift makes an impact. Please consider designating the Friends as a beneficiary of your estate through your will, charitable trust, or retirement beneficiary designation. We are grateful to all who have made this special commitment. Please join them in supporting and protecting this beloved community resource. Call Director of Development Penney Hartline at 205.414.3950, ext. 103, to learn more.
THE PERENNIAL LEGACY GIVING SOCIETY
As of November 1, 2024
Recognizing those who have made or pledged a planned gift
Mr.* & Mrs. Edgar G. Aldridge
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet
Ms. Camille A. Becker
Mrs. Lucille S. Beeson*
Peggy Bonfield & Orrin Ford*
Ida C. & D. Joseph Burns*
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur I. Chenoweth*
Mary Carolyn Gibbs Cleveland
Suzanne G. Clisby
Dr. & Mrs. D.C. Coston
Mrs. Martha Stone Cobb Daniel*
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
Dr. L. Aubrey* & Elizabeth Drewry
The Dunn-French Family
Dr. John D. Elmore*
Martha B. & Robert L.* Eskew
Mrs. Trudy Evans
Mr. & Mrs. Wally Evans
Mrs. Claire H. Fairley*
Bernadine Rushing Faulkner
Mr. F. Lewter Ferrell, Jr.*
Dorothy Ireland Fletcher*
Dr.* & Mrs. Charles P. Grant
Patti Hammond
Jody & Don Hamre*
Penney & Roger Hartline
Mr. R.R. Herbst*
Mrs. Jimmie Hess*
Mr. J. Ernest Hill &
Mrs. Ora Lee Hill*
Mrs. Jane Hinds
Fay B. Ireland*
Dr. Susan Jackson
Mr. George L. Jenkins
Bobbe & Hugh Kaul*
Ms. Pamela Kaul*
Fran Lawlor
William Brock Lewis
Dr. Bodil Lindin-Lamon*
Hope Long
Dr. Michael E. Malone
Annie Lee Buce Matthews*
Ms. Louise T. McAvoy*
Douglas A. & Linda P. McCullough
Margaret H. McGowan*
Anne & Ira Mitchell
Mrs. Mary Jean Morawetz
Mr. Philip Morris*
Thelma Vaughan Mueller*
Mr. & Mrs. Fred W. Murray, Jr.
Don & Pat Nelson
Dr. James L. Newsome*
Dr. & Mrs. A. I. Perley* LeAnne* & Steve Porter
Mrs. Carol P. Poynor
Mrs. Dorothy L. Renneker*
Deborah & John Sellers
Sandra S. Simpson
Mr. & Mrs. William M. Spencer III*
Frederick R. Spicer, Jr.
Mr. Douglas Arant Stockham
Janet & Jarry Taylor
Dr. Wendell H. Taylor, Sr.*
Mrs. Barbara D. Thorne*
Dr. & Mrs.* Jack W. Trigg, Jr.
Mrs. Carolyn D. Tynes*
Mrs. Ann H. “Nancy” Warren*
Mrs. Robert Wells
Louise Wrinkle
Anonymous (3)
Thank you for your support!
We are so very thankful for your generous outflowing of support this year. Through memberships, annual donations, memorials and tributes, and legacy giving, as well as attending and supporting our signature events, you make it possible for us to sustain our mission: to protect, nurture, and share the Gardens’ many wonders for all to enjoy. We wish you and your family a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2025!
—Penney
Hartline, Director of Development
HONORARIUMS
Aug-Oct 2024
Paige Albright
Triangle Garden Club
2024 Antiques Chairs
Emily Bowron
2024 Antiques Gala Chairs
Emily Bowron
Emily Bowron
Penny & Ruffner Page
Elizabeth Broughton
Kelli & Norman Jetmundsen
Richard Cybulsky
Pell City Garden Club
Deb Gallaway
The Home Garden Club
Laura Gessert’s Birthday
Mr. & Mrs. David MacLeod
William R. Ireland, Jr.
Val & George Holman
Jemison Investment Company, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Philip B. Young
Jaime Martinez’s Birthday
Mr. R. Dan Colvin
Susan, Beau & Alec Colvin
Harvey May’s Birthday
His Friends: Alan & Lisa Engel, Evan Raymond, Nancy Goldberg, Merry Low & Jon Taylor, Amy & Michael Saag, Donna & Gary Schy, and Caryn & Steven Corenblum.
Dona Musgrave’s Birthday
Ms. Dara Jackson
Kendra Poleshek
Camellia Garden Club
Cindy Strickland’s Birthday
Mrs. Mollie W. Cox
Donna Taylor’s Birthday
Ms. Lynn Heinzelman
Cheryl Todd
Ms. Kimberly A. Buck
Keith Turney
Blount County Master Gardener Association
Mallie & Stewart Dansby
Louise A. Wrinkle
Mrs. Philippa M. Bainbridge
MEMORIALS
Aug-Oct 2024
Leigh Hill Allison
Mrs. Ann S. Bradford
Mr. & Mrs. Cory Jackson
Susan NeSmith Baker
Edgewood Garden Club
Barbara Dorene Shawver Bruggeman
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Aultman
Kristina Alice Callahan
George L. Jenkins
Lois Jeannette “Jane” Fuller Campbell
Lady Jane & Yancey Gillespie
Meghan Davis Carmichael
Mr. J. Chris Carmichael
John Morgan Chumley
Ms. Caroline S. Bolvig
Lisa & John Burton
Capitol Special Risks
Mrs. Peggy Jo Christian
Homer Eugene Croasmun, Jr.
Theresa Croasmun
Cornelia “Nina” Fox Crumbaugh
Peggy & Michael Balliet
Ms. Madeline Crowson
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Watson
Martha Bonner Eskew & Robert L. Eskew, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Eskew
by Graham Yelton
Photo
Mary-Bestor Bankhead Grant
Mrs. Sallie Johnson
Elaine DeBuys Hankins
Valley Offshoots Garden Club
Julia May Webb Hoke
Mrs. Elna R. Brendel
Bascom “Bud” Dorman Hopson
Mrs. Jenifer D. Hadraba
Carolyn Sue “Suzy” Roberts Johnson
Edgewood Garden Club
John Allen Jones III
Mrs. Elna R. Brendel
Jean Hay Land
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Echols
Cindy & Hayne Hollis
Carole Ann & Bob Moorer
Ms. April Reid
Mrs. Linda J. Richey
Madelon L. Rushing
Mr. & Mrs. Don Sidle
SuAnn & Russ Vandevelde
Mrs. Leslie Wells
Sallie M. Lee
Mrs. Kitty Lineberry
Margot Kessler Marx
Marion & Edgar Marx
Cecil Morgan, Jr.
Mrs. Elna R. Brendel
Frederick “Fred” Whittlesey Murray, Jr.
Cilie & Jamie Cowin
1919 Investment Counsel
Mrs. Carolyn B. Reed
Mrs. Suzanne H. Woodall
Elizabeth “Betty” Eastwood Ratliff
Carolyn & Will Ratliff
Margaret Benners Shaw
Mary Carolyn Cleveland & Elberta Reid
John F. Stadtlander
Carolyn Emmons Stadtlander & Todd Hansen Emmons
Mary Anne Holmes Stone
Derry B. Bunting
Lucille “Lucy” Ryals
Thompson
Advent Episcopal Day School
Peggy & Michael Balliet
Mrs. Elna R. Brendel
Ms. Madeline Crowson
Angelika & Wally Evans
Mr. & Mrs. Walter L. Evans
Johnie & Hollis Geiger
Ms. Mary Fort Goodman
Kelly & Clark Hammond
Lynn & Benny LaRussa
Mrs. Kitty Lineberry
Mr. & Mrs. Haran Lowe
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas McGough
Margaret & Bill Moor
Allene & Foots Parnell
Helen & David Rozendale
Mr. & Mrs. Bayard Tynes, Jr.
Vulcan Materials Company
Cheryl Todd
Dr. Kristin Donovan & Mr. Patrick Donovan
Cynnie Sproull
Mr. David Stegall
Larry Calvin Weaver
Mrs. Sandra E. Ash
Florence “Bitsy” Nicholson
Douglass Williams
Johnie & Hollis Geiger
Net & Robin Wade
Lloyd R. “Reed” Wilson, Jr.
Louise & Butch Clayton
2612 Lane Park Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
205.414.3950 bbgardens.org
Thank you for your commitment to this community treasure. Your support is vital for the Gardens and those we serve. Please renew or upgrade your membership at bbgardens.org/membership.
The powder puff tree, or “fairy duster” (Calliandra haematocephala) is an evergreen shrub native to Bolivia that can grow 10 to 15 feet tall. Its leaves close at night in a movement known as “nyctinasty.” The powder puff flowers, made up of a cluster of red stamens, are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and bloom throughout the fall and winter. Look for it in the Conservatory!
The Garden Dirt is printed using vegetable-based inks. Please recycle.