The Garden Dirt | Summer 2021 by Birmingham Botanical Gardens

SUMMER 2021

the garden dirt FOR FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

En Plein Air

In the tradition of great Impressionist painters, Alabama artists find inspiration in the natural beauty of the Gardens

SUMMER 2021

Tee Time

Pick up a new Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Member T-shirt when you join us or renew your membership in 2021! Available in sizes small through 3XL; we recommend ordering one size up. Call 205.414.3950 to reserve yours today. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GROW A GREENER TOMORROW!

ENJOY LUNCH AT THE GARDENS Inspired by local produce, the café lunch menu changes seasonally. Visit us online to view a sample menu and current details about in-café dining. Members of the Friends receive a 10% discount on lunch when you show your membership card. Also available for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridesmaid luncheons, teas, corporate lunches and dinners, and other private events. Tuesday–Friday

11 a.m.–2 p.m.

bbgardens.org/cafe

FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT IS OH SO EASY AT ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S BEST GIFT SHOPS, LEAF & PETAL AT THE GARDENS HOLIDAY & HOME DECOR • GIFTS • ORIGINAL ARTWORK • DISTINCTIVE JEWELRY • PLANTS & CONTAINERS Support the Gardens while you shop. Members of the Friends save 10% on regularly priced merchandise.

Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2021 Board of Directors

Wally Evans �� Chair John Smith T ��Immediate Past Chair D.C. Coston �� Treasurer Brian Barr ��Secretary Kirk Forrester �� Chair of Communications & Marketing Emily Bowron �� Chair of Development Caroline Little �� Chair of Education & Visitor Experience Bill Ireland �� Chair of Governance Norm Davis ��Chair of Government Relations Lee McLemore ��Chair of Operations

Members at Large Evelyn Jones Uday Bhate Janet Kavinoky Sharon Brown Blevins Naff Stephanie Cooper Tiffany Osborne Bob de Buys Mike Rushing Wendy Evesque Sharon Sherrod Helen Harmon Martha Emmett Sims Chris Hastings Benjamin Torczon Beverley Hoyt Jesse Vogtle

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 Stephanie Banks �� Chief Financial Officer Mindy Keyes Black ��Director of Communications and Marketing Dawn DeFrank �� Donor Services Coordinator Jamie Haas �� Communications and Marketing Associate Ellen Hardy ��Education Program Coordinator Penney Hartline ��Director of Development Molly Hendry ��Garden Assessment Project Leader Jason Kirby �� Library Assistant and Archivist Dawn Coleman Lee �� Education Activities Specialist Hope Long �� Director of Library Services John Manion �� Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator Brooke McMinn �� Director of Education and Visitor Experience Alice Thompson Moore... ��Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Phillips �� Office Coordinator Drew Rickel �� Donor Relations Officer Jane Underwood �� Director of Operations Editor: Mindy Keyes Black Art Design: Ellen Padgett Cover and Lead Photos: Graham Yelton Contributors: Susan Emack Alison, Dawn DeFrank, Jamie Haas, Ellen Hardy, Penney Hartline, Molly Hendry, Louis Josof, Hope Long, John Manion, Brooke McMinn, Michelle Phillips, Drew Rickel, Christiana Roussel ©2021 Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. All rights reserved. 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223 205.414.3950 | bbgardens.org communications@bbgardens.org

Leaf & Petal at the Gardens 205.877.3030 • leafnpetal.com

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 sex identity.

WELCOME

Dear Friend,

For those searching, our gardens are filled with inspiration. On a glorious spring day in April, we were delighted to welcome a small group of artists who gather monthly at sites across the state to paint en plein air, or outdoors from life. Seeking tranquil scenes that inspired them, they spread out across our 67.5 acres, working in mediums from watercolors to oils and pastels to capture the colors of the Gardens. Painting in nature requires plein air artists to work relatively quickly as they respond to changing light and shadows. From time to time, our special guests paused to talk with other visitors, who stopped to admire and ask questions. Many spent hours at their easels, feeling at peace in this tranquil setting. Whether you come here to walk, enjoy a quiet moment, or connect with the world around you, the Gardens is in many ways an ever-changing, color-filled canvas that invites us all to find our inspiration and to come together to celebrate nature’s wonders. Thank you for joining with us to protect, nurture, and share this community treasure that inspires so many. This summer, as our world continues the challenging work of reopening safely, we hope you will visit often, join us for virtual and in-person programs, and find your own inspiration throughout these beautiful Gardens.

Tom Underwood Executive Director Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

SUMMER 2021 2

Celebrating the Gardens and the Impact of Friendship ON YOUR NEXT VISIT, rediscover the wonders of the Gardens by checking out the new panels on the sides of our informational kiosk near Blount Plaza. A collaborative effort of our Communications and Marketing and Operations teams—which literally raised the roof to make way for the new signs—“Welcome to the Gardens!” showcases garden highlights from “Distinctive Displays” and “Noteworthy Natives” to “Wondrous Woodlands” and more. The new panel also encourages visitors to support this community treasure by volunteering and joining the Friends.

FOR KIDS:

Discover the Gardens On the reverse side of the informational kiosk, a children’s treasure map created by our Education and Visitor Experience team invites young (and young at heart!) visitors to look for garden treasures from the giant agave succulent at the entrance to the Ireland Iris Garden to the torii, or “gateway to heaven,” at the entrance to the Japanese Garden. A QR code allows families to download and follow the suggested path during their visit.

ANNE STUBBS

Digital Exploration The Friends completed filming for its springtime Discovery Field Trips, rounding out the collection of nine virtual field trips and companion storytimes now available to schoolchildren across the Birmingham area and around the world. Designed to enrich the classroom experience and expand the Gardens’ scholastic reach, these iconic, curriculum-based field trips will help area students, teachers, and families prepare for and reinforce in-person visits, says Education Program Coordinator Ellen Hardy. The field trips were recorded on equipment funded through a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and made possible by the continued commitment of the Junior League of Birmingham, whose “Can You Dig It?” service track has supported the Friends’ flagship education program for 20 years. See the full series on the Gardens’ YouTube channel. Additional teacher resources are available; visit bbgardens.org/digitaldiscovery.

FRIENDS HONORED TO RECEIVE LEE ANN PETTY COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD In May, the Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) presented the inaugural Lee Ann Petty Community Partner Award to the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens for partnering to share the wonders of the Gardens with local schoolchildren during a challenging year. The award was created in memory of JLB Community Vice President Lee Ann Petty, a champion for community service, who died in December 2020. Said JLB Volunteer Vice President Elizabeth Mann, “In this unprecedented year of remote learning for so many students, this was an incredible gift that could be offered to the children and families in our Birmingham community.”

An Auspiscious Beginning for an Important Partnership FBBG teams up with the Cahaba Riverkeeper and the Coosa Riverkeeper to test the feasibility of replanting Cahaba lilies in their native habitat By JOHN MANION

WOODLAND SPIDER LILY

MOST PEOPLE IN ALABAMA—and indeed, beyond—are familiar with the famed Cahaba lilies. Because this plant is present in other river systems and in two other states, however, a more accurate name is shoals spider lily. This genus, Hymenocallis, holds approximately 65 species worldwide, 15 of which are found in the southeastern United States. Of these 15 species, Hymenocallis coronaria, the shoals spider lily, is perhaps the most charismatic—so much so that a festival celebrating it is held every year. The most common species of Hymenocallis here in Alabama is Hymenocallis occidentalis, or woodland spider lily, which to the untrained eye looks just like the shoals spider lily. We frequently receive messages from people saying they have Cahaba lilies growing in their garden or woods. Since that particular species has very specific growth requirements (in rivers with moving water) we inform them that what they likely have are woodland spider lilies, not shoals spider lilies. We encourage gardeners to grow the spectacular woodland spider lily. It’s gorgeous, fragrant, and very easy to cultivate. Last spring, I was given several seeds of

CAHABA LILY (SHOALS SPIDER LILY)

shoals spider lilies and set about trying to germinate them. Never having done so—and knowing they have specific requirements— I attempted to mimic their needs. I tried growing some in water and some in very wet soil mix. They both began to decay, so I put them in water and installed an aquarium air bubbler. It worked! Soon I began to see each seed’s root begin to emerge. Once the root grew a bit more, I placed them in very wet potting soil. Shortly thereafter, their first leaves began to emerge. It was at that point I contacted our friend David Butler, the Cahaba Riverkeeper, to suggest planting them back into the river. While checking with the person who had given me the seeds, I learned that the seeds actually came from Hatchet Creek, which feeds into the Coosa River. We took a step

JOHN MANION

back and contacted Justinn Overton, executive director of the Coosa Riverkeeper. I explained my idea of planting them back from where they came, and she was 100 percent on board. In November a group of us (both staff and volunteers) representing Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Coosa Riverkeeper gathered on the shore of Hatchet Creek and launched canoes and kayaks to do the planting. We planted 30 plants and marked the area so we can continue to check on them. At present we are in discussions with both the Coosa Riverkeeper and the Cahaba Riverkeeper about formalizing a partnership to refine and expand this type of work. It’s always a joy to be a part of a project to protect such a fascinating plant! Visit our YouTube channel to hear John talk more about these two special lilies. You’ll find Spider Lily ... or Cahaba Lily? on our “Manion’s Moments” playlist.

PHOTOS: JAMIE HAAS, ALAN CRESSLER

SUMMER 2021

A TALE OF TWO LILIES:

NATIVE PLANT STUDIES FIELD TRIP

CAHABA LILIES IN BLOOM IN THE CAHABA RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE RESERVE

TWO ALABAMA CROWN JEWELS:

Botanical Lost World & Cahaba Lilies Field Trip Wednesday, June 2 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cost: $112 (Members of the Friends) | $140 (Nonmembers) Join Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator John Manion for a special visit to Bibb County Glades Preserve, often called the Botanical Lost World, and Hargrove Shoals, home of Alabama’s shoals spider, or Cahaba, lilies. BIBB COUNTY GLADES PRESERVE Located at the convergence of several physiographic regions, Alabama’s Bibb County Glades, or “Botanical Lost World,” is known for its astounding biodiversity. Acquired by The Nature Conservancy in Alabama in 1997, this 480-acre preserve is home to numerous rare plants, including species that are endemic (native only) not just to the state of Alabama but also to the preserve itself. CAHABA LILIES After visiting the Glades, we will drive a short distance to the Cahaba River National Wildlife Reserve, where at Hargrove Shoals we will be at one of the best locations to view the lilies. (By visiting on a weekday, we will also avoid weekend crowds.) Though we will view them from the shore, participants are welcome to wade out to get an up-close look (and sniff) at these amazing plants. Be prepared to discover other interesting plants along the scenic road that parallels the river. Learn more and preregister at: bbgardens.org/classes

Welcome, Summer Interns!

The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is excited to welcome two interns for summer 2021! TRENT GILMORE, a rising senior at the University of North Alabama, joins us as our 2021 Native Plant Intern. Trent, who is pursuing a major in environmental biology, has volunteered with the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, U.S. Forest Service, and Alabama Wildlife Center. He will work with Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator John Manion to map noteworthy plants using geographic information system (GIS) technology, help implement enhancements designed to align the Kaul Wildflower Garden more closely with its original intent, and lead tours. ALEX FORRESTER, a rising junior at Auburn University, joins us as our 2021 Rotary Club of Shades Valley Intern. A student employee with the Special Collections Unit at Auburn’s Davis Arboretum since August 2019, Alex is studying how to apply engineering problem-solving in environmental systems. During her summer with the Friends, she will study stormwater management and the use of horticulture to protect water quality. She also will contribute to current conservation projects, including research and planning to enhance the Gardens’ native azalea collection.

EN PLEIN AIR In the tradition of great Impressionist painters, Alabama artists find inspiration in the natural beauty of the Gardens

MINDY KEYES BLACK

Photographs by

GRAHAM YELTON

One of an artist’s biggest challenges, Birmingham watercolorist Gail Cosby will tell you, can be deciding what to paint. So this past spring, when considering inspiring locations for fellow members of Alabama Plein Air Artists to spend a day drawing or painting in nature, Gail turned to a vibrant subject she has walked and painted for 45 years. “The nice thing about the Gardens is there is always something blooming here, and for an artist, that means great color,” she says. “When you’re doing a painting, a lot of artists look for masses of color, or they look for interesting structures like the torii [gate] at the entrance to the Japanese Garden. I’ve actually, in the past, painted the Lady Banks roses on the big arbor in the Dunn Formal Rose Garden. When they’re blooming, they’re just beautiful.” With special permission from the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board to set up easels at the edge of garden paths, Gail and 10 plein air artists from around the state spent a glorious springtime Friday at the Gardens for the group’s April “paint-out.” Working in oil, pastel, or watercolor, they spread out, choosing garden spaces that called to them. “Plein air artists look for pretty, colorful things, and the Gardens has lots of them,” says Gail.

Notable Impressionists like Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir advocated working en plein air, or painting outdoors. “I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers,” Monet once said. Wrote Renoir, “If you paint the leaf on a tree without using a model, your imagination will only supply you with a few leaves; but nature offers you millions, all on the same tree. No two leaves are exactly the same. The artist who paints only what is in his mind must very soon repeat himself.” “And of course,” says Gail, “Monet built a garden in Giverny, France, just to paint.” Despite advances in photography, today’s plein air artists continue to value the experience of painting from life because of the richness in color they are able to see and capture. “The human eye can see extraordinary amounts of light and color,” says Gail. “Even shadows have color— they’re blue, they’re black, they’re green, and they reflect color onto your subject. With a camera, you can’t always see those colors. If you look at the paintings of people who paint outdoors, they’re often more colorful than photography.” The day before the April paint-out, Gail scouted the Gardens to take photos of flowers in bloom and assembled a “Great Places To Paint” inspiration board for fellow artists. As participants spread out throughout the Gardens to decide what to paint that Friday, she was drawn to the colors and light in the Ireland OldFashioned Rose Garden and the Ireland Iris Garden. “Of course the subject doesn’t have to be gardens, but they’re lovely here, and it makes it easier when you have something beautiful to start with,” says Gail. “Most artists recognize that the people who build gardens are artists too—they simply use textures and land, and we appreciate all who do that.”

RESIDENT OF: Birmingham

PLEIN-AIR SUBJECT: Ireland Iris Garden gazebo ARTISTIC MEDIUM: Oils

WHAT DREW HER TO THIS SPOT: “I had taken photos of several areas of the Gardens. I was drawn to the gazebo as an entrance with the large agave plants on each side and purple irises in front leading into other greens and yellow in the background.” WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR: “Painting plein air is all of the

above and getting a sense of place in your painting. It also forces you to paint more quickly to catch the light and shadows and give an impression of the scene.”

WHAT SHE ENJOYS MOST ABOUT PAINTING AT THE GARDENS: “I love being in the Gardens, with beautiful plants, birds singing. It is also fun to see parents with their curious children.”

Toni Hackney “I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.”—CLAUDE MONET RESIDENT OF: Huntsville

PLEIN-AIR SUBJECT: Torii

(“gateway to heaven”) at entrance to Japanese Garden ARTISTIC MEDIUM: Pastels WHAT DREW HIM TO THIS SPOT: “I lived in Japan off

and on for 22 years while in the Navy. I fell in love with the people and country. Seeing your Japanese Garden brings back fond memories of my time there.” WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR:

“I love being out in nature and trying to capture the beauty of the moment.” WHAT HE ENJOYS MOST ABOUT PAINTING AT

Kevin Patrick Keenan 8

THE GARDENS: “With all the tall trees you have in your beautiful gardens, it gives the play of light and shadow everywhere. That is what I look for while I paint.”

Nancy Paden RESIDENT OF: Wilsonville

PLEIN-AIR SUBJECT: Seven Virtues Waterfall in Japanese Garden ARTISTIC MEDIUM: Oils

WHAT DREW HER TO THIS SPOT: “The peaceful sound of the waterfall drew me in. I found the sound

very relaxing and the beautiful irises alongside the strong boulders and moving water an immediate focal point.” WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR: “Painting outdoors is by far the most rewarding and relaxing experience simply by being near the things I love most. The beauty of nature! I am primarily a studio painter working mainly in watercolor and acrylic. I use oil outdoors only due to health reasons and am enjoying the process of learning this new medium.” WHAT SHE ENJOYS MOST ABOUT PAINTING AT THE GARDENS: “I enjoy the peacefulness that the scene provides. I am new to plein air painting and get tense when people watch me, so the sound helps me relax and enjoy the interaction with those who stop by.”

Debbie Wiggins RESIDENT OF: Millbrook/Prattville

PLEIN-AIR SUBJECT: Irises in Japanese Garden ARTISTIC MEDIUM: Oils

WHAT DREW HER TO THIS SPOT: “My favorite flower is the iris, so I chose this beautiful location with

purple irises blooming.”

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR: “Painting plein air inspires me to enjoy the

beautiful world we live in and take care of it.”

WHAT SHE ENJOYS MOST ABOUT PAINTING AT THE GARDENS: “I like talking with people as they stop by out of curiosity. Everyone is so friendly. I also love color, and being in nature allows me to relax and paint what my eyes innately focus on. It’s so gorgeous here—I can get lost in time.”

Cancer Survivors Find Solace in Outdoor Art Therapy

PHOTOS: JAMIE HAAS

LOUIS JOSOF

When COVID-19 made its initial “pounce” on all of our lives in March 2020, all cancer support groups, pet therapy visits from Hand in Paw, Art Therapy gatherings, and Camp Bluebird (Adult Cancer Camp) came to a screeching halt at Ascension St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center. One additional major impact: Patients coming to the Cancer Center would have to come alone—their family members and caregivers were not allowed in the building to join them on their cancer journey. It wasn’t long before patients and family members began calling the Cancer Center asking when all the support programs and other services might resume. The most common sentiment: “I miss my friends in the support group” or “How long do you think it will be before we can meet again face-to-face?” Because of the strict rules of sanitizing, masking, and social distancing in clinical settings, it became apparent that a solution might not be anywhere in sight. Recognizing the additional distress this placed not only on our patients but also on their caregivers, the staff at the Bruno Cancer Center began to consider other support options. One creative idea was Zoom support group meetings, which began in August. In May, the Art Therapy group, which had not met in three months, wanted to find a place to gather because the Conference Room at the Bruno Cancer Center was no longer available. Remaining socially distanced was a major concern. One of the participants who is friends with Hope Long, the

Director of Library Services with the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens (and a cancer survivor), made a connection for the group. Hope informed us that the Gardens would reopen the following week and that she would love to accommodate the Art Therapy group. Since June, the group has met twice every month in the outdoor Plant Adventure Zone, an A-frame, covered pavilion with ceiling fans, a wonderful space that allows distancing. There is also a private garden and greenhouse. There are multiple therapeutic benefits and values for those patients who engage in the Zoom cancer support groups as well as the Art Therapy program. First, the emotional support that is both given and received is very positive. The exchange of information among patients is extremely beneficial. They value so much being able to see and talk with someone “who has been there”! Secondly, whether Zooming or painting, their sense of isolation seemed to diminish while they were engaging in conversation with one another. Many of our patients who live alone stated that they were glad to see and “be with” other people. Recognizing that having cancer is extremely challenging, but having cancer during COVID-19 can be even more challenging, we at Ascension St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center know that it is our passion and our willingness to do God’s work daily that enables us. We know and do not take for granted that we are truly blessed by our patients, their families, our staff, and our community.

In addition to being a current member and past Board member of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Mr. Josof serves as an oncology counselor at Ascension St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center.

SUMMER 2021 CALENDAR

As we transition to regular operations, we are excited to resume our in-person, socially distanced, outdoor health and wellness offerings! Preregistration is required. Please visit bbgardens.org/classes for updates and to reserve your spot for virtual and in-person programs.

VIRTUAL

FREE BROWN BAG LUNCH & LEARNS Free and open to the public Preregistration required at bbgardens.org/classes

IN PERSON

HEALTH & WELLNESS Learn more and preregister at bbgardens.org/classes ASHTANGA YOGA IN THE GARDENS Instructor: Jason Kirby, Certified Yoga Instructor Mondays | 8:30–9:30 a.m. Moore Cultural Pavilion (Japanese Garden) Cost: $12 (Members of the Friends) | $15 (Nonmembers) MINDFUL WALK & YOGA IN THE GARDENS Instructor: Ashley Clarke, Certified Mindful Outdoor Guide and Yoga Instructor Tuesdays | 8:30–9:45 a.m. Moore Cultural Pavilion (Japanese Garden) Cost: $12 (Members of the Friends) | $15 (Nonmembers)

Wednesday, June 2 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EAT YOUR LANDSCAPE Led by Trevor Mann, Walden Foodscapes Wednesday, June 16 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PRESERVING THE BOUNTY Led by Angela Treadaway, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Wednesday, June 30 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. HEAT-HARDY PERENNIALS Led by Jason Powell, Petals from the Past

VINYASA YOGA IN THE GARDENS Instructor: Lelia Neil, Certified Yoga Instructor Wednesdays | 8:30–9:45 a.m. Moore Cultural Pavilion (Japanese Garden) Cost: $12 (Members of the Friends) | $15 (Nonmembers)

Wednesday, July 14 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. STORMWATER 101 Led by Scott Hofer, Jefferson County Department of Health Watershed Protection Program

TAI-JI IN THE GARDENS: BEGINNER Instructor: Stephen Guesman, Tai-Ji Quan Instructor Thursdays | 3–4 p.m. Moore Cultural Pavilion (Japanese Garden) Cost: $12 (Members of the Friends) | $15 (Nonmembers)

Wednesday, July 28 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PLANTING FALL VEGGIES Led by Jessica Hill, Jones Valley Teaching Farm

TAI-JI IN THE GARDENS: PRACTICE (INTERMEDIATE) Instructor: Stephen Guesman, Tai-Ji Quan Instructor Thursdays | 4:30–5:30 p.m. Moore Cultural Pavilion (Japanese Garden) Cost: $12 (Members of the Friends) | $15 (Nonmembers)

Wednesday, August 11 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. TREES & NEIGHBOR LAW Led by Skip Kincaid, Master Arborist

FAMILY YOGA IN THE GARDENS Instructor: Annie Damsky of Villager Yoga Saturdays, June 19, July 17, August 21 | 9–10 a.m. Formal Garden Cost: $15 per adult + one child, $5 each additional child

Wednesday, August 25 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. INDOOR GARDENING Led by Jessica Watts, House Plant Collective

VIRTUAL

THYME TO READ A monthly book club hosted by the Library at the Gardens— free and open to the public Preregistration required at bbgardens.org/thymetoread Tuesday, June 1 • 6 p.m. The Body in the Castle Well by Martin Walker Tuesday, July 6 6 p.m. Where I Come From: Stories from the Deep South by Rick Bragg Tuesday, August 3 6 p.m. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

VIRTUAL

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP Learn how to use a rain barrel in your home garden and make your own at home by joining Rhonda Britton, Regional Extension Agent, Madison County Cooperative Extension System, for this virtual workshop. Saturday, June 19 | 9:30 a.m.12 p.m. Class only: $5 • Class + as-is barrel: $60 • Class + ready-toinstall barrel: $80 Please note: Last day to order rain barrels will be June 14. Preregister at bbgardens.org/ classes

SUMMER FAMILY GEOCACHE SCAVENGER HUNT Hosted by North Shelby Library in partnership with the Library at the Gardens June 7–July 16

SUMMER CAMPS

For grades 4k–6 • Through July 23 Our popular summer camps are back! We offer 23 weeklong, half-day camps designed to promote your child’s natural sense of creativity and the joy of discovery through fun educational activities in the unmatched natural setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Children will experience the Gardens through special themes designed to explore our beautiful garden spaces through daily outdoor adventures that take participants Over the Rainbow! Our six overarching themes include: Exploring, Art, Our Rainbow Energy, Gardening, Adventure, and STEAM. Camps will include daily explorations of the Gardens and plants to take home and grow. All summer campers will receive a keepsake T-shirt. As we continue to follow CDC and Health Department COVID-19 guidelines, we have designed socially distanced, small-group camps to take place completely outdoors with the health and safety of our campers top of mind. Visit bbgardens.org/summercamps to learn more and explore our 2021 offerings. Members of the Friends at the Family level and above receive a 20% discount on select numbers of camps.

This summer, as part of its 2021 Summer Reading Program, North Shelby Library and the Library at the Gardens are partnering to offer a fun outdoor activity for families: a virtually aided, socially distanced, seek-andfind-style scavenger hunt. To participate, you will simply need a GPS navigation device (such as a Google Maps-capable smartphone). Following our instructions, clues, and GPS coordinates, you and your teammates will be challenged to find waypoints at the Gardens hidden in plain sight. You can then enter your team into a prize drawing for a chance to win a Birmingham Botanical Gardens gift basket. Registered teams of 1–6 family members are eligible (adult supervision required). For more information, contact the North Shelby Library Children’s Department at nschildrenslibrarian@shelbycounty-al.org or call 205.439.5504. Register online beginning June 7 at https://bit.ly/3dT5FF8

SUMMER 2021 GARDEN SUPPORTERS

Thank You How great it is to see so many visitors enjoying the Gardens! Thank you for all of the ways that you continue to support the Friends: attending a program or class, making a memorial or tribute gift, shopping our plant sales, participating in an event, contributing to our annual appeal, renewing your membership, or making a legacy gift. Your support helps us continue to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. This past year has been challenging for us all. We are fortunate to have generous supporters whose gifts allow us to produce first-class programs and experiences that showcase the magic of nature and the beauty of this community treasure. We are excited to welcome you to enjoy your favorite events and programs in person this summer and fall! I hope to see you at the Gardens often. Don’t hesitate to be in touch, and please consider a midyear gift. Have a wonderful summer! —Penney Hartline, Director of Development

HONORARIUMS February–April 2021 Joan Becker’s Birthday Gayle W. Leitman Lindsey Best Indian Springs Garden Club Stephen Colvin’s Birthday Mr. Dan Colvin Ms. Susan C. Colvin S. Edwin Fineberg’s Birthday Marlene Waller Molly Hendry Georgia Perennial Plant Association Sandy Springs Garden Club Inc. Donald Herman’s Birthday Gayle W. Leitman Will Newton & Landscape Services, Inc. Cindy & Brian Barr Mike Rushing Betty & Walt Anderson Alleen Cater & Lyle Hohnke Neely & Carol Craig Gardendale Garden Club Mr. & Mrs. John R. Kelley, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Snyder

MEMORIALS February–April 2021 Caroline Yates Middleton Amason Mr. & Mrs. Michael Seth Adams Ginny & Richard Anthony Jane & Keith Arendall Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Banks JuJu & Mac Beale Mary & Martin Beasley Ann & Luke Bloodworth Jane & Chuck Boswell Angelia P. Brady Mrs. Lella C. Bromberg Mr. & Mrs. Vince Bruno Derry B. Bunting Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Carmichael Carriage Place Homeowner’s Association Alleen Cater & Lyle Hohnke Karen Chapman Dr. & Mrs. T. Chase

Dede Busby Clark Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Clayton, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. A. Philip Cook, Jr. Chan & Anna Cox Jane Houston & Claiborne Crommelin Mary Todd & Jimmy Davis Martha & John DeBuys Debby & Bill Denson Ann & John Elliott Grace & Joe Finkel Dr. Wayne H. Finley Pattie Perry Finney Mary & Jamie French Mr. & Mrs. Clarke H. Gillespy Jane & Harold Goings Mr. & Mrs. T. Michael Goodrich Mrs. Carmen B. Habeeb Mr. & Mrs. Cobb Hagan Penney & Roger Hartline Susan & Wyatt Haskell Mr. & Mrs. David S. Hassinger Carey & Bill Hinds Millie & Billy Hulsey Mr. & Mrs. James Milton Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kerr Dee & Jim King Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Lembke Shelley & Frank Lindstrom Dr. & Mrs. Harry J. Littleton Ms. Gail Lucas Sue Ellen & Mike Lucas Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Mayfield Ann Dial McMillan & George McMillan Kate & David Millhouse Carole Ann & Bob Moorer Dr. Teresa Moran Susan & Alex Nading The Noojin Family Dr. & Mrs. Ronald W. Orso Dr. & Mrs. Dennis G. Pappas, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Bruce A. Rawls Dr. & Mrs. David Roberts IV Rockridge Garden Club Mr. & Mrs. Bob Schleusner Garland & Lathrop Smith Lochrane & Mell Smith Mr. & Mrs. Fred B. Smith Nancy & Murray Smith Emily & Tom Sparrow Evelyn & Gene Stutts Susan & Russell Stutts Mr. & Mrs. C. James Sullivan Mimi Tate

Martha & Brent Thompson Jane & Tom Underwood Adelaide & Russell Vandevelde Louise Walton Diane & Allen Weatherford The Welch Group Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Wilson Mr. Paul O. Woodall Mrs. Suzanne H. Woodall Ruby S. & John P. Ansley Mr. Claude C. White & Ms. Sallie S. Aman Nancy Marguerite Perrin Bailey Penney & Roger Hartline Schuyler Allen Bradley Baker, Jr. Isabelle & Paul Dreher Stephen Bradley Baker Isabelle & Paul Dreher Hayden Hope Doores Cody & Leighton Doores Robert L. Eskew, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. John R. Eskew Dr. John Alex Floyd, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Agnew, Jr. Mrs. Kay S. Aldridge Ms. Virginia P. Allen Ms. Jean Allsopp Rosey & Tom Angelillo ArchitectureWorks, LLP Mrs. Courtney Authement Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Banks Cindy & Brian Barr Nancy & Howell Beach Mindy & Dylan Black Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. Boehm Mrs. Carol Boker Alec Boozer, Karen & Julie Ms. Kaye McKinley Carlisle Mr. & Mrs. Brian Carnahan Mr. & Mrs. William C. Carter Alleen Cater & Lyle Hohnke Karen Chapman Mr. Gary Clark Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Mr. & Mrs. William M. Counce Lynda & Tom Curl Mr. & Mrs. Daniel F. Day Mr. & Mrs. Robert DeMars Susan & Richard Dendy Mrs. Susan P. Dobbs Claire & Eugene Donaldson Ms. Nancy Dorman-Hickson Elizabeth Drewry Mrs. Hazel Eddins Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Eubanks Trudy R. Evans Mr. & Mrs. John Feagin Dorothy Ireland Fletcher Mary & Jamie French Mr. & Mrs. T. Michael Goodrich Ms. Eleanor Griffin Penney & Roger Hartline Mr. & Mrs. James Milton Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Rusty Jordan Jeanetta & Bill Keller Koast Builders Ms. Jennifer Kopf Susanne & Ed Lambert Landscape Services, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Larson Jean & Curtis Liles Shelley & Frank Lindstrom Mr. & Mrs. Don Logan Mr. & Mrs. Elmer C. Lolley Nancy & Nimrod Long Mrs. Claire Machamer Sandra & Merrill Mann Ms. Sylvia L. Martin June & Joe Mays Mr. & Mrs. Dan W. McCullough Mr. Nathan McCullough Mr. & Mrs. Warner McGowin Mr. & Mrs. Bob Moody

Cheryl & Tim Morrow Kathy & Mike Mouron Kathy Gibson Murdock Cathy & Terril Nell Mr. & Mrs. David Newell Nimrod Long & Associates Pisgah Presbyterian Church Progressive Farmer Magazine Shelby Rotenberry, Vicky Fortune, Katey Holt, & Jimmy & Michelle Wesson Paula & Mike Rushing Mr. & Mrs. William H. Satterfield Judge & Mrs. Vincent Schilleci Betsy & Joe Schmitt Dr. & Mrs. John Schmitt Mrs. Cynthia Schramm Mr. & Mrs. Art Solomon Mr. Arnold L. Steiner Rose Steiner Jane & Tom Underwood Mrs. Margaret F. Wendorf Wendy & Bew White Mrs. Misty Williamson Louise & John Wrinkle Anonymous (4) Mary Lois Wilkerson Forbes Augusta & Bill Forbes Forest Park Garden Club Mr. & Mrs. Mark L. Myatt Winter (Wint) Fontaine Gilmore David, Haver, Kathryn Ann, Peerson & Nana John Albert Heetderks Amy & Scott Tully Judy Speigel Horton Cindy & Rick Frederick Joy & Price Kloess Sandy & Jim Miller Sherrill & Friends Jim Simon Winifred Ann Turner Hull Karen Chapman Sandra & Jerry Parker Nancy & Murray Smith Renee Claire Kittel Margaret & Randy Arnold Terry & Frank Brown Ms. Mary Ann Brown Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Cleveland Mrs. Gloria Kittel Cherie & Steve Rye Aaron LaFollette Mrs. Kelly LaFollette Sharon Laynor Marion L. Crutchfield Charles Maloy Love Mrs. A. Jack Allison, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Bond Almand, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Mrs. Rosalyn S. Bloomston Jane & Joe Bluestein Mrs. Ann S. Bradford Camille Butrus Ms. Cynthia Carter Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Clark Pat & Jim Conrad Paula & Francis Crockard Debby & Bill Denson Ann & John Elliott Beverly & Stanley Erdreich Jane & Harold Goings Mr. & Mrs. James Milton Johnson Sue Ellen & Mike Lucas Stephanie & Wade Lynton Mr. & Mrs. Willard McCall, Jr. Betty & John McMahon Dorothy & Al Naughton Mrs. John W. Poynor Hallie Head Rawls Ms. Elizabeth Anne Sclater Ms. Mary Claire Sefton Mrs. Gail Sharp The Sperling Family Charitable Foundation

Babbie & Waid Shelton Dr. & Mrs. Roger Suttle Mr. & Mrs. Michael Terrell Frances & George F. Wheelock Mrs. Mary Kay Wilson Anonymous Donna McKinney Lummus Mr. Daniel Loventhal Margot Kessler Marx Mr. & Mrs. C. James Sullivan Mary Ann Pass Mr. Andrew I. Philipsborn & Ms. Jane Bilger Dean James Pogue Hill & Dale Garden Club Harry Cobey Reich Penney & Roger Hartline Sandra & Jerry Parker Susan Ho Tubbs Mrs. Emily Thornton Jane Kaul Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Penney & Roger Hartline Jasmine Zandifar The Dini Family

LIBRARY DONORS February–April 2021 Carol Hagood Henry Hughes Sybil Phillips Sybil Sylvester

LIBRARY MEMORIALS February–April 2021 Caroline Yates Middleton Amason Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Helen R. Normann Bolvig Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Catherine Caldwell Cabaniss Oak Street Garden Shop Employees William H. Cooney Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Dr. John Alex Floyd, Jr. Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Ann Turner Hull Oak Street Garden Shop Employees James Howard Lott, Jr. Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Charles Maloy Love Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Charles Garfield Mann Oak Street Garden Shop Employees

HONORARIUMS February–April 2021 Charlene Chadband Highland Lakes Garden Club Jason Kirby Building Owners & Managers Association of Alabama Jennie June Croly Study Club Wildflower Garden Club Hope Long Red Mountain Garden Club

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Five ‘Wildfire’ blackgum trees await

planting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in early March. Friends Board Member Kirk Forrester, Blackjack Horticulture Installation Crew Leader Christian Cain, Friends Director of Operations Jane Underwood, Friends Board Chair Wally Evans, and Blackjack Horticulture Installation Crew Leader Drew Bishop pose for a quick picture after a morning of tree planting. The new trees will provide shade in years to come for the center’s pavilion. Custodian Robert Lewis and Center Director Orlando Burks have appreciated seeing the trees leaf out and grow this spring.

PHOTOS: JAMIE HAAS, KRISTIN CARPENTER/BLACKJACK HORTICULTURE

‘A Welcome Addition’ To Orlando Burks, director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, planting trees in your yard is like getting a new decoration for the house: “You add one or two, and it makes the whole place feel different.” Earlier this spring, Orlando was excited to learn that the center would be receiving a gift of five native ‘Wildfire’ blackgum trees to help provide shade for its pavilion. Rebuilt recently by employees of O’Neal Steel after the original structure was hit by a car, the covered pavilion serves as a hub for community gatherings, from family reunions to birthday parties to barbecues, in the heart of this densely populated urban neighborhood. With no landscaping around it, though, the pavilion can get hot in summer, so the trees are “a welcome addition,” says Orlando. “It makes the whole pavilion look presentable and relaxing. We’ve got benches where you can sit down and eat. When they added the trees, I said, ‘OK—this is what I’m talking about!’” Made possible by the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens with in-kind services from Blackjack Horticulture, a discounted cost from Hunter Trees, and support from the Birmingham Park & Recreation Board, the trees were installed in early spring and are already drawing more neighborhood residents and lunchtime visitors, says Orlando. The native blackgums were chosen because they will grow large enough to cast shade over the pavilion and, once established, will require little maintenance, says Friends Director of Operations Jane Underwood. Placed to provide both morning and afternoon shade, they will also offer “spectacular” fall color, she says. “Think of any structure without plant material,” she says. “It’s really stark and harsh. Trees soften the lines of the pavilion and make it more inviting and much cooler.” Community members tell Orlando how nice the trees look. “We’ve got people who come out there to eat lunch every day,” he says. “I do it sometimes myself. It makes the whole pavilion look presentable and relaxing. When they’ve just cut the grass, I stand there and marvel. It’s like a real park.”

2021

free & open to the public

September 11

AT BIR MINGHAM BOTANIC AL G AR DE N S Benefiting the Gardens and featuring our Member Plant Gift

Members-Only Online Shopping Friday, August 27 Members Shop In Person Friday, September 10 | 4–5:30 p.m. bbgardens.org/fallplantsale 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.

—Mindy Keyes Black

SUMMER 2021

GALA

RUGS

DECOR

Happy Return

Antiques at the Gardens Committee Prepares for 15th-Anniversary Celebration By CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL With 2020 firmly rooted in our collective rear-view mirror, there is much to celebrate in 2021, not the least of which is the 15th anniversary of our signature fundraising event, Antiques at the Gardens (AATG). With the pandemic scuttling the 2020 event, AATG Co-Chairs Stephanie Lynton and Shannon Lisenby have had extra time to retool their vision for the event. Stephanie says, “Now that we are cautiously emerging from the pandemic, I am most excited about seeing friends, spending time together, in person, at the Gardens!” One look at past show catalogs and it is at once evident how much the event has grown and blossomed. Going back to 2006, when inaugural Co-Chairs—and our 2021 honorees—Joan Starnes and Kim Matthews endeavored to create something truly special and worthy of the Gardens themselves, one can see that this was destined to become a beloved Birmingham tradition. These women and their committees crafted the structure of the show—a kickoff gala, ticketed talks by noteworthy design influencers, and plenty of antiques dealers from around the country. Special guests like renowned Southern gardener Ryan Gainey; American designer Miles Redd; lifestyle chef Alex Hitz; architect Bobby McAlpine; “Prince of Chintz” Mario Buatta; acclaimed decorator Bunny Williams; and even Martha Stewart herself give heft to this already attractive event. In 2012, the Tastemakers section was added to the show, wherein regionally and nationally known interior designers and landscape designers were given a showcase for their talents. Charged with curating themed areas within the show, these visionaries give guests a glimpse into their worlds of beauty, whimsy, elegance, or casual comfort. Step into a Troy Rhone garden or a Liz Hand Woods beach house or go to Provence with Ruth Gay of Chateau Domingue to find inspiration that is the bar against which all others are measured. Stephanie says, “There are a number of returning Tastemakers this year but in a few different and unexpected formats, which guests are really going to love.” At the heart of every Antiques at the Gardens show are the dealers themselves. In addition to show favorites like Thomas Fortner and Whitehall Antiques, attendees will

SILVER

welcome several new faces. Stephanie shares, “This year we will have a number of new antiques dealers who have not previously exhibited at our show.” The caliber and variety are the true constants for every AATG show, and this one is no different. Guests will still be able to take home one-of-a-kind treasures like earrings, cachepots, rugs, and art. Kicking off the event, in lieu of the traditional gala, there is a twist this year, with a very special garden party on the lawn and under the stars. There is no doubt that gala co-chairs Handley McCrory and Mark G. Thompson will astonish guests with the space they create outdoors, inspiring conviviality and lots of toasting the return of the show. It should be noted why the Antiques at the Gardens show exists in the first place: to support the ongoing and important work that the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens does in educating visitors about plants, gardens, and the environment and ensuring the ongoing stewardship and enhancement of the Gardens. From the children who come to the Gardens on field trips, to the senior citizens who engage in our green spaces, to the numerous programs the Friends puts on for our community, Birmingham Botanical Gardens serves, quite simply, as a gateway to the natural world. In our 15th year, we continue to attract visitors from all over Birmingham and the Southeast, making it easy to see just how special our Gardens are and why they deserve to be supported. Couple that with the opportunity to be educated and entertained AND shop for something timeless and treasured, and AATG was destined to return.

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. Gifts to the Friends ensure that this botanical treasure will remain a place of beauty and source of inspiration to all who visit for generations to come. 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 those 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.

PERENNIAL LEGACY GIVING CIRCLE As of April 30, 2021 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

*Deceased

Fay B. Ireland* Dr. Susan Jackson Mr. George L. Jenkins Bobbe & Hugh Kaul* Ms. Pamela Kaul* Mr. Jason C. Kirby & Mr. Benjamin J. Faucher Fran Lawlor 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* 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* 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 Anonymous (2)

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND GARDENS

CANNA LILY

FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND GARDENS (COLUMBUS, OHIO)

Planning To Visit Other Must-See Gardens This Summer? Be sure to travel with your Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens membership card—your passport to public gardens across North America! Your membership entitles you to special admission privileges and other discounts at 345+ botanical gardens. Visit ahsgardening.org to explore participating gardens. Can’t find your membership card? We’re happy to help! Call us at 205.414.3950. When you return home inspired by your travels, remember to show your membership card when making purchases at these participating local nurseries, garden centers, and flower shops, where members of the Friends receive 10% off regularly priced plant purchases*: BOTANICA • 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: BIRMINGHAM • SWEET PEAS GARDEN SHOP • WILD THINGS *Certain exclusions apply; visit bbgardens.org/benefits to learn more.

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAID

Birmingham, AL Permit No. 2513

2612 Lane Park Road Birmingham, Alabama 35223 205.414.3950 bbgardens.org

A majestic oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) welcomes passersby at the entrance to the Abroms Rhododendron Species Garden. Named for its large, oak-like leaves, the shrub is Alabama’s state wildflower.

The Garden Dirt is printed using vegetable-based inks. Please recycle.

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.