The Garden Dirt | Winter 2021-22

WINTER 2021-22

the garden dirt FOR FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS New friends find peace and strength in the Gardens that brought them together

Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

WINTER 2021–22

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 Gardens Support

Members at Large

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 through Saturday, March 12. Be sure to explore our wintertime wonders—we always have something in bloom at the Gardens.

We Want Your Feedback

VISITOR SURVEY

How was your visit?

Have you visited the Gardens recently, or are you planning to stop by soon? Let us know what SCAN ME

brings you to the Gardens and how we can better serve you by completing our online visitor survey after your next visit. You’ll find the

PLEASE LET US KNOW

QR code posted at the Gardens’ exit and in various locations around the OPEN CAMERA ON PHONE

HOLD SCREEN OVER QR CODE

CLICK THE POP-UP NOTIFICATION

https://new-survey.newsouthresearch.com/surveys/1232/1232.htm

Uday Bhate Evelyn Jones Sharon Brown Janet Kavinoky Stephanie Cooper Blevins Naff Bob de Buys Tiffany Osborne Wendy Evesque Mike Rushing Helen Harmon Sharon Sherrod Chris Hastings Martha Emmett Sims Beverley Hoyt Benjamin Torczon 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 Paige Goldschmidt …...................................Development Associate Ellen Hardy ����������������������������������� Education Program Coordinator Penney Hartline ������������������������������������������ Director of Development Molly Hendry.................. Associate Director of Gardens Support— Horticulture Planning and Design Leader Jason Kirby ������������������������������������� Library Assistant and Archivist Dawn Coleman Lee ���������������������� Education Activities Specialist Hope Long �����������������������������������������������Director of Library Services Brooke McMinn ���������������������������������������Director of Education and Visitor Experience Alice Thompson Moore... ���������������������������� Volunteer Coordinator Tina Nelson ����������������������������������������������������������������Accounting Clerk Michelle Phillips �����������������������������������������������������Office Coordinator Drew Rickel ���������������������������������������������������� Donor Relations Officer Jane Underwood ���������������������������������Director of Gardens Support

Garden Center.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

This Holiday Season (and Throughout the Year) Save When You Dine and Shop at the Gardens Show your Friends membership card and enjoy 10 percent off at The Gardens Café by Kathy G and Leaf & Petal at the Gardens.

Editor: Mindy Keyes Black Art Design: Ellen Padgett Cover and Lead Photos: Graham Yelton Contributors: Susan Emack Alison, Dawn DeFrank, Ellen Hardy, Penney Hartline, Molly Hendry, Wendy Wallace Johnson, Jason Kirby, Dawn Coleman Lee, Hope Long, Brooke McMinn, Alice Thompson Moore, Dee Moore, Michelle Phillips, Drew Rickel, Quez Shipman, Jane Underwood

©2021 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.

WELCOME

Dear Friend, Over and over, we hear what Birmingham Botanical Gardens means to those who visit us to walk its paths, relish time with family and friends, learn more about gardening, and enjoy nature’s gifts through the seasons.

At recent membership drives in Blount Plaza, local residents and visitors from across the country have stopped by to say how glad they are that the Gardens is here and what a community treasure we have. Many share stories of how they discovered the Gardens and why it is special to them.

You’ll hear one of those stories, from Atlanta resident Kimberlee Fields, in the pages ahead. For Kimberlee, who joined the Friends this fall, the Gardens provided a setting to build lasting friendships during a time when she needed them most. As a result, Birmingham has become her second home and the Gardens, a haven within it.

You’ll find the story on page 2.

As the year draws to a close, we are also delighted to showcase some of the many ways that dedicated volunteers—both longtime and new—have given back in 2021. From cleaning up garden beds to refinishing benches and bridges to raising funds to help keep the Gardens growing, they fill needs, heart in hand, and make an indelible impact. Read the story on page 8.

The existence and impact of this urban oasis are thanks to the support of a community that cares. During this season of giving and throughout the year, we thank you for your commitment to the Gardens and all it makes possible. May your holidays be filled with peace, beauty, and wonder.

Give the Gift of the Gardens This holiday season, go green by giving the gift of membership in the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Gift memberships are a wonderful way to celebrate friends and family while also giving back to support the Gardens, a source of beauty and inspiration for our community and visitors for nearly six decades.

Interested in wrapping a member keepsake as part of your gift? Choose from our flowerpot mug, canvas tote, or member T-shirt, available for pickup weekdays at our offices. Thank you!

bbgardens.org/membership Tom Underwood Executive Director, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

2612 Lane Park Road | 205.414.3950

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WINTER 2021–22

Special Connections New friends find peace and strength in the Gardens that brought them together

By MINDY KEYES BLACK

J

TOP: New friends Kimberlee Fields, Ruby Felton, Christina Williams, and Kee-Kee Ajigbeda pose for a photo in May in the Japanese Garden. ABOVE: Ruby and Kimberlee enjoy a moment at their favorite spot in the Gardens: the gazebo at the southern edge of the Ireland Iris Garden. OPPOSITE: Walking and talking here has become a favorite pastime. RIGHT: Kimberlee encourages friends on social media to join her in becoming Friends of the Gardens.

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ust a few months into the pandemic, in May 2020, Atlanta resident Kimberlee Fields called into a prayer line offered through the Birmingham-based church she had begun attending virtually. Ruby Felton, who took the call, prayed with Kimberlee for strength and renewal.

The two stayed in touch, and a year later, on a date they recall fondly—May 22, 2021—they met for the first time in person at the Birmingham destination that Kimberlee, a New York native who knew little about Alabama, most wished to visit. “When we were talking about meeting up on the 22nd, Kimberlee said, ‘The only thing I want to do—I just want to go to the Gardens,’” recalls Ruby.

“I don’t know why, I just knew we needed to be here,” says Kimberlee. “I was searching online and said, ‘Oh, my gosh, look, there’s a botanical garden, and it’s free. This is amazing—let’s meet there.’”

Each invited another good friend to join them, and the four women spent the weekend walking, talking, and building a friendship that continues to grow. All four in their forties, and on different career paths, they found strength in their faith, in one another, and in the beauty of the Gardens.

“We came out here every day that first weekend,” says Kimberlee. “Every day we were like, ‘Man, it’s so peaceful.’”

For Kimberlee, whose job with a supplychain management and logistics company allows her to work remotely, Birmingham has become a home away from home.

“I come probably twice a month,” she says.

“Often I just need to get lost here. I drive over, stay for the week, and come every day. If it’s a weekend, I’ll also go running around the Gardens.”

She makes an effort to visit when Ruby, who works in social services and as a

pastoral counselor, hosts “A Safe Place” sessions for those in need of counseling support. “When she does that, I usually come here to Birmingham to support her and be here. It’s a long stretch of hours,” says Kimberlee.

While their friends Christina Williams and Kee-Kee Ajigbeda can’t always join them—Christina teaches seventh grade language arts in Atlanta, and Kee-Kee moved to Florida this summer—the four continue to find times and ways to get together. “A special sisterhood was birthed here on May 22nd,” says Kimberlee. “It’s been months, but I feel like it’s a lifelong relationship.” Adds Ruby: “It feels as if we have known each other forever.”

Birmingham Botanical Gardens remains their destination of choice.

During one visit this fall, Kimberlee became a Friend of the Gardens as a way to say thank you for what the Gardens means to her.

The women continue to gravitate toward their favorite place—a gazebo at the southern edge of the Ireland Iris Garden. “The first time we came together, we actually went to the Japanese Garden,” says Ruby. “As we were walking that day, we found the iris garden gazebo and were like, that’s our spot.”

Pausing there after a recent walk, they consider what makes the Gardens special. “These Gardens have become a place to clear your mind and, for me, a

time to hear from God,” says Ruby. “It’s definitely a place of peace.”

“Sometimes I feel as if I just need to sit at the Gardens,” adds Kimberlee. “It’s so peaceful. I love it here.”

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WINTER 2021–22 CALENDAR

Grow your green thumb and explore the Gardens’ wintertime wonders by joining us for these fun and inspiring educational offerings. Learn more and preregister at bbgardens.org/classes.

NEW SERIES!

DEMYSTIFYING DESIGN: Four Fundamentals of Effective Garden Design

SATURDAYS IN THE GARDENS

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Monthly on third Saturdays 10 a.m.–noon

Cost: $20 (Members of the Friends) | $25 (Nonmembers)

Select Tuesday evenings (seasonally) 6–8 p.m.

Cost: $20 (Members of the Friends) | $25 (Nonmembers) Join Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Associate Director of Gardens Support Molly Hendry for a new, four-part series that will break down the fundamentals of garden design to help demystify a sometimes intimidating topic. Often we know a beautifully designed space when we see it, but we are at a loss for how to create it. These classes are aimed at uncovering those elusive qualities of great garden design.

Tuesday, January 25: A SENSE OF PLACE In the first installation of this series, Molly will explore how to observe and bring to life a sense of place in garden spaces.

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Join Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens staff and volunteers to explore the Gardens’ collections, peek behind the scenes, and learn how to garden like a pro.

1. SCULPTURE AND HISTORY OF THE GARDENS Saturday, December 18 Led by Jason Kirby, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library Assistant and Archivist Learn about the Gardens’ history and how art and sculpture enhance our gardens by reflecting the spirit and character of their settings—via a guided walk through selected spaces.

2. HOUSEPLANTS Saturday, January 15 Led by Tropicals & Houseplants Growing Group volunteers with the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Tour the Gardens’ historic Conservatory with Friends staff and volunteers, see our tropical rainforest and desert house collections, and learn which varieties are ideal to grow as houseplants in your home.

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4 3. CAMELLIAS Saturday, February 19 Led by Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens staff and volunteers Tour the Hess Camellia Garden, hear the history of the “Birmingham Camellias,” see varieties and what makes each special, and learn how to care for camellias in your own garden.

GROW GREENER: A Sustainable Gardening Series Select dates (seasonally) 2–4 p.m.

Cost: $20 (Members of the Friends) I $25 (Nonmembers) Join Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts in the Bruno Vegetable Garden to learn how to grow greener at home.

Made possible through a gift from the Annie Lee Buce Matthews Fund for Sustainable Gardening.

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— FOR KIDS —

FAMILY FUN DAYS IN THE GARDENS Select Saturdays

Cost: $15 (adult + child), $5 each additional family member Enjoy fun encounters in nature for the entire family! Topics will provide opportunities for visitors of all ages to discover the wonders of the Gardens.

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CHILDREN’S GARDEN KITS

4. SELECTING SEEDS FOR SPRING Sunday, December 12 Experts will share everything you need to know to select and order seeds in plenty of time for a smooth transition into the next season, including a tour of the Seed Exchange, seed catalogs, and related books and magazines in the Library at the Gardens.

5. WEATHERING THE WINTER Sunday, January 9 Even in the dead of winter there is much that can be done to set your garden up for success in the coming spring. We’ll discuss tasks from planning to preparing beds, pruning shrubs to dividing perennials, managing weeds to maintaining tools. Workshop will include demonstrations in the Bruno Vegetable Garden.

Just for Kids

Encourage little ones to stop and discover garden highlights New QR code signs at select spots across the Gardens invite families to pause and listen to a fun, brief description about garden highlights from our Moon Tree to Alabama’s state flower to carnivorous plants.

Watch for these during your next visit!

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Special seasonal offerings for children 8. WINTER GARDEN KIT Order through Friday, December 10

7 6. HOLIDAY STORY WALK Saturday, December 18 | 9–10 a.m.

Led by Dawn Coleman Lee, Education Activities Specialist, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Take a walk in the Gardens’ Conservatory, see our iconic poinsettia tree, and hear Tomie dePaola’s The Legend of the Poinsettia—a heartwarming retelling of the Mexican folktale about the origin of the poinsettia.

FROM COCOA BEANS TO CHOCOLATE Saturday, January 29 | 9–10 a.m.

Led by Ellen Hardy, Education Coordinator, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Take a walk in the Gardens’ Conservatory, see our tropical cacao tree and vanilla bean orchid, and look for flowers and pods as we learn how cacao beans go from seeds to our favorite treats. Hear No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young as we find out how monkeys are making a difference in the cacao forests of Central and South America.

7. HOW FLOWERS TALK Saturday, February 12 | 9–10 a.m.

Led by Dawn Coleman Lee, Education Activities Specialist, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Take a walk through the Gardens to see the last of the winter blooms as we prepare for spring, and hear the story Flower Talk by Sara Levine to learn how flowers use colors to communicate. Then create your own small arrangement to take home.

Pickup dates: Wednesday, December 15, through Friday, December 17 Cost: $20 (Members of the Friends) | $25 (Nonmembers) Celebrate winter with trees! We have designed this kit with everything your gardener needs to handcraft a winter evergreen wreath and make a keepsake tree cookie ornament. Each garden kit, individually wrapped with seasonal ribbon, includes a grapevine wreath, evergreen plant material, natural treasures found from trees at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, ribbon, a tree cookie, and a related children’s bibliography. Kits will be available for pickup in the Library at the Gardens. bbgardens.org/winterkit 9. VALENTINE GARDEN KIT Order through Friday, February 4 Pickup dates: Wednesday, February 9, through Friday, February 11 Cost: $20 (Members of the Friends) | $25 (Nonmembers) Let-tuce be your Valentine! We have designed this kit with everything young gardeners need to plant lettuce, a coolweather crop, and craft a special Valentine to place in their garden for Peter Rabbit to find. Seeds are provided by the seed exchange in the Library at the Gardens.

Each garden kit, individually wrapped with seasonal ribbon, includes a planter, soil, seeds, planting instructions, special cardcrafting supplies, and a related children’s bibliography. Kits will be available for pickup in the Library at the Gardens. bbgardens.org/valentinekit

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WINTER 2021–22 CALENDAR

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES The Library at the Gardens is a wonderful resource for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone who would like to learn more about gardening! Bring your Jefferson County library card to check out books. Visit the Library 9 a.m.–4 p.m. weekdays, and be our guest for these fun winter programs. Learn more at bbgardens.org/library.

VIRTUAL

THYME TO READ A monthly book club hosted by the Library at the Gardens Every first Tuesday | 6 p.m.

Free and open to the public Learn more and preregister at bbgardens.org/library

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1. WINTER FAMILY GEOCACHING SCAVENGER HUNT December 1, 2021–February 28, 2022 All ages welcome (registration required) Free and open to the public

Tuesday, December 7 Always Home: A Daughter’s Recipes and Stories by Fanny Singer Tuesday, January 4 Saving America’s Amazon: The Threat to our Nation’s Most Biodiverse River System by Ben Raines Tuesday, February 1 This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan

This winter, the Library at the Gardens—a program of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens—will partner once again with North Shelby Library for our popular community scavenger hunt. Put on your sleuthing hats, and join in for some family fun with this virtually aided, seek-and-find scavenger-style hunt to explore what’s hidden in plain sight at the Gardens! We provide the clues and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) coordinates; you and your teammates try to spot your target using your GPS-enabled device. Then enter your team in a prize drawing for a chance to win a Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens gift basket or gift card. Registered teams of 1–6 members with adult supervision required.

Visit northshelbylibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar or call 205.439.5504 to register or learn more.

2. COMMUNITY SEED SWAP Saturday, January 29 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Strange Auditorium at Birmingham Botanical Gardens Free and open to the public Join the Library Seed Exchange as we celebrate National Seed Swap Day with our first-ever Community Seed Swap! Bring any openpollinated, heirloom seed you would like to share: locally saved seeds, specialty seeds, or excess seeds you purchased.

Learn tips and tricks, take home books, and chat with others who share a love of seed saving.

For more information, contact Library Director Hope Long at hlong@ bbgardens.org or 205.588.4593.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the Community Seed Swap, contact Alice Thompson Moore at volunteer@bbgardens.org.

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SAVE THE DATE!

2021 SPENCER LECTURE GARDENING, PLANTING, AND LANDSCAPING MOUNT VERNON Featuring Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Thursday, March 3 Reception—5:30 p.m. | Hodges Room Talk—6 p.m. | Linn-Henley Lecture Hall Free admission | Limited seating available | Registration required Online registration will open in mid-January. bbgardens.org/spencerlecture

LAURENCE COTTON

PORTRAIT OF FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED BY JAMES NOTMAN, BOSTON; ENGRAVING OF IMAGE LATER PUBLISHED IN CENTURY MAGAZINE, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED: BRINGING NATURE TO THE CITY AND CREATING BREATHING SPACE FOR DEMOCRACY Often called the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted led the way in preserving and conserving publicly accessible green spaces at a time when urban areas across the country were being developed and growing by leaps and bounds. His work and guiding principles touched thousands of landscapes across the country—including many in Birmingham—and continue to inspire new generations of landscape planners and conservation-minded organizations everywhere.

As organizations nationwide come together in 2022 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Olmsted’s birth, the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is honored to join with our partners in the Blue Skies Green Spaces Collaborative—The Birmingham Zoo, Freshwater Land Trust, Railroad Park Foundation, Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, the Southern Environmental Center, and Vulcan Park & Museum— as well as the Alabama Trails Foundation, Birmingham Historical Society, and Birmingham-Southern College to host special Birmingham-area festivities recognizing Olmsted’s contributions.

Join us Wednesday, February 16, at the Gardens as we welcome writer and filmmaker Laurence Cotton for a special talk about Olmsted’s life and lasting legacy.

Cotton, who served as principal researcher and consulting producer on the PBS documentary Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America, will speak about Olmsted’s landscape projects and what they meant for our nation, the challenges that he faced, and the ideas, such as the public health benefits of spending time in nature, that he championed.

Cotton will also highlight why, 200 years later, Olmsted’s philosophy and designs remain relevant today.

This talk is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. Preregister at bbgardens.org/olmsted starting January 5.

Celebrating Olmsted AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

An Evening with Historian Laurence Cotton Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Reception—5:30 p.m. | Hodges Room Talk—6 p.m. | Linn-Henley Lecture Hall 2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of American landscape design pioneer Frederick Law Olmsted. As we celebrate his contributions, join us for a special talk by Laurence Cotton, writer, historian, filmmaker, and consulting producer on the PBS special Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America. Cotton will talk about Olmsted’s life and legacy and present a mini-travelogue of North American landscapes designed by Olmsted, his sons, and the Olmsted Brothers firm, whose recommendations for Birmingham continue to shape the look and feel of our region.

Free admission Limited seating available | Registration required

HOSTED BY THE BLUE SKIES GREEN SPACES COLLABORATIVE

The Birmingham Zoo Freshwater Land Trust

Ruffner Mountain Southern Environmental Center Vulcan Park & Museum

Friends of Birmingham

COSPONSORED BY

Botanical Gardens

Alabama Trails Foundation Birmingham Historical Society Birmingham-Southern College

Railroad Park Foundation Red Mountain Park

205.414.3950 | bbgardens.org/olmsted

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GIVING NATURE Across the Gardens, volunteers give back to help City and Friends staffs meet needs and enhance garden spaces

RARELY A WEEK GOES BY WHEN I AM NOT APPROACHED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR AN ORGANIZATION

interested in volunteering at the Gardens. Volunteering has been a part of the culture of this community treasure since it opened nearly 60 years ago, and it remains integral to what we achieve—in our programming, our fundraising, and our stewardship of this special place.

Often, a love of the environment and the beauty of the Gardens draws in our incredible volunteers. “I love being surrounded by nature, and I love to give back to my community,” UAB Honors College student Lizzie Valentine said in her application to volunteer. Many stay involved because they feel fulfilled by the impact they are making and the community they are building.

Our volunteer core has shifted and adapted in response to the pandemic. During the past year, we have seen an influx of new—and younger—volunteers eager to connect with the Gardens.

Experienced volunteers from Master Gardeners to others with specific skills train and mentor the next generation of volunteers, continuing this important pipeline and furthering the mission of the Friends organization. Here we celebrate a handful of recent examples of the extraordinary impact that volunteers have made in support of the Gardens and all who benefit from its presence. —Alice Thompson Moore

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No Time To Waste Just how does one earn college credit for picking up litter? When it was time for UAB Honors College student Lizzie Valentine to choose a community partner for her honors service class, she knew she wanted that partner to be the Gardens.

“I first signed up as a garden greeter and to work with the Herbs Growing Group. [Volunteer Coordinator] Alice Moore called me to make sure that is what I wanted to do, or if I wanted to try something else. Shortly after this conversation, a friend and I walked to the Gardens, and it upset me to see litter along the road. I asked if I could change my project to picking up trash around the Gardens, and the rest is history!”

Many college students see Friday as the jumping off point for a weekend of fun. But Lizzie’s Friday afternoons look a bit different.

“When I get off work on Fridays, I head to the Gardens, pick up some gloves and a garbage bag, and get right to work,” says Lizzie. “I walk the paths looking for garbage until about 4 p.m., when I take a picture of my bag and send it in for accountability.

“I always let them know if I find something interesting,” adds Lizzie.

“Sometimes that is something cool, like a turtle shell. Sometimes it is something more perplexing, like glass bottles, road reflectors, or even a dirty diaper.”

While this might sound offputting to some young people, Lizzie loves her work. “I try to do my part for the planet. I love cleaning up and keeping a wonderful place beautiful,” she says. “You have to go into volunteering knowing what gives you joy, so it’s not a chore, it’s a choice.” —Wendy Wallace Johnson

Lizzie Valentine makes sure we’re looking our best during a recent volunteer shift. OPPOSITE: Ray Thweatt and Joe Vanche show off the fruits— and vegetables—of their labors on a recent day gathering for the Gardens’ Harvest for the Hungry program.

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SHOW OF (HELPING) HANDS The Friends’ largest single fundraiser, Antiques at the Gardens, depends on the diligence of many volunteers. Two very special volunteers, Ashelynn FalkenburgSmith and Alison Lassiter, have coordinated those volunteers for the past four years of the event.

“We coordinate more than 100 floating volunteers each year,” says Ashelynn. “And that is above and beyond the advisory committee, show committee, and junior guild members, who give their time and talents as well. All in all, the number of volunteers working on this event numbers about 250.”

Of the volunteers coordinated

by Ashelynn and Alison are many who return to work the show year after year. “Our pool of volunteers continues to grow,” says Alison.

“People who have volunteered in the past come back, and they bring their friends. Others just love the event and ask for ways to help out.

“The ideal volunteers are game for anything,” adds Alison. “One minute you may be tending to a VIP nationally known speaker; the next, clearing dirty tablecloths or helping dealers arrange their booths.”

The work sometimes trickles up, says Ashelynn, but they try their best to work smart. “One year, I was mixing a large bucket of mimosas for brunch with another volunteer.

A guest asked us if the orange juice was fresh-squeezed,” she says with a laugh. “We would if we could, but the line has to be drawn somewhere.”

This October, Antiques at the Gardens celebrated its 15th anniversary. Next year’s event will take place Sept. 29–Oct. 2, 2022.

—Wendy Wallace Johnson

Enjoy more photos from our 2021 show on page 16 of this issue.

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Feeding Mind, Body, and Soul

Over the past few years, the Harvest for the Hungry program has become a year-round initiative, supplying Community Kitchens of Birmingham with thousands of pounds of fresh produce to feed people in need. A collaborative effort of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Park and Recreation, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), and Community Kitchens, the program allows us to share both crops and gardening knowledge with the greater Birmingham community.

With guidance from City and Friends staffs and planting advice from ACES, volunteers are truly the driving force behind the program. In 2021 alone, more than 200 volunteers have planted, weeded, watered, harvested, and tended to the Bruno Vegetable Garden to make it possible to provide food during these uncertain times. Many come regularly from February through December. For college-age and new volunteers, the program is an incubator for honing skills and learning how to contribute to the Gardens. UAB Honors College students are involved more and more each year, with Master Gardeners serving as mentors, helping teach a new generation about food production and urban agriculture.

The collaborations among these dedicated organizations enabled the Friends to secure funding during the Covid-19 pandemic to increase growing space and production within the Bruno Vegetable Garden and volunteer education throughout the year. We are honored to participate in the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program, a partnership of the U.S. Botanic Garden and the American Public Gardens Association, which promotes collaborative food-growing programs like this one nationwide. The Friends is thankful to the organizations, volunteers, members, and donors who make this initiative a success.

—Alice Thompson Moore

Ray Thweatt, Raymond Lyrene, Rick Cybulsky, Joe Vanche, John Markus, and Neal Schooley gather on the zigzag bridge, which they recently helped repair.

OPPOSITE (top to bottom): Mark Thompson and Handley McCrory enjoy a short photo break while setting up for Gala in the Gardens. Antiques at the Gardens Co-chairs Stephanie Lynton (in black) and Shannon Lisenby (in pink) welcome guests to the gala. Virginia Grisham (right) helps a guest at a book signing by Charlotte Moss.

Jan Street digs for sweet potatoes in the Bruno Vegetable Garden.

BRIDGE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT One of the most popular places in the Gardens is located in the Japanese Garden. The Bridge of Accomplishment, more commonly known as the zigzag bridge— representing the twists and turns one must navigate through life—is a favorite of visitors wanting to watch the koi and turtles who make Long Life Lake their home.

The bridge is lined with cedar panels with cutouts representing important Japanese symbols, and as with all materials, time has a way of degrading them to the point of needing to be repaired or replaced. This is where our loyal and dedicated volunteers step in.

Not only do they share their time and energy, but also they share their myriad talents, and there is no lack of talent amongst our woodworking volunteers.

Neal Schooley, a regular Tuesday volunteer in the Japanese Garden, saw the need to replace weathered panels

but knew this was not a project he could tackle alone, so he reached out to our woodworking volunteers, who take on projects across the Gardens, for help.

Originally the discussion centered around rebuilding the entire bridge from the deck up to prevent the bridge from needing any serious attention for the foreseeable future. As the group researched the best way to approach the repairs, though, they learned that it is Japanese custom to replace only what is necessary, thereby allowing the new to “learn” from the old. As a result, the bridge starts out looking like a patchwork of panels, but over time the new will have patinated to match the old. Much like the Friends’ high school- and college-age volunteers who look to Master Gardeners for guidance and instruction, the new panels of our zigzag bridge will learn their lesson well.

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

We are currently assessing our volunteer needs and opportunities for 2022. Learn more about getting involved as a volunteer at the Gardens by attending our next orientation on Wednesday, January 12. Visit bbgardens .volunteerhub.com for more details and to sign up.

—Jane Underwood

11

Sitting Pretty

Seasonal Sketches

It’s 7:15 a.m. when I see Holly Carlisle exploring in the Southern Living Garden, loppers in hand. Although the rest of the volunteers won’t be arriving until 8 a.m., Holly relishes a head start, time to observe and soak in the garden before working.

While she is a part of the volunteer team that works in this garden every Wednesday morning, she is always gardening with her eye toward the clipped bits that are traditionally destined for the compost pile. Holly, a florist by trade and an artist at heart, loves the challenge of taking what some would see as waste and giving it new life in one of her arrangements.

In the lobby of the Garden Center, just to the left of the stairs leading to the second floor, is an urn on a pedestal that typically sits empty except for special events. Holly saw an opportunity to use this urn to bring a bit of the Gardens inside, creating what she calls “seasonal sketches” that serve as a snapshot of the Gardens that particular week, often using the discarded branches from our work in the Southern Living Garden.

“The interesting thing is that you never know what you’re going to have, and then you have to bring it all together,” says Holly as she tucks a branch brimming with pink beautyberry into the urn. “I’m feeling it,” she adds, stepping back to take in her progress.

The urn now displays a taste of the glories found just outside. What was garden waste is now a floral artist’s invitation to celebrate the wonders of these beloved Gardens in new ways. —Molly Hendry

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN

Turn to page 14 to see Holly Carlisle’s recent Garden Center creation and easy, step-by-step instructions for creating a seasonal sketch from your own backyard.

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Not long after joining other members of the Friends’ General Gardening Group to dedicate a bench in memory of fellow volunteer Kathy Connelly, John St. Clair began paying closer attention to all of the wooden benches around the Gardens.

“Right off the bat, I said, we’ve got some older benches here that no one would even think about sitting on,” says John. “Over time, because they are constantly exposed to Mother Nature, they have started to look dirty and grungy.”

John approached City of Birmingham District Horticulture Supervisor Adam Benjamin and offered to put his and fellow volunteers’ refinishing skills to use on a test bench. With input from Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Donor Relations Officer Drew Rickel, who works with donors interested in giving honorary or memorial benches, Adam invited John to see what he could do with a well-worn bench in the Fern Glade. “We cleaned it up and sanded it, and everybody was amazed at the difference in how it looked,” says John.

Eight months later, John and volunteers like Rick Cybulsky and John Markus—who pitch in between other volunteer carpentry projects—are preparing to refinish their 12th bench. They start the four- to seven-hour process with a two-hour cleaning using vinegar and dishwashing liquid in warm water and “a lot of scrubbing,” says John. “Some of these benches are 30 years old, so in 30 years, you can imagine the amount of dirt and moss and lichen.” They finish with a light sanding and, in select instances, apply a sealant.

All total, more than 50 benches need attention, says Adam. “It’s great,” he says.

“We’ve also identified some benches that need to be replaced. Wooden benches don’t last forever, but cleaning them is making them more usable while they are here. That’s the whole goal—to allow more people to sit in the Gardens and enjoy them during their visit.”

For John, the enjoyment comes from both working with others excited about the project and seeing the cleaned benches in use. “Ultimately, it’s satisfying to see improvement in the Gardens.” —Mindy Keyes Black

NEW VOLUNTEER T-SHIRT The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is excited to announce a new volunteer T-shirt series! Individuals who volunteer regularly throughout the year will receive the first tee in our collection in December. The heather grass green shirt features Alabama’s state flower, the camellia. T-shirts for our signature gardening and growing groups will be revealed in 2022. Enjoy! We thank you for the many ways you give back to support the Gardens!

April Hall clears drooping invasives from the Kaul Wildflower Garden to make way for future plantings.

OPPOSITE: Holly Carlisle prepares to use branches trimmed from a camellia in the Southern Living Garden in a floral arrangement for the Garden Center. John St. Clair and Rick Cybulsky clean dirt and lichen off a 30-year-old wooden bench.

CLEARING THE WAY

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning at the entrance to the Kaul Wildflower Garden you will be greeted by a bright yellow trailer draped in a blue tarp piled high with thuggish, or aggressive, plants freshly ripped from planting beds. Native plant enthusiasts understand how thrilling it is to see invasive plants loaded up to be hauled off to the compost pile. It’s truly a delight, because each plant thug cleared leaves room for a treasured native plant to flourish.

For years, a committed group of volunteers has shown up ready to tackle whatever this special garden needs. It often means completing some not-so-glamorous tasks such as pulling invasives like honeysuckle, privet, and stiltgrass; digging smilax tubers wedged up under rocks; killing poison ivy or hauling off large tree debris. Working in Kaul is not for the faint of heart.

A fierce camaraderie knits the group together.

What keeps the volunteers returning is not solely the joy that comes from holding a freshly dug smilax tuber in the palms of their hands, but also the collective forward vision of what the garden will be.

The future of the Kaul Wildflower Garden is guided by a development plan created in spring 2019 by internationally acclaimed landscape architect Thomas Rainer of Phyto Studio. Each week as we forge on, I often hear the words “I can’t wait.” It is a mutual understanding of where we are headed and the anticipation of what is yet to come that keeps us piling that yellow trailer high. —Molly Hendry

13

WINTER 2021–22

Bringing the Outside In Discover floral designer Holly Carlisle’s tips for creating one-of-a-kind seasonal arrangements

By MINDY KEYES BLACK and MOLLY HENDRY

14

While she volunteers each Wednesday in the Southern Living Garden, Holly Carlisle, owner of ROSEGOLDEN, a boutique event design and planning studio with a particular focus on seasonal sustainable floristry, collects clippings and other materials that would otherwise be composted.

She then creates what she calls a “seasonal sketch” to display in the lobby of the Garden Center. Follow her simple steps and find inspiration to craft a personal seasonal sketch from your own backyard.

STEP BY STEP

TIPS & TRICKS • Avoid adding flower 1

2

3

START WITH THE MECHANICS

PAUSE & OBSERVE

ADD YOUR STRUCTURAL LAYER

Holly uses clear tape to secure chicken wire, an eco-friendly way to keep stems in place while also allowing for more open and whimsical arrangements. Fill your container with water.

Take stock of what you have before diving in.

“This is such a puzzle—it is so fun,” says Holly.

“You have to examine the character of what you’ve clipped, and start there.”

Here you’ll make your first big move of the arrangement. Holly chooses woody stems such as loropetalum and fothergilla for height and movement.

food to water in metal. This can cause a chemical reaction that causes spots on your flowers. (Feel free to add conditioner to a water-filled bucket.)

• Increase the vase

life of woody stems by slicing vertically into the center of the stems; this gives tissue more surface area to absorb water.

• When working with

foliage, some branches can be challenging because they are weighted at the tips. Be patient to find that perfect spot.

• Keep your arrangement hydrated to enjoy for days!

4

5

6

BRING IN FAVORITE FOLIAGE

FLOWER TIME!

PLACE YOUR FOCAL POINT

Holly calls this “shopping around.” Work with the most architectural pieces first.

Hold them up. See what works. As you place smaller branches in the chicken wire, try gently twisting and pulling to find the best placement within the composition.

Once you’ve established the main shape, then move to flowers. This layer adds softness and color and “really speaks to the moment,” says Holly.

Bold seasonal blooms near the center of your arrangement draw the eye and ground the design. For this recent arrangement, Holly chose a deep pink nerine for a pop of color.

15

WINTER 2021–22

Antiques at the Gardens 2021 A celebration of support for the Gardens and all it makes possible

A

ntiques at the Gardens, the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ largest fundraiser of the year, surpassed its goal for 2021, making it one of the most successful Antiques shows to date. It raised funds that will enable the Friends to continue to educate thousands of schoolchildren annually about the science of plants and our dependence on them, to grow and harvest thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to combat hunger in our community, to help maintain beloved garden spaces and spearhead much-needed improvement projects, and to promote the Gardens as a destination of local and regional significance.

On September 30, the Friends’ 2021 Gala in the Gardens kicked off the 15th-annual Antiques at the Gardens presented by IBERIABANK (a Division of First Horizon Bank). Led by 2021 co-chairs Shannon Lisenby and Stephanie Lynton and a committee of 250 dedicated volunteers, the four-day event featured talks by 10 nationally acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects, and landscape architects, as well as 21 celebrated antiques dealers from across the country.

The black-tie gala, which was sponsored by Starnes Davis Florie LLP, honored the show’s first co-chairs, Kim Matthews and Joan Starnes, and welcomed individual and corporate sponsors.

16

Hosted under a fabulous tent in the Formal Garden, the evening was orchestrated by gala co-chairs Handley McCrory of Handley Breaux Designs and Mark Thompson of Shoppe & General.

During October 1–3, patrons had the opportunity to shop furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, and home and garden accessories. The weekend event continues to draw visitors from across the Southeast and around the world while also benefiting the Friends’ mission: to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

“We are honored and humbled by the commitment of our community to these beloved Gardens,” says Friends Executive Director Tom Underwood. “After two years of planning—and pivoting—by our extraordinary volunteer committee, our 15th-anniversary celebration of this signature event was truly inspiring. As the Friends continues to work side by side with the City of Birmingham to care for this community treasure, we are grateful for the generosity of our lead donors and all who give to make our work here possible. The Gardens’ success and very existence depends on those who give back through membership, donations, and volunteer service. On behalf of all who value and love this special place, I thank you for your support.”

PHOTOS: ABOVE, LEFT: HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; THIS PAGE: DEE MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY

EVELYN AND TONY JONES

JANET AND MATT LUSCO

JANIE AND WALLY EVANS

DERRILL AND CAMERON CROWE

MARK THOMPSON AND HANDLEY MCCRORY

CARTER AND SHANNON ADAMS, JON AND SHERYL KIMERLING, SHELBY AND JOEL KIMERLING

GRADY AND MISUN LEACH, ALIE AND MICHAEL CAUSEY

SHANNON LISENBY, JOAN STARNES, KIM MATTHEWS, STEPHANIE LYNTON

TASHA AND BILLY BATES

CAROLINE GIDIERE AND MARK D. SIKES

DONNY AND KATHARINE PATTON, EMILY AND BILL BOWRON

CONNIE AND CECIL BOSTANY

FONTAINE AND LEE POPE

WAYMOND AND KIM JACKSON, LAURA WINSTON, STEPHANIE AND DANE COOPER

TYLER AND BROOKE WAHL

17

WINTER 2021–22

FERNANDO WONG

RANGE ROVER FROM THE COLLECTION OF KELVIN TERRY; FLORAL DESIGN BY WILD THINGS

CHARLOTTE MOSS AND RICHARD KEITH LANGHAM

STEELE MARCOUX WITH MATTHEW CARTER, CATHY KINCAID, KEN PURSLEY, AND COREY DAMON JENKINS

ENJOYING A LECTURE

SHOPPING THE SHOW

DEALER MCDONOUGH FINE ART

DEALER B. VIZ DESIGNS

Antiques at the Gardens sponsorships of $500 or more may be found at bbgardens.org/antiques and will be recognized in the Friends’ 2021 Annual Report. Thank you for your support!

18

PHOTOS: QUEZ SHIPMAN

SUZANNE TUCKER AND ALENE PARNELL

Thank You

CAMELLIA

Many thanks to everyone who has so generously supported the Friends this year! Your membership, your tribute and memorial dollars, your program support, your donations at year-end and throughout the year, your sponsorships, and your support of our signature events continue to enable the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens to produce quality programs and events and to maintain a wonderful space for everyone to enjoy! THANK YOU for making 2021 a year to remember. May you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.

We look forward to seeing you often in 2022!

HONORARIUMS

August–October 2021 Brian D. Barr Marian & Steve Phillips Alleen Cater Mr. & Mrs. John M. Musgrave Richard Cybulsky Forest Park Garden Club Joyce Dean Mr. & Mrs. John M. Musgrave Birthday of Martha Ann Doyal Ms. Susan C. Colvin Birthday of Martha Eskew Anonymous Penny & Mike Fuller Isabelle & Paul Dreher Birthday of Anna Belle Johnson Mary Kate Dyer Shannon Lisenby Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Cook Birthday of Jaime Martinez Mr. Dan Colvin Ms. Susan C. Colvin Kim Matthews & Joan Starnes Carey & Bill Hinds Lila & Ed Hardin Mr. & Mrs. Joel McMahon Douglas & Linda McCullough Mr. & Mrs. Vitaly Charny Birthday of Philip McDonald Gayle W. Leitman Mike Rushing Connie & Mike Buchanan Carolyn & Henry Frohsin Margot Shaw Sheep Laurel Garden Club Brian H. Sparks Ingram & Associates, Inc. Birthday of Marsha Thomas Ms. Suzanne McNeely

MEMORIALS

August–October 2021 Caroline Yates Middleton Amason Mr. & Mrs. Chris Krebs Dorothy Teal Tayloe Ashby Ingram & Associates, Inc. Ann Henson Matheson Bunn Tremont Garden Club Mr. & Mrs. Bayard Tynes, Jr. Avery Austin Clenney, Sr. Isabelle & Paul Dreher James Ralph Connell Joanna & LeRoy Bosko James (Jim) Leonard Cox Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Eleanor Sample Cushman Tremont Garden Club Barbara Jane DeLaney Isabelle & Paul Dreher Forsyth Sellers Donald Mrs. A. Jack Allison, Jr. Donald William Englebert Sandra & Jerry Parker Robert L. Eskew, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. John R. Eskew Clarke Houston Gillespy, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Lula Blackwell Hafner Mary & Jamie French Justice & Mrs. Champ Lyons, Jr. Betty Ann Bond Higgins Tremont Garden Club

Jane Blackwell Hodges Mr. & Mrs. Michael Balliet Joy & Lee Cooper Ms. Cassady Davis Mary & Jamie French Linda & Charles Israel Dr. & Mrs. Jim Kamplain The Miller Family: Livy Miller Ludington, Laurie Miller Allen & Carolyn Johnston Miller Heather & Phillip McWane Donna McKinney Lummus Lyndonwood Foundation Ailsa Lynch Mr. & Mrs. E. Daniel Swanson Carol Ann McCoy Mr. & Mrs. William C. Barclift III Ms. Gay Lynn Johnson Mr. Tom Kalmbach Mr. George Murphy Jean B. Morris Ms. Tena R. Wallace Judge John Calhoun Morrow Mr. James W. McFarland Alma Jewel Alexander Nelson Lawrence & Bundy LLC Dr. Mark D. Nelson Bobby Samuel Owens Betsy & Joe Schmitt Spradling International Alice Pigman Jean Pigman Lytle-Helfand & Tom Helfand Capt. Bobby S. Popwell, Retired Mr. Dirk Hansen & Ms. Faye Vanderslice Jeannette Leslie Ray Hill & Dale Garden Club Patricia Rippetoe Carol Ann Smith Sandner Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Simpson Robert (Bobby) Wylie Shepherd Anne M. Oliver Dr. & Mrs. Roger Suttle Barry Lee Sherman Anonymous Ms. Pat Hayden Mrs. Patti McCartney Patricia Hughes Sholund Mrs. Martha Council Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence E. Quick Paula & Mike Rushing Nancy Carol Stewart Thompson Isabelle & Paul Dreher Mr. & Mrs. John M. Musgrave

PERENNIAL LEGACY GIVING CIRCLE

As of October 31, 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 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)

LIBRARY DONORS August–October 2021 Billy Angell Hugh & Ann George Enid Keyser Shannon Long Anne Wheeler

LIBRARY HONORARIUMS August–October 2021

Lillian Brunson Edgewood Garden Club Jason Kirby Magnolia Garden Club Mountaintop Garden Club Mt. Laurel Library North Shelby County Library Trussville Garden Club

LIBRARY MEMORIALS August–October 2021

Ann H. Matheson Bunn Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Forsyth Sellers Donald Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Jane Blackwell Hodges Oak Street Garden Shop Employees Agatha Cauthen Jones Oak Street Garden Shop Employees *Deceased

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.

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WINTER 2021–22

LEFT: Margi Ingram enjoys a moment in the Hill Garden on one of the tribute benches she donated in memory of her parents. BELOW: a recent bench donation

“From the Stroller to Forever” Local Realtor’s tribute gifts celebrate friends and family while also enriching the story of the Gardens By What does Birmingham Botanical Gardens mean to you? Maybe you grew up coming to the Gardens, read a book on a swing next to the Moon Tree, took prom or engagement photos in the Hill Garden, escaped the summer heat under the canopy of trees in the Ireland Iris Garden, caught up with an old friend chatting on a bench in front of the Conservatory, or celebrated the life of a loved one surrounded by the peacefulness of nature. Margi Ingram has created many memories of her own at the Gardens and, in the process, helped lay the foundation for others to craft their own memorable moments.

“It’s an ageless thing, from the stroller to forever that people go to the Gardens.

I go there a lot, just walk around, and see every nationality, every age group. It’s such a friendly place, and today it’s become even more important. The Gardens are good for our environment, for our ecosystem. It’s an honor to have it in our city.”

Since getting involved at the Gardens in the eighties, the Montgomery native and longtime Birmingham Realtor has improved the Gardens in many ways, deepening her bond with this Southern landmark and enhancing spaces here

DREW RICKEL

where others can find or develop lasting connections. A former two-term board member with the Friends, she has provided her insights while also choosing this community treasure as a space to memorialize and honor those who have made an impact on her life.

While she has dedicated at least a dozen benches, trees, and swings and frequently encourages friends to do the same, perhaps Margi’s most significant contribution would be the twin stone benches and a limestone sphere in the Hill Garden that she donated in memory of her parents, J. Jack and Drue Lucille Ingram, in March 2009.

“When my mother passed away two months before Thanksgiving, I spent the entire afternoon here at the Gardens. I had never spent a holiday without my parents. They were both gone at that time, and it was very soothing to be among all the beauty.”

Honoring friends, coworkers, loved ones, and the memories of those who have passed helps create new memories, not just for those making the gift but for those who benefit from sitting on a new bench as a calming respite.

“I gave one recently for my friend Dot Ashby, who passed away at age 92. I was over here the other day, and I went by the bench to look. There was a lady sitting there. She asked, ‘Do you want to sit here?’ and I said, ‘Oh no.’ And she said, ‘Did you know Ms. Ashby?’ And I said, ‘I did.’ She said, ‘I knew her too. I liked her a lot, so I wanted to sit on her bench.’ You know, that validated everything I have been doing,” says Margi.

The stories built in the Gardens are constructed with the hands of thousands of volunteers, with the dynamic vision and leadership of board members and staff, and with the generosity of members and donors. We deeply value supporters like Margi who help keep the Gardens thriving so others can grow their memories here.

“I just couldn’t think of a better place or way to honor or memorialize friends and employees, or a better environment for the trees and benches to be,” she says. “Sometimes I give people a gift to the Gardens to make sure they have an awareness of what we have here. I think they’re very special—people who find peace and joy by coming here.”

If you would like to join Margi Ingram in enriching the Gardens’ story by honoring a friend, colleague, or loved one, please contact Donor Relations Officer Drew Rickel at 205.414.3950, ext. 102.

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Garden Dirt Receives Additional Creative Award Just weeks after receiving the Silver Medal of Achievement in the 2021 GardenComm Media Awards, the summer 2020 issue of The Garden Dirt advanced to earn a Gold Medal of Achievement at the 2021 GardenComm Virtual Conference. Administered by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International, the competition recognizes talent and professionalism in garden communications. We are honored and grateful!

STAFF NEWS

Welcome, and Congratulations!

GOLDSCHMIDT

The Friends is delighted to welcome two new staff members.

PAIGE GOLDSCHMIDT joined us in September as Development Associate. A graduate of Auburn University, where she earned her bachelor and master of arts in history, Paige previously served as Conference and Retreat Coordinator at Camp McDowell. In her new role, she will support the Friends’ annual fundraising and community engagement goals with a primary focus on planning and coordinating fundraising and donor cultivation activities.

NELSON

TINA NELSON serves as our part-time Accounting Clerk.

A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, she has worked for 25 years in bookkeeping, paralegal services, and office administration and will be responsible for accounts payable transactions, account reconciliations and analysis, and audit preparation.

We hope you’ll also join us in congratulating MOLLY HENDRY, who was promoted this fall to the position of

HENDRY

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Discover wonder & beauty.

New ‘Rack Card’ To Promote Visiting the Gardens In 2022, the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens will introduce a new “rack card” that showcases garden highlights and encourages visitors to dig deeper through educational programs and membership.

Created in advance of the 2022 World Games, the new cards will be available at the Garden Center and distributed through the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Associate Director of Gardens Support—Horticulture Planning and Design Leader.

Molly earned her master’s in landscape architecture from Auburn University and was chosen by The Garden Club of America as the 2016-17 Royal Horticultural Society Interchange Fellow. Previously, she served as the Friends’ Garden Assessment Project Leader.

Shop Our 10 Member Partner Nurseries, Garden Centers, and Flower Shops The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is grateful for the many ways that local businesses give back to support the Gardens. Be sure to show your membership card when shopping at these local nurseries, garden centers, and flower shops, which offer 10 percent off regularly priced plant purchases* to members of the Friends: 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

Learn more about these businesses and hear their owners’ favorite gardening tips by checking out our member partner and GROW video series at youtube.com/ birminghambotanicalgardens We hope you enjoy all of your member benefits! Thank you for supporting the Gardens and all that it makes possible through your annual membership!

Learn more about these businesses and hear their owners’ favorite gardening tips by checking out 2612 LANE PARK ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, 35223 our member partnerALvideo series at youtube.com/birminghambotanicalgardens 205.414.3950 • BBGARDENS.ORG

We hope you enjoy all of your member benefits! Thank you for supporting the Gardens and all apply; visit bbgardens.org/benefits to learn more. *Certain exclusions that it makes possible through your annual membership. *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

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

A holiday fixture for decades, the Gardens’ iconic poinsettia tree will be on display in our Conservatory during December.

This year's tree features 300 poinsettias, primarily red with white used as ornaments.

Family photos are welcome!