tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77844850943144682752024-03-05T03:12:48.206-06:00The Garden Dirt BlogBirmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-32691733138256767692011-03-23T10:10:00.008-05:002011-03-23T11:18:58.770-05:00Speaking of Volunteers...Yesterday, I mentioned the hundreds of talented and knowledgeable volunteers who will be working at the Spring Plant Sale (April 15-17). These wonderful folks have been working tirelessly, growing many of our plants from seeds.
Enter Exhibit A. I was sent this photo this morning from one our loyal volunteers. The people in this photograph have been growing hundreds of tomatoes, heirlooms and Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-79915229558708559462011-03-22T14:48:00.019-05:002011-03-23T11:19:51.992-05:00Ready, Set, Grow!Not that "real" gardeners don't relish the challenge of growing in every season or any fathomable condition, but spring is where the magic happens! (Wait, is this an episode of MTV's "Cribs"? Well, as a matter of fact, it sort of is!) Many, including hordes of folks who don't consider themselves in any way plant-savvy, crawl out of their hibernation from the out-of-doors to take on Mother Nature.Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-50971812839065056282011-03-14T11:17:00.010-05:002011-03-14T16:18:47.496-05:00The Place of New Beginnings, by Natalie ConeWe're always asking our friends to tell us what The Gardens means to them. For many, it's memories of learning about plants and science on Discovery Field Trips. And for more still The Gardens represents a beautiful retreat from urban stress, a place of serenity and calm. For some we are family; for some we represent romance; and for some we offer lifelong learning. Freelance writer Natalie Cone Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-31927883705922587732011-03-04T09:44:00.014-06:002011-03-04T10:17:34.435-06:00Shake What Your Mama Gave You?Ok, so the title's a little misleading, but I could not help myself. We have a really cool Saturday Series coming up called, "Work with What Ya Got…Make Your Yard a Smart Yard!" This series of classes on sustainable garden care starts up tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. and continues for the next five weeks. The classes are on consecutive Saturdays starting tomorrow, March 5, from 10 a.m. until Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-7567125375811254892011-01-28T10:44:00.004-06:002011-01-28T10:50:28.086-06:00Update: Photography at The GardensWe have some really awesome Facebook "fans." Each Friday, or at least when we have time, we ask them to post photos they have taken here at The Gardens or that otherwise showcase nature's beauty. Take a peak at this photo album, full of stunning photos taken by these talented garden aficionados!
Lettuce in the Bruno Vegetable Garden, January 2011
Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-46140975668459152662010-12-31T21:44:00.011-06:002011-01-04T14:03:48.497-06:00Our Top 10 of 2010How original, right? A countdown of the year's top moments! Don't run away though, there's some good stuff in here, some that you may not know about. Things that make a real impact on real people in Birmingham and beyond! So without further adieu, here are my top 10 moments in 2010...10) Another Record-Breaking Fall Plant SaleAfter a two-day trial run in 2009 (which set the sales record for Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-42230784543543923482010-12-16T14:00:00.012-06:002010-12-17T10:58:32.326-06:00Now, the Featured Presentation...As promised in our post earlier this week (Volunteers: Our Shining Stars), here is your follow-up story with our Volunteer of the Year award winners and pictures! Again, let's give a round of applause to our stars for making all of our work possible! We sincerely appreciate everything you do to make The Gardens stand out. With your help we educate nearly 40,000 people every year, including 10,000Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-650821043207641372010-12-14T09:18:00.007-06:002010-12-14T09:53:31.361-06:00Winter GardeningOk, so it's the middle of December and it was all of one degree outside when you woke up today. (Or at least that's what it felt like to me!) Many folks just assume now's the time to stay out of the garden and let nature do its thing over the winter. Nay! To quote gardener and writer Marie Hutson, "The gardening season officially begins on January 1st, and ends on December 31." I think you get myMichael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-53442476392996410702010-12-13T11:04:00.008-06:002010-12-17T10:58:51.261-06:00Volunteers: Our Shining StarsThere are so many contributors that make Birmingham Botanical Gardens a success. And we like to thank those individuals, community partners, and businesses as often as we can. The bottom line is, however, that even if we had buckets of money -- which we don't -- we wouldn't be able to do a fraction of what we do without our loyal and savvy army of volunteers. We thought we'd have a little fun Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-34598579833829441532010-12-01T12:12:00.006-06:002010-12-01T14:21:33.709-06:00Education: An Investment in the FutureToday's world is a fast-paced and ever-changing one in which information flies at us from a myriad of media at all hours of the day. Balance, serenity and know-how are musts to survive and succeed in this atmosphere. The old adage "knowledge is power" is even more relevant now than it has ever been. For this reason, and many others, we're very proud of the work we do here at The Gardens. Michael Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14186969774276107300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-36736325202846375712010-10-13T14:57:00.005-05:002010-10-13T15:23:46.107-05:00Finally, Your Most Pressing Questions AnsweredAt Birmingham Botanical Gardens, there is always something going on. Whether it's a fundraising event, like this week's Cocktails in The Gardens and Fall Plant Sale, or a Discovery Field Trip or a class, this place is always abuzz with activity. Having said that, it isn't very often we get to delve into botany and etymology at the same time. John Manion, curator of the Kaul Wildflower Garden, Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-33682788561821080602010-10-06T15:01:00.016-05:002010-10-06T21:07:54.886-05:00Feast Your Eyes On ThisWhen it comes to season finales, you're probably accustomed to TV programs pulling out all the stops with cliffhangers, inconceivable drama and unseemly revelations. Well, we're having a season finale of our own next week, and you will be left wanting more from Bonus Round, behold fabulous fall décor and taste absurdly delicious foods. That's right, the 2010 season of Cocktails in The Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-12632397793974542292010-09-30T10:07:00.006-05:002010-09-30T10:25:02.896-05:00More Than A Pretty FaceWhenever you visit Birmingham Botanical Gardens, what’s the first thing you notice? More than likely your answer has something to do with “the natural beauty.” And there is nothing wrong with noticing the loveliness of the flowers, trees, landscapes, and so forth. It’s truly breath-taking and a wonder to behold. But there’s more to The Gardens than just our pretty face. After all, it is ourBirmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-60942671916076531562010-09-02T15:08:00.019-05:002010-09-04T19:24:51.317-05:00Rolling Out The Red Carpet
A special thanks to our 2010 Antiques at The Gardens Committee. Front Row (L to R): Amanda Pigue, Kathleen Doss, Wendy Barze, Mary Margaret Gullage, Elizabeth Jernigan, Kittie Buchanan, Kate Phillips. Back Row (L to R): Jenny Reed, Cameron Crowe, Sheryl Kimmerling, Tracey Anderson, Diana Slaughter (honorary chair), Susan Elliott (co-chair), Clarissa Harms (co-chair), Sally Lineberry, Mary Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-86203854054452679002010-08-26T15:51:00.008-05:002010-08-27T10:31:59.770-05:00Down Home Delights, Garden StyleCocktails in The Gardens got off to a great start on August 12 with nearly 500 guests mixing & mingling in the Hill Garden. Décor by Kirsti provided green designs, complementing the green-themed finger foods, green apple martinis and even the band, FisherGreen. We also unveiled our new & improved Cocktails in The Gardens t-shirts (see below), which are on sale in our offices and at each Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-53223929132481892732010-08-23T11:29:00.001-05:002010-08-23T11:33:05.075-05:00ACES Tomato Workshop 2010We've got a cool class here at The Gardens tomorrow from 9 a.m. til noon (sign-in starts at 8:30), brought to you by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, better known as ACES. The best part? It's only $5!
Lycopersicum esculentum cv., Bruno Vegetable Garden
Topics will include:
Predominant diseases seen in the Plant Pathology Lab
Top 10 insect pests this year (and how to manage them if Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-63430061127476978982010-08-10T14:45:00.013-05:002010-08-10T16:34:50.787-05:00Plants Get Stressed Out TooWhat's this? Fall in early August? Have you noticed an abundance of leaves on the ground or fall colors up in the trees in your yard, favorite park, or perhaps at your local walking trail? What's up with that?
Even though Alabama's heavy, humid summers are far from the crisp, cool air associated with autumn, signs of autumn abound lately. Is it suddenly en vogue in 2010 for trees and shrubs to Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-9960391166878337592010-08-03T13:01:00.009-05:002010-08-03T13:18:25.016-05:00Keep Cool, Don't Be A FoolIn lieu of doing another Plant of the Day entry, today seems like a perfect opportunity to highlight some safety tips and give some gardening advice for the month of August.
Safety Tips for Summer Gardening
1) First of all, the main thing to remember in the heat of a Hot Southern Summer is that it's all about water - for both you and your plants. Make sure you hydrate if you're working outdoorsBirmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-82206369441203338482010-07-29T16:01:00.001-05:002010-07-29T16:02:53.956-05:00Plant of the Day: Lilium michauxii
Lilium michauxii, the Carolina lily, is named for the French Botanist Andre Michaux, who studied plants in the southeastern US. Its beauty among dry woods is rare, and one of the traits that make this such as special plant in our collections. The state wildflower of North Carolina, this lovely creature is native to the coastal plains as far north as Virginia and south to Florida, reaching as Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-12654743683541947482010-07-27T14:48:00.000-05:002010-07-27T14:48:20.533-05:00Plant of the Day: Platycodon grandiflorus
This neat-looking guy can be found at The Gardens in the Ireland Iris Garden. Platycodon grandiflorus, balloon flower, is from Japan and China. It gets its name because the unopened buds look like inflated balloons, clearly. They gently open wide in blue, but are also found in white and pink forms; great for kids, but they will want to to pop them and are always bummed they don't make any Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-44012507475186772532010-07-26T13:37:00.001-05:002010-07-26T13:38:24.093-05:00Plant of the Day: Phlox paniculata
An unknown Phlox paniculata, but very likely the cultivar 'Common Purple' introduced by Goodness Grows Nursery in GA. Probably won't find that name in any catalogs, but it is available at local nurseries because it flowers its head off here in the Ireland Iris Garden and is heat- and mildew-resistant – which cannot be said about most other selections of this plant, of which thereBirmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-36992395548164253962010-07-23T15:04:00.001-05:002010-07-23T15:07:34.524-05:00Plant of the Day: Ricinis communis
Seedlings of a bronze-red Ricinis communis, or castor bean. It's not a true bean, but it is a sometimes re-seeding annual relative of poinsettia and other Euphorbia. And yes, it is the source of castor oil once forced on youngsters to treat various maladies (ask your grandmother!) and still used in paints and varnishes.
Oil comes from the bean-like seeds, but the seed coat contains ricin, a Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-42284606207225187282010-07-22T10:50:00.002-05:002010-07-22T11:28:15.430-05:00Plant of the Day: Hibiscus coccineusKaul Wildflower Garden Curator, John Manion, found this
Hibiscus coccineus in the Bog Garden here at The Gardens.
As you can see, it's flower is quite large! More pictures below!
Hibiscus coccineus, is called swamp hibiscus, scarlet rosemallow, scarlet hibiscus, or Texas star; native to extreme southern US, including a few counties in AL. Must have wet soil and sun for good flowering like in Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-50063663838695395362010-07-21T11:07:00.000-05:002010-07-21T11:07:39.012-05:00Plant of the Day: Strobilanthes dyerianus
Strobilanthes dyerianus, is Persian shield, or Bermuda conehead, and is from Burma (Myanmar): go figure! The genus name means cone-flower, hence the second part of the second name. A purely tropical shrub but a knockout foliage annual or tender perennial (roots might overwinter here, might not) with leaves that look like purple foil etched with green variegations. Best with morning sun andBirmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784485094314468275.post-20332561266058433602010-07-20T13:14:00.011-05:002010-07-20T13:59:16.280-05:00Keeping Cool Among the Water Liliesby Katherine King, Intern
Katie was recently chosen from eight finalists as our 2010 intern, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Shades Valley. From Bristol, Tennessee, Katie is a recent graduate of Samford University with a B.S. in biology--she has even studied botany in Belize (are you as jealous as we are?)! The internship gives a rising senior or recent college graduate hands-on experience Birmingham Botanical Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17995507647608026362noreply@blogger.com0