Finally, Your Most Pressing Questions Answered

At 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, wants to change that. He's teaching a class titled "Come Again...What Was That?" on Saturday, October 23 here at The Gardens. Here's a tongue-in-cheek teaser for what should be a fun and enlightening day.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides,
AKA the Dawn Redwood

Do you wake in a cold sweat at night flummoxed by what the real meaning of Metasequoia glyptostroboides(1) is? Do you get indigestion wondering how your neighbors will react when you tell them you have planted Ceratostigma plumbaginoides(2) in your garden? And just how are you going to break it to your children that you have just purchased a Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis(3)?

Learn the solution to these quandaries and others by attending Come Again...What Was That? The mantra for this class will be “I will fear no botanical name!” You will learn how to sound smarter than you are by pronouncing multisyllabic botanical names, and how, when you don’t know a plant’s name, you can make one up with a bunch of gobbledygook and sound like you know what you are talking about! Register Online>>

Don't forget about our other Adult & Family Classes. We have four classes next week alone, including John's:

Feast Your Eyes On This

When 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 will end on Thursday, October 14, finishing off yet another exciting successful series of fun, food and music.

Bonus Round is one of Birmingham's
most popular local music acts.

The evening, sponsored by Ford Fiesta Little Big Tour, has a most fitting theme: "Autumn Harvest Feastival." With the recent cooler temps and the gradual transition to beautiful fall colors, it only seems appropriate that we celebrate the changing seasons. (And just two days before the Fall Plant Sale as well!) Bonus Round, known for their array of musical influences, will delight us with a diverse set list with a little something for everyone: from southern rock to hip-hop to pop classics. They'll surprise you with their off-beat set lists, jazzy interpretations and engaging presence.

Occasions by Wynfrey has catered each
Cocktails in The Gardens this year.
In September, they provided us with
a slew of comfort foods.

On to the tasting portion of the night! The signature cocktail will be Black Cherry Rum Punch. I don't know what that is, but I know it sounds delightfully desirable for the occasion. And speaking of occasions, in addition to an intriguing signature drink, Occasions by Wynfrey has put together a stellar menu--yet again! Hors d'oeuvres will include Sweet Potato Fries with Cinnamon Sugar, Fall Apple Slaw, Balsamic Grilled Vegetable Skewers, Cranberry Chicken and Arugula Pinwheels, Miniature Braised Short Rib Pot Pie and Black Pepper Crustini with Herb Cheese. They will also be serving up Warm Apple Cider for those looking for something non-alcoholic or simply trying to get in the fall spirit.