Dedication Redefined - The Jennifer Phillips Story

 “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” -Vince Lombardi

Jennifer Phillips has been volunteering for The Gardens at the Spring Plant Sale since 2007 in the loading zone, working with "Loading Legend" Harold Deason. And that's where she's been ever since. "It’s a no-brainer…you just say 'can I take your plants?'"

Jennifer says she "met many 'good people' during that first year at the Spring Plant Sale" Although she says she likes the behind-the-scenes work, she was up front and center directing traffic amidst multiple volunteers and patrons all day every day of the sale!

Educational Opportunities at The Gardens - Southern Institute of Photography

We have some very exciting, ongoing learning opportunities at The Gardens. The Southern Institute of Photography launched last year as a cooperative of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Alabama's most outstanding photographers and teachers. The venture is going strong and has a great course schedule this Spring and Summer. Most classes meet once a week Monday-Thursday in The Gardens' Education Complex, but there are several weekend, workshop-style classes to accommodate busy lifestyles.

The Gardens as Narnia, Bonita Whitehead

One of the great things about working at a great public garden is the stories you get to hear. These stories vary: couples who wed in the Hill Garden, gardeners who poured their heart out digging in the dirt or children who came here on Discovery Field Trips to learn about plants. This past week we got to hear a story from Bonita Whitehead, who came here with her son during the recent "snow storm." I asked Bonita about her trip and to tell me the story of her connection to The Gardens. Here's what she had to say:

 

Click here to more of Bonita's "Snow Day" photos.

Out in the Cold - Part Two

This is the second half of Out in the Cold, which contains more tips and factoids from our Executive Director, Fred Spicer, about wintertime gardening in Alabama. Read up, comment, and pass it along to fellow gardeners or "Curious Georges," if you will. If you have any questions not answered in parts one or two, give us a call at 205.414.3900 and we'll find someone who can answer your query!

NON-HARDY PLANTS
Considering our climate, a major distinction to make initially is whether a plant is intended (or expected) to live out-of-doors through a Birmingham winter. For example, if you moved your fig (Ficus benjamina) outside for the summer – making a house plant a patio plant – and you haven’t brought it inside yet, it’s way too late. It’s dead. It’s not realistic to expect it to have lived. (The same could be said about the same plant having been planted in the ground; it’s not even close to being hardy.)

PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
Normally winter-hardy plants, Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), for instance, grown outside in containers through the winter, have an excellent chance of living through a typical winter here. Moist, well-drained soil in the container is important. Given that, if the container can withstand the expansion of frozen soil without cracking, and if the plant is well-watered, hardy plants will have their best chance of survival. The hardier the plant, the longer it can withstand frozen soil and plunging temperatures. We don’t expect any damage to container plants at The Gardens from this recent weather. We’re watering as we can.