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A Survey of Ferns

Charles Murray and Louise Billings of the Birmingham Fern Society will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of various hardy ferns, spotlight their favorites, and share important lessons they have learned in the garden.

Nature Trivia Night

Nature Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of Alabama’s flora and fauna with naturalist Henry Hershey.  Enjoy complimentary drinks and compete for a chance to win a captivating prize!

Growing Fall Greens & Root Veggies

What grows best in a fall garden? When is too late to plant? Learn best practices forgrowing fall greens and root vegetables in central Alabama. Regional Extension AgentHolt Akers-Campbell will share tips for garden preparation, planting dates, and maintenance particular to these cool-season vegetables. A demonstration and discussion will take place in Bruno Vegetable Garden…

Passalong Plants: Botanical Heirlooms

Passalong plants span generations as they are shared among neighbors, friends, and family members. Director of Longleaf Botanical Gardens and Urban Regional Extension Agent Hayes Jackson will showcase an array of passalong plants and work with participants on dividing, taking cuttings, and growing seedlings in this hands-on workshop. Registrants will receive a plant to take…

Beekeeping Basics

Did you know that bee behavior varies greatly across climates? For instance, the busyforaging season for bees will be much longer in the warmer South than it will be in theNorth. In this introductory class, Jeff Lisenby of the Jefferson County Beekeepers Association will discuss honeybee biology and behavior followed by an overview of beekeeping…

Ten Birds That Changed the World

Join us for our "Thyme to Read" book club, a monthly gathering hosted by the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Introduction to Japanese Maples Featuring Highlights from the Garden’s Collection 

Few trees are as beautiful as the “autumn welcoming tree,” or Japanese maple. With thousands of varieties and cultivars, including hybrids, the iconic Japanese maple tree is among the most versatile small trees for use in the landscape. Join us to hear Ross Callaway, longtime Gardens volunteer and Japanese maple enthusiast, tell the story of…

The Living Art of Bonsai 

Curious about bonsai? Experience this fascinating and living artas a part of the Gardens’ Fall Japanese Gardening Series. You will learn to start, care for and train your very own bonsai in this hands-on workshop with Victor Wilson of the Alabama Bonsai Society. Registrants will receive a dwarf Satsuki azalea to pot and begin training.…

Pollinator Artists

Join us for an exciting adventure in the Gardens as we explore native plants and pollinators. Discover the colors that attract pollinators and create art inspired by the Gardens using watercolor and more!

Japanese Pruning Techniques

Learn about the Japanese art of pruning and karikomi, the technique of shearing back shrubs that is a distinctive element of Japanese gardens. Horticulturist Julia Adams directs this hands-on workshop on proper pruning techniques for maples and shrubs in our Japanese Garden. Location: Japanese Garden

Preparing Your Soil for Spring Planting

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for spring. Improving your soil’s physical and chemical properties is a goal of every gardener as it creates a better environment for plant growth. In this class Friends’ Director of Gardens Support Jane Underwood explains how to determine the current condition of your soil and walks…

Techniques in Watercolor Painting

In this workshop centered on the wonder of exploring nature with an artist's eye, local teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz-Jones will guide you through the painting process, beginning with the practice of observation. You will learn essential watercolor techniques, including sketching, composition, color mixing, and painting. No experience is necessary; all levels of expertise…

Wildflower Walk

Boasting more than 200 different species of native plants, the Kaul Wildflower Garden celebrates the diverse flora of Alabama and demonstrates a variety of roles native plants can play in our gardens. Join Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney for an autumn walk among the wildflowers. Keith will focus on the plants that grow in this special…

Back to Nature: Fall Table Arrangements

Try your hand at naturalistic flower arranging with local landscape and floral designer Zachary Westall as your guide. In this two-hour workshop, you will learn how to select seasonal plant materials and properly clip from a plant without damaging it or the environment. Then experiment with composition using unexpected elements along with principles of design…

Fall Bulbs, Spring Flowers

Planting bulbs is a great way to add seasonal color to garden beds and containers. Among the many factors that determine success with bulbs, getting them in the ground at the right time is key. In this class Jefferson County Regional Extension Agent Bethany O’Rear will talk about spring-blooming bulbs including variety selection, soil preparation,…

Herb Garden Chefs

Join us as we explore a scavenger hunt in our new Garden Lab to discover and identify a world of culinary herbs! Chefs will harvest and prepare fresh ingredients to make a special treat. We will discover more as we visit Bruno Vegetable Garden.

Real Food Fake Food

Join us for our "Thyme to Read" book club, a monthly gathering hosted by the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Wreath-Making Workshop with Zachary Westall

Join us for this special wreath-making workshop at the Gardens with Zachary Westall local landscape and garden designer, to help you ring in the holidays. Add your own creative touches as Zachary guides you and shares favorite tips. Greenery and other materials will be provided. Limited tickets available! Preregistration required. This signature holiday event is…

Linocut Basics: Wildflower Workshop

Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills, this workshop offers an overview of single-color linocut printing. Teaching artist Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop will guide you through the fundamental techniques of carving and printing your own relief prints using pre-drawn templates of Alabama wildflowers.All materials and tools provided.  Location:…

Create Your Own Desert Terrarium

Take a break from your holiday preparations to create your own mini ecosystem in an engaging make-and-take workshop with Astrid Jerez of Vivatia Plants. You will learn how to craft a desert oasis and make it thrive. This workshop is perfect for low-maintenance plant lovers and small-space gardeners. All materials and tools are provided. (Hint:…

Growing Your Own Mushrooms

Using logs is a wonderful long-term method for mushroom production. Many types of mushrooms can be grown on logs—Shiitake, Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Comb Tooth, Reishi, Olive Oysterling, Nameko, Chestnut, and Turkey Tail, to name a few. Join Urban Regional Extension Agent Bronson Lubresky as he guides you through the basic steps for growing mushrooms using…

The Comfort of Crows

Join us for our "Thyme to Read" book club, a monthly gathering hosted by the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Caring for Your Gardening Tools

Winter is a great time to restore your well-loved gardening tools. Correctly caring for and maintaining your tools will increase their longevity and the health of your plants. Learn how to properly store, clean, and sharpen your hand tools in this hands-on workshop. Bring along a pair of used pruners, a trowel, loppers, or a…

Discover & Explore: Botanical Still Life

Join teaching artist Erica Scott of Dabble, a Birmingham Arts Studio, in the Gardens’ first Discover and Explore workshop. You will learn drawing techniques using colored pencils and pastels with plenty of time to play! Registrants are asked to bring botanical elements such as prunings, cut flowers, leaves, pine needles, etc., to be assembled in…

Winter Birding in Alabama

You've probably noticed that with the arrival of the shorter, colder days of winter, a new suite of birds has likely arrived in your yards. Current Secretary and long-time member of Alabama Audubon Greg Harber will help you learn to identify these winter visitors and discuss how you can attract them to your yards. This…

2025 Native Plant Conference

2025 Native Plant Conference

Immerse yourself in the ethics and principles of garden design as we “rethink pretty” and explore the ecology of gardening at this year’s Native Plant Conference, Ecological Landscapes. Learn from renowned landscape design experts, horticulturists, conservationists, and visionary thinkers who are shaping sustainable landscapes and offering fresh perspectives on integrating ecological principles in garden design. Meet regional change-makers who actively…

Community Seed Swap

Join the Library at the Gardens in celebrating National Seed Swap Day with a community seed swap!

The Weird and Wonderful World of Lichens

Have you ever seen a lichen and knew that it was a lichen? Not many people know what lichens are, and who would? They seem as though they are from another planet! Lichens are bizarre organisms, and no two are alike. Join Curtis Hansen, Curator of Plants at the John D. Friedman Herbarium, to learn…

The Twilight Garden

Join us for our "Thyme to Read" book club, a monthly gathering hosted by the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Taming the Wild: Landscaping with Native Plants

Alabama boasts of some of the richest native flora out of all 50 states, but often, they aren't our go-to landscaping plants. In addition to adding beauty to your garden, native plants help support wildlife and are more adapted to our native soil and climate. Many of us understand the value of natives but have…

Mini Makers

Mini Makers at the Gardens

Join us at the Gardens with Erica Scott, Owner of Dabble Arts Studio, for child-led art playgroups where children can create, explore, and enjoy art. We ask that caregivers stay and assist their children as they experiment with and enjoy creating. It will be best to wear clothing that can get messy for these classes.…

Mini Makers

Mini Makers at the Gardens

This series consists of five one-hour, child-led art playgroups. During these groups, children are given the opportunity to explore and enjoy art with the help of their caregivers. We ask that caregivers stay and assist their children as they experiment with and enjoy creating. For ages 16 months–3 years | Limited to 10 children with…

 Winter Birding Adventure

Explore forest habitats at the Gardens, seeking what birds and other wildlife need as we take a nature hike. We will learn to identify birds using our senses. We will make birdseed ornaments you can take home to welcome them to your backyard.

The Origin and Legacies of the English Arts and Crafts Garden

Growing out of a late 19th-century reaction to Victorian design and industrialization, Arts and Crafts gardens became some of the most influential, world-renowned gardens of the turn of the century. They continue to have an enormous influence on how we garden today. Contemporary gardening approaches—garden rooms, using local materials in the hardscape, abundantly planted beds,…

Mini Makers

Mini Makers at the Gardens

This series consists of five one-hour, child-led art playgroups. During these groups, children are given the opportunity to explore and enjoy art with the help of their caregivers. We ask that caregivers stay and assist their children as they experiment with and enjoy creating. For ages 16 months–3 years | Limited to 10 children with…

The Art and Science of Field Journaling

What is blooming? Going to seed? Or budding in February? Teaching artist Melissa Shultz-Jones invites you to get curious about the living world of plants on a leisurely stroll in the Gardens. In this workshop, you will experience the joy and intimacy of recording your observations in nature and learn from Melissa as she models…

Mini Makers

Mini Makers at the Gardens

Join us at the Gardens with Erica Scott, Owner of Dabble Arts Studio, for child-led art playgroups where children can create, explore, and enjoy art. We ask that caregivers stay and assist their children as they experiment with and enjoy creating. It will be best to wear clothing that can get messy for these classes.…

Propagating Woody Plants

Join us in the Japanese Gardens as horticulturist Julia Adams demonstrates methods of propagating woody plants through grafting and air layering. While these horticultural methods require skill and practice, each can be used to propagate plants that don’t root well from cuttings. In this hands-on workshop, you will practice grafting using Japanese Maples and experiment…

2025 Native Plant Conference

2025 Native Plant Conference

Immerse yourself in the ethics and principles of garden design as we “rethink pretty” and explore the ecology of gardening at this year’s Native Plant Conference, Ecological Landscapes. Learn from renowned landscape design experts, horticulturists, conservationists, and visionary thinkers who are shaping sustainable landscapes and offering fresh perspectives on integrating ecological principles in garden design. Meet regional change-makers who actively…

Harvest to Table Dinner

Enjoy a delicious farm fresh dinner at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as part of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ signature Native Plant Conference.

Spring Wildflower Walk

Dive deep into some of the intriguing spring-time wildflowers and other showy ephemeral plants in the Kaul Wildflower Garden with Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney. On this stroll through the garden, you will learn about the unique groups of plants that give visual interest and provide important food and habitats for wildlife in early spring. Become…

A Beginner’s Guide to Creating A Flower Bed

Filled with perennials, annuals, and blooming shrubs, a flower garden adds color and dimension to your landscape—and provides an inviting habitat for essential pollinators like birds and butterflies. But if your garden is covered in lawn, you might wonder how to start a flower garden. Join gardening expert Bethany O'Rear as she discusses the basics…

Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses

Join us for our “Thyme to Read” book club, a monthly gathering hosted by the Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Featured Book: Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mossesby Robin Wall Kimmerer

Warm-Weather Birding in Alabama

Spring offers the best season to observe birds in the garden! In addition to the lovely blooms and sweet scents, many of our resident songbirds busy themselves with establishing territories and building nests. In this class, Alabama Audubon Board Secretary Greg Harber will teach us how to use field marks to identify birds as we…

Discover & Explore Media Workshops: Painting with Acrylics and Watercolor

Join teaching artist Erica Scott, owner of Dabble art studio, for the next installment of the Gardens' Discover and Explore workshops. This series of art workshops encourages participants to try new things and play with various mediums. In this session, participants will learn tips and tricks for painting with acrylics and watercolors and enjoy the…

Musical Garden Storytime

Bring your little one to enjoy a special storytime filled with music and movement at the Gardens with Musician and Children’s Librarian Alyssa Jewell, a.k.a. The La La Librarian. Following the program, we invite you to let your little ones explore and play in our newly refreshed Garden Lab. Siblings under the age of 18…

Getting To Know Tomatoes

Learn the basics of tomato gardening with horticulturists Julia Adams and Katelyn Bahr. This informative class will explore how to select varieties, care for your plants, and troubleshoot threats like insects and diseases. Bring your questions and leave with your own tomato plant to start your spring vegetable garden! Location: Outdoor Classroom

Creative Movement Class

This energetic class focuses on strength and balance, plus breathing exercises to help foster calm and focus.

Community Spring Planting

Celebrate Earth Day at the Gardens by joining Specialty Garden Horticulturist Katelyn Bahr and fellow community members for the annual planting of the Bruno Vegetable Garden! We will prepare garden beds, plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and okra, and mulch with leaf litter. Location: Bruno Vegetable Garden

Earth Day at the Gardens

Join the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as we cultivate a passion for plants, gardens, and the environment at our annual Earth Day celebration.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga

A vinyasa-style yoga class based on the tradition of combining sequencing of movements with breath.

Garden Spells

We invite you to join us for upcoming "Thyme to Read" book club gatherings, hosted monthly by the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Alabama Biodiversity Walk

Discover our state's rich biodiversity as Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney guides you through an exploration of various ecosystems where unique plant communities thrive in the Gardens. We will meet at the entrance to the Gardens in Blount Plaza. This hour-and-a-half walk covers uneven terrain and involves slight changes in elevation. Location: Blount Plaza

Cut Flowers For Every Season

A cut flower garden has more seasons than just spring and summer. Blue Rooster Farms owners Allison and Kirk Creel grow blooming flowers for most of the year! Learn their tips for expanding the types and variety of flowers you grow and extending the season of your cut flower garden. Topics include overwintering, succession planting,…

Designing and Planting Your Raised Bed

Victoria Crenshaw, an experienced organic vegetable gardener and owner of Fleurish Gardens, joins us in the Bruno Vegetable Garden to discuss the principles of raised bed gardening. In this class, she will guide you in creating a plan for your garden layout and teach you how to plant your own raised beds. The class will…

The Mind of a Bee

We invite you to join us for upcoming "Thyme to Read" book club gatherings, hosted monthly by the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Nature Trivia Night

Nature Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of Alabama’s flora and fauna with naturalist Henry Hershey.  Enjoy complimentary drinks and compete for a chance to win a captivating prize!

Enchanted Forest

Join us for this week long summer camp!

Field Journaling With Friends

Field Journaling With Friends

Join teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz Jones for our early morning field journaling series. Each month, you are invited to explore a different aspect of plant life in the Gardens and a new watercolor technique. You can sign up for any number of workshops, but sign up early, as group sizes will be intentionally…

Hydrangeas for a Southern Garden

David Doggett, advanced master gardener and current president of the Alabama Hydrangea Society, will introduce you to the defining characteristics and pros/cons of the five main classes of hydrangeas we typically see in Southern gardens. You will learn about the effects of climate change on plant selection and which plants your pollinator population prefers. Location:…

The Light Eaters

We invite you to join us for upcoming "Thyme to Read" book club gatherings, hosted monthly by the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Nature Trivia Night

Nature Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of Alabama’s flora and fauna with naturalist Henry Hershey.  Enjoy complimentary drinks and compete for a chance to win a captivating prize!

Backyard Bugs  

Join us for this week long summer camp!

Creating a Moon Garden

Alabama Advanced Master Gardener Dianna Fortner invites you to the enchanting world of nighttime gardening and outlines the process for creating a moon garden from plant selection to creating and executing a garden plan. Characterized by white flowers, silver foliage, and fragrant plants, moon gardens create a magical, ethereal atmosphere that serves as a sanctuary…

Building A Bee Hotel

Bee boxes, or bee hotels, can attract pollinators to your garden and promote biodiversity. In this informative hands-on workshop, Friends’ volunteer group leader John Markus will review guidelines for constructing and maintaining an attractive nesting site for several varieties of solitary bees, which, unlike honey bees, do not rely on a hive for nesting. The…

Identifying and Eradicating Invasive Plants

Chinese wisteria, English Ivy, periwinkle, nandina, and kudzu are only a few of the invasive, non-native plant species that threaten the Alabama landscape. Join Director of Land and Water Conservation for Jefferson County Greenways, Charles Yaeger to learn how to correctly identify invasive species and develop an effective treatment plan to tackle invasives threatening your…

Field Journaling With Friends

Field Journaling With Friends

Join teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz Jones for our early morning field journaling series. Each month, you are invited to explore a different aspect of plant life in the Gardens and a new watercolor technique. You can sign up for any number of workshops, but sign up early, as group sizes will be intentionally…

Hostas, The Shade-Loving Perennial

Are you searching for a plant that will produce beautiful blooms in shade? Hostas are very hardy perennials beloved for their lovely shades of green and chartreuse foliage, cascading form, and easy maintenance. Learn about this shade-loving perennial and how to use it in your garden with Advanced Master Gardener Bionca Lindsey. Location: First Floor…

Air Layering: Propagating Difficult-To-Root Plants

Cuttings and other forms of propagation can fail for some plants, especially azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, and other woody plants. Unlock the secret to an effective propagation method for difficult-to-root plants with Friends’ horticulturist Julia Adams. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn about the science behind air-layering and practice on plants throughout the Japanese Garden.…

Companion Planting: Inviting Insects to Your Garden

Insects can be valuable additions to a garden, playing crucial roles in pollination, pest control, soil health, and a healthy ecosystem. Join Lee County Extension Agent Dani Carroll to learn about the importance of plant diversity and how to select appropriate pairings of flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Location:  Adventure Classroom

The Seed Keeper

We invite you to join us for upcoming "Thyme to Read" book club gatherings, hosted monthly by the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Tomato Tasting In The Gardens

In this fun and informational sharing session, participants are invited to swap growing tips alongside Friends’ horticulturists, Julia Adams and Katelyn Bahr, who will address a variety of tomato growing conundrums. Participate in our second annual tomato tasting by bringing homegrown tomatoes to sample and cast your vote for this year’s best-tasting variety! Location:  Outdoor…

Field Journaling With Friends

Field Journaling With Friends

Join teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz Jones for our early morning field journaling series. Each month, you are invited to explore a different aspect of plant life in the Gardens and a new watercolor technique. You can sign up for any number of workshops, but sign up early, as group sizes will be intentionally…

The Creation Of A Stumpery Garden

In this inspiring class, members of the Birmingham Fern Society will demonstrate how they created "Living Roots," a stumpery garden within the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Fern Glade. You will hear about the inspiration for the garden, the steps involved in its construction, and how to select ferns and fern companions to create your own stumpery…

Nature Trivia Night

Nature Trivia Night

Test your knowledge of Alabama’s flora and fauna with naturalist Henry Hershey.  Enjoy complimentary drinks and compete for a chance to win a captivating prize!

Garden Features From Southern Spain To Our Southern States

Small walled gardens, water features, shade structures, and ornamental tiles are all common features of Southern gardens introduced to the Southeast by Spanish explorers and colonists in the 16th century. Travel back in time and across the globe—from the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, to the reflecting pool at the Alhambra in Granada—with Master Gardener…