Community Seed Swap
Join the Library at the Gardens in celebrating National Seed Swap Day with a community seed swap!
Events
26 events found.
Study
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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!
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:…
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!
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
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
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
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…