Boasting more than 200 different species of native plants, the Kaul Wildflower Garden celebrates the diverse flora of Alabama and demonstrates the variety of roles natives can play in our gardens. The garden was established in the early 1960s by a group of passionate wildflower advocates led by the gusto of Mrs. Bobbe Kaul. Landscape architect Zenon Schreiber of New York created the garden from the rubble of a former rock quarry, establishing a lush collection that continues to inspire stewardship of Alabama’s native treasures.
Spring
The first sign of spring’s arrival are those first bloodroots appearing at the tail end of winter. This sets into motion a whole chorus of glorious spring blooms, from trout lilies and trilliums cascading down the sides of the creek, to wild geraniums billowing against the coarse rocks, dogwood blooms reaching out from the edge of the forest, woodland phlox rippling along the edge of paths, and craggy mountain laurels bursting into blooming clusters.
Summer
As summer heats up the garden hums with life. In the entry meadow, bees and butterflies along with other local pollinators visit the pink faces of coneflower that are mixed with the spikey blue blooms of blazing star. The warm colors of early summer give way to the glowing yellow black-eyed Susans and bright red pops of Turk’s cap mallow, which blanket the entry garden by season’s end. Along the stream you might catch a hummingbird visiting the red flowers of Indian pinks or a mink hiding from you beneath the delicate foliage of northern maidenhair ferns. If a summer storm catches you out in the garden, the gazebo is a peaceful spot to escape the rain.
Fall
By fall, the purple haze of mistflower covers the garden with intermingled pops of heath asters and bursts of yellow swamp sunflowers. Just as the rudbeckia sings its last autumnal chorus and the blue spikes of lobelia begin to fade, the foliage above begins to turn its brilliant hues of red, orange, and yellow. If you are lucky you might even catch goldfinches descending on seed heads, a favorite snack.
Winter
As the quiet of winter descends, the herbaceous layer retreats and the structural beauty of the garden is revealed with rock outcroppings taking center stage. On particularly cold winter days you can warm up at the sight of Alabama crotons glowing fiery orange, and possibly catch glistening icicles hanging from the rock glade wall. Meanwhile, the soft yellow blooms of golden Alexander and leatherwood remind us that spring is on the horizon.
Fun Facts: Kaul Wildflower Garden