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Home  /  Home Page Slider  /  Birmingham – Remembering the glories of a garden

Birmingham – Remembering the glories of a garden

Recently I needed photos of Birmingham for an article. When I searched my files I came across flower photos I had taken at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I had never used them or written about the impressive gardens.

 

 

In the 1950s James W. Morgan, city mayor at the time, led an effort to establish the gardens on a portion of unused city property east of the Birmingham Zoo on the side of Red Mountain.

 

 

The gardens officially opened in 1963. Today the site is home to more than 12,000 different types of plants, 25 unique gardens, more than 30 works of original outdoor sculpture and several miles of walking paths

The Mission: Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens promotes public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment and receives, raises and administers resources for these purposes.

The Vision: The vision of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is to be one of the nation’s preeminent botanical gardens.

 

 

With more than 350,000 visitors every year, the mission and vision are ideals that have come true. It has become Alabama’s largest living museum and offers the only public horticultural library in the nation.  

 

 

There is no admission charge and the gardens are open 365 days a year; dawn to dusk.

Come and walk with me and my memories of this grand place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Alabama, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham, flowers, garden
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marilynjones

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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24 Comments

  1. Carol Colborn Reply
    March 26, 2018 at 7:06 am

    I always love walking through botanical gardens especially if they are free like this! Love taking pictures of the colorful blooms. Your photos are so refreshing.

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 26, 2018 at 8:01 am

      I agree; there is something magical about a well-groomed flower garden!! The Birmingham Botanical Gardens does a fantastic job.

  2. Doreen Pendgracs Reply
    March 26, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    LOVE the photos of all the beautiful flowers! I’ve not yet been to Alabama, but when I get there, I shall definitely visit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      March 28, 2018 at 5:28 am

      Thank you!! I write for an Alabama magazine, so I have explored extensively…there is so much to see in the state including the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

  3. Cindy Reply
    March 26, 2018 at 3:30 pm

    Marilyn, your colorful pictures of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens were exactly what I needed on a dreary end-of-winter day in Minnesota. Thank you!

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 26, 2018 at 10:27 pm

      You are so welcome!!

  4. Karen Warren Reply
    March 28, 2018 at 2:59 am

    I love botanic gardens. Birmingham looks so colourful – it’s lovely to have a splash of colour on a dull rainy day (as it is here in London…)

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      March 28, 2018 at 5:27 am

      I know what you mean by a splash of color on a rainy day. It’s pouring here in East Texas too! 🙂

  5. Irene S Levine Reply
    March 28, 2018 at 7:39 am

    I’m glad you had a reason to resurrect these beautiful photos!

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 28, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      Thank you Irene; what a kind thing to say!!

  6. Anne Woodyard (@MusicandMarkets) Reply
    March 28, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    Exquisite gardens – glad you unearthed these shots and shared!

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 28, 2018 at 5:42 pm

      Thank you!! I appreciate your kind words!!

  7. Rachel Heller Reply
    March 29, 2018 at 3:31 am

    Wow! Your photos – and presumably the Birmingham Botanical Gardens too – are gorgeous!

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 29, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      Thank you so much!! The gardens are beautiful!

  8. Lisa Chavis Reply
    March 29, 2018 at 9:34 am

    What a beautiful find – and 12,000 different types of plants? That’s amazing! Your photos are stunning. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens look spectacular and are now on the must-see list on our next trip!

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 30, 2018 at 12:13 am

      Thank you!! I hope to get back there soon myself. They are truly gorgeous gardens!

  9. Sue Reddel Reply
    March 29, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    Wow!! Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful photos. These gardens are magnificent.

    • marilynjones Reply
      March 29, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      Thank you so much!! I had a lovely afternoon there!!

  10. Donna Janke Reply
    March 31, 2018 at 7:20 am

    I love your flower photos. Birmingham Botanical Gardens look beautiful. How cool that visiting is free!

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      March 31, 2018 at 7:32 am

      Thank you! I had such a nice time wandering along the flower-lined pathways!

  11. Debbra Dunning Brouillette Reply
    March 31, 2018 at 7:51 am

    I’ve never been to a botanical garden I didn’t love! Even though I am not a gardener (or maybe that’s why!), I love flowers and taking photos of them. Yours are wonderful!

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      March 31, 2018 at 9:32 am

      I know what you mean! I used to love to garden, but I never seem to find the time now, so I especially appreciate what others do with landscaping and flowers!!

  12. Kristin Henning Reply
    April 2, 2018 at 1:16 am

    Lovely. This post is like good medicine! Time for a walk amongst flowers, as soon as I find some.

    • marilynjones Reply
      April 2, 2018 at 5:51 am

      Thank you! I know what you mean. My roses are starting to bloom. It is such a joy to see color after a long winter!

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About Me

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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