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
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.
I agree; there is something magical about a well-groomed flower garden!! The Birmingham Botanical Gardens does a fantastic job.
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.
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!
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!
You are so welcome!!
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…)
I know what you mean by a splash of color on a rainy day. It’s pouring here in East Texas too! 🙂
I’m glad you had a reason to resurrect these beautiful photos!
Thank you Irene; what a kind thing to say!!
Exquisite gardens – glad you unearthed these shots and shared!
Thank you!! I appreciate your kind words!!
Wow! Your photos – and presumably the Birmingham Botanical Gardens too – are gorgeous!
Thank you so much!! The gardens are beautiful!
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!
Thank you!! I hope to get back there soon myself. They are truly gorgeous gardens!
Wow!! Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful photos. These gardens are magnificent.
Thank you so much!! I had a lovely afternoon there!!
I love your flower photos. Birmingham Botanical Gardens look beautiful. How cool that visiting is free!
Thank you! I had such a nice time wandering along the flower-lined pathways!
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!
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!!
Lovely. This post is like good medicine! Time for a walk amongst flowers, as soon as I find some.
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!