A Gem of a Garden

We have a hidden gem right in our very own backyard here in Birmingham.

In learning as much as I could about the 1932 tornado outbreak in Alabama, I wondered what plants and trees might have been blooming on that fateful Monday when over 300 Alabamians lost their lives and another 3,000 were injured. March 21, 1932 fell in the Holy Week leading up to Easter. The day before, Palm Sunday, was probably a top ten day in Alabama weather history. The next day would be the worst in history.

Temperatures peaked out at 81F at the Birmingham Weather Office in Fountain Heights. While that was not a record for the date, it easily could have been, since the only time it had been warmer was in 1907 when it was a freakish 90F on March 21st. It had been a winter of records with abnormal warmth in Alabama. Plants bloomed through the entire winter and fruit trees were blossoming in January. But things began to change, and colder weather returned in February across Alabama and much of the nation. Temperatures were on a see-saw through late February into March. It was in the 70s the last week of February, and peaked at 82F on March 2nd. But one week later, the high in the Magic City was a toasty 82F. These wild swings would spell trouble. It was back to the 60s by mid-month peaking at 82 on the 20th.

I had the pleasure of visiting Aldridge Gardens in Hoover and taking a golf cart tour with Director Larry Quick. Larry is a former agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, and it is obvious that he knows his stuff and loves what he does. The 30 acre property off Lorna Road is a gift from famous horticulturalist Eddie Aldridge and his wife Kay to the people of Alabama. You can stroll the beautiful landscape and take in the varieties of plants that grow here in Alabama. The young botanical garden opened in 2002. There is a six acre lake, picnic area, meandering paths and a half mile walking trail. There is a woodland forest and more hydrangeas than you can count. (They were Eddie’s specialty.)

The gardens are a non-profit organization that is funded by the City of Hoover. They will gladly accept your donation, but there is never an admission charge. Check it out at www.aldridgegardens.com.

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