Birmingham Botanical Gardens is currently closed.
The City of Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, which has jurisdiction over the Gardens, is currently working on its plan for reopening the Gardens with the wellness and safety of visitors, volunteers, and staff of top priority. Follow the Gardens on social media and visit our homepage to sign up to receive our e-news as the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens brings the Gardens to you virtually. We wish you good health and look forward to welcoming you back in person as soon as City and State directives allow. Thank you for your support!

5 Things You Need to Know

We grow our community, enhance our region and celebrate our state:

  • Admission is always free.
  • Gardens open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk.
  • Alabama's largest living museum.
  • Only public horticultural library in the US; public computers; free wi-fi; open 7 days a week.
  • Our special events generate excitement, captivate families and inform the public.
  • We provide the most beautiful outdoor location in the city.
  • Native plant collections celebrate Alabama's biodiversity, 5th highest in the US.

We nurture curiosity and expand knowledge:

  • Educational and environmental mission inspires lifelong learners.
  • Programs and workshops for children and adults (from amateur to professional).
  • 98% of children attend free, hands-on, science curriculum-based programs (2011-12 academic year).
  • Plant Information Center and Regional Horticulture Hotline managed by Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts and Master Gardeners.
  • Beauty of plants and the art of the garden soothe, stimulate and inspire.

We engage diverse partners and collaborate widely:

  • Birmingham City, Jefferson County and other local schools.
  • Alabama A&M, UAB, Auburn, Jacksonville State and Samford Universities.
  • Allied Groups: Interfaith Environmental Initiative of Alabama, Fresh Air Family, Slow Food and more.
  • Relationships with Government of Japan, Sister and Friendship Cities.
  • SE US native plant exploration and conservation programs with botanical institution partners.
  • Support for international plant exploration in Brazil, Thailand, Viet Nam, China, India.

We promote health and provide hope:

  • Plant Adventures programs offered free for people of all abilities.
  • Food from Bruno Vegetable Garden feeds Birmingham area residents in need through the Gardens' "Harvest for the Hungry" program.
  • Miles of safe, serene paths and trails for walking and jogging.
  • Contact with gardens and nature lowers heart rates and blood pressure.
  • Programs promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.
  • USDA plant conservation site.

We Impact Economic Development:

  • Non-profit Arts and Cultural Institutions in Birmingham generate $136 million in local economic impact; add greatly to quality of life.1
  • Gardening is the #1 hobby in America, generating $33.5 billion nationwide.2
  • The "Green Industry" in Alabama generates over $2.9 billion in economic impact.2

1 Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Cultural Organizations and Their Audiences in Jefferson County, Alabama: 2009, Americans for the Arts
2 National Gardening Association: 2011
3 Alabama Nursery & Landscape, 2009

PLANTS ARE NOT AN OPTION; THEY ARE A NECESSITY.