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The '''Kaul Wildflower Garden''' is a seven-acre naturalistic rock garden showcasing native wildflowers which is located in a former [[sandstone]] quarry on the northern edge of the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens]] in [[Lane Park]].
The '''Hugh and Bobbe Kaul Wildflower Garden''' is a seven-acre naturalistic rock garden showcasing native wildflowers which is located in a former [[sandstone]] quarry on the northern edge of the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens]] in [[Lane Park]].


The quarry was created by the [[Works Progress Administration]] in the 1930s for materials used in the park such as the [[Allan Gray Fish Hatcheries]], as well as for construction of [[Vulcan Park]]. The abandoned site eventually became overgrown with severe erosion from numerous springs.
The quarry was created by the [[Works Progress Administration]] in the 1930s for materials used in the park such as the [[Allan Gray Fish Hatcheries]], as well as for construction of [[Vulcan Park]]. The abandoned site eventually became overgrown with severe erosion from numerous springs.


<!--This nationally renowned, seven-acre naturalistic rock garden began in 1966 through the efforts of volunteers Barbara Orr (Bobbe) Kaul, Louise (Weesie) Smith, Margaret Wimberly and Sue Kinner. They retained noted Swiss landscape architect Zenon Schreiber, to transform a severely eroded stream corridor and a stone quarry dating from the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s, into a marvel of natural harmony and beauty. Schreiber’s skill, inspired by the American Arts & Crafts movement, is seen most vividly along the watercourse, where his stylized sandstone walls integrate with the native bedrock, and in how the winding, stone-lined paths blend seamlessly with the site’s challenging and varied topography.
Gardens volunteers [[Bobbe Kaul]], [[Weesie Smith]], [[Margeret Wimberly]] and [[Sue Kinner]], who were also involved in the [[Little Garden Club]], commissioned Swiss landscape architect Zenon Schreiber to design improvements to the aesthetics and accessibility of the site. He laid out gravel paths and introduced strategically-located walls, built of sandstone from the site, to enhance the beauty of the stream courses.


This garden celebrates the incredible diversity of native Alabama woodland flora, and vignettes ranging from the sublime to the stunning unfold at each turn. From late winter through mid-summer, the natural palette of over 400 different trees, shrubs, vines and perennial and annual wildflowers literally changes every day as layer upon layer of emerging growth builds from the ground up; unfolding leaves, flowers and seeds paint a richly colorful and textural pageant. On a given day during this time, visitors can see a beautiful matrix of woodland perennials on the forest floor: rue anemone, bloodroot, yellowroot, trout lily, Atamasco lily, shooting star, golden star, May apple, toothwort, liverwort, bellwort, Solomon’s seal, and galax grow with abandon. They are joined by multiple species of ginger and trillium and selections of our native flowering shrubs including anise-tree, fothergilla, mountain laurel, oakleaf hydrangea, leucothoe, sweetshrub and buckeye. Of particular note are the numerous mature specimens of deciduous native azaleas, with their bright and often fragrant flowers.
The garden's plantings showcase Alabama's diverse woodland flora in a series of vignettes taking advantage of variations in soils, shade and slope. More than 400 species of native trees, shrubs, vines and flowers, including native [[azalea]]s, are viewable in the garden.


Summer and fall wildflowers, among them false sunflower, black-eyed susan, coneflower, cardinal flower and great lobelia, continue the show until the bright hues of autumn, carried on the leaves of black gum, sourwood and Florida sugar maple take the day. A winter stroll reveals a stark and quiet contrast to the rich bounty of the previous seasons. At this time, the woodland takes on a meditative quality, having been reduced to the bare essentials of stems and trunks, in their cloaks of subtle and tawny oranges, browns and grays. Broadleaf evergreen leaves, from tiny and shiny to large and somber, provide distinct counterpoints.
The garden was dedicated in honor of Bobbe Kaul and her husband, lumber executive [[Hugh Kaul]], in [[1986]]. The garden is maintained by Botanical Gardens staff and volunteers headed by curator [[John Manion]], who succeeded [[Patrick Daniel]] in [[2010]].
 
The Kaul Wildflower Garden was dedicated in 1986 and staff and volunteers continue to add new species each year. A recent addition near the gazebo is a collection of bog-dwelling species such as pitcher plants and the curious never-wet, Orontium aquaticum, whose leaves repel water.-->


==References==
==References==
* Richards, Tatiana (May 2010) "Magic in the Gardens: The Bruno Vegetable Garden provides food, education and beauty for the community." ''Birmingham'' magazine. Vol. 50, No. 5, p. 56
* "To Reveal and Enhance: Birmingham's Kaul Wildflower Garden." (March-April 1986) ''Southern Accents''


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 14:48, 29 July 2015

The Hugh and Bobbe Kaul Wildflower Garden is a seven-acre naturalistic rock garden showcasing native wildflowers which is located in a former sandstone quarry on the northern edge of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Lane Park.

The quarry was created by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s for materials used in the park such as the Allan Gray Fish Hatcheries, as well as for construction of Vulcan Park. The abandoned site eventually became overgrown with severe erosion from numerous springs.

Gardens volunteers Bobbe Kaul, Weesie Smith, Margeret Wimberly and Sue Kinner, who were also involved in the Little Garden Club, commissioned Swiss landscape architect Zenon Schreiber to design improvements to the aesthetics and accessibility of the site. He laid out gravel paths and introduced strategically-located walls, built of sandstone from the site, to enhance the beauty of the stream courses.

The garden's plantings showcase Alabama's diverse woodland flora in a series of vignettes taking advantage of variations in soils, shade and slope. More than 400 species of native trees, shrubs, vines and flowers, including native azaleas, are viewable in the garden.

The garden was dedicated in honor of Bobbe Kaul and her husband, lumber executive Hugh Kaul, in 1986. The garden is maintained by Botanical Gardens staff and volunteers headed by curator John Manion, who succeeded Patrick Daniel in 2010.

References

  • "To Reveal and Enhance: Birmingham's Kaul Wildflower Garden." (March-April 1986) Southern Accents

External links

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