National Public Gardens week is an annual observance that begins the Friday before Mother’s Day, and takes place from May 9-18 this year. It is a week to promote the public’s awareness about botanical gardens, arboreta, historic gardens or any of North America’s public gardens. This week of observance was established in 2009 by the National Public Gardens Association.
Even though Alexander the Great was said to be “awestruck” by the magnificence of Babylon’s gardens, the culture of gardening was not recognized as an art form in Europe until the mid-16th century when it entered the political discourse as a symbol of an ideal society.
The word “garden” refers to a small enclosed area of land usually adjoining a building, commonly referred to as a yard in the U.S. It is usually a planned space set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature and often incorporates both natural and artificial materials in their surroundings.
Montgomery Botanical Gardens will celebrate NPG week by encouraging people to visit their local garden to enjoy this beautiful oasis of nature in the midst of urban Montgomery. Especially on Mother’s Day, bring your mother and family to see the gorgeous blossoms, rest on the convenient benches, observe the Daylily Garden as it is just coming to life after winter, observe the majestic lion statues in the terrace, linger beside the three Pollinator Gardens as they feed their tiny visitors, then stroll to the Biblical Garden to enjoy a peaceful meditative atmosphere, finally walk across the drive to see the New Japanese Maple Garden parallel to Forest Avenue as their leaves of many colors take your breath away. You will treasure the photographs you take in the gardens. Children will especially like to have their photos taken beside the magnificent lion statues in the terrace.
With coordination by the MBG Education Committee, chaired by Maggie Stringer, MBG will mark the ending of NPG this year by providing a wonderful a nature-filled birding class on Saturday, May 17 at 9 am in the Wisdom Wood Outdoor Classroom in the gardens. Chris Joe will be the presenter for the class. He is an impressive birdwatcher who hosts tours of his farm in Newbern in Hale County for birders and anyone who enjoys nature tours. See the flyer and link below for more information about Mr. Joe and his farm.
Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park is a 501c3 non-profit that is managed by a board of directors that was organized in 2013 and planting of the gardens began in 2017. Volunteers have been the key to creating and maintaining the gardens, especially members of Capital City Master Gardener Association who adopted the gardens as a major project of theirs in 2014. The gardens are a significant asset to local residents, businesses and tourists alike. MBG is currently constructing a new Pedestrian Entrance on Forest Avenue to facilitate easier access to the gardens and will include a sign so visitors can identify where the gardens a located at 1010 Forest Avenue.
