Aldridge Botannical Gardens, Hoover, Alabama

31 Jul '07 9:47 am

This is a new Botannical garden in our area. It was a 30 acre home garden for a local garden legend, Eddie Aldridge. He and his father owned a nursery and hybridized the 'Snowflake' Hydrangea that has become known worldwide. It was a sport of the oakleaf hydrangea that is indigenous to our woodlands in Alabama. They discovered it in the 1940's and began to cultivate it from cuttings. They hybridized the cuttings it improve the plants even further. They feature huge, fluffy bloom trusses. Their garden features over 300 hydrangea species. When Mr. Aldridge decided to retire, he deeded his former home to the City of Hoover with the provision that it be maintained as a Botannical Garden. It was a little late for the hydrangea bloom when we visited this past week, but I did take some pictures of pretty scenes in the gardens.

31 Jul '07 9:59 am

I haven't seen any buds form on my ornimental ginger but the ones in that last image are in full bloom. Some kind of Hedychium. Great looking flowers and even better scent.

I'm wondering what the plant is with the large purple leaves in the photo marked "slope planting". Looks like some big elephant ear sort of plant. Nice.

The man made stream reminds me of Moosey's watercourse. Is this place close to you? Nice resource.

-Mark

31 Jul '07 11:09 am

Thank you for the visit,Faith-it is the sort of place I wish my garden would look like,I love the stone work -so natural and the water feature too!
Dixie.

1 Aug '07 2:15 am

Yes, Mark, the plant with purple leaves is a black taro, which is like Elephant Ears. I was surprised to see it used in this location because it gets full sun and is probably a little dry. I thought the taro needed a little more shade and moist conditions. I have one that I planted out beside the seasonal stream leading to my small pond. It has not thrived like this one, so maybe I need to rethink it's position. Yes, the garden is fairly close to me, but this was my first visit. My hubby and I are doing the "retired" routine of visiting places we always intended to see but never had the time for before.

And to Dixie, I'm glad you enjoyed the visit. It's not as grand as some of the public gardens out there, but it does have a more private garden type of scale which is really nice for giving ideas that can be brought home to one's own garden. It has only been open for a couple of years now, so they are still working on adding to the collections. The former home has been remodeled to serve as a place for events and meetings. They have a couple of festival type events in the spring and fall with artists, musicians and plant sales. I haven't been to any of those yet, but will probably try to get to one now that I have the time.

1 Aug '07 8:20 am

Yes that is the impression I got,Faith-not so Grand or flashy,but well constructed with lots of ideas to perhaps use in one's own garden.I have not seen a taro so big before-it is a popular plant in tropical gardens here because of its foliage and black stems.
Dixie.

2 Aug '07 2:54 am

Yes, Dixie I believe you are right about taro being usually a smaller plant. There is an Alocasia macrorrbiza whose common name is Giant Taro that might fit the bill for this plant but I don't know if it comes in a black form. Another Alocasia that it might be is A. plumbea, which is described as having purple are dark olive green stems and leaves. Perhaps it is that one. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to see the identifying tag.

The cultivation needs for all of these list the need for partial shade and moist but well drained soil. I have seen lots of these plants used in planting beds at shopping malls where they are surrounded by hot asphalt in the full blazing sun. Maybe this is another plant altogether that I don't know about.

2 Aug '07 6:14 pm

Faith, thankyou so much for posting such a great collection of pictures. And guess what - that lovely man in the photograph doesn't look the slightest bit bored!

Hope retirement is being enjoyed. And so glad to hear you've had some rain.

3 Aug '07 3:07 am

Yes, all in all retirement is going wonderfully. Unfortunately, he is feeling a little anxiety over not having a job. It's a heard habit to break, this need for gainful employment. Hopefully, I will be able to keep him busy enough that he'll get over it quickly.

BTW, this was the other garden we talked about visiting when you were here.

9 Aug '07 2:58 am

What a lovely experience , you must have had here , dear Faith!! Beautiful Garden and captures!!

Aldridge Botannical Gardens, Hoover, Alabama

Aldridge Botannical Gardens, Hoover, Alabama

Your season there is ahead of mine, Faith.

Thank you

Aldridge Botannical Garden

visit

Giant Taro

Retirement

Lovely!!