Birmingham Garden Weekend Brings the Conservancy Back to the Magic City

Louise Wrinkle at the premiere of A Garden in Conversation: Louise Agee Wrinkle’s Southern Woodland Sanctuary

Garden enthusiasts in Birmingham, AL, were treated to a special weekend in early May, brimming with opportunities to explore the unique private gardens gracing the city and the premiere of a documentary film about the beloved Mountain Brook gardener, Louise Wrinkle, and her famed woodland garden. On Saturday, May 4, the Conservancy hosted its first Open Days after a thirteen-year hiatus, four exquisite landscapes rarely open to the public.

The centerpiece of the day was Louise Agee Wrinkle’s Southern Woodland Sanctuary, a two-acre haven teeming with native plants. Wrinkle, a renowned figure in the gardening world and a Director Emerita of the Garden Conservancy, has cultivated a space that embodies the very essence of conservation and sustainable gardening practices. Visitors were immersed in a serene world where native flora flourished alongside Asian counterparts, creating a tapestry of textures and colors. Family collections of hollies, azaleas, and ranunculus added a touch of personal history to the diverse plantings.

A Garden in Conversation: Louise Agee Wrinkle’s Southern Woodland Sanctuary film still

The Open Days program also offered glimpses into three other captivating gardens. The Butrus Garden offered a contrasting experience, transporting visitors to an established Italianate haven. Here, emphasis fell on the calming presence of greenery, water features, and strategically placed stone elements. Sprawling across four acres of mature woodland, the garden boasted a sense of complete tranquility, with each outdoor room seamlessly flowing into the next, offering a refuge of privacy and peace.

Butrus Garden, Birmingham, AL

Views garden presented a celebration of meticulous design, featuring a series of garden spaces, each a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape. Intricate walls and terraces provided a framework for breathtaking vistas, a testament to the current owners’ dedication to creating a timeless masterpiece.

A touch of whimsy graced The Dancer, a garden nestled against the slopes of Red Mountain. Inspired by the homeowner’s dream, the space brought together the elegance of a ballerina statue, the tranquility of a water feature, and the classic charm of roses surrounding a 1930s Tudor-style home. The house’s architectural lines played a key role in the design, with the garden elements working in harmony to create a captivating scene.

A panel discussion with James Brayton Hall, Louise Wrinkle, Veranda Editor in Chief Steele Marcoux, Cherokee Garden Library Director Staci L. Catron, Southern Living Editor-at-Large Steve Bender, and filmmaker Michael Udris.

The Birmingham Garden Weekend also celebrated the Conservancy’s first film premiere, A Garden in Conversation: Louise Agee Wrinkle’s Southern Woodland Sanctuary, on May 5 at the Virginia Samford Theatre. The documentary offered in-depth exploration of Wrinkle’s garden and design philosophy. The film, part of the Garden Conservancy’s Suzanne and FredericRheinstein Garden Film Documentary Program, marked a first for the organization — a chance for viewers to not only experience the garden but also hear directly from its visionary creator.

Following the screening, a lively panel discussion delved deeper into the world of Southern gardens, native plants, and conservation practices. Esteemed panelists including Steele Marcoux, Editor-in-Chief of Veranda, and Steve Bender, Grumpy Gardener columnist for Southern Living, shared their insights alongside Wrinkle herself. The discussion culminated in a book signing for Wrinkle’s acclaimed and republished book, Listen to the Land: Creating a Southern Woodland Garden. This event marked a significant milestone for the Conservancy and Birmingham’s gardening community. The weekend’s festivities not only celebrated the beauty of these hidden gems, but also served as a wellspring of inspiration for garden enthusiasts of all levels.