Construction began in 1996, and today this young garden boasts 50 acres of cultivated gardens, nature trails and undeveloped, wooded landscape in southeast Alabama. There are over 15 specialty gardens: the Demonstration Garden with a working windmill; Butterfly Garden; Azalea, Camilla and Hydrangea Gardens; The Bernice J. Dykes Memorial Garden; Succulent Garden; the Daylily Garden with over 200 cultivars of daylilies; Rose Garden, Shade Garden and others.The Southern Heirloom Garden (photo)is a collection of bygone plants that are often overlooked with the arrival of hybridization. Early spring heralds the most intense color with poppies, larkspur, old roses and Confederate Jasmine followed in summer with petunias, zinnias, and Black-eyed Susans, among others. Most of the specimens were collected throughout the Southeast from family gardens, old homes and roadsides.Free of charge and open daily, most gardens are accessible to visitors with disabilities. Group tours are available by reservation.
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