What are you passionate about planting?

As the last bursts of cold air leave and the sun’s warmth prevails, we hope that like us, you're tempted to rush to your favorite local garden shop and pick up summer flowers. Every summer, I nurse a potted Moon flower and delight in its short-lived evening blooms. I’m also always sure to have an array of colorful Snapdragons. This year, I’d like to add something new to the mix, and I wonder what are Birmingham Home & Garden magazine readers’ favorite summer flowers and plants?

—by Barbara Silor,
Birmingham Home & Garden Intern

—photography by Barbara Silor

—special thanks to Pam at the Garden Shop of Homewood for allowing us use of her location

Send us your summer favorites and tell us why they have roots in your home garden every year. Got pictures of your award winning Knockout roses? Send them our way! We want to see what you are passionate about planting.

The American Institute of Architects Presents the DreamArchitecture Awards

The Birmingham Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently held its annual DreamArchitecture contest for grades K-5 in Greater Birmingham and surrounding areas to promote awareness for sustaining our planet while generating interest in architecture and design. The DreamArchitecture participants were asked to submit drawings of their “Green Dream Schools" along with a “Dream Statement” explaining details about the submitted pictures.

On May 7, 2009, the awards ceremony took place at the historic Birmingham Printing and Publishing Company on 19^th Street South to honor the winners of the DreamArchitecture 2009 contest. At this event, the vibrant drawings were displayed against the building’s wooden walls, allowing the bright colors of the unique designs to stand out. The drawings conveyed a sense of excitement about the effort to maintain the environment. Proud children pointed out their creations to onlookers, and the winning entries were marked by red, white, and blue ribbons for each grade level. White frosted cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles and an array of fruits were served as refreshments for contestants and their guests, courtesy of Café Iz.

While the first prize for the DreamArchitecture 2009 contest was an AIA hands-on workshop on May 9, 2009, all contestants were deemed successful for taking steps in moving their “green” dreams to reality by participating in the competition. AIA Birmingham’s DreamArchitecture contest can be construed as a great victory for its effort to educate the city’s youth on environmental impacts while also promoting a creative outlet for all involved.

—by Jamie S. Walden,
Birmingham Home & Garden intern

For more information on the DreamArchitecture contest and on the AIA, visit http://www.aiaalabama.com.

Get Back to Nature

Visit one of the beautiful parks just minutes from Birmingham for garden arrangement inspiration!

Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham offers over 50 miles of trails as well as golfing, fishing, biking, swimming and camping at highly affordable prices. The park also offers activities at the Alabama Wildlife Center and many charity hikes and runs. While there, don’t forget to check out plants that are indigenous to the area. www.alapark.com/OakMountain and www.awrc.org

Tannehill State Park is the perfect place to stretch your legs, flex your brain and find local accessories for your own outdoor space. They’ve got events and exhibits planned all summer long—from a Civil War reenactment (May 23-24), to a Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show (first weekend in June). www.tannehill.org

Pack a picnic and head out to Vulcan Trail where there are plenty of sunny spots to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. The scenic path, located at Vulcan Park and Museum, is short (about a mile and a half) but lined with trees, flowers and a significant amount of warm-hued stone for a peaceful retreat. www.visitvulcan.com

Visit Birmingham Botanical Gardens to view the full spectrum of what one can grow in our area. Recently voted the #1 Free Tourist Attraction in Alabama, you can see plants, like tulips and pansies, that are common in Birmingham, as well as ones that are exotic transplants. www.bbgardens.org

Located near the heart of Birmingham, Ruffner Mountain is a treasure tucked away on 81st Street South. The park offers over a thousand acres of lush hiking trails with moss covered boulders greeting you at every turn. Wildflowers bloom with abandon along the pathways to get your creative garden planning started. www.ruffnermountain.org

Whatever your preference for seeking a new perspective on gardening and experiencing nature, our area boasts a smattering of outdoor escapes. Whether seeking a place for a quick walk to clear your head, or training to hike the Grand Canyon, embrace the beauty in our state.

—By Amy Pedigo
—Photos provided by Oak Mountain State Park

Before and After Crestwood Deck

Reader Letter:
Ms Clavell,
I'd like to recommend a home (actually a deck) to be featured in the BH&G Blog. Amanda Abbett has added an amazing deck to her home in Crestwood that I would love to see spotlighted in your blog.
Thanks.
Amanda

Our Response:
One of our blog readers wrote in to tell us that if you’re looking for a shady and private place for parties and outdoor lounging, Crestwood resident, Amanda Abbett, has the perfect spot—her own backyard.

When Amanda wanted to design and build a new deck for her backyard, she took her ideas to the remodeling professionals at All Phase Construction and set to work to create her new space. A large 16 x 16 screened and covered deck was built and with enough extra space left to enjoy the backyard. Another smaller, lower, 8 x 16 deck was also added.

Having a space that could bring Amanda closer to nature was a plus for her. “I love being outside and having the deck convenient to my back door was a big bonus,” she says. “The deck allows me to easily go outside and sit with nature. In the summer, when the three pecan trees above are full of leaves, the house feels like a large tree-house.”

Before the deck was added on, Amanda says the house was very cute and had charm, but when opening the back door and finding a steep flight of stairs was, “Not attractive. The back of the house just always screamed for a deck.”

The deck’s interior was decorated in a beach theme with a crab wall hanging, and a small fishing net and oar. Bamboo shades drape the railing for a tiki feel and clear lights trim the ceiling for great evening illumination.

The deck also provides a great place for weekend lounging and gatherings. “Everyone who ever sees it for the first time is really pleasantly surprised,” says Amanda. “I think when they pull up to our city bungalow, they have no idea a deck so large and so nice will be behind our house.”

—by Patience Kleber

If you’re looking to remodel or decorate a space, check out these professionals:
* American Society of Interior Designers: www.aside.org
* Home Builders Association of Alabama: www.hbaa.org
* The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders: www.birminghambuilder.com
* Home Builders Association of Alabama Remodelers
P.O. Box 241305
Montgomery, AL 36124
(800) 745-4222

Have a remodeling project you’d like to share? E-mail us at aclavell@pmtpublishing.com.

Freeze Warning

Burrr!

Our fair (and inclement) weather friend Jason Simpson of ABC 33/40 warns viewers of a potential Freeze Warning this evening. For more information, check out the ABC 33/40 weather blog at http://www.alabamawx.com/?p=17166.

Protect your plants by bringing in those containers and be sure to put a ground cover on delicate exterior plants and shrubs to avoid any potential damage caused by freezing temperatures.

How are you prepping your plants for the cold snap? E-mail us at aclavell@pmtpublishing.com or send in your photos!

What plants work best in pots on a patio?

One of our blog subscribers wrote in to ask what plants might work best in pots on a patio. Here's the answer:

Now that spring is in full bloom, many people are wondering what plants would make a great potted addition to a sunny spot on their patios for summer. As it turns out, the possibilities are as full as variety as the color range of peonies.

Katie Whitworth at Sweet Peas Garden Center in Homewood says her favorite potted plant is Salvia guaranitica. It works well with other plants in a medium-sized potted arrangement. This plant sprouts vibrant blue blooms as it grows to around four feet tall. It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor space. For a good trailing plant option, Katie suggests Verbena, which comes in many varieties and has a strong fragrance.

If you have so much sun that you're worried about plants drying out, you can always choose one of the many drought-resistant succulents, like Sempervivum. Succulents thrive in pots and many are perennials, so they make great investments. Or you can add Purslane portulaca, which has bright-hued blooms in summer.

If you'd rather steer clear of succulents, consider starting an herb garden in your sunny patio space. Many varieties do well with plentiful sunshine and there are a large number of herbs that will work for beginners. Try your green thumb at oregano, dill or thyme.

*Peruse the pots and plants (shown above in photos) at Sweet Peas Garden Shop at 2829 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209; 205-879-3839.

—Written by Amy Pedigo; Photography by Amy Pedigo

Ask the Garden Gurus
Leave us a question or comment or send in photos of your own garden space for possible publication on our BH&G Blog!

Tuesday Talk: Veggie Gardens

In case you missed our Talk of Alabama spot this Tuesday, Ginger Jefferson, Birmingham Home & Garden Director of Marketing, shared tips from our weekend Victory Gardening seminar.

Ginger and Nicole also highlight some hanging baskets from the Garden Shop of Homewood that are perfect for growing tomatoes, or showcasing spring flowers on the porch.

Check out the Talk of Alabama video link at:

http://cfc.abc3340.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=36992&category=toa


Did you Attend?
If you attended our Victory Garden seminar this weekend, we want to hear from you! Drop us a line at aclavell@pmtpublishing.com or send a message via our blog spot!