Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the largest living museum in Alabama

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the largest living museum in Alabama with over 10,000 plants in the collection. The garden is a large 67.5 acres and includes more than 25 unique gardens, over 30 outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths.

The gardens have the largest public horticulture library in the United States and a Conservatory. The gardens include a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, a Japanese Garden with a traditional tea house and the Southern Living garden.

Throughout the year educational programs are held with over 10,000 school children attending the free science-curriculum based field trip. The gardens are the most visited free attraction in Alabama, with over 350,000 visitors each year and is open daily.

The library at the gardens have over 6,000 horticulture books, DVDs, CDs, videos and magazines in their collection. These include a children's section, new gardening books, Magic School Bus DVDs, Resource material for hands on activities, teacher's resource area and free Wi-Fi for visitors.

Guided tours of the gardens are available with a 3 week advance booking required. Tours are led by volunteer docents Monday to Friday. MP3 Walking Tours are available through private MP3 players allowing visitors to explore the garden at their own place. Visitors are able to photograph as many displays as they want, it is just requested that visitors abide by the etiquette rules.

The different types of plants at the gardens include Gardens of Collections, where the plants in this group are a specific plant family or identified group. The Gardens of Nature, which focuses on native plants of the southeastern US and eco-geographical plant groups. The Gardens of Culture focus on the design style of aspect of human culture.

A gift shop, Leaf & Petal at The Gardens Gift Shop is located on the grounds of the gardens. The gift shop features gifts and dycor for the home and garden, stationery, jewelry, botanical arrangements, children's toys and furniture.

The Gardens Cafy by Kathy G is opened from Tuesday to Saturday to serve visitors lunch that reflects the feeling of the gardens by using local greens and produce that are in season. The cafy is able to host wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, high teas or corporate lunches and dinners. The cafy offers guests the `Green' Brown Bag lunches, which are lunches served to go in 100% recycled paper bags with eco friendly cutlery and containers. Picnic Basket lunches are also available for parties between 4-6 people. The baskets can be pre-ordered with individual meals or a group selection.

The gardens have some rules of etiquette to keep the gardens safe, beautiful and serene. These include staying on the paths and paved surfaces, avoid touching any of the plants, structures or animals, do not climb on the plants, trees, fences or walls, no active sports, no feeding of any animals and to keep the gardens littler free.

The gardens are involved in a partnership between the City of Birmingham and Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which has around 2,500 members who support the gardens. This support is done through funding, advocacy, preservation and the development of the gardens and to promote the appreciation of the plants at the gardens.