On a magnificent Saturday morning in March, people gathered in the gardens for the first class of 2026. The class, “Time to Plant Your Spring Garden: Remember Our Pollinator Friends”, was taught by esteemed local horticulturist, Karen Weber. Karen is the horticulturist for the Shakespear Garden in Blount Cultural Park and manages the grounds at Grace Episcopal Church. As a Master Gardener, she also chairs the Montgomery Botanical Gardens Project for the Capital City Master Gardener Association. She is an excellent gardener, a wise instructor, and has broad knowledge about plants, trees and the natural world.
The information for the attendees explained that bees, butterflies, other insects, and hummingbirds are all pollinators. Mrs. Weber emphasized that they are vital to pollinate plants to create new plants. Without pollinators our food supply would be very limited. Karen showed samples of plants to which pollinators are attracted, including sun flowers, cone flowers, black-eyed Susans, Salvia and more. She encouraged the class to plant native plants whenever they select their specimens for their gardens.
The gardens were on full display with blooming Daffodils, Azaleas, Spirea, Flowering Almond tree, and more. At the end of the class, a potted herb garden that Karen created in the class, was won by an attendee. Attendees were invited to walk through the Southern Garden and enjoy this oasis of beauty and nature in the midst of urban Montgomery…