Summer 2019 Events at the Bellingrath Gardens

Who knew that summertime Wednesdays could be so wonderful? Join us this June and July for Wonderful Wednesdays at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a fun, informative series to help Gulf Coast gardeners and enthusiasts make the most of our extended growing season. Each workshop covers a special feature of the Gardens and Home, or tips for making your garden more spectacular.

We’re also excited to announce the return of Kids Gulf Discovery Day on June 12, featuring the Environmental Studies Center’s Raptor Road Show on the Great Lawn and cruises along Fowl River with our friends from WildNative Delta Safaris!

Here is the full schedule of Wonderful Wednesdays, from June 5 to July 31. Unless otherwise noted, all sessions begin in the Magnolia Room in the Gift Shop/Café building. For more information, visit bellingrath.org, or call 251-459-8864. Unless otherwise noted, admission fees are $14 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-12 and free to members and to ages 4 and younger.

June 5: Summer Garden Walk, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Bellingrath’s Horticultural Management Team for a guided tour of the Gardens to see our wonderful summer displays, floral borders and new additions. Stay for lunch in our Magnolia Café and check out our new merchandise in the Bellingrath Gift Shop.

June 12: Kids Gulf Discovery Day, 9 a.m.-noon. Children of all ages will enjoy learning about the wildlife and ecology of the Gulf Coast from a variety of environmental organizations. The Environmental Studies Center will bring their Raptor Road Show to the Great Lawn to engage and educate guests about the wonders of native birds of prey. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will offer presentations with their Touch Tables in the Magnolia Room. Visitors may also take a guided cruise along the beautiful Fowl River, courtesy of WildNative Delta Safaris. Space is limited and reservations are required for the cruises, so be sure to make your reservations early. Cruise times are 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and12:30 p.m. The cruise fees are $10 for adults and $6 for ages 0-12. Join us for a day of summer fun!

June 20: Attracting Pollinators to the Garden, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Pollinators are experiencing a serious decline across the country. Jack LeCroy, an Urban Regional Extension Agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will give an overview of best practices to attract and protect bees, butterflies and other pollinators in your garden. Questions are encouraged! 

June 26: Paint Party at Bellingrath, 6-8 p.m. Paint your favorite Bellingrath Gardens scenes and flowers during this special evening Paint Party. Artists Renee Wallace and Janie Brown will paint with you, step by step. You may choose to create your own designs on a blank canvas, or you may select a pre-sketched Bellingrath Gardens scene on a 12” x 16” canvas panel. All supplies are included. This session requires an extra fee of $30 per participant to cover the costs of supplies.

(No program on July 4)

July 10: Viewing the Summer Sky at Bellingrath Gardens, 7-9 p.m. Do not miss this very special evening astronomy program, led by members of the University of South Alabama Department of Physics.   Following a brief lecture in the Magnolia Room, guests will gather on the Great Lawn to view the night sky. Telescopes will be set up to view planets and constellations. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars and flashlights.

July 17: Horticultural Reflections, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Executive Director Bill Barrick as he shares insights into his distinguished, 40-year career in public garden management. Dr. Barrick has serverd as Executive Director of Bellingrath Gardens and Home since 1999. Friday, July 19, will be his last official day of employment with Bellingrath Gardens and Home.

July 24: Cheers! A Look at Alcohol-Related Objects in the Bellingrath Collection, 10:30-11:30 a.m. According to those who knew her best, Bessie Morse Bellingrath “hated liquor worse than God hates sin.” And yet, her collection includes a wide variety of beautiful objects created to serve or contain everything from gin to champagne. Displayed throughout the Home are case glass decanters, Sheffield wine coolers, a ceramic book disguising a liquor flask and assorted glassware designed to serve an array of wines and liqueurs. Join Museum Home Director Tom McGehee as we take a look at these alcohol-related treasures within a teetotaler’s collection.

July 31: Christmas in July Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Go behind the scenes of Bellingrath’s famous Magic Christmas in Lights show and learn how you can create your own magic from our experts. Guests may select a metal frame created by our team and then learn how to attach lights to decorate the piece. All materials will be supplied and are included in the cost of the program. A salad/sandwich buffet lunch is also included. Space is limited and reservations are required to attend, so be sure to make your reservation early for this one-of-a-kind workshop! Fees are $43 for members; $40 for the children of members ages 5-12; $56 for adult non-members; and $48 for non-members ages 5-12.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is operated by the Bellingrath Gardens and Home Foundation, a charitable, not-for-profit organization. Bellingrath Gardens and Home is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the 65-acre garden and estate home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. For more information, visit bellingrath.org or call 251-973-2217.