Garden Columns Inside Growing Curious Minds Through Outdoor Discovery Page 6
What Determines Autumn Leaf Color? Page 16
More Than a Vegetable Garden Page 20
Volume 7 Issue 4
Fall 2026
Our Mission The Garden exists to connect people to plants to support a healthier quality of life for the region.
2026
Fall Plant Sale A fundraiser supporting Huntsville Botanical Garden
Members Sale
Friday, September 25, 8 AM – 6:30 PM
Public Sale
Saturday, September 26, 8 AM – 4:00 PM
Rain or Shine
Natives Garden-Signature Collections Fruits Herbs Perennials Trees Shrubs Houseplants
Don’t miss out on quality selection and expert advice from our plant professionals. All items are first come first served, while supplies last!
Greetings from the CEO: Fall 2026 Hello Everyone! Fall at Huntsville Botanical Garden is a season full of color and discovery. As temperatures begin to cool and autumn color spreads, the Garden invites you to slow down and experience the beauty of the season. From crisp morning walks to afternoons spent exploring winding nature trails, autumn offers countless opportunities to connect with the natural world in meaningful ways. Fall brings some of the year’s most anticipated experiences to the Garden. FestiFall returns with seasonal events and family-friendly activities, while cooler temperatures make it the perfect time to explore the landscape and enjoy the beauty of autumn outdoors. From hands-on learning to moments of wonder and exploration, this season highlights the many ways gardens enrich our communities and invite us to engage more fully with nature. Whether you are visiting for a special program or a quiet afternoon walk, there is always something new to experience. In this issue of Garden Columns, we explore the many ways gardens can inspire curiosity and connection. Discover the value of nature play and how outdoor experiences help children grow and thrive. Learn about the different types of public gardens and the unique role botanical gardens play in conservation, education, and community engagement. We also highlight some of the seasonal sights and experiences that make autumn one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the Garden. Fall is a season that encourages us to pause, observe, and appreciate the changes all around us. We hope this issue inspires you to explore, learn something new, and enjoy all that the season has to offer. .
2026 Board of Directors Michelle Stark Board Chair Brittney Shonk Vice Chair Drew Davenport Treasurer Sherrie Hodges Assistant Treasurer Kristina Hendrix Secretary Lindsay Rice Immediate Past Board Chair
Tracy Barrett Hal Brewer Kohler Damson Melanie Forbes Camillia King-Stanley Michael Kirkpatrick Brenda Martin Angie McCarter Riley Parker Will Pylant Kaitlynn Roark John Mark Russell U’Meeka Smith Julie Stephens Sara Beth Wilcox Jennifer Wu
Sue Wagner CEO, Huntsville Botanical Garden
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4
What’s Inside
06
Nature Play: Growing Curious Minds Through Outdoor Discovery
10
At the Table: Roasted Fall Vegetables with Fresh Herbs
13
More Than One Kind of Garden
Camellia ‘Kanjiro’ Camellia hiemalis ‘Kanjiro’
Candy Corn Plant Cuphea micropetala
Chrysanthemum ‘Country Girl’ Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Country Girl’
16
What Determines Autumn Leaf Color?
Garlic Chives Allium tuberosum
20
And more!
4747 Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville, AL 35805 Contact us: Phone: 256-830-4447 • Email: info@hsvbg.org Website: hsvbg.org
Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
Japanese Anemone Anemone hupehensis
WHAT’S
More Than a Vegetable Garden
@hsvgarden @HuntsvilleBotanicalGarden
Nodding Ladies’-Tresses Spiranthes cernua
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Education Programs Hello Fall Cooler days, colorful leaves and crisp autumn air make this one of the most beautiful times to explore the Garden. Join us this season for programs and events that celebrate the wonders of nature, inspire curiosity and bring people of all ages together. From hands-on learning to unforgettable outdoor experiences, every visit offers something new to discover.
Youth
SEPTEMBER
Adult
OCTOBER
Educator
Family
NOVEMBER
05 Making Good Choices: Helping Homeowners Find a Balance in Plant Selection
05-09 Youth STEM Camp “Autumn Explorers”
07 Sustainable Pest Control
12 Butterfly Release
10 Native Tea Gardens
07 Cultivate STEM Professional Development for Prek8th Teachers
12-13 Girl Scout Campout
16, 17 Seeds to Sprouts
11 Youth STEM Camp
15-16 Nature Academy
17 Make Your Own Watercolor Paints from Nature
12, 14 Botanical Bookworms
17, 19 Botanical Bookworms
20-21 Nature Academy
14 Gardening with Kids: Senses in the Garden
18, 19 Seeds to Sprouts
17-18 Nature Academy
18-19 Family Campout
Visit hsvbg.org/calendar for details and registration.
26 Forest Therapy Class: Forest Bathing
26 Monarch Migration Program and Release
26 Gardening with Kids: Seeds
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Watercolor Paints from Nature Oct. 17
Youth STEM Camp Nov. 11
Fall Events & Experiences Nature Unframed
On display now – Oct. 31 Included with admission!
FestiFall
Our annual fall celebration returns with seasonal displays, family-friendly activities and special events throughout September and October, including the popular Scarecrow Trail, Fall Plant Sale and more. There’s something new to discover with every visit. Scarecrow Trail
On display Sept. 1 – October 31
Fall Plant Sale
Included with admission!
Member Day: Friday, Sept. 25 (8 am-6:30 pm) Public Sale: Saturday, Sept. 26 (8 am – 4 pm)
Golden Hour
Harvest Tea
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 • 5-7 pm Free admission!
Sunday, September 27 • 2-3:30 pm
Bonsai Day
Mahjong in the Garden
Included with admission!
Times vary daily
Saturday, Sept. 5 • 10 am – 2 pm
Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4
Hops & Harvest
Raptor Show
Pooches & PUPkins
Little Monsters Mash
Saturday, Sept. 12 • 5:30-7:30 pm
Thursday, Sept. 17 • 5-7 pm Included with admission!
Forage & Steep: Teen Tea Saturday, Sept. 19 • 3-5 pm
Autumn Equinox Concert Sunday, Sept. 20 • 6-8 pm
▲ Wintergreen Market
Sunday, November 1 • 11 am – 4 pm
Galaxy of Lights Races
Wednesday, October 7 • 11 am & 1 pm
Saturday, October 10 • 10 am – 1 pm
Spellbound
October 21-25 & 28-31 Times vary daily
Meow-o-ween
Monday, Oct. 26 • 4-6 pm
▲ Grateful Sips Tea
Sunday, November 15 • 1:30-3 pm Registration open now!
5k Race – Monday, Nov 30 3k Fun Run – Tuesday, Dec 1
Visit hsvbg.org/calendar for details and registration.
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05
Nature Play:
Growing Curious Minds Through Outdoor Discovery How Huntsville Botanical Garden inspires curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning through nature. By Rebecca Turk, VP of Learning & Public Engagement
Many adults remember childhood afternoons spent building forts, making mud pies, catching fireflies or racing leaves down a stream. Today, those simple moments of discovery often require more intention as busy schedules and technology compete for children’s attention. As Huntsville continues to grow, so does the need for places where families can connect, explore and learn together outdoors. At Huntsville Botanical Garden, nature play is more than an activity—it’s a philosophy that shapes how children experience the Garden and how families create lasting memories. Every youth education program, interactive landscape and future expansion is rooted in that philosophy: children learn best by exploring the natural world through curiosity, creativity and hands-on discovery. 06
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What Is Nature Play?
These principles guide every youth
STEM Camps immerse children
At Huntsville Botanical Garden,
education program at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Children
ages 4-12 in the Garden’s 118-acre living laboratory. Through themed
learn age-appropriate science
camps such as Eco Adventures,
concepts through movement, creativity, observation and play
What’s Cooking?, Backyard Science and Nature by Design,
while building confidence,
campers investigate pollinators,
independence and a deeper connection to the environment.
habitats, gardening, soils, conservation, food production and environmental stewardship through hands-on exploration.
kitchen full of pies.
Nature Play Across the Garden
STEM field trips bring classroom
Rather than being told how to
Nature play comes to life every day through the Garden’s educational
nature play is child-led, unstructured outdoor play that encourages children to explore the natural world using their own curiosity and imagination. A stick becomes a tool, a fallen log becomes a balance beam, leaves become boats and mud transforms into an imaginary
learn and play, children observe, experiment, solve problems and create their own adventures.
programs.
Nature becomes both classroom and teacher, supporting physical, cognitive, social and emotional development while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
the Garden into an outdoor classroom for children ages 4 and
Why the Garden Believes in Nature Play Research continues to show that outdoor, unstructured play provides meaningful benefits for children. Studies find that naturebased play supports executive function, problem-solving skills, resilience, balance, coordination and self-regulation. Time spent interacting with plants and nature also encourages curiosity, environmental stewardship and healthy lifelong habits.
Garden Sprouts Pre-K transforms
lessons outdoors, giving students opportunities to investigate pollinators, habitats, sustainability, seeds, soil, water and seasonal changes alongside Garden educators. By partnering with
5. Students spend at least 70% of their school year outdoors, learning through exploration while building confidence, curiosity and kindergarten readiness. Educators observe children’s interests and build lessons around those discoveries, encouraging greater excitement for the natural world.
teachers, the Garden transforms plant science into an engaging, real-world experience.
Nature Academy provides monthly outdoor STEM experiences for homeschool students ages 6-12, while Seeds to Sprouts introduces children ages 2-5 and their caregivers to nature through stories, handson activities and guided Garden exploration.
Bringing the Philosophy Into the Landscape
Although each program serves a different age group, they all share the same foundation: children learn best when they actively engage with the natural world.
Nature play doesn’t happen only during classes. Throughout Huntsville Botanical Garden, landscapes are intentionally designed to encourage exploration,
GARDEN COLUMNS
07
imagination and discovery for visitors of every age. Within the Wicks Family Garden, Tweetsville celebrates the relationship between birds, plants and people. Families can explore imaginative birdhouses, climb into a giant nest, observe birds in their habitat and discover ways to create bird-friendly spaces at home. Nearby, the Mother Earth Troll Garden, featuring internationally acclaimed artist Thomas Dambo’s larger-than-life troll, Mama Zelda, invites guests to wander through a living maze filled with native trees, shrubs and perennials. Hidden surprises, shaded gathering spaces, scavenger hunts and immersive storytelling reward curiosity with every visit.
“Time spent interacting with plants and nature encourages curiosity, environmental stewardship and healthy lifelong habits.“ Looking Ahead: Nature’s Playground
Growing Curious Minds
The Garden’s commitment to
activity—it’s a way of learning.
nature play continues to grow with Nature’s Playground, opening in
Whether children are building
Nature play is more than an
May 2027.
forts, investigating insects, planting seeds or exploring
Designed for children from
Nature’s Playground, they develop
toddlers through age 12 and their
curiosity, confidence and a lasting connection to the natural world.
caregivers, the expansion includes a reimagined nature play area within the Wicks Family Garden and a new 1.5-acre outdoor adventure space adjacent to the Herb Garden. Children will climb, balance, build, investigate and imagine through open-ended play while connecting with plants and ecological systems through hands-on discovery. Nature’s Playground also serves as an outdoor classroom for school field trips, STEM Camps and Garden Sprouts Pre-K, extending the Garden’s educational mission beyond traditional learning spaces.
These spaces demonstrate that meaningful learning often begins with exploration—and that wonder isn’t reserved for children.
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Visitors will see construction activity in fall 2026 as work begins on this exciting addition. The Garden is currently fundraising for the project, which reflects its ongoing investment in families, education, and outdoor experiences.
Every path, program and landscape at Huntsville Botanical Garden is designed to encourage discovery. As the Garden continues to grow, so do the opportunities for children and families to explore, imagine and learn together. Nature has always been one of our greatest teachers, and at Huntsville Botanical Garden, there’s always something new waiting to be discovered.
Artist’s Rendering of Nature’s Playground
by the Garden Seasonal guidance for garden, table, home and gifting—rooted in nature and inspired by autumn.
In The Garden
Fall tasks and timely guidance for a healthy In The Garden home garden.
Spring tasks and timely guidance for a healthy home garden Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the seasons ahead. Weed pressure is significantly lower than during the peak growing season, but winter weeds are beginning to germinate, so stay ahead of them with mechanical or chemical control methods. Cool-season vegetables started in late summer can be planted in the landscape and harvested until hard freezes arrive later in the year. As warmseason turfgrass begins to go dormant, raise your mower blades and discontinue your fertilization schedule. Fall is also one of the best times to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, as cooler temperatures and seasonal rainfall encourage strong root growth. Even with regular rainfall, monitor new plantings and water as needed during dry spells to help them become established. If your houseplants have spent the summer outdoors, now is an ideal time to bring them inside. Similar indoor and outdoor temperatures during early fall make the transition easier and help reduce stress on the plants.
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n rd e Ga e th by
At The Table From Garden to Table
Roasted Fall Vegetables with Fresh Herbs One of the best ways to enjoy fresh vegetables is also one of the easiest. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of seasonal produce while allowing fresh herbs to shine.
Ingredients y
2 sweet potatoes, cubed
y
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
y y y
3 carrots, sliced 1 red onion, cut into wedges 2 cups broccoli florets
y y y
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme Salt and black pepper to taste Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
y
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions 1. 2.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss vegetables with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.
3. 4. 5.
Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 30–35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving, if desired.
Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish or enjoy as a hearty vegetarian meal.
Harvest Highlights
Herb Spotlight: Rosemary
Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled fish or enjoy as a hearty vegetarian meal. D Sweet potatoes D Kale D Broccoli D Lettuce D Carrots D Radishes
Kitchen Tip Roasting vegetables at a high temperature caramelizes their natural sugars, creating rich flavor with very little effort. Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
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This fragrant evergreen herb pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, potatoes and poultry. Fresh rosemary can also be dried and enjoyed throughout the winter months.
At Home
by
A place set for summer, welcoming the season indoors
th e
Broccoli
A fall garden staple, broccoli thrives in cooler temperatures and often develops its best flavor after a light frost. Plant: Late August through September Sun: Full sun (6–8 hours daily) Harvest: 70–100 days Why We Love It: Rich in vitamins C and K, broccoli is delicious roasted, steamed or added to soups and casseroles.
Lettuce
Fast-growing and easy to harvest, lettuce is one of the most rewarding vegetables for beginner gardeners. Plant: September through October Sun: Full sun to partial shade Harvest: 30–60 days Why We Love It: Harvest individual leaves as needed for fresh salads all season long.
Radishes
If you’re looking for quick results, radishes are hard to beat. Many varieties are ready to harvest in about a month. Plant: September through October Sun: Full sun Harvest: About 30 days Why We Love It: Their crisp texture adds fresh flavor to salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
Spinach
Spinach loves cool weather and often becomes sweeter as temperatures drop. Plant: September through October Sun: Full sun Harvest: 40–50 days Why We Love It: Enjoy fresh in salads or sauté with garlic and olive oil for an easy side dish.
Carrots
Carrots may take a little patience, but they’re well worth the wait. Cool temperatures help develop their naturally sweet flavor. Plant: August through September Sun: Full sun Harvest: 60–80 days Why We Love It: Perfect for roasting, soups, snacks or holiday side dishes.
Quick Tips for Fall Gardening Find the Sun: Most vegetables need six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Water Consistently: Cooler temperatures mean slower evaporation, but new plants still need regular watering while they establish. Feed Your Soil: Adding compost before planting helps improve soil structure and provides nutrients throughout the growing season. Don’t Give Up After Summer: Many vegetables actually perform better in the cool temperatures of fall than they do during the heat of summer.
Inspired by the Demonstration Vegetable Garden Visit the Demonstration Vegetable Garden during your next trip to Huntsville BotanicalGARDEN Garden toCOLUMNS see seasonal 11 vegetables growing in real time, discover new varieties and gather ideas for your own garden.
n
Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean gardening season is over. In fact, fall is one of the best times to grow vegetables in North Alabama. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on many crops, making it easier to enjoy crisp greens and hearty vegetables well into the season. Whether you’re planting your first garden or extending an established one, these cool-season favorites are a great place to start.
e rd
Five vegetables to plant for a productive fall garden in North Alabama
Ga
What’s in Season?
n rd e Ga e th by
From The Garden
Naturally Delightful Gifts and Mementos from The Chrysalis
World of Mushi Mushroom Light
Bring a touch of woodland wonder home with World of Mushi. These mushroom lights have three light settings that cast a warm, cozy glow, making them the perfect accent for bookshelves, bedside tables, nurseries, or any space that could use a little everyday whimsy.
Two’s Company Entertaining Essentials
Huntsville Botanical Garden Exclusive Jellies
Modern Sprout Growing Kits
Crafted exclusively for Huntsville Botanical Garden, these locally inspired favorites capture the flavors of the South and make the perfect gift, or a delicious treat just for you.
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Two’s Company offers the essentials you need to gather, celebrate, and savor every season. Combining fresh style with durability, these entertaining essentials make every table feel naturally inviting.
Bring the joy of gardening indoors with Modern Sprout’s easy-to-grow kits. Perfect for sunny windowsills, these thoughtfully designed kits make it easy to nurture fresh herbs or blooms year-round.
More Than One Kind of
By Max McKeown, Horticulture Manager
Bush Azalea Trail
When many people picture a botanical garden, they imagine beautifully manicured flower beds bursting with seasonal color. While those formal display gardens are certainly part of the experience, they are only one piece of the story. At Huntsville Botanical Garden, every landscape is intentionally designed to serve a different purpose. Some spaces inspire beautiful home landscapes, others preserve important plant collections, some provide hands-on learning opportunities, and others showcase the natural beauty of North Alabama. Together, they fulfill one mission: connecting people to plants.
Gardens That Inspire One of the most recognizable types of public gardens is the ornamental display garden. These spaces are designed to captivate visitors through beautiful plant combinations, seasonal color and thoughtful design. Many are influenced by English landscape gardens, which emphasize flowing lines, diverse plantings, trees, shrubs and perennials to create landscapes that feel both natural and inviting. Unlike formal European gardens that rely on strict symmetry and geometric
layouts, English-inspired gardens embrace color, texture and seasonal change. Some of the best examples at Huntsville Botanical Garden include the Floral Promenade, the Four Seasons Garden and the landscapes surrounding the Propst Guest Center. While visitors may not recreate these spaces exactly, they offer endless inspiration for color combinations, plant pairings and design ideas that can be adapted for home gardens.
GARDEN COLUMNS
13
Floral Promenade
Four Seasons Garden
Lake Lonnie
Even areas with more formal
together allows home gardeners
name, accession number, and
influences have their place. The Herb Garden, Damson Aquatic
to evaluate color combinations, textures, growth habits and seasonal interest before making
provenance. Maintaining accurate records allows gardens to monitor collections, support research, and share knowledge with other
sense of harmony and order.
purchasing decisions. Visitors can discover plants that thrive in North Alabama, learn which species
Each design style offers visitors a different experience while
complement one another and gather ideas that work at a realistic
Huntsville Botanical Garden
showcasing the beauty and
residential scale.
maintains several notable
A botanical garden serves as a living resource for homeowners by
collections, including trilliums (Trillium spp.), hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.), rhododendrons
demonstrating successful plant combinations, recommended species, and practical design
(Rhododendron spp.), crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.).
Garden, and the Garden’s entrance plantings use symmetry and repeating patterns to create a
diversity of plants.
solutions that visitors can take home and make their own.
Living Collections Damson Aquatic Garden
Gardens Designed for Home Landscapes Not every garden is designed simply to be admired from a distance. One of the most important roles of a public garden is helping visitors imagine what is possible in their own landscapes. Seeing mature plants growing
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Beyond beautiful landscapes, botanical gardens are also living museums. Every plant within a collection tells a story and contributes to research, conservation, and education. Like museums catalog artifacts, botanical gardens carefully document their living collections using detailed records that include a plant’s source, scientific
plant health, preserve important
institutions.
The Garden’s nationally accredited trillium collection reflects its long-term commitment to plant conservation and excellence in collections management. While these collections may not always provide the most dramatic seasonal displays, their value extends far beyond appearance. They preserve biodiversity, support scientific research, and ensure remarkable plants remain available for future generations.
Wicks Family Garden
Spaces Designed for Learning Some areas of the Garden prioritize education over aesthetics. Spaces such as the Wicks Family Garden, Outdoor Classroom, and interpretive trails, including Mathews Nature Trail and the
Mathews Nature Trail
“A botanical garden serves as a living resource for homeowners by demonstrating successful plant combinations, recommended species, and practical design solutions that visitors can take home.“
Bush Azalea Trail, invite visitors to
The Garden’s natural areas provide
interact with plants rather than simply observe them.
visitors with a glimpse of North Alabama’s native ecosystems.
These spaces encourage exploration, curiosity and discovery. Whether learning
These heavily wooded spaces rely primarily on native plant communities and require far
landscape. Every space serves a purpose, whether inspiring beautiful home gardens,
about pollinators, native plants, ecosystems or gardening practices, visitors gain hands-on experiences
less intensive management than cultivated display gardens. Rather than frequent pruning and
preserving important plant collections, educating visitors, or
that deepen their understanding of the natural world. Every path, sign and planting choice is
seasonal replanting, desirable native species are allowed to reseed naturally while invasive
intentionally designed to support learning while strengthening the Garden’s mission of connecting people to plants.
plants are carefully managed.
Celebrating North Alabama’s Natural Beauty Not every space at Huntsville Botanical Garden is highly manicured—and that’s intentional.
These landscapes demonstrate the beauty and ecological value of native plants while supporting birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. They also show visitors how native species can be incorporated into home landscapes to create beautiful gardens that benefit local ecosystems.
More Than One Kind of Garden A successful botanical garden is not defined by a single style of
protecting native ecosystems. The contrast between cultivated gardens, educational spaces, living collections, and natural areas is intentional. Together, they create a richer experience than any one garden style could provide on its own. The next time you visit Huntsville Botanical Garden, look beyond the flowers. Each garden tells a story, and every path offers a new way to connect with plants.
GARDEN COLUMNS
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What Determines Autumn Leaf Color? By Vânia Pereira, Ph.D., Curator of Living Collections
As temperatures begin to decrease and signs of autumn appear, social media fills with photographs of yellow, orange and red trees. Yet here in North Alabama, many trees remain green while autumn appears well underway elsewhere. This often leads to a common question: Why haven’t the leaves changed yet? The answer lies in an elegant and complex combination of plant biology, chemistry and weather. Leaves do not simply “die” and change color. Instead, trees undergo a carefully regulated seasonal transition that allows them to conserve valuable nutrients before winter dormancy. The timing and brilliance of autumn color depend on everything from daylight and temperature to rainfall and tree species. Understanding this process helps explain not only why leaves change color, but also why North Alabama’s fall display often arrives weeks later than in more northern states.
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Nature’s Solar Panels
break down and are recycled,
Throughout spring and summer,
allowing trees to recover valuable
autumn rather than being present all season. These pigments create
leaves capture sunlight and convert carbon dioxide from the air and
nutrients before leaves are shed.
brilliant shades of red, crimson,
water absorbed by the roots into
As the green pigment disappears,
scarlet and purple. In autumn, leaves use sunlight, cool nights,
sugars that fuel growth, flowering and reproduction through the
other pigments become visible.
moist soil, and sugars to create
This color change is an active, highly regulated physiological
brilliant red and purple colors.
process that helps trees prepare
Anthocyanins help protect leaf
for winter while conserving valuable resources for the following
tissues from excessive light while
found inside structures called chloroplasts. Chlorophyll absorbs
spring.
process of photosynthesis. The key ingredient in this process is chlorophyll, the green pigment
primarily blue and red wavelengths of sunlight while reflecting green light, which is why healthy leaves appear green. As long as environmental conditions remain favorable, trees continually produce new chlorophyll to replace older molecules damaged by sunlight. This constant renewal keeps leaves green throughout the growing season and allows trees to maximize energy production. Although chlorophyll dominates what we see, it is not the only pigment present in leaves. Other pigments remain there all summer, but their colors stay hidden beneath chlorophyll’s vibrant green.
The Chemistry Behind Fall Color As summer gives way to autumn, trees begin preparing for winter dormancy. One of the most important environmental cues is day length, or photoperiod. The shortening days of autumn provide trees with a reliable signal that winter is approaching. In response, many deciduous* trees begin shutting down photosynthesis. Chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops. Existing chlorophyll molecules gradually
chlorophyll is being dismantled, reduce oxidative stress and allow trees additional time to recover
Carotenoids: The Hidden Gold
nutrients before leaves fall. Species such as red maple, flowering
Carotenoids are
dogwood, sourwood, sweetgum
responsible for the yellow, gold and orange
and many viburnums are especially known for producing anthocyanins.
colors seen in many autumn leaves. These pigments are present
Weather Shapes the Show
throughout the growing season, where they play an important
Although shorter days trigger autumn changes, weather
role in photosynthesis by helping absorb light energy and protecting chlorophyll from damage caused
determines how colorful the season ultimately becomes. A series of warm, sunny days followed
by excess sunlight. Because chlorophyll masks their color during summer, carotenoids
by cool nights often produces the brightest displays, particularly in species that develop anthocyanins.
become noticeable only after green pigments decline. Trees such as hickories, birches, ginkgoes, ashes and tulip poplars display especially vivid yellow and golden foliage because of these pigments.
Anthocyanins: Autumn’s Reds and Purples Unlike carotenoids, anthocyanins are usually produced during
Moisture also plays an important role. Trees receiving adequate rainfall generally maintain healthier foliage capable of producing stronger fall color. By contrast, prolonged drought may cause leaves to become stressed, turn brown prematurely or fall before vibrant colors develop. Early hard freezes can abruptly damage leaf tissues, shortening the color season before pigments fully develop.
“As the green pigment disappears, other pigments become visible. This color change is an active, highly regulated physiological process that helps trees prepare for winter.”
*Deciduous: shedding or falling off naturally—such as leaves, petals, or fruit—at the end of a particular season or stage of growth.
GARDEN COLUMNS
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Pignut Hickory during Summer
Why Does Huntsville’s Fall Color Arrive So Late? One of the defining characteristics of North Alabama is its relatively long growing season. Autumn temperatures often remain warm well into October, allowing trees
Pignut Hickory during Fall
Pignut Hickory during Winter
“Rather than producing a brief burst of color, North Alabama often experiences an extended autumn season that unfolds gradually over several weeks.”
to continue photosynthesis and chlorophyll production longer
Some trees respond relatively early. Sweetgums often develop
Woodland trails showcase native hardwood species transitioning
than trees in northern states. As long as chlorophyll continues to be produced, the green pigment
striking reds, oranges and purples early in the season. Maples display brilliant combinations of scarlet, orange and yellow depending
at their own pace, while lakeside views reflect colorful canopies across the water.
on the species and weather
Gardens featuring ornamental
conditions. Hickories are known for rich golden-yellow foliage, while blackgums frequently produce
maples, sweetgums, dogwoods and other deciduous trees and shrubs reveal how different species
deep crimson leaves before many neighboring trees begin changing.
contribute unique colors and textures throughout the season.
Other species are far less hurried. Many oaks retain green leaves long after surrounding trees change color. Because every species follows its own seasonal schedule, autumn rarely reaches a single dramatic peak.
Because each species follows its own schedule, no two visits are exactly alike. Visitors are encouraged to return throughout autumn to experience the full progression of seasonal color.
masks the yellows, oranges and reds beneath. As a result, peak fall color in the Huntsville area frequently occurs from late October through midNovember. Rather than producing a brief burst of color, North Alabama often experiences an extended autumn season that unfolds gradually over several weeks.
Why Trees Change at Different Times Not all tree species respond to autumn in the same way. Each species has evolved unique physiological strategies that determine when leaves begin senescing—the natural aging process that precedes leaf drop.
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Experience Autumn at the Garden Huntsville Botanical Garden offers visitors an opportunity to experience autumn’s changing colors from many different perspectives.
The next time a leaf turns yellow, orange or brilliant red, it tells the story of a tree preparing for winter through one of nature’s most beautiful—and scientifically fascinating—annual transformations.
THANK YOU Corporate Partners!
The Corporate Partners Program is designed to strengthen the relationship between Huntsville Botanical Garden and the corporate community in the region. Through the annual support of Corporate Partners, the Garden can provide first-class programs that allow Garden guests to connect to plants and gain a deeper understanding of the role they play in their own environment.
Gold y Brownsferry Mercantile
y International Motors
y LG Electronics
Silver y Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama y Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis
y Huntsville Hospital y Mazda Toyota Manufacturing y Signalink y The Caring Foundation
Bronze y Barrios Technologies y Biscuit Belly y Buckeye Turf Solutions y CFD Research y Grimaldi’s y Huntington Bank y Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® y Huntsville Utilities y Leidos
y Lola’s y Manning & Napier y Mission Driven Research y MTSi y Nothing But Noodles y One Eleven y Osteria LuCa y PeopleTec y Prohibition y Redstone Federal Credit Union
y Schoel Engineering y Starfish Holdings y Story Financial Partners y Teledyne Brown y Turner Construction y Urban Cookhouse y ValleyMLS.com y Vulcan Materials y Window World
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More Than a Vegetable Garden The Demonstration Vegetable Garden at Huntsville Botanical Garden teaches, inspires and gives back—one growing season at a time. By Cameron Oldham, Cultivated Areas Supervisor
Growing Knowledge The Demonstration Vegetable Garden inspires and educates home gardeners by showcasing practical ways to grow food successfully in our region. Rather than focusing on a single gardening method, the garden demonstrates several approaches visitors can adapt for their own landscapes. Traditional row gardens, raised beds, square-foot gardens and other growing methods offer advantages depending on available space, budget and gardening goals. By seeing these techniques in action, visitors discover which methods work best in yards.
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Many visitors walk through the Demonstration Vegetable Garden (DVG) and see rows of tomatoes, peppers, beans and seasonal crops. What they may not realize is that the garden serves multiple purposes. It is a teaching space, a testing ground for gardening techniques, a showcase of vegetables that thrive in North Alabama and a source of fresh produce for the community. Behind every harvest is a dedicated team of volunteers who bring the garden to life throughout the growing season.
Education is at the heart of the garden’s mission. Visitors often ask which vegetables grow well in North Alabama, which varieties perform best and how to make the most of their growing space. The Demonstration Vegetable Garden helps answer those questions through real-world examples. Throughout the season, the garden showcases vegetables commonly grown in the Southeast while also evaluating new varieties and seed trials to determine how they perform in our climate. Volunteers rely on recommendations from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
the Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook and other trusted horticultural resources when selecting crops and varieties.
“For your own garden, choose vegetables that you and your family like to eat.” – Susan Parker, Lead DVG Volunteer and Extension Master Gardener
Garden planning can seem overwhelming for both new and experienced gardeners, but Susan Parker’s advice reminds us that gardening starts with simple choices. The Demonstration Vegetable Garden follows that philosophy while introducing visitors to unique heirloom varieties and new plants worth exploring. Each season provides opportunities to learn what grows well, experiment with new varieties and discover something different.
Learning By Doing The garden reminds visitors that successful gardening begins with simple steps. Choosing a sunny location,
Volunteers stand next to a harvest of produce before donation.
Garden Tip Start with what you love. Choose vegetables your family enjoys eating, find a sunny location and let the garden grow from there. Every successful gardener learns through experience.
paying attention to soil and moisture needs, and learning from both successes and setbacks all contribute to becoming a better gardener.
“Do not overthink or think all must be perfect just to start. Sow those seeds and dig the holes for the transplants you have already purchased.” – Susan Parker Whether you’re planting your first tomato or expanding an established vegetable patch, the Demonstration Vegetable Garden shows that gardening is a continual learning experience.
Powered By Volunteers The Demonstration Vegetable Garden thrives because of its volunteers. Many bring decades of gardening experience to the space, including members of the Master Gardeners of North Alabama. Together they plant, weed, mulch, water, prune and harvest while sharing their knowledge with guests,
Demonstration Vegetable Garden
students and fellow volunteers. Their willingness to answer questions and demonstrate good gardening practices transforms the garden into an inviting learning environment. Parker has led the garden for many years and coordinates nearly every aspect of its operation. She volunteers because the Demonstration Vegetable Garden provides opportunities to demonstrate, educate and share gardening experiences with the community. Her enthusiasm and knowledge help create a welcoming atmosphere where gardeners of all experience levels feel comfortable asking questions and learning alongside one another.
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Susan gathering a harvest of produce for donation.
Volunteers harvest produce donations
Master Gardener and volunteer working in the garden
Did You Know The Demonstration Vegetable Garden has been a Master Gardeners of North Alabama project since 1992, providing education, inspiration and fresh produce to the community for more than three decades.
Growing For Good The harvest serves a purpose beyond education. Throughout the growing season, fresh vegetables are donated to local organizations that help address food insecurity in our community. According to Parker’s records, the Demonstration Vegetable
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Garden donated more than 1,250 pounds of produce in 2024 and more than 1,500 pounds in 2025. These donations provide fresh food to those in need while demonstrating how growing food can also be an act of service and generosity. The Demonstration Vegetable Garden also models sustainable gardening practices. Composting, physical pest management and thoughtful garden planning help maintain the space while reducing unnecessary waste and chemical inputs. These demonstrations give visitors practical ideas they can adapt in their own gardens, whether they grow vegetables in a backyard, raised bed or small home garden.
Antoria is a garden volunteer harvesting southern cowpeas
By the Numbers
1,250+
Pounds of produce donated in 2024
1,500+
Pounds of produce donated in 2025
Fresh produce from the garden
Fresh vegetables harvested from the Demonstration Vegetable Garden are donated to local organizations that help address food insecurity in our community. The Demonstration Vegetable Garden represents one of Huntsville Botanical Garden’s most hands-on educational spaces. It shows visitors what grows well in North Alabama, demonstrates practical gardening techniques, highlights the dedication of volunteers and provides fresh produce for the community. Whether visitors leave with a new gardening idea, a greater appreciation for local food production or inspiration to start a garden of their own, the Demonstration Vegetable Garden continues to fulfill its mission one season—and one harvest—at a time.
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Holiday Memories, Brilliantly Made. Huntsville’s signature holiday tradition returns for its 31st season with new experiences, beloved traditions, and unforgettable moments designed to be shared.
November 13 – December 31 Members: Tickets on sale September 1 Not Yet Members: Tickets on sale October 1
What’s New For 2026? • Discover An Expanded Winter Landscape, Featuring Winter’s Edge & Crystal Glade • Expanded Evergreen Express Operations
• More Sensory Hour Opportunities • Reimagined Fan Favorites
Proudly Presented by
For more information, visit www.hsvbg.org/galaxy
One Year of Mama Zelda.
306,163 VISITORS
(April 1, 2025 - July 2026)
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GUIDED TROLL TOURS
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NATIVE PLANTS thriving in Mama Zelda’s hair and labyrinth
Snaps from FestiFalls Past
Capture the season with us! Tag @hsvgarden or Huntsville Botanical Garden in your seasonal photos on social media.
4747 Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville, AL 35805
“After retiring and moving to the area in 2024, I began volunteering at HBG, and it has been an ideal experience. The Garden has enhanced my retirement with purpose, opportunities to learn, valuable friendships, and the joy of contributing to our community. What I give through volunteer service is returned through the fulfillment and connection I have found here.”
Nancy Haughee Garden Volunteer
Host Your Next Event at Huntsville Botanical Garden! Celebrate your special moments surrounded by breathtaking gardens and natural beauty. Whether you’re planning a wedding, party, or corporate gathering, our versatile spaces offer the perfect setting to make your event truly unforgettable. Reserve your date today at rentals@hsvbg.org!
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