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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
SOCIAL
The Constant Gardener Birmingham Blooms Will Honor Former Southern Living Editor John Floyd
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SPORTS
John Floyd enjoys working in the BBG’s Japanese Garden. He’s pictured here with fellow volunteer Ritsuko Asano in January.
By Donna Cornelius
Photo courtesy Birmingham Botanical Gardens
r. John Alex Floyd Jr. has cultivated some pretty impressive gardening credentials over the years. Floyd was Southern Living’s editor in chief for 18 years, is a trustee for the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and was a member of the American Horticultural Society’s board of directors. After earning a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture at Auburn University, he went on to Clemson SUNSET University for a master’s degree and a doctorate in plant physiology. CELEBRATION Floyd also has been one of the BBG’s Birmingham Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ most Blooms Will Be a enthusiastic and loyal supporters. He was Special Night for the Gardens’ Volunteer of the Year in 2010 Supporters and recently was named director emeritus PAGE 18 by the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. But what doesn’t show up on his resume is perhaps the thing that fueled all these notable accomplishments: the pure joy he finds in gardening. Every week, he’s part of a group of volunteers who gather to work in the BBG’s Japanese Garden. He and his friends enjoy the hands-on labor that helps keep this well-known spot beautiful. In pre-COVID days, they often had lunch together after their tasks were complete. “I like to prune and pull weeds,” Floyd said. Floyd will be honored at Birmingham Blooms, an Oct. 4 sunset picnic that’s being held to show appreciation for the Gardens’ individual and corporate supporters. “It’s going to be a cool thing,” he said about the event. “October is See FLOYD, page 20
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