1st Quarter 2020

Hope Botanical Garden is now in it’s third year of development and we are excited as we begin the 2020 spring planting. A new record for the wettest first quarter ever recorded continues to hamper the completion of three projects that began last fall.  Crucial planting is temporarily on hold until the weather improves, however, we remain optimistic that Spring 2022 as our official opening will remain on schedule.  Major flower bed development and installation of several garden structures are planned this year.

Due to the pandemic we are not allowing volunteers to work at this time.  We will post volunteer work dates on our website when the situation improves.  We are enjoying the spring blooms as shown in the recently taken photos.  As always, we welcome folks to drive by the garden and we greatly appreciate your support.

4th Quarter 2019 Update

We have summarized the Garden activities for the last quarter into this one update. Unfavorable weather hampered the completion of several projects that began in September.  Electrical, sewer, parking and irrigation installation are all at a standstill and may not resume until late spring.

Going from summer to winter with virtually no fall season coupled with the unusual wet pattern substantially reduced the volume of plantings that were scheduled this fall. However, we were able to proceed with the completion of our foundation trees in all the gardens with the exception of the native garden. Nineteen trees ranging in size from 7 to 9 feet were added along with 150 shrubs and 100 ground cover plants.

Numerous perennial and annual flower beds currently in the planning stages should be completed in time for spring planting.  We invite anyone interested in volunteering on any Garden project to contact us for a list.  Also, you may access our workday schedule through the “volunteer” menu.  Postings are generally listed only a few days in advance due to weather uncertainties.

We are looking forward to seeing much accomplished this year as we are getting closer to our official opening in 2022.

August/September 2019 Update

Since our last update the unusually wet weather of July and early August turned into a drought with record heat for several weeks.  Both events impacted the garden with some minor plant loss which will be replaced during the fall planting.

During the past few weeks there have been three major projects underway.  Electrical service installation, underground water lines with 9 hydrants, and a parking area are nearing completion.

We extend our thanks to Rick Newton’s backhoe service in Leoma for the donation of equipment and labor and Roger’s Group for donating the gravel.

As we approach fall planting and other projects we invite anyone who would like to volunteer to contact us.  Our planting dates will be posted on the website under “Volunteer” and then selecting“Volunteer Work Days”.

June/July 2019 Update

June and July have been productive months in the garden.  However, excessive rain in July once again caused some projects to fall behind schedule.  Areas of the garden were under water after receiving over 6 inches of rain during the course of a week.  A few of our plantings did not survive the flooding but replacements have already been purchased and are ready for fall planting.

A major weed control effort has been underway for several weeks.  Eighty-five cubic yards of mulch underlaid with landscape fabric is being placed throughout the maze.  Decorative rock and mulch are also being added to numerous flower beds underway.

We want to express our appreciation to Roger’s Group for the donation of a 2340 pound boulder  commemorating their support of the Garden.  The boulder faced with a bronze plaque has been placed in the Visitor’s Garden.  Gravel for the parking area and pathways are also being donated by Roger’s Group.

Due to the workload at the Garden, we welcome volunteers Tuesday through Friday beginning in August and continuing through early November.  Please call or email us for days and hours you would like to volunteer.  We generally begin at 7:30 a.m. and finish around 5:00 p.m.

April & May Update

We were able to complete much of our spring planting when the excessive rains finally ended but the weather turned to the other extreme, very hot and dry.  We have around two hundred plants remaining that we will hold until fall planting.

Two new projects are underway that will be completed in the coming weeks.  Excavation for a small parking area is currently in progress and a concrete slab in the meditation garden which will provide the foundation for a water fountain due to arrive in late June.  The electrical and plumbing installations that have been on hold pending the parking area excavation will now move forward.

We appreciate your continued financial support and volunteer labor.  Please check our upcoming work schedule by clicking on the Volunteer tab if you would like to help on upcoming activities.

March Update

The weather became more favorable for garden work during March. Our newest plantings to date include a variety of native plants donated by the Huntsville Botanical Garden.  These were placed throughout the Native garden.  Twenty “Encore” azaleas which typically produce blooms three times each year were planted in the “Pink” garden.  Several conifers and other evergreens were added to the Japanese and Children’s garden.  Some nice sculptures and concrete planters were purchased which will be installed in various locations as the garden continues developing.

Due to the extremely wet weather this past winter, we rescheduled some critical infrastructure projects for this spring.  Excavation will begin in May and continue through June for a water garden and parking lot followed by electrical and plumbing installations.

We always enjoy visiting with clubs and organizations to discuss the Garden and provide ways for those interested to help on volunteer days. The picture below was a recent visit to the Cub Scouts in the Henryville area.  Anyone who is interested in volunteering will find work days posted on this website.

A special thank you to those who divided and shared plants with us to establish in our Garden.  Please call us to determine if plants you wish to donate are needed at the Garden.

January/February 2019 Update

The Garden is entering it’s second year of development.  It goes without saying that we have had one of the wettest winters on record and there seems to be no let up with the unusual wet pattern.  Much of the work planned during the winter months was postponed due to the adverse weather but those activities and others will be underway soon.

The Advisory Board met in early January to set goals for the new year.  Our focus will move from foundational plantings to perennials, ground covers, garden structures, path development and the installation of a water garden and stream in the Japanese garden.

Work schedules will be posted on our website as soon as we have favorable weather.  We welcome anyone who would like to volunteer any amount of time on the many upcoming projects.  The photo below taken on February 23rd shows major flooding in the garden following a 6.25 inch rain event.