Huntsville Botanical Garden plans activities to usher in fall
HUNTSVILLE – The fall season has its own version of beauty with changing colors, traditions and cool-weather plants, and Huntsville Botanical Garden is full of autumn’s glory.
Nothing says ‘fall’ quite like Festifall at the garden. “Our two-month celebration of the changing seasons features pumpkins, scarecrows, campouts, nature hikes and more,” Laura McPhail said. McPhail is Director of Marketing and Communications.
Huntsville Botanical Garden has numerous activities related to fall:
* Scarecrow Trail – Open through Oct. 31. Originality runs amuck at this perennial feature that the garden staff describes as “wacky, whimsical and friendly.”
* Pumpkins – Displayed through Oct. 31. Hundreds of locally-grown pumpkins of all shapes and sizes decorate the garden.
* Fall flowers — Late-season perennials are blooming, like asters, black-eyed Susans, sunflowers and ornamental grasses. Deciduous trees are showing off their colors, McPhail said.
* Garden Cafe — Need a snack or hungry for a meal? Garden Cafe offers weekly specials at lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday brunch at the garden is popular.
* Historic tractor – A vintage 1949 tractor and its wooden-wheel flatbed wagon give the perfect backdrop for a family photo. Available in the Cedar Glade through October 2023.
* Field Trips – “Fall Family Field Trip: Looking at Leaves,” Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to noon. Youth can discover engaging STEM concepts while exploring the garden with instructions. Includes a guided tour in the garden, hands-on activity stations and touring Mathew’s Nature Trail. For two to 13 years old.
For members, fees are $10, adults; $10, child (free, three-year-olds and younger). Group rates are $25, family of three; $35 for four; and $45 for five. Rates increase for anyone without membership.
* Wreaths – Oct. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. Led by instructor Rebecca Turk, crafts-minded individuals can create a natural, grapevine wreath for autumn with materials gathered from the garden. Fees: members, $70; no membership, $120.
* Minimizing maintenance – Oct. 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Learn about minimal maintenance in a garden to attract more wildlife, especially birds. Fees: members, $35; no membership, $60.
* BOOtanica – Sold out. Oct. 21 and 28, 10 a.m. to noon. This popular Halloween event gives a safe venue for spooky (not scary) fun.
Huntsville Botanical Garden’s address is 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call 256-830-4447, email info@hsvbg.org or visit hsvbg.org.
