Avondale Rose & Habitat Garden draws birds and bees

Avondale Park’s rose garden, planted in 1915, has a rich history and recently gained a new purpose.

“It’s gone from a rose garden to something more,” said Craig Hennecy of the Friends of Avondale Park.

In 2014, the Birmingham Audubon Society — along with several partners and many volunteers — transformed the site into the Avondale Rose & Habitat Garden.

 The garden now features not just roses but many native plants, giving it a valuable ecological role and making it a place for visitors to learn more about nature.

“Native plants provide important habitat and resources to native wildlife, including birds and insect pollinators,” said Andrew Coleman of the Birmingham Audubon Society.

The project is part of the society’s Urban Bird Habitat Initiative, which seeks to enhance urban wildlife habitat in public green spaces, Coleman said.

Volunteers are needed at another work day at the garden in early November (the date had yet to be set as of press time). Tasks will include weeding, planting and putting down pine straw, according to Stanley Robinson of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board.

Native-plant specialist Michelle Reynolds has added such species as milkweed, sumac, primrose and black-eyed Susans to the garden, attracting birds, bees and butterflies.

“We can help sustain wildlife and give visitors a deeper understanding of the natural world and their place in it,” Reynolds said.

Robinson calls the garden a new jewel in the crown for Avondale Park. 

Other project partners include Avondale Samaritan Place and historian Catherine Browne.

Volunteers are also needed at the park Oct. 29 for a tree planting organized by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

For details on work days, check the Facebook pages for the Friends of Avondale Park and the Birmingham Audubon Society.