The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is pleased to welcome Mike Gibson as the special guest speaker for our annual John A. Floyd Lecture. Mike is a renowned self-taught property artist, topiarist, and entrepreneur whose work has been featured in botanical gardens and museums across the nation. From a young age, Mike learned from his father how to cultivate the grounds of his childhood home in Youngstown, Ohio, including pruning and shaping shrubbery. He later became the artist-in-residence at the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden in Bishopville, South Carolina.

Inspired by the garden’s history and Pearl’s astounding feats of artistry and horticulture, Mike maintained the garden under Pearl’s mentorship. Mike started his own business, Gibson Works Property Art, LLC, in 2015. He has since been featured on HGTV’s reality TV show “Clipped” with Martha Stewart and SCETV’s “Making It Grow” with horticulturist and extension agent Amanda McNulty.

Reception: 5:30 p.m. | Light refreshments will be served.

Annual Member Meeting and Presentation: 6–7 p.m. | Linn-Henley Lecture Hall

JOHN A. FLOYD JR. LECTURE

The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens is honored to present the John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture in memory of Dr. John Alex Floyd, Jr., the lifelong gardener, skilled horticulturist, and longtime editor in chief of Southern Living whose commitment during 1981–2021 made a lasting impact at the Gardens. 

John was a driving force in creating our Southern Living Garden in 1981 and, while serving as Board Chair, oversaw the Gardens’ second master plan and the fundraising efforts that made it a reality. Through his work with Southern Living, he was instrumental in positioning Birmingham as an epicenter of Southern gardening, style, and hospitality. He continued that effort in retirement through tireless community service, volunteering weekly in our Japanese Garden, helping shape our latest master plan, and generously sharing his expertise, talents, and enthusiasm until his passing in 2021.

The John A. Floyd Jr. Lecture seeks to honor his memory and passion, which live on in the garden spaces that he elevated and in the gardeners and garden lovers that he continues to inspire. 

Registration required

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