A Garden of the Heart
Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 5:00AM Aldridge Gardens is a 30 acre picturesque retreat nestled in the middle of Hoover, Alabama, with urban condos and shopping malls just moments away. Eddie Aldridge, its founder, once lived there with his wife Kay, but with plans for the gardens to become public, they moved to their current home overlooking a lake in 1996. In the new location Eddie has created another impressive garden, filled with plants he loves. This 2 acre personal garden is a garden of the heart, developed not for show but to bring joy to its owners. I was thrilled when Eddie and Kay invited me to visit their garden this week, and I am happy to have their permission to share my photographs of their special place with you. Enjoy!
Their beautiful fountain once graced the Aldridge's Garden Shop. I remember it well, for Aldridge's was one of my favorite places to buy plants!
This lace leaf Japanese maple also once was located on the site of Aldridge's Garden Shop. It is about 60 years old. It is still in a pot, though the bottom of the pot has been knocked out so that its roots can spread.
Here is another one of Eddie's special Japanese maples. This one is about 100 years old! There is a wire cage around its trunk to protect it from beavers, the creatures most notorious for destruction in Aldridge's garden.
Walking around the garden and viewing the lake, one feels the serenity of the space. It is very quiet, except for the birds!
Some more views of the garden:
Charming accents are featured throughout the garden. The butterfly bench is one of my favorites:
Eddie explains that while he oversees the main landscape, Kay's domain is the terrace. This area has great views of the garden and the lake, but I enjoyed Kay's lovely accessories, as well:
Eddie and Kay are well into their retirement years but remain active and very involved in the community. As all good gardens reveal something of the gardener's soul, I think this one reflects the gracious and youthful spirits of its owners.
You may also enjoy my previous post, Young Lovers at Aldridge Gardens
Reader Comments (25)
What a beautiful garden. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I really like that little house.
Heyyy, I know Hoover, as I did news stories from there years ago and also spent time in the area while writing for Southern Accents magazine. Annnd, my first name is Eddie (can't be born in Alabama without two names). I did not, however, know my namesake's stunning garden. Now I do. Thank you for alerting me to it through your beautiful images, including Kay's accessories. I hope I'll be able to visit next time I'm in Georgia or Alabama.
Beautiful images Debbie!~ I'm sharing the link to this post on Twitter ( #gardenchat )
Bren
Very lovely!
What a lovely post and a gorgeous garden! From the Japanese Maples to the beautiful fountain with red tulips I love it! Such a wonderful opportunity for you to see it and blog about it; thanks for sharing! Jeannine
The serenity of this garden shows in your photos. The view throughout the trees to the lake is divine. What a privilege to spend time in this special garden - I'm so pleased that you were able to visit it and share it with us.
The fountain overlooking the lake is fabulous. And I love all the Japanese Maples! Quite beautiful, with a serene feeling. Just lovely.
Thanks for sharing this Debs, gorgeous garden and lovely photography as always!
How beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a lovely public garden!
What a serene lakeside retreat they made out of their 2 acres. A beautiful spot and nicely photographed!
That is one enchanting garden! The first photo of the Tulips around the fountain ... with the trees ... and the lake in the background ... exquisite! It's so kind of the owners and you to share it with us!
What a wonderful walk through this private garden. It is very beautiful and so peaceful. Thank you for sharing it.
A beautiful post Deb - thank you. I can sense the ambiance through your images. How wonderful to be able to establish a new garden with such venerable maples too.
Deborah I love the whimsy and beauty of this garden...the views of the lake and the fountain are stunning.
hi Deb
What a lovely garden! I especially enjoyed the old old Japanese Maple, the little house and the butterfly bench.
Oh my, that butterfly bench is amazing. A truly stunning piece! There's something wonderfully restful about a maple next to water. My first garden had a lot more shade (and less deer), and Japanese maples were my favorite. I only had three different varieties, but I really miss their vibrant color through the seasons.
What a peaceful setting... the perfect start to my day.
Love this garden. What a gift these gardeners have. Artists that don't just paint a beautifull landscape they create it.
I'm guessing that anyone reading this post would want to have that fountain and maple-in-a-pot in their garden. I also like the white/green hydrangeas.
beautiful Deb, thanks for sharing, I too like the assesories especially the little wire tree and the butterfly seat to name just 2, Frances
Don't you just love having those special little spots to enjoy? That fountain surrounded by red tulips is wonderful, love it.
What a beautiful garden! It's so tranquil. I agree that gardeners reveal themselves through their gardens. I always wonder what mine says, probably, "She's a nut!" :)
It is all truly outstanding, but the area with the fountain, Tulips and background such as it is, well I would love to visit.
Lovely gardens. Imagine having to worry about beavers sawing down your prize Japanese maples. At least there's one pest I don't have.
Such a beautiful post. I could spend all day in this garden.....