Antiques in the Gardens: Show this weekend at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - Oriental rugs that are over one hundred years old, beautiful dinning room sets, silver and etched crystal and historic prints. These are just a few of the beautiful works on display, and for sale, right now at the Antiques in the Gardens show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

“There are a lot of different dealers and vendors here. There is a little bit of everything, estate jewelry, outdoor furniture, installation garden, there is something for everybody here,” says Margot Shaw, the editor in chief of Flower magazine. "It’s a labor of love. I love beauty. I love antiquity, I love beauty, classical things. I love seeing all the different people with their treasures come and share their world with us.”

Vendors and antiquity dealers from all over the country take part in the annual event. This year, there are 23 booths. There are special events, including a floral workshop. Martha Stewart will headline this year’s sold-out lecture on October 4.

Shaw helps organize the event, and points to the beauty of the antiques, as well as the eco-friendly aspects.

“They are aren’t making any more antiques. Antiques are the greenest things you can buy. No trees died in the last century to make that brown secretary. I love that,” Shaw said.

The annual fundraiser benefits the educational programs offered at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This year, it will also provide a boost to Restoration Academy in Fairfield, thanks to Blackjack Horticulture, which created the installation garden at the entrance to the event.

“(Restoration Academy) is actually building a new middle school building next summer. They are going to need landscaping for this entire addition,” explains Allison Kanne with Blackjack Horticulture. “So we are encouraging everyone to come out and see the gardens and our display. We encourage them to take a picture and post to Instagram with the hashtag #bjhpicaplant. For every picture that is posted we are going to give a plant to restoration to help with the landscape of their new facility next summer.”

The event runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are still available for the public show, and can be purchased online at bbgardens.org. or in-person at the gardens. Tickets are available for the entire weekend or for $15 for one day.

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