Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover, Alabama

The Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover, Alabama, is a horticulturalist's dream come true. This unique garden attraction features an abundance of beautiful plants, some of which were discovered at the Aldridge Gardens. The botanical gardens provide a quiet retreat to local residents and those who are visiting the booming city of Hoover, Alabama.

The area that is now home to the Aldridge Botanical Gardens is was once the home of Eddie and Kay Aldridge. The Aldridge family had owned the local nursery, dating back to Eddie's father, Loren Aldridge, for whom the botanical gardens are named. The Aldridge Botanical Gardens now occupy 30 acres of the Aldridge estate, showcasing some of the most beautiful and fragrant plants that Hoover, Alabama, has to offer.

As the story goes, Eddie Aldridge first glimpsed the current site of the Botanical Gardens in 1966. At that time, the location was the property of the Coxe family, who had hired the Aldridge family nursery to plant three magnolia trees on the property. Having been raised from childhood in an environment that nurtured and appreciated nature's wonders, Eddie instantly saw the beauty of the landscape, and immediately remarked that the property would be the ideal location for a park or botanical garden.

More than a decade later, the Coxe family decided to sell the property. Remembering how impressed he was with the landscaping, Aldridge wasted no time in putting an offer on the table, and the land became the Aldridge estate. But for Eddie, simply owning the land was not enough. Aldridge felt that property this beautiful should be developed, sculpted and shared with the public. As such, acquiring the land was the first in a long series of steps towards creating what we now know as the Aldridge Botanical Gardens.