September’s Park(ing) Day—a partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), REV Birmingham, the City of Birmingham and the City Center District Management Corporation (CCDMC)—unveiled significant improvements to the quarter block of 20th Street between 2nd and 1st Avenues North, including a new look for the flower beds. The plants chosen for the renewed beds and new planters have a story of their own.

Six local landscape architecture firms collaborated on the designs for a long-term streetscape plan, which will eventually extend from Linn Park to the tracks. Studio A, GMC, Renta, Dix Hite, Golightly and Macnally Land Design agreed that planting native (and drought resistant!) trees, shrubs and flowers would give 20th Street a more authentically Birmingham look. You can expect to see gorgeous blooms in spring, summer and fall, and berries in winter.

“The City of Birmingham has a very diverse plant ecosystem,” said Ben Wieseman, REV’s director of catalytic development. “It is critical for us to use this diversity and to plant a wide selection of native plants that are locally sourced and easily grown in our area. The native plants we have selected are not only beautiful and have different seasonal color, textures and growth cycles, but were also chosen for their hardiness and ability to survive.”

Dix Hite and Renta helped the REV team with planting on the quarter block; and Hunter Trees, Vulcan Materials, Shelby GC and B&G Supply donated materials to make the work possible.

Who’s ready for pretty flower pictures? Take a look at what we planted: