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Story By Donna Cornelius • Photo by Lee Walls Jr.

Blackjack Gardens Birmingham Alabama Hotels

Southern architecture typically means graceful proportions, classic details – and a great big front porch.

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The Johnston-Clark Estate, this year’s Decorators’ ShowHouse, doesn’t disappoint in any of these categories. And Blackjack Gardens has made sure that the wide front porch, which runs the length of the house and turns the corners on both ends, makes a great first impression.

This is the 11th ShowHouse for Blackjack Gardens, said Tammy Powell, the company’s sales manager. She said the Alabama Symphony Orchestra fundraiser is important to Blackjack Gardens owner Frances Gorrie.

“She’s really involved in the symphony,” Powell said.

The porch has no shortage of inviting places to sit and take in the view of the sprawling front yard.

“The furniture is from Lloyd Flanders’ Low Country collection,” Powell said. “It seemed to be the perfect style – traditional, comfortable and Charleston-y.”

The furniture has vinyl and aluminum frames that won’t rust, she said. Its seats and backs have a pretty light-brown weave. Teak tables and consoles are from Lloyd Flanders, too.

Color comes into play with pillows and accent pieces.

“The Elaine Smith throw pillows are totally for the outdoors,” Powell said. “Most of the pottery is from Vietri in blues, golds and other gorgeous colors.”

Tall terra cotta vases are from Lincoln Imports.

Planters on the front porch are from Pennoyer Newman. Powell said they’re made of pummeled marble and rock mixed with resin.

“They’re lightweight and weather resistant and are handmade in New York City,” she said. “The pots are cast from historic originals that have been on the lawns of private estates.”

The planters at the ShowHouse were modeled after those at one of the homes owned by financier and banker J.P. Morgan, Powell said.

“Frances Gorrie saw the planters at the Antiques at the Gardens show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and fell in love with them,” Powell said.

The planters flanking the front door are filled with topiaries set in dried moss.

On a table in a seating area that’s front-and-center on the porch is a lively statue of a prancing horse. Since 1942, the Gorrie family has owned Blackjack Farms, now a nationally known hunter-jumper training center.

“We love horses,” Powell said.

Thought went into choosing accessories with a connection to nature, like pillows with dragonfly motifs and a rustic Park Hill birdhouse that looks like a quaint English cottage. On the wall near the entrance to the kitchen are two deer heads made from teak by Palecek.

The theme of the porch is “Southern Sophistication.”

“We came to visit the house to get a feel of the house’s character and charm,” Powell said. “You have a beautiful scene as you come up the driveway – and a beautiful view from the porch.”

Blackjack Gardens is at 5549 Derby Drive in Birmingham. For more information, visit www.blackjackgardens.com.

Birmingham’s Premier Landscape Contractor

At Blackjack Horticulture, we know the grass is greener for a reason. Therefore, the daily details matter as much as the big picture, and nothing matters more than relationships. Simply put, we’re passionate about what we do. We always have been.

Whether we’re bringing a landscape architect’s vision to life, managing lawns and gardens or engineering masonry projects, we measure success by our clients’ satisfaction. If there’s anything we’ve learned since Blackjack opened its doors in 1998, it’s this: the right way is the only way to deliver the long-term value you deserve.

Our approach to business is built on earning your trust, keeping our promises and placing your needs first. So if you’re looking for more from your landscape company, call us — and together, let’s think outside.

Our Name

In 1998, Blackjack Gardens, Inc. began by a local Birmingham family. Located along the Blackjack Ridge in northeast Jefferson County, the name was taken from the Blackjack Oak trees populating this mountain ridge. The company originally incorporated many divisions, but in 2004, the horticulture group separated to become its own enterprise. Blackjack Horticulture, Inc. is now independently owned by Bryan Word who has worked with the business since its early years.

Leah Kay

Landscape Designer

Since dressing up as a florist for a fall festival in the third grade, Leah has known that a creative role in the green industry was her ultimate voacational aim. Leah joined the Blackjack team with a Master’s in Horticulture from Auburn University and several years of experience landscape and floral design. Her creativity, joyful spirit, and passion for the industry make her a perfect addition to the team. When Leah is not at Blackjack, you may find her running around with her nieces and nephews or creating lovely floral arrangements for a weekend wedding!

Eli Nichols

Estimator

Born and raised in Cullman, Alabama, Eli is our newest Estimator. Eli started his journey at only 11 when he worked for his father’s lawn care business, and his love for the outdoors only grew from there. As an Auburn Horticulture graduate, Eli appreciates the beauty in landscapes and outdoor spaces. Following graduation, Eli moved to Atlanta, where he spent time as a Maintenance Account Manager and Construction Estimator. After working for a tree removal company, Eli became an ISA Certified Arborist in 2019. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, and seeing live music! We are happy to have Eli on the Blackjack team.

Andrew Bice

Vice-President, Landscape Operations

Andrew started with Blackjack in 2006. He began with the installation team before transitioning into maintenance account management several years later. His time in these positions provided an impressive breadth of experience that now informs his role as Vice-President of Landscape Operations. In this capacity, Andrew supervises not only our installation and maintenance crews, but the floriculture division as well. His role requires the ability to never lose sight of the “big picture,” but he supplements that with a keen attention to detail that allows him to always identify a plant out of place. Andrew’s intuitive nature and industry expertise make him the go-to person for all questions. He grew up in Sylacauga and graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture. Once hunting season starts, you can likely find Andrew deer hunting in Coosa County or spending time with his wife and two children.

Blackjack Gardens Birmingham Alabama Weather

Taylor Elders

Client Relationship Manager

Taylor joined the Blackjack team with a degree in Landscape Design from Auburn and an acute eye for creativity. After teaching high school agriculture upon graduation, she assumed the role of Floriculture Division Manager who designs, installs, and manages every flower-related account. Although she appreciates all blossoms, her favorites are gardenias and pentas. Taylor’s passion for all things floral compliments her love for people and keeps her clients happy. After seven years of working in that role, Taylor moved to the role of Client Relationship Manager. Now, Taylor oversees many of our clients’ accounts and is always looking for ways to exceed their expectations. When Taylor is not at work, it’s a safe bet she’s with family – her nieces, nephews, husband, son, or chocolate lab.

Kristen Carpenter

Director of Communications and Recruitment

Kristen serves as the Director of Communications and Recruitment at Blackjack. She joined the team with a degree in Communication Studies from Troy University and a passion for people and creativity. Kristen enjoys the variety in her job – from photographing properties to interviewing applicants – she loves it all. In her free time, Kristen loves to hang out with her husband and friends playing board games, exploring a new place, or taking a hike.

Robert Davis

Hardscape Division Manager

Hailing from Bucksville, Alabama, Robert is our revered and time-tested mason. He brings over 40 years of experience to the Blackjack team which means he can build just about anything as the Hardscape Division Manager. In addition, he is responsible for teaching and training the men following in his footsteps. If you were to ask Robert what he most enjoys about his role, he will likely say “everything.” He loves the challenge, creation and hard work necessary to bring something to life by hand. Leaving a mark – both physically and personally on people – motivates him, and we’re grateful for it. If you’ve worked here long enough to try one of his homemade biscuits, he is sure to leave a mark that way too. Cooking is a favorite pastime of his outside of being with his wife and two grown daughters.

Jeremy Stagner

Installation Operations Manager

Jeremy may be one of the newer additions to Blackjack having started last summer, but his 25 years of experience in horticulture mean he is anything but new to the industry. As a fellow Auburn horticulture graduate, Jeremy shares the team’s love for creating beautiful landscapes. As a result, he could not be better suited as the Installation Operations Manager. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of our installation division and particularly enjoys executing projects in a timely manner (not to mention under budget). Jeremy’s driven attitude and hardworking spirit fits right in. If Jeremy is not spending time with his wife, son and daughter, you will probably find him hunting, fishing, canoeing, or really, doing anything outdoors.

Betsy Hayes

Vice-President

Blackjack Gardens Birmingham Alabama Zip

Betsy serves as Blackjack’s Vice-President – a noble accomplishment given the many different hats required in this role. Also a graduate of the prestigious horticulture department at Auburn University, Betsy’s position with the company has evolved from single-handedly managing flowers to now overseeing all of estimating, sales and communications. Her strong relational skills, ability to strategically plan and competitive nature have been an enormous asset over the past 15 years. She thrives off day-to-day diversity, witty storytelling and will be the first to pull a practical joke if you’re not careful. Betsy and her husband enjoy spending time with their two children outside of work. If she’s not sounding out words or chasing the kids around the house, you will probably find her baking or tending to her private vegetable garden.

Bryan Word

President

Blackjack Gardens Birmingham Alabama Airport Parking

Bryan is the president of Blackjack Horticulture. He graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture and previously served as the president of the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association. Not only does he hold many years of experience in the industry, Bryan is also the visionary, forward-thinking and driving engine behind the company’s growth. He enjoys the diversity of each day and excels in empowering young leaders to work hard with honesty and sincerity. As one of Blackjack’s two founding owners in 2004, he’s been around since the beginning – and we never let him forget it. In fact, we find it only appropriate that his favorite tree is an old oak. Bryan is married with three children whom he adores spending time with at home, at church or at the lake.