Rick Griffin, a Jackson landscape architect, grew up seeing bottle trees on trips between Ocean Springs and Vicksburg. Fascinated by their charm, he built a 10-foot bottle tree in his own yard, calling it a symbol of fun and individuality. “It’s about being a nonconformist,” he says.
Once dismissed as kitschy folk art, bottle trees are now booming in popularity across the South, especially in neighborhoods like Fondren, where urban horticulture expert Felder Rushing has documented a sharp rise in their numbers. Rushing believes this trend reflects a cultural shift toward more relaxed, expressive outdoor spaces. “For a long time, lawns had to be perfect. Now, people feel freer to add personality and history to their yards,” he explains.
Originating from ancient Northern Africa — where spirits were believed to inhabit glass bottles — bottle trees have evolved into dazzling garden decorations made from colorful recycled glass. Local artisans like Dudley Pleasants, known as “The Bottle Tree Man,” and Jackson designer Stephanie Dwyer have turned this tradition into a thriving business, selling trees that evoke nostalgia and connect communities with their Southern roots.
More than just ornaments, bottle trees symbolize the blending of Mississippi’s cultures and a growing acceptance of African-American heritage across the state. “We’ve moved past superstition to appreciate their beauty,” says Rushing. “They sparkle in the sun — and in our yards—reminding us who we are.”
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