| HerringtonHills | On April 26, 2008, HerringtonHills from Coden, AL wrote: There is no place like Bellingrath Gardens along the Gulf Coast. The Gardens are the creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath. The Gardens first opened to the public in 1932 when a national garden club meeting was taking place in Mobile. Mr. Bellingrath placed an ad in the Mobile paper, announcing that anyone who would like to see the spring garden could do so free of charge. After an overwhelming response, the couple decided to keep the gardens open year-round, beginning in 1934. This beautiful estate is about 10 miles from my home. We attend several events each year.
This is a 65 acre Garden Estate and is in full bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season from December 1st thru December 31st. One of our family traditions is going to the "See the Lights" every year. The tour is self-guided. You will enjoy the 2004 Top Public Rose Garden in the U.S., awarded by the All-America Rose Selections, experience the Bayou Boardwalk, Mirror Lake, the Great Lawn, Asian-American Gardens, the Butterfly Garden, observe formal garden terraces and greenhouses! All of this is perched along Mobile's own Fowl River, wich connects to Mobile Bay!
The Bellingrath Home was built in 1935, and is 10,500 square foot. The home was designed by prominent architect, George B. Rogers. The style of the Home is dubbed “English Renaissance” and includes all of the original furnishings. There is a seperate charge to view the home. The home has guided tours available . You can also take a 45-minute cruise along the Fowl River aboard the Southern Belle. As you enjoy your relaxing cruise, listen to the tour guide and learn about birding habits, ecological systems and civil war history of the area. The Southern Belle departs daily from Bellingrath Gardens and Home between March and November.
Blooming Schedule:
Winter Wonderland
January 1 through February 28
Bellingrath's famed Winter Wonderland, including a wide variety of camellias, the blooms of tulips, pansies, snapdragons, daffodils, flowering cabbage and kale, poppies, primrose and paper white narcissus. There is a Celebrate Camellias weekend and Rose Pruning Party in February, as well special programs on Wednesdays.
Spring Spectacular
March 1 through April 30
The wondrous blooms of spring! See the nationally-remarked azalea season, Easter lilies, hydrangeas, marigolds, salvia, fuschia, impatiens, delphiniums, geraniums and more! There are special events, including the Azalea Trail Maid Day, Festival of Flowers, Easter Egg Hunt, the annual Camellia Classic Car Show, the annual Mobile Rose Society Rose Show!
Azalea Extravaganza
March 15-April 5
See blooms of over 250,000 (yes I said two-hundred and fifty thousand blooms!) Varieties like 'Formosa,' 'Daphne Salmon,' 'Southern Charm,' 'Pride of Mobile,' 'G.G. Gerbing,' 'George L. Tabor,' 'Christmas Cheer,' and many more!
Summer Sensation
May 1 through September 30
The blooms of roses, allamandes, hibiscus, caladiums, copper plants, coleus, vinca, petunias, marigolds, begonias, ornamental peppers, bougainvillea more. Contact the Gardens to see what events are happening when you plan to attend... as the summer season is packed with events. I suggest early morning visits... but even those are hot, humid and sticky... but soooo worth it!
Fall Festival
October 1 through November 30
See Bellingrath as it colors from the tropicals of summer to autumn. See salvia, COLEUS (my favorite), copper plants, hibiscus, early garden-style chrysanthemums and more! Also, the fall features the nation's largest outdoor display of cascading chrysanthemums. Bring the kids for the Balloon Glow at the Gardens and the Mum Festival Family Day.
Mum Festival
November 1 through November 15
The nation's largest outdoor display of cascading chrysanthemums, The Mum Festival is a MUST SEE! Bedded, potted and cascading mums have the Gardens in fall colors of red, orange, bronze, yellow, white, pink and more!
AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.....
Holiday Splendor
December 1 through December 31
The holiday season can't start without going to "See the Lights!" With poinsettias in of red, pink, white, yellow, green and some wild ones too! See Christmas mums, snapdragons, pansies, flowering cabbage and kale, violas, paper whites and more! Music is pumped in all around the gardens at a enjoyable level. Stop in the middle of the walk to get HOT Apple Cider, Coffee, or Hot Chocolate.
The gift shop is great. I do my Christmas shopping there each year for some out of town friends... and some of the kids on my list, as the "kid" department is VERY educational... in a fun way. There is also a diner where you can order "quick" snacks and hot food.
Bellingrath Gardens should be placed in the book "100 places to see before you die" It's THAT good! ENJOY!
|
