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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Bellingrath Gardens

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Diana and I drove to Mobile, AL, this morning to meet my friends Fonda and Denny for lunch.  Afterwards, the ladies in the group went to visit the Bellingrath Gardens.  What an afternoon it turned out to be.

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Because of the mild winter, the azalea blooms are peaking about two weeks or so ahead of normal.  All of the vibrant blooms along the paths were almost overwhelming to take in.

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I took so many pictures that I’ll be using them in more than one post.  What luck we had in choosing to visit the gardens this week.

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There were also some lingering camellia blossoms left to enjoy as well.  Having spent most of my life living in the north, seeing all of these blooms in the first week of March was hard for me to comprehend.

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This, of course, is not an azalea, and when I saw it this afternoon I knew exactly what flower it was.  However, I’m getting tired and having a senior moment right now, so you’ll either know what it is or not.  Confused smile

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When we bought our $12 tickets to tour the gardens, the young lady said it would take us about an hour to walk all of the paths.  Perhaps that is true for someone that comes here when nothing is blooming, but we all had cameras and oohed and aahed our way around the paths for well over two hours.  There were plenty of benches along the way to sit and just let the beauty of the blooms sink in.  These three chairs were placed  in an area surrounded by white azaleas. 

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Fonda also rested her feet and took a ride on this lion along the way.  It didn’t seem to matter where you paused today.  You were always surrounded by blooms.

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I think I’ll save the history of these gardens for tomorrow’s post.  It’s getting a little late, and as I said, I’m getting tired.  It’s back to work for the next three days, so I had better rest up.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

32 comments:

  1. Nice post Judy, just love all the flowers and wish I had smellavision.

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  2. So so beautiful, Judy. Thanks for the great photos. I was in Ocala, Florida once in March and I will never forget the tree sized azaleas in full bloom and the wisteria that wound through the treetops and telephone poles. The fragrance was unforgettable

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  3. What a relaxing afternoon...

    Just BS!(Bob and Sue)

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  4. Absolutely stunning. . .and I believe the big yellow flower is some type of hibiscus. . .lovely!

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.com

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  5. HI Judy!
    I love the flower pics. The garden is so beautiful. That is the kind of trip I'm looking forward to in my RV (when I get it) LOL

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  6. You ladies are right up my alley...sitting on lions...and just taking the time to "stop and smell the flowers"...what a great day!

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  7. No doubt some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen. EXCELLENT job! ~wheresweaver

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  8. Is it a camellia, or a hibiscus? I always get them confused.

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  9. Up north, we called them Rose of Sharon. Maybe a different species, or variety, but definitely in the same genus. Definitely maybe in the same genus.

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  10. It reminds me of the Rhododendron gardens in the North West. So beautiful!

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  11. The azaleas are so beautiful, and I can't wait until they start blooming where I am. Thanks for the pics.

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  12. I'm looking forward to Spring now......

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  13. beautimus! or something like that...

    hibiscus, I believe.

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  14. a great day to stop and smell the flowers and to spend some time some good friends!!

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  15. Those Azaleas are beautiful. They don't last long but they really make the time they are here count!

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  16. Beautiful and what great timing for them to be blooming for your visit. Reminds me of the Arboretum in DC. The trees in my office complex have filled out with beautiful pink blooms -- way too early -- but we're enjoying them nonetheless.

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  17. I especially love your new header photo.... it's gorgeous! Aren't arboretums and gardens just the most magical places to wander through?

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  18. Love all the beautiful pictures.

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  19. Great timing on the blooming flowers! What a nice way to take a break, glad to see you enjoyed the day, but you wore yourself out. :cO

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  20. Leonard said when he lived in the area years ago, he had visited there. How I wish the azaleas were in bloom a few weeks ago. We surely would have given it a see.

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  21. Yup, the bright yellow flower is a hibiscus. They are way early this year.
    Bellingrath is wonderful. I live about an hour away and visit as often as I can. So glad you got to enjoy those wonderful gardens

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  22. Beautiful flower photos and as another northerner, I agree it seems strange to see things blooming in March.

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  23. What great pictures! I got a tan just visiting your blog.......

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  24. Boy you guys really know how to plan it. What a great day. Those are gorgeous flowers!

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  25. Header photo is stunning....you could probably make a nice little wad selling pics like that to jigsaw puzzle people....

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  26. My parents took me there when I was a kid. The gardens must have really impressed me, because I can still remember the place like it was yesterday. I can't wait to see more posts.

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  27. Breathtaking new header! Love all the pictures...

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