Gardens of the South
Words by Nicole File
Let your inspiration blossom on a tour of the best public gardens in the southern states.
Depending on where you live, you either can’t remember what winter feels like, you’ve already watched the cherry trees blossom, or you’re still staggering under the weight of your winter wools.
In any case, you’re probably affected by the National Malady of April. No, not tax-itis, Spring Fever. Good news—the balmy Southis positively stocked with gorgeous public gardens, which are just coming into full bloom this month . And you’re invited. Here’s a look at some of the prettiest…
Sarah P Duke Gardens
North Carolina
More than 300,000 visit the Sarah P Duke Gardens just outside Raleigh in Durham, NC, each year. On the West Campus of Duke University, the 55-acre attraction features five miles of alleys and walkways. the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants is packed with the kind of flora the Southeast is famous for, including a showstopping wisteria-draped pergola that should be in full bloom at this time of year. the native garden also has a large pond stocked with goldfish and a whimsical bird-watching shelter.
Stone sculptures and enormous stone lanterns lend an air of mystery to Duke Gardens’ Asiatic Arboretum, and an intricate zigzag bridge crosses a lake edged by beaches and boulders.
Visitors also come for the Water Lilies Gallery, where pink, yellow and white starburst-shaped flowers include Arc-en-Ciel and Albert Greenberg varieties. Other flora to look out for in spring are dogwood, redbud, crabapple and cherry trees. Bulbs include hyacinth s, daffodils, tulips, peonies and gobs of irises—the founder’s favorite flower. Duke Gardens also boasts 13 lakes and five acres of conservatory space. www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Georgia
Atlanta’s botanical garden is one of the city’s finest attractions. Located conveniently near Piedmont Park, it hosts one of the world’s largest permanent orchid displays, including many heavily scented varieties that are hard to find on the mainland. Alth ough the garden features seasonal blossoms year-round, its 30 acres of gardens are really coming into full bloom in April.
As a research facility, Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) is home to many rare and endangered plants. More than one-th ird of America’s endangered flora resides in wetlands, such as Southern Appalachian Mountain bogs. A grant from the US government has helped ABG to create a similar, swampy environment to foster the conservation and study of these rare specimens.
In the Parterre Garden, boxwood-edged flower beds center around an Italian limestone fountain which features a blue-and-white glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. the centerpiece mimics the explosion of water from a fountain, its color complementing the blues and greens in the hedges. From the Parterre Garden, there’s a great view of the Rose Garden and Atlanta’s skyline. there’s someth ing for the kids here too—they will go wild over ABG’s interactive Children’s Garden, where there’s a soggy bog, a giant treehouse, a replica of a Creek Indian Village, carnivorous plants and a dinosaur garden. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Callaway Gardens
Georgia
One of the highlights of 13,000-acre Callaway Gardens’ calendar is the annual Spring Celebration, which takes place this year from March 18 to April 30—just when the gardens’ claim to fame hits its stride. the Azalea Bowl is the world’s largest azalea garden with more than 3,000 plants. In spring, you can stroll a mile-long path th rough a kaleidoscope of white with red stripes Yezo Nishiki, dark purple Herbert and bright Pink Ruffle flowers. Some are as large as trees. Many are endangered local varieties, such as the rare Flame Azalea, an ethereal, lacy coral-colored bloom borne on graceful tree-like plants. As well as the floral display, the Azalea Bowl cups a peaceful lake fed by a stream and overlooked by a gazebo, a pavilion and an arched wood bridge—ideal for a relaxing afternoon.
the gardens also boast a 4.5-acre Butterfly Center where, inside a huge conservatory, about 1,000 butterflies fly freely, including Blue Morphos, Swallowtails and Owl Butterflies. Some are so tame they land on visitors.
Callaway Gardens are 70 miles south of Atlanta. www.callawaygardens.com
Biltmore Estate
North Carolina
Some of the most beautiful gardens this side of Europe are th ose at America’s largest private home: Biltmore Estate. the 8,000-acre grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York’s Central Park. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, the estate features 65 acres of gardens and hundreds of acres of carefully planned “wild” spaces. this month , celebrate the annual Festival of Flowers as roving dancers and musicians entertain, and the Biltmore Winery produces a commemorative wine.
the star of the Festival of Flowers is a phenomenal display of bulbs and flower beds—some 50,000 tulips in the Walled Garden and 20,000 bedding plants.
April until mid-June is the best time to see the 20-acre Azalea Garden, where there are more than 1,000 shrubs. they were a gift from the estate’s first nursery superintendent, who worked on the estate for 60 years and had collected and nurtured native azalea species at his own home. Before his death he requested that they be replanted here.
Down a trail to a secluded lake, Bass Pond, is the Rose Garden, whose buds usually begin to bloom in late April or early May.
Biltmore Estate is an easy and beautiful 90-minute drive from Charlotte, and an equally pleasant th ree-hour trip from Atlanta. www.biltmore.com