Where to see gardens in April?

Old Dec 4th, 2011, 05:46 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where to see gardens in April?

I'd like to take my mother on a short trip the first week in April. We both love gardens. Any suggestions for where we might see some good spring gardens at that time? Washington D.C. & the cherry blossom festival is a contender, any other thoughts?
sferguso is offline  
Old Dec 4th, 2011, 08:42 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ah, my favorite subject!

The cherry blossoms in DC great if your timing is right. They don't last long. The Botanical Garden in Northeast can be gorgeous. The azalea walk is beautiful when they are in bloom.

In NC the Azalea Festival just outside Wilmington is wonderful:
http://ncazaleafestival.org/

On the other end of the state, the Biltmore Festival of Flowers is spectacular:
http://www.biltmore.com/visit/calendar/spring.asp

My azaleas (I'm just outside Charleston) bloom usually mid to late March. Middleton Plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Cypress Gardens are all great in April. I like to just take drives through rural areas and see what's gorgeous.
suewoo is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 02:02 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.bellingrath.org Azelia season truly amazing...
qwovadis is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 03:25 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I believe this year's Cherry Blossom festival is scheduled for the last week of March. It will be the 100th! It is beautiful, but for gardens , my vote goes to Charleston. Sue has given you some great suggestions. I also recommend you read "Mrs Whaley's Charleston Gardens" to set the mood.
cmcfong is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 07:19 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Peak cherry blooming in DC is typically around April 1; the festival will run for longer than usual in 2012, from late March to late April.

You would probably enjoy the gardens at the Hillwood mansion:

http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/garden...l/inbloom.html
kayd is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 09:17 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 82,725
Received 46 Likes on 17 Posts
Callaway Gardens in Georgia.
starrs is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 12:37 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll go with the Charleston area -- any of the garden areas are worth a trip, but to have three such beauties, all close to one another, and all at the peak of their blooms, will be just about impossible to beat.
PaulRabe is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 04:41 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with PaulRabe--I visited Middleton Hall & Magnolia Plantation at Easter 2005, and I still remember the spectacular gardens, especially the azaleas at Middleton.
nfldbeothuk is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 05:33 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The azalea's bloom a little earlier than the first week of April but if your dates are flexible look into the Houston Azalea Trail (March 9 -11, 2012)
http://www.riveroaksgardenclub.org/AzaleaTrail.cfm
Years ago when we lived in Houston we took the River Oaks Tour which lets you into some of the most gorgeous gardens at mansions in ritzy River Oaks, I think there are also tours at Bayou Bend. There are also azaleas blooming in Memorial Park and elsewhere in the city where you don't have to pay to see them. Mobile Alabama also has an Azalea Trail.
meath1 is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2011, 08:19 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can she fly?
April in Holland this year will be the only once every ten years Floriade flower exposition. Magnificent!
The Bollenstreek, eleven miles of tulip bulb farms between Haarlem and Leiden will be in full flower to drive through.
April 21 will be the annual Bloemencorso flower parade along the roads from the Noordvijk seacoast to Haarlem. Better than the Rose Bowl parade. You can visit the flower market at Lisse and watch them build the parade floats.
Finish off your flower fix by visiting the displays at Keukenhof.
She will never forget the experience.
jyares is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2011, 05:23 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am definitely going to check out Charleston. Unfortunately the dates are not flexible, but I know even if the gardens aren't at their peak we would find plenty of things to enjoy in that area.

jyares - your suggestion sounds absolutely amazing. She can fly, but I doubt the Netherlands is in our budget. Maybe someday
sferguso is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2011, 06:59 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sferguso,

You are right about Charleston. While the plantations are great, take time to drive out into the country and walk in the Historic District. Do like cmfong says and read "Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden" before your visit.

If you drive past a little house in Mt Pleasant with 50 antique rose bushes in bloom along with the azaleas, and a bust of Elvis in the front, honk and wave.
suewoo is offline  
Old Dec 6th, 2011, 07:26 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sferguso:
Get out your penny jar and start saving up.
The next Floriade will be 2022 and you won't want to miss it!
Meanwhile, may I add a vote for Biltmore in Asheville. The gardens will be gorgeous and you can enjoy lunch at the Biltmore Winery Bistro. My favorite is the Pecan crusted Trout.
If the weather cooperates, the Redbuds should be in bloom along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a truly delightful drive in any season. If you get an early enough start, you could have lunch at Sorrento's in Blowing Rock which an Italian friend claims to be the best Italian restaurant in the SE US. You can work off the calories on the swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain.
Have an enjoyable visit!
jyares is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2011, 05:10 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also recommend Washington. In addition to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Botanical Garddens and Hillwood (already mentioned), Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown has beautiful gardens. You can easily spend 3 or 4 days visiting the gardens of Washington.
mamcalice is offline  
Old Dec 29th, 2011, 02:44 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
jyares - guess what? I started thinking more about your suggestion and we have booked tickets to Amsterdam! Yay!

I have secured a ground floor apartment and told my mother to start exercising

Am looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime trip with my mom, thanks for the nudge.
sferguso is offline  
Old Dec 29th, 2011, 03:55 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow. What a great bit of news!!!! Have a wonderful time and do Charleston next year.....don't forget the trip report.
cmcfong is offline  
Old Dec 29th, 2011, 04:13 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow is right! I'm impressed! That will kick Charleston's butt. Have a great time and tell us everything when you return.
suewoo is offline  
Old Dec 30th, 2011, 02:06 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also another thought for the future is Longwood Gardens in Pa. It is a wonderful place, open year round and is all flowers set outside and inside. I was just there for christmas and it was awesome! Enjoy your trip to europe.
karend2 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
orangetravelcat
United States
6
Nov 2nd, 2011 03:57 AM
Raply426
United States
5
Feb 11th, 2010 06:32 AM
lovebug
United States
9
Dec 10th, 2009 01:36 PM
FlyingMaltese
United States
6
Dec 16th, 2006 05:20 PM
jenny
United States
8
Jan 18th, 2006 08:53 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -