Ilovetulips, I have been to Biltmore Estate and Gardens several times, and your are right, the gardens are beautiful. I always look forward to going there!

We visit Longwood Gardens in PA often and never tire of it since each season is different. After seeing a TV show about Buchart Gardens in Victoria on Vancouver Island, we made the trip and it was incredible.

I also thought about Butchart Gardens. The 3 others I can add are: 1) Bayou Bend in Houston, at the time of the Azalea trail in March. 2) The Texas Hill Country in the spring, when the bluebonnets and other wildflowers are at their peak. There is a place near Stonewall called Wildseed Farms that sells seed and has great fields of flowers. 3) Alpine meadows in late July and August, either in the Sierras or the Rockies, at elevations of around 10 to 12,000 feet.

Though they are not in the US, the Botanical Gardens in Montreal are amazing. It is the second largest botanical gardens in the world.

I should mention that we have the wonderful Ralston Arboretum right here in Raleigh........ one of the nicest in the country. We take it for granted, I'm fraid.

I love hearing about all these places, guys, and I appreciate the Canadian mentions, also. Have not been there yet........

There is an azaela fesitval in Muskogee, OK every year around Easter time. It's been 7 or 8 years since I've been but I remember it was really beautiful.

Another vote for the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.