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?

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.

www.bellingrath.org Azelia season truly amazing...

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.

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

Callaway Gardens in Georgia.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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!

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.

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.

Wow. What a great bit of news!!!! Have a wonderful time and do Charleston next year.....don't forget the trip report.

Wow is right! I'm impressed! That will kick Charleston's butt. Have a great time and tell us everything when you return.

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.