It’s Spring – Take the family to a local garden!

Spring brings more than warm weather and the sunshine. Along come the flowers in lovely varieties and beautiful colors.

You don’t have to settle for what’s growing in your flower beds; there are gardens nearby where flowers are tended, and you’ll find fabulous acres and rows of magnificent blooms.

Here are three of our picks:

1. Biltmore – located in Asheville, North Carolina the Biltmore House has been a host to fantastic spring flowers for years and years.
The formal and informal gardens designed by American’s distinguished landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted continues to draw crowds each year.  The gardens are a living tribute to his genius.

Today horticultural experts work to preserve the original vision of the grounds – amazingly much of the many original gardens remains. The infamous Rose Garden features more than 250 varieties and is an attraction in itself.

Many people may not know that the Biltmore was originally built by Vanderbilt to preserve the beauty of the area. He was a true environmentalist. Several of the natural areas remain today and are perfect for exploration and learning about the various plants.  The grounds are available for you to hike at your pace, walk along the French Broad River through lush green forests or open meadows of a Deer Park.

Now is the time to visit.  April is time for tulip blooms. However, as it is with nature, plants can bloom early or late. Daffodils, paper whites, and other flowers are starting to bloom now.
Plan a trip and start spring in a colorful way.
www.biltmore.com

2. Callaway Gardens – just down the road in Pine Mountain, GA.   The beautiful property offers a lot – from a beach in the summer to a butterfly center to a beautiful golf course. You could almost forget the main attraction is in the name – Gardens!

Overlook Azalea Garden – planted by Virginia Hand Callaway with the help of Fred Galle is considered the showcase of the gardens. Each spring thousands of Azaleas show their vibrant blooms in multitudes of colors. Walk the garden and become emerged in the pinks, whites and reds. You’ll find many lovely spots for a picnic.

Next stop is along Holly Trail to Meadowlark Garden. With 25 displays of Asian and American Holly you are drawn in and simply must stop to take it all in. Take a break at a picturesque gazebo and admire the dwarf to large trees, with berries in black, red, orange and yellow. If you’re not familiar with all the versions of Hollies here is your chance to learn more about them.

And, this time of the year you get a bonus – Camillas, Daphne, and other flowers provide a show of colors.

And, lastly one of my favorite flowers – the Hydrangea. Visit a garden filled with them. The Thornhill Hydrangea Garden is your spot. You’ll find it in Meadowlark Garden near the Butterfly Center. There are various varieties of Hydrangea – peak bloom is a bit later, usually the end of may through September. But – you can always come back for another trip – it’s close enough.

www.callawaygardens.com

3. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Located outside of Athens, there are many, many plants and flowers to enjoy. What’s exciting about this garden is your opportunity to explore and learn.

You will find a variety of gardens:
– Shade & Native flora gardens – magnolias, dogwoods, azaleas
– International Garden – which always has something new and different
– Heritage Garden – Like a walk through your grandmother’s garden. Or a historic Savannah garden. You’ll find crops like cotton, tobacco, rice, and indigo. You’ll also find magnolias and dogwoods too – they are Southern Heritage.
– Flower Garden – Tulips are always beautiful this time of year
– Trails & Natural Areas –

Visit the Horticulture Greenhouses for a lesson in seedlings, harvesting vegetables and flowers and how to grow those houseplants.

And, if you are ready to enhance your green thumb – take a class!
There are adult programs, school outreach programs, and programs for families.

www.botgarden.uga.edu
www.sbgeduc@uga.edu

Other not to miss gardens:
Atlanta Botanical Gardens – atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Barnsley Gardens at Barnsley Resort – barnsleyresort.com
Smith Gilbert Gardens – near Kennesaw -smithgilbertgardens.com