The last stop on our 4100 mile reunion trip was to Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama which is near Mobile. The temperature was in the mid-upper 90’s at the time of our visit so we did not see the whole garden. One thing that surprised me was the lack of Spanish moss on the oak trees. One tree near the entrance had some Spanish moss on it but I expect it was placed there for effect. One always associates the Deep South with oaks and Spanish moss.
Once inside the gardens we visited the rose garden which was laid out in 1936. The gardens contain over 2000 plants with 75 varieties represented. The rose plants are primarily hybrid teas and floribundas, changed out annually as the gardens is a test site for the All American Rose Selections. New roses are planted one year before they are available to the public. They are all grafted on Fortuniana root stock to avoid nematode damage. A big three tier cast iron fountain was added in 2010. The garden layout represents the Rotary Club emblem.
The conservatory was built in 1935 and is used to house tropical plants. The glass house was restored in 1996.
The great lawn is the site of a former farm and is the biggest open site on the property. The lawn is kept green year round using various seasonal grasses. The lawn is bordered by a 400 foot long flower bed featuring tropical bedding plants changed out yearly.
We missed the camellia parterre and continued to the live oak plaza with its artesian spring which carries water down to the Fowl River. The mermaid fountain, Rebecca by the Well bronze relief, and Monolith plaques describing the gardens history, the Bellingrath family and architect George Rogers who designed the gardens.
We were thrilled to arrive at the 15 room house built in 1935 for the luxury of air conditioning. The house is completely furnished with historical furniture and objects collected by Mrs. Bellingrath. The tour was very complete and the guide very knowledgeable.
We walked down to the river pavilion which offers great views of the river and docking for visitors arriving by boat. We took photos of the house from the pavilion.
We took a quick tour of the Delchamps/Boehm gallery which houses the largest collection of Boehm porcelain open to the public. The gallery was opened in 1967.
The heat was really on so we missed the chapel, bayou boardwalk and observatory, and the Asian-American garden, rockery and gazebo garden. We did stop at the overlook and the over view of the Asian-American Garden. One person almost passed out from the heat.
This is a beautiful garden and well worth a visit. We did not pick the best time to visit but in cooler weather the gardens would have been more enjoyable. I would like to revisit the parts that we missed.
The gardens is located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, Alabama, 1-800-247-8420, http://www.bellingrath.org/
Once inside the gardens we visited the rose garden which was laid out in 1936. The gardens contain over 2000 plants with 75 varieties represented. The rose plants are primarily hybrid teas and floribundas, changed out annually as the gardens is a test site for the All American Rose Selections. New roses are planted one year before they are available to the public. They are all grafted on Fortuniana root stock to avoid nematode damage. A big three tier cast iron fountain was added in 2010. The garden layout represents the Rotary Club emblem.
The conservatory was built in 1935 and is used to house tropical plants. The glass house was restored in 1996.
The great lawn is the site of a former farm and is the biggest open site on the property. The lawn is kept green year round using various seasonal grasses. The lawn is bordered by a 400 foot long flower bed featuring tropical bedding plants changed out yearly.
We missed the camellia parterre and continued to the live oak plaza with its artesian spring which carries water down to the Fowl River. The mermaid fountain, Rebecca by the Well bronze relief, and Monolith plaques describing the gardens history, the Bellingrath family and architect George Rogers who designed the gardens.
We were thrilled to arrive at the 15 room house built in 1935 for the luxury of air conditioning. The house is completely furnished with historical furniture and objects collected by Mrs. Bellingrath. The tour was very complete and the guide very knowledgeable.
We walked down to the river pavilion which offers great views of the river and docking for visitors arriving by boat. We took photos of the house from the pavilion.
We took a quick tour of the Delchamps/Boehm gallery which houses the largest collection of Boehm porcelain open to the public. The gallery was opened in 1967.
The heat was really on so we missed the chapel, bayou boardwalk and observatory, and the Asian-American garden, rockery and gazebo garden. We did stop at the overlook and the over view of the Asian-American Garden. One person almost passed out from the heat.
This is a beautiful garden and well worth a visit. We did not pick the best time to visit but in cooler weather the gardens would have been more enjoyable. I would like to revisit the parts that we missed.
The gardens is located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, Alabama, 1-800-247-8420, http://www.bellingrath.org/
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