Published On: 04.07.15 | 

By: Keisa Sharpe

Alabama in bloom at Bellingrath Gardens

Mirror Lake

The camellia may be the Alabama state flower, but in late March and into April, it might as well be the azalea. These prolific bloomers are an Alabama favorite and have been spring stalwarts in our yards and gardens for more than 150 years.

South Terrace

Azaleas anchor the end of one runnel in Live Oak Plaza at Bellingrath Gardens.

*All photos courtesy of Bellingrath Gardens

The azalea is an Alabama favorite because of its mounding evergreen form and billowing spring blooms. Once established and properly cared for, the azalea will just bloom and bloom and bloom. There is nowhere in Alabama to see azaleas quite like Bellingrath Gardens and Home outside Mobile.

This 65-acre garden set on the former estate of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath is the go-to spot for spring blooms.

This time of year, paths and borders around the expansive lawns are lined with thousands of pink, purple, red and white azaleas painting a true Southern landscape.

Pride of Mobile

Pride of Mobile Azalea (Rhododendron indicum “Pride of Mobile”) is one of the most widely planted azaleas, bringing a bit of Alabama to all parts of the South.

In addition to stunning azalea collections, Bellingrath is also bringing good publicity to the state. This spring, Executive Director William E. Barrick has been selected to receive the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural Society.

The prestigious award is given annually to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to at least three of the following horticultural fields: teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business and leadership.

Great Lawn

Live Oaks and azaleas – pure Alabama.

One of his initiatives at Bellingrath was to redesign the annual Magic Christmas in Lights attraction, which in 2014 was included in USA Today’s “10 Best Public Light Displays in America.” Barrick also received the 2012 Governor’s Tourism Award from the Alabama Tourism Department and has been active in numerous state, regional and national horticultural organizations.

Barrick will receive the award at the Great American Gardeners Awards ceremony in early June in Alexandria, Virginia. The award is a salute to his lifelong passion for horticulture, which has brought a positive spotlight on Alabama.

Eight great places for spring blooms in Alabama:

  1. Bellingrath Home and Garden: bellingrath.org
  2. Birmingham Botanical Gardensbbgardens.org
  3. Dothan Area Botanical Gardensdabg.com
  4. Aldridge Gardensaldridgegardens.com
  5. Mobile Botanical Gardensmobilebotanicalgardens.org
  6. Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museumjasminehill.org
  7. Huntsville Botanical Gardenhsvbg.org
  8. Donald E. Davis Arboretumauburn.edu/arboretum

Fun Fact:  The Bellingrath’s home, which is open for tours, was the most modern of its kind in 1935, but it had to be powered by a large Delco generator for electricity. Alabama Power did not electrify this remote area of Mobile County until 1940. Can you imagine life without electricity today?