Ethereal Azaleas and Camellias are everywhere, and Gardenias and Sweet Olive fill the air with perfume that lingers along with memories of this famous garden spot. Bridal-like pathways are strewn with falling petals from the fragrant fragile flowers, and majestic arms of giant oaks—gray draped with mystic Spanish moss—form cavelike arches overhead. The roses have a corner of their own, where round and round in pattern of a giant Rotarian Wheel they flaunt their gorgeous colors in strong young buds. Old lavender Wisteria festoons its way along the redolent magnolia trees and brilliant blue Hydrangeas and Altheas and dogwood add a glory all their own to their respective seasons. Most every tree and shrub that likes the gentle clime along the Gulf has made its home within the hundred acres encompassed by the Bellingrath Gardens and found therein the care that lends an added beauty to their untamed growth. The clinging tendrils of a thousand vines have wound their way along the friendly branches of the trees, and woven round their heads a mesh to keep the troubles of a distraught world from penetrating into this place of beauty, quietude and peace.
Quaint flagstone walks lead down to the rippling river—or off again to loiter by the lake to watch the gliding swans along the lily pads, or see the thousand yellow lilies dancing in reflection on the water’s edge. The tinkled splash of fountained waters or the trilling tributes of a wild bird accent the thrilling majesty that comes with peace and beauty.
And here has been established a home, superbly built of rich old brick and traditional Southern iron grillwork. It is a perfect jewel in a perfect setting into which age-old romance and history have been woven. The lines of sturdy Norman grouping are softened and accented by the rich-railed balconies and porticos that bring to mind the quaint courts and cloisters of Southern Europe and the influence of Old France and Spain upon the Gulf Coast colonies.
“Charm Spot of the Deep South”
In Bellingrath Gardens the Southland boasts one of the loveliest garden spots in all the world—the true “Charm Spot of the Deep South.” Serenely conscious of the rare appeal and magnetism of ever-changing beauty, Bellingrath Gardens offer an untold wealth of verdant foliage at any time of the year the casual caller comes. In fall the mammoth Chrysanthemums are magnificent and early winter brings the prized collection of Camellias has in myriad brilliant hues. Spring coaxes forth thousands of bulbous blossoms and the dazzling show of Bellingrath’s far-famed Azaleas in every known variety. Then summer comes to show its radiant colors in Southern Oleanders, Crepe Myrtle, and Gardenias—and always—through the centuries gone and those years yet to come, the giant bearded oaks and forest trees raise reverent arms as if to bring this beauty nearer God.