As the lingering glow of the holiday season fades, we at Bellingrath Gardens and Home are still basking in the afterglow of an extraordinary season. This year, we achieved something truly extraordinary: welcoming more than 100,000 visitors—our highest attendance ever!
This monumental milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors, corporate members, and community partners. Your dedication made it possible for us to bring this cherished tradition to life on a scale like never before.
A Season to Remember
Magic Christmas in Lights has always been more than just a dazzling display of over three million lights. It’s a gathering of hearts and a celebration of the beauty of the season. With your contributions, we were able to enhance every detail, ensuring each visitor experienced the wonder of the Gardens like never before.
From twinkling pathways to whimsical holiday scenes, the feedback from our guests has been overwhelmingly positive. Families, couples, and groups of friends all found their own slice of joy amidst the sparkle. And this year, they turned out in record numbers—proving that the magic of the Gardens is brighter than ever.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To our incredible sponsors: Maynard Nexsen (supporting sponsor), Chris Francis Tree Care (Live Oak Plaza Sponsor), and Crowder Gulf (Peace on Earth Sponsor) – you’ve been the guiding light behind our success. Your support allowed us to go above and beyond, creating an event that captured the spirit of the holidays for thousands of guests.
To our new and returning corporate members: Welcome to the Bellingrath family! Your commitment strengthens our ability to preserve the Gardens’ legacy while continuing to provide moments of joy and wonder for our community. We’re excited to embark on this journey together, filled with possibilities.
To our cherished community and guests: Thank you for making Bellingrath Gardens and Home a part of your holiday traditions. Your presence and shared memories bring life to the lights and fuel our mission to inspire joy, connection, and awe.
Our 100,000th visitor receiving a $100 gift card to the Bellingrath Gardens Gift Shop!
Looking Ahead to a New Year of Wonder
As we close the curtain on this unforgettable season, we’re already brimming with excitement for what’s to come. Stay tuned for exciting announcements about upcoming events and fresh opportunities to experience the Gardens in new ways.
Whether you’ve been a lifelong supporter or are just discovering the magic of Bellingrath, we can’t wait to welcome you back.
Azaleas (specifically evergreen azaleas) have been in cultivation for centuries, and can be found scattered throughout the majority of temperate gardens across the planet that generally stay above 0F, have somewhat acidic soil, and have consistent rainfall throughout the year. In design school, I was taught “right plant, right spot”. Bessie Bellingrath was keenly aware of this gardening axiom– south Alabama is one of the best places on earth to grow evergreen azaleas, and Bessie compiled one of the first evergreen azalea collections in south Alabama. However, beyond our excitement to celebrate Bessie’s love of this ericaceous jewel, why is Bellingrath Gardens so intent on elevating azaleas to “core collection” status? Actually…let’s back up: what is a Bellingrath Gardens core collection?
Bellingrath Gardens is building its “living collection”. That means that in addition to curating our seasonal displays, we are acquiring, documenting, and planting as many climate-appropriate (growable in south Alabama) plants as possible. Within our living collection, we are identifying and adopting “core collections”. A core collection is recognized to be critical to our living collection, receiving prioritized and permanent placement throughout the gardens. Bellingrath Gardens’ Executive Director, Dr. Todd Lasseigne, believes evergreen azaleas are so important to our legacy as a public garden, that our visitors will be able to spot one no matter where they are standing in the gardens. That’s a bold initiative, and one we are excited to work towards.
When touring the 10,500 square foot Bellingrath Home, it is illuminatingly apparent that Walter and Bessie utilized every bit of their indoor living space. They were collectors of their day. And for them, each day was worth remembering. Today, a dedicated staff proudly champions the Bellingrath Home and its intimate portrayal of Walter and Bessie’s legacy. The extensive collection of ephemera, artwork, documents, accolades and gifts affords over 125,000 people each year the opportunity to connect with the spirit of the place, and to calibrate their perception to see the world as the Bellingrath’s once did. The collection of Walter and Bessie’s personal effects remains hugely impactful and relevant because it is displayed within the confines of the perfectly preserved “historic core”. Likewise, the sum of Bellingrath’s azalea core collection is greater than its plants. Of panache and profundity, Bellingrath’s rapidly growing aggregation of accessioned azaleas shares similarities to other collections in their many forms: the union of canvas and paint, the shaping of clay, the pen traversing page after page, the tightening of nuts and bolts, whisking together ingredients, the linking of circuitry, and on and on. However, Bellingrath’s azalea core collection functions as only living, growing things can.
Research and Reference
A living library…that’s probably the best way to explain it. A collection of books by different authors, mapped by a card catalog (do they still use card catalogs?). Let’s walk over to the hypothetical evergreen azalea section. Imagine with me, hundreds of “books” written by different plant breeders—the volumes are lined up on the shelf and mapped in the digital database. Each book is packed with beautiful images that seem to jump off the page, supported by descriptions that vividly illustrate what is pictured.
In reality, our azalea reference collection is planted into a grid. These clones grow in consistent and ideal conditions—same latitude, same climate, same soil, same irrigation, same sunlight—thus the collection is rooted into a strong foundation that supports side-by-side comparison, documentation, and evaluation. Growth rate, bloom time/color/quality/size, foliage characteristics, heat and cold tolerance,
overall form—every phenotypic (a fancy way to say “observable”) trait that defines the evergreen azalea and reaffirms their legendary aesthetic impact in the garden—multiplied by several hundred clones—on display in relation to one another. Upon a foundation of singular and ideal growing conditions, collection diversity, and consistent and systematic recurrent documentation, major breakthroughs ripen as low hanging fruit. When evaluating 300 clones, 500 clones, 1000 clones in this environment, one could simply stand a few hundred feet away and accurately claim that ‘clone X’ is the earliest blooming azalea of all 300, or 500, or 1000 clones. Although our results only represent how these varieties grow here at Bellingrath, quite often the same relational properties hold true in other gardens. For example, at Bellingrath, if ‘clone x’ has redder flowers than ‘clone y’ or grows faster than ‘clone H’ or blooms later than ‘clone R’, it is likely (with exceptions) that when grown side-by-side in a Texas or New Jersey or South Carolina garden, ‘clone x’ will still perform similarly in relation to clones Y, H, and R. The Bellingrath Gardens azalea core collection will serve as a reference point from which reasonable planting choices can be applied to gardens elsewhere. And of course, we will utilize our evaluations as we plant azaleas all over Bellingrath Gardens—the perfect selections for Bellingrath visitors to enjoy anywhere in the garden. It’s gonna get nuts!
A nice out-of-season flower on an unnamed Azalea, also known as ‘RBS 166’
Another invaluable function a reference collection serves is in its exemplary taxonomic/varietal accuracy. I could type and gripe about how often plants become mislabeled in the nursery trade—but in short: the Bellingrath azalea core collection will have accurate signage, as we’ll actively work to sort out inherited misnomers. Here again we benefit from the advantage of growing a large collection side-by-side. Hypothetically, a clone is named ‘Red Prince’; but why is it blooming purple in the trial? Hmm…looks like a mistake. Or hypothetically, a clone called ‘Red Prince’ and a clone called ‘Red Slippers’ look absolutely identical side-by-side? Hmm…maybe this is the same clone being sold under two names? It happens more than most people think. In a reference collection, decades-old mistakes can be solved in minutes.
All this and we haven’t even covered how Bellingrath’s Azalea Core Collection is crucial for conservation and sharing; plus, we’ll talk more about those big honkin’ flowers! Next month, we hope you’ll enjoy the final installment of this in-depth introduction to Bellingrath’s Azalea Core Collection.
Visit and Connect with Us
Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the hashtag #BellingrathGardens.
Occasionally guests ask about the history of china they have come across with images of Bellingrath Gardens. Gayfers’ Department Store once carried large plates with scenes of Bellingrath Gardens. These were produced for that retailer by Vernon Kilns, a California manufacturer in operation from 1931 until 1953.
In 1957 Bellingrath Gardens contracted with one of England’s oldest potteries to produce souvenir china for sale in the gift shop which was operating out of the Lodge near the Bellingrath Home.
The Adams line of potters in Staffordshire created several different pieces for that purpose. There were dinner plates, salad plates and small butter pats as well as coffee cups and saucers and two sizes of mugs. Pictured here is what was marketed as a “Leeds Pitcher” so named for its distinctive shape.
The china was produced in three color patterns: dark blue, cranberry or multi-color as the pitcher shown here. While the front of this piece depicts the Grotto, the dinner plates were centered with the Grotto but surrounded by a view of the Home courtyard, the Monolith, Rebecca at the Well and the iconic bridge over Mirror Lake. Also in the border were camellias, a nod no doubt to the recently opened Camellia Arboretum behind Mirror Lake.
In the mid-1960’s, following the construction of the South Terrace, a dinner plate with a scene of the Bellingrath Home was added to the choices. This one was finished in shades of brown rather than the earlier color palettes. By this time, the china was being sold in the newly completed Gift Shop adjoining the parking lot.
In 1970 a Bellingrath newsletter announced the end of “the Bellingrath Gardens Commemorative Plate and its accessory items.” Spiraling labor costs in England along with a scarcity of skilled potters was the blame for the end of the tradition. Today these items remain a fun collector’s item occasionally found in antique shops and on EBay.
Over the past several months, I have focused this column on updating you, our supporters, on several aspects of improvements being made to infrastructure, utilities, and our equipment. I wouldn’t be surprised, therefore, to learn if any of you have wondered when, or if, I would be writing about plants. (Those who know me really well are truly laughing right now, as I’ve been known to never stop talking about plants!) Anyhow, … I figured it’s time to return to plants, and at this time of the year, there is no finer group of plants to discuss than camellias.
When people think of the history of Bellingrath Gardens & Home, most think about the period of time when the gardens were created and constructed, and when they were shepherded by Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. And why shouldn’t we think about this period of time, eh?! Well, another period of great importance for Bellingrath Gardens & Home are the years immediately following the death of Walter Bellingrath in 1955 – specifically 1956 through the early 1960s. Y’see, many a great addition to Bellingrath Gardens occurred during this period: a) the Bellingrath Home was opened (changing our name to Bellingrath Gardens and Home), b) the building now known as the Café/Gift Shop Building was constructed, c) the Overlook Bridge by the Rose Garden was erected, d) the Brick Patio was built at the southwest corner of the Great Lawn, e) the Lodge was torn down and replaced by the South Terrace, f) the “Oriental Garden” (now called the “Asian-American Garden”) was built, and g) last, but not least, the Camellia Arboretum was developed.
In 1957, over 800 cultivars of camellias were planted on seven acres located to the west of the Summer House. As the historic photo shows, grassy paths meandered through a mature pine forest studded with specimen camellias planted on 12-foot centers, each plant representing a unique cultivar (“variety”). This garden would stand, at the time, as one of the finest collections of camellias in the Gulf Coast region until 1979! Sadly, Hurricane Frederic had other plans, and in 1979, destroyed the Camellia Arboretum. With the valiant efforts of long-time Bellingrath Director of Horticulture Pat Ryan, many of these plants were salvaged from the former arboretum and replanted into the gardens. Despite the passage of 45 years since Frederic, a surprising number of camellias still persist to this day in the old arboretum, happily growing as a testament to their durability and hardiness. Our aim is to rescue these old plants and to redevelop the space into a restored Camellia Arboretum!
On December 7, 2024, Bellingrath Gardens & Home embarked on the first efforts to begin the process of reclaiming this important part of our heritage and history. With the assistance of three volunteers – George Davis, Forrest Latta, and Donavan Ballard – BGH staff of myself, Jeremy Schmidt, and Sarah Brecher worked to begin clearing brushy growth, unwanted vines, seedling weedy trees, and even various seeded-in camellia volunteers. In the span of four hours, a huge amount of progress was made, such that some camellias were no longer covered by trumpet creeper vines, dead limbs and trees were moved away from existing plants, and low-hanging limbs of taller trees were removed so that sunlight could reach the light-starved camellias.
Where will this lead? When will we get there? I’ll write again in the coming months on our progress, all of this tied to an exciting new master plan for BGH that we will be unveiling in the future!
Visit and Connect with Us
Join the conversation and share your memories of Bellingrath on social media using #BellingrathGardens.
The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by giving the gift of beauty, community, and unforgettable memories? Bellingrath Gardens & Home is offering two exciting opportunities to bring joy to your loved ones and yourself this season:
1. New Member Offer:
Join now through December 31, 2024 to enjoy exclusive perks, including:
1 extra month of membership, free of charge.
A complimentary hot chocolate and bag of Community Coffee to warm your winter days.
With your membership, you’ll enjoy year-round access to Bellingrath Gardens & Home, complimentary admission to the Gardens and an annual home tour, exclusive discounts at the Gift Shop and special events, plus invitations to members-only experiences.
2. Gift Memberships:
Give the perfect holiday gift that lasts all year! Share the magic of Bellingrath Gardens & Home with friends and family by gifting them a membership. It’s a thoughtful way to give the beauty of the “Charm Spot of the Deep South” while supporting one of Alabama’s most treasured destinations.
As the chill of the season sweeps in and the holidays come knocking, there’s one place where magic isn’t just in the air—it’s in the lights. Bellingrath Gardens & Home welcomes you to the 2024 Magic Christmas in Lights, a dazzling spectacle that blends timeless tradition with fresh, innovative charm. And guess what? You’re invited to soak it all in. But before you head out, let’s make sure your visit isn’t just good—it’s unforgettable.
1. Timing is Everything
Skip the crowds, savor the serenity. Weeknights are your golden ticket to a more intimate experience. Arrive early to catch the Gardens bathed in twilight before the lights take center stage. Trust us, the transition is pure magic.
2. Must-See Marvels
If you’re thinking, “I’ve seen it before,” think again. This year’s “Peace on Earth” theme introduces a stunning new display where the gazebo once stood. It’s a visual story of hope, unity, and wonder—perfect for that Instagram-worthy shot. And of course, the beloved classics like the Rose Garden Pink Tunnels (2022) and Christmas Corridor (2023) still shine bright.
3. Dress for the Occasion
Think cozy, not cumbersome. Layers are your best friend—warm enough for the crisp air, light enough for exploring. Comfortable shoes? Non-negotiable. These paths are made for strolling, not strutting.
4. Warm Up with Cocoa and S’mores
There’s nothing quite like sipping on a steaming cup of hot cocoa as you wander through the sparkling lights. It’s holiday magic in a mug! And if you’re looking for a little extra sweetness, don’t miss the s’mores station. Gather around, toast marshmallows to golden perfection, and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate. It’s a cozy, delicious tradition that will leave you feeling warm from the inside out. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves a taste of nostalgia.
5. Step Inside History
Take a break from the twinkling lights and step into the historic Bellingrath Home, beautifully decorated for the holidays. Each room tells a story of timeless elegance, enhanced by festive touches that make the season come alive. Guided tours offer fascinating insights into the Bellingrath legacy, blending history, architecture, and seasonal cheer. It’s the perfect way to add a touch of tradition to your visit while enjoying a cozy retreat from the crisp evening air.
6. Snap a Memory with Santa
Don’t forget to stop by and capture the ultimate holiday keepsake—a photo with Santa himself! Whether you’re bringing little ones to share their Christmas wish list or just want a festive snap with the big guy in red, it’s a must-do experience. Santa will be available for photos through December 23rd, so be sure to plan your visit early to get your perfect shot. After all, nothing says holiday spirit quite like a jolly moment with St. Nick!
7. The Gift Shop is Calling
Think beyond the usual stocking stuffers. The Bellingrath gift shop is a treasure trove of holiday finds, from unique ornaments to local artisan crafts. Shop while you’re in the spirit—it beats the mall, hands down.
8. Capture the Magic: Photography Tips
The lights are breathtaking, and your photos should be too! For the best results, visit during twilight when the sky still holds a hint of color. Use a tripod or steady surface to avoid blur, and turn off your flash to let the warm glow of the lights shine. Experiment with different angles—reflection shots near water features or wide frames of the dazzling displays can create stunning images. And don’t forget to step in front of the lens yourself—these memories are worth keeping!
So, are you ready? Whether you’re a longtime visitor or a first-time guest, Magic Christmas in Lights is your chance to slow down, look up, and revel in the wonder of the season. Book your tickets, grab your loved ones, and let the magic begin.
This holiday season, Bellingrath Gardens & Home isn’t just a destination—it’s a memory in the making. And it’s waiting for you.
I am writing this column just before we open our doors for the first night of the 2024 Magic Christmas in Lights festival – our 29th annual celebration of the holiday season at Bellingrath Gardens & Home. In the coming nights and weeks, we’ll literally see tens of thousands of visitors come to our doors from near and afar, all eager to see the light show that we’re presenting this year.
Starting in 1995, Bellingrath opened its doors in the evenings for a holiday celebration with lights bedecking the gardens and hand-made set pieces. Executive Director Bob Pearson had traveled the year before to Callaway Gardens to see their light show, only to be toured around by Bill Barrick, who would become Bellingrath’s next executive director in 1999. (The public garden world is indeed small, but I don’t know if there could be any closer degree of separation than this!) I recently discovered a letter written in 1995 from Bob Pearson to BGH’s volunteers, thanking them for staffing and running the Magic Christmas show – an interesting factoid I had not before heard.
Under Bill’s guidance, Magic Christmas in Lights was perfected in the early 2000s through his own creative energies, coupled with those of Clare Graham, a Disney “Imagineer” and artist. The show achieved huge success in the 2000s, reaching its zenith of popularity in 2012 with over 90,000 visitors. Furthermore, under Bill’s leadership, the Magic Christmas show was run by staff, and the actual set pieces that display the lights were created in-house by BGH’s staff. One person who was of particular importance in creating these metal set pieces was Greg Hill, who sadly passed away in 2020 at too young of an age.
Upon arriving at BGH in September of 2020, I quickly learned about the all-consuming nature of our annual holiday show. Observing it both as it was set up and then opened to the public on November 27, 2020, I explored the show to embrace its spirit but also critique it. The staff had wisely decided to create the new Mardi Gras scene during the summer of 2020, and that allowed us to exhibit a new scene for the first time in eight years. I decided to bring in the expertise of landscape designer and holiday light show planner Tres Fromme for a review in early December 2020. Through Tres’ and my observations, and with approval from the board, we embarked on a new master plan for Magic Christmas in Lights, and this was completed by mid-2022.
Through the involvement of key BGH staff with Mr. Fromme and HDLA of Nashville, TN, the new MCIL master plan calls for years of new or modified scenes and the embracing of modern technology such as LED lights and choreographed motion of these lights in selected areas. New scenes were opened both during the development of the new plan and every year since it was completed: 2021’s Phoenix and Dragon, 2022’s Rose Garden Pink Tunnels, and 2023’s Christmas Corridor behind the Admissions Building. For this year, our theme is “Peace on Earth,” and our new Magic Christmas scene is located in the space where the gazebo formerly stood in the “Gazebo Garden.” We hope you’ll enjoy it as much as you have our past years.
Bellingrath Gardens & Home is greatly thankful and appreciative of the patronage you exhibit toward us, not only in the holiday season, but also throughout the year. What we promise you for 2024’s show and for future years is a spirit of continual improvement and creation of new exhibits that will delight your senses and reward you with a celebration of the holiday spirit and season.
Visit and Connect with Us
Join the conversation and share your memories of Bellingrath on social media using #BellingrathGardens.
Thousands of visitors have passed through the Bellingrath Living Room over the years, paying little attention to what was surely the most expensive object in the house: a Capehart radio-phonograph.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the Capehart Automatic Phonograph Company produced a series of very expensive entertainment systems housed in handsome cabinets. The company offered a variety of styles, ranging from Chippendale to “Spanish.”
The company was named after Homer E. Capehart, who introduced the concept of home entertainment systems consisting of combination record players and AM/FM radios. Capehart had earlier perfected a series of jukeboxes before incorporating under the Capehart name in 1928. He would eventually have a distinguished career as a senator from Indiana.
The Capehart was unique in that it contained an ingenious record changer capable of playing both sides of a record by flipping it over. By the 1940s, the Capehart had become a symbol of urbane luxury in the United States, and movie buffs can spot them in the glamorous living rooms featured in films of the era.
The Chippendale model in the Bellingrath Home retailed for the astronomical sum of $5,000 in 1941 (about $87,000 in today’s dollars). The cabinet itself weighs 140 pounds and features a “clam shell” opening top that reveals the record changer. An interior light originally illuminated the changer when the top was opened.
Below the top section is a pair of doors that open to reveal a speaker, centered with what resembles a Chippendale chair splat. At its base, the words “Bissell Weisert Co., Chicago” are printed in gold, referring to a retailer that once operated on Michigan Avenue in that city.
Production of Capehart radio-phonographs came to a halt by 1950 as the company turned its attention to a new form of entertainment: television. The long-playing record, which spun at a speed of 33 1/3 rpm, was introduced during that decade. Within a few years, Americans began preferring more portable “hi-fi” systems, rendering the Capeharts obsolete.
It’s that time of year again when nature unveils its masterpiece here at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, and the stars of the season are none other than our spectacular cascading chrysanthemums. Known for holding the title as the largest outdoor display of cascading chrysanthemums in the United States, these blooms are living art, shaped and nurtured right here on our grounds.
Picture it: thousands of chrysanthemums spilling down walls, embracing arbors, and lighting up the gardens with rich, vibrant hues. It’s breathtaking, mesmerizing, and utterly unforgettable. And these aren’t your average blooms—they’re Bellingrath Grown, a labor of love cultivated from seed to blossom within our own greenhouses.
When to Visit and What to Expect
The chrysanthemums are currently blooming and will continue to flourish throughout the season. For the best experience, plan to visit in the coming weeks as the colors reach their peak. This is an ideal time to capture stunning photos, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
Bellingrath Gardens & Home invites you to come witness the bloom — a one-of-a-kind spectacle made even more special by our remarkable team.
Plan your visit today to experience the vibrant tapestry of chrysanthemums and explore the magic of Bellingrath’s greenhouses.
A Blooming Tribute to Our Volunteers
Yet, none of this beauty would exist without the dedication of our amazing volunteers. This season, we owe a special nod to Master Gardener and Bellingrath volunteer Barbara Burdine. With her creative vision and green thumb, she has redesigned the Plant Atrium, turning it into a lush haven just outside our gift shop. Assisting her was Master Gardener intern and fellow volunteer, Michael DeCosta, who brought his own energy and expertise to bring the transformation to life.
The result? A vibrant, rejuvenated space that feels like a slice of Bellingrath itself. And here’s the best part—these are plants you can take home with you. Thanks to Barbara, Michael, and our team, the Atrium now features an incredible selection of plants for sale, straight from Bellingrath’s own greenhouses. It’s a chance to bring a touch of Bellingrath into your own space.
The next time you find yourself in Bellingrath Gardens’ Café enjoying our Coca-Cola sliders, you might notice on the brick wall behind you an early 1930s photograph of a massive azalea being transported into the Gardens on a repurposed Coca-Cola truck. Bessie Bellingrath was a plant collector, and even before Bellingrath Gardens was founded, azaleas were one of her favorite plants to collect!
Bessie Bellingrath’s first azalea garden on Ann St. in Mobile. 1920’s
Bessie’s original azalea collections were sadly lost decades ago, but as part of our proud celebration of her “artistry and genius,” Bellingrath Gardens is rebuilding it—prominently displaying them so that others can feel the joy and invigoration that comes from a connection to plant life, to nature, and to big honkin’ flowers!
A 1940’s post card featuring the welcoming azaleas at Bellingrath Gardens
As I’ve mentioned in past newsletters, we have constructed an in-ground azalea trial to support our growing collection. That trial space is filling up fast!
When I came to Bellingrath in the summer of 2023, BGH had 13 azalea varieties in the ground. Thirteen. Of course, anyone who’s chosen the right weekend to walk the Garden in March has encountered these 13 clones flowing in huge sweeps—breathtaking! We want to build on that. We want to diversify that. We want to augment the effect of these massive monochromatic masses with hundreds of new varieties, crazy vibrant colors, and a noticeably expanded bloom season. In the past year, the Bellingrath azalea collection has grown from 13 to over 300 varieties, and we are just getting started.
Q: What is a plant collection?
A: A collection of plants.
Wow, deep. Thanks. Curating a collection, however, is a huge undertaking!
Q: Where are we getting all these azaleas!?
A: Ok… here we go…
As it pertains to azaleas of garden origin, there are generally only two places to get azaleas: as potted plants from the nurseries that sell them and as cuttings from the gardeners who grow them. Fortunately, Mobile, AL, is quite possibly at the center of the cultivated azalea universe, so most growable azaleas can be found within a day’s drive of Bellingrath. So far, we’ve been gifted hundreds of ready-to-plant azaleas, and we’ve traveled to other gardeners’ azalea collections to take cuttings (for the cuttings, we have to add the roots later).
Sarah taking cuttings
Just add roots! Freshly “stuck” cutting on our mist bench
Sarah and Brandy with a truck full of potted azaleas
Tune in next time, when we discuss the significance of establishing our azaleas as a “Core Bellingrath Collection” and why it is crucial for their preservation.
Visit and Connect with Us
Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the hashtag #BellingrathGardens.
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Purchase Tickets
