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# Bellingrath Gardens & Home

## Sitemaps
- [XML Sitemap](https://bellingrath.org/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Back-of-Shop](https://bellingrath.org/back-of-shop/): Bellingrath Gardens & Home is a historic estate and gardens, opened to the public since the spring of 1932. It is also a beloved cultural attraction and community asset for Mobile and the Greater Gulf Coast region and a nationally renowned and internationally recognized destination. For a select number of people, however, BGH is a nonprofit organization that serves as their place of work that provides for their livelihoods and professional careers. To our visitors, much of the “behind the scenes” operational aspects of BGH are unknown.
- [River Pavilion Restoration](https://bellingrath.org/river-pavilion-roof-restoration/): Thank you so much for your support this summer in renovating the River Pavilion. We’ve replaced the badly deteriorated roof with a new metal one, added simple safety rails, and repaired damage to the deck from Tropical Storm Bertha. This project is important as we reactivate our riverfront.
- [Bellingrath Morse Foundation – Board Minute Highlights 1953](https://bellingrath.org/bellingrath-morse-foundation-board-minute-highlights-1953/): At the December meeting Walter Bellingrath gave a personal check for $14,000 to the Foundation to allow a distribution to be made to the Gardens and other beneficiaries. That sum would equate to just under $170,000 today.
- [The History of the Great and Humble Pumpkin](https://bellingrath.org/the-history-of-the-great-and-humble-pumpkin/): Almost everyone today knows them inside and out (literally, if you’ve ever made a jack-o’-lantern), but like many of the garden-variety vegetables available in grocery stores around the world today, the humble pumpkin has a surprisingly interesting history.
- [Essential Facilities](https://bellingrath.org/essential-facilities/): Hello, everyone! As of this writing, I have just passed my sixth anniversary with Bellingrath Gardens & Home. This is a milestone that I am happy to have reached, but one that seems to have come so suddenly. Yes, time does fly by – even in a lovely garden!
- [Bellingrath’s Fall Plant Market (September 18 – 20, 2026)](https://bellingrath.org/bellingraths-fall-plant-market-september-18-20-2026/): For the past few years, as the days of Summer get shorter and we all begin to anticipate a welcome change in the seasons, the Gardens here have rung in the coming cool(er) days with the Great Bellingrath Harvest. The Fall Plant Market kicks off the party from September 18th to the 20th this year - kind of like Mardi Gras, it really is a whole season instead of just one event, but we do start it with a big party: three days of music, drinks (lemonade and sweet tea), and plenty of goodies to take home (plants!). We’ll have some excellent late season color if your Summer bedding plants are beginning to get tired, as well as Spring-flowering trees and fragrant shrubs, and of course an offering of tropical houseplants to get you through the chilly Winter with some indoors greenery. We’re pairing this excellent shopping opportunity with our annual STEM Education Day, so there will be tons of local organizations for kids to connect with. It’s also generally just a fantastic time to visit the Gardens and watch as new displays begin unfolding. With so much going on, the Fall Plant Market is our sweet farewell serenade to the long, hot Summers of the South and a grateful hymn to welcome in the actual best time of the year to put new plants in the ground: Fall. 
- [River Pavilion Restoration Update](https://bellingrath.org/river-pavilion-restoration-update/): On Saturday, August 29th, the Bellingrath riverfront was bustling as volunteers planted marsh grasses on Bellingrath Spit. The workday was organized by our partners at the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program. It will stabilize the newly rebuilt spit, preserving the Fowl River ecosystem for the next twenty years.
- [Commemorative Bricks Installed this Spring](https://bellingrath.org/commemorative-bricks-installed-this-spring/): Two dozen donors have purchased commemorative bricks in honor of or in memory of a loved one, or to reflect their own love for the Gardens. It’s a beautiful way to leave a lasting legacy at Bellingrath. The funds received have helped to fund the first wave of design for our Centennial Master Plan.
- [Bellingrath Morse Foundation – Board Minute Highlights 1950-1952](https://bellingrath.org/bellingrath-morse-foundation-board-minute-highlights-1950-1952/): The Bellingrath Morse Foundation had its very first meeting on February 1, 1950 with Walter Bellingrath serving as chairman and Turner Rice, an employee of the First National Bank’s Trust Department acting as secretary. There were three other members serving that day:
- [A Birthday Salute](https://bellingrath.org/a-birthday-salute/): In 1949 invitations were sent for an 80th birthday party for Walter Bellingrath. A makeshift stage of bamboo held Mr. Bellingrath and some family members backing up to the Home while nearly 500 seated guests filled the driveway area in front of what today is the Delchamps Gallery. 
- [Leaving Your Own Bellingrath Legacy](https://bellingrath.org/leaving-your-own-bellingrath-legacy/): Steve Crawford spent decades serving as a Board Member and Board Chair of the Bellingrath-Morse Foundation. Out of his love for the Gardens and Home, he included a $25,000 gift in his will. That donation played an important role in the recent restoration of the Summer House and will be honored in a ceremony this fall.
- [Walter D. Bellingrath: A Visionary Civic Leader](https://bellingrath.org/walter-d-bellingrath-a-visionary-civic-leader/): On August 8, we will celebrate Mr. Bellingrath’s birthday. Born in Atlanta in 1869, 157 years ago, his mark and legacy lives on with Bellingrath Gardens & Home, the estate garden that he and his beloved wife, Bessie Morse Bellingrath, created in the first half of the 20th Century. Bellingrath’s own Tom McGehee has written aplenty about Mr. Bellingrath, and I will not attempt to weave a tale as good as Tom could in describing our founder. However, I would like to add some context as to what has been created and why it is so important.
- [Alabama’s Wild Carnivorous Plants](https://bellingrath.org/alabamas-wild-carnivorous-plants/): Most locals of a certain age in Lower Alabama remember the days when the fields you'd see driving through the country were covered in dense prairies of native wildflowers, or were still open, grassy savannas dotted heavily with towering longleaf pine trees. Even the drainage ditches down the sides of the dirt roads were full to the brim with a color, shape, and texture we can hardly imagine today. What most people don't know is what some of those wild plants were, and the answer might surprise you: Alabama is not only home to over 30 species of native carnivorous plants, but also boasts the honor of being the center of diversity for the iconic showy pitcher plants in the genus Sarracenia.
- [Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival Round 2](https://bellingrath.org/gulf-coast-chinese-lantern-festival-round-2/): Hello, everyone! I hope that you are enjoying your summer break now that school is out. Here at Bellingrath, we’re happy to have our second year of the Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival finished. Phew! It’s been a good run, but as I’m sure so many of you also feel, the days and weeks and months just seem to pass ever faster and faster, eh?
- [Four Campaigns for Our Future](https://bellingrath.org/four-campaigns-for-our-future/): Since we relaunched the Friends of Bellingrath newsletter with a new look in the fall of 2024, each issue has featured a different fundraising campaign. We’ve used an integrated digital fundraising approach, inviting gifts through the newsletter, emails, Facebook posts, donation stations in the Gardens, and prompts at the time of ticket purchase.
- [A Special Anniversary](https://bellingrath.org/a-special-anniversary-2/): On July 4, 1936, Walter Bellingrath noted in his guest register that on that day they had their first meal inside their new home. Ninety years later we celebrate that event and look back at the construction of his home. 
- [Bringing the Bellingrath Home into the Digital Era](https://bellingrath.org/bringing-the-bellingrath-home-into-the-digital-era/):             It goes without saying that the Bellingrath Home has one of the most impressive and important collections of antique furniture, silver, and porcelain in the South. Mrs. Bellingrath’s generosity paired with her excellent taste has preserved 19th century decorative arts for generations after her untimely passing.
- [Momentum to the Eighth Power](https://bellingrath.org/momentum-to-the-eighth-power/): Hot off the heels of talking about two projects in my e-newsletter column last month, I now want to update you on a plethora of other projects that have been ongoing at Bellingrath Gardens & Home.  Honestly y’all, it sometimes takes a scorecard for me to keep up with everything! Although it’s not quite the ten frames from a bowling scorecard, we think you’ll be impressed.
- [Fixing Our Front Porch on the Fowl River](https://bellingrath.org/fixing-our-front-porch-on-the-fowl-river/): As summer approaches, Bellingrath is turning its attention to the Fowl River. Every fisherman who passes by reminds us of Mr. Bell and Mr. Frank, and the waterskiers are following in the wake of Mr. Johnny “On the Spot” Dickinson and many of the Bellingrath friends and family. But not Mr. Bell and Ms. Bessie.
- [Our French Connection](https://bellingrath.org/our-french-connection/): The Bellingraths were very aware that the land holding their fishing camp, and later garden estate, had a long history stretching back to French colonial days. When Walter Bellingrath purchased the original two cabins, a group of Mobilians had been enjoying them as the Lisloy Club, named for the French plantation which once occupied the property in the 1760’s.
- [Movement on Two Fronts](https://bellingrath.org/movement-on-two-fronts/): Every month, it seems, Bellingrath Gardens & Home is either making a new announcement or starting a new project. For the month of May, there are two items that I am excited to write about:  our boathouse, and also our long-sought-after plant labels. Although neither project is complete, we still feel that both are newsworthy at this stage.
- [The Boat Houses of Bellingrath](https://bellingrath.org/the-boat-houses-of-bellingrath/): Walter Bellingrath first visited the Fowl River to fish. That led to his eventual purchase of the former Lisloy Club in 1918 and its conversion to Belle Camp.
- [47 Reasons Camellias Bring People Together](https://bellingrath.org/47-reasons-camellias-bring-people-together/): Camellias carry with them the stories of their creators, their origin, their caretakers, and the gardens around them. Camellias secure a sort of unrestricted accessibility across a timeline more far reaching than our own mortality affords. Through it all, Camellias bring people together—past, present, and future.
- [Souvenirs of Travel](https://bellingrath.org/souvenirs-of-travel/): Although the collection within the Bellingrath Home has long been praised for its valuable decorative arts there are some surprises to be found. On the Riverside Porch for instance, is a large blue pottery “trophy vase” standing nearly 20” high. Its base is marked CATALINA and this is a souvenir the Bellingraths purchased on their visit to the west coast in 1934.
- [BGH’s Master Plan, Phase 1:  The Historic Core](https://bellingrath.org/bghs-master-plan-phase-1-the-historic-core/): Since last October, BGH leadership and our design team have been hard at work on the schematic design of Phase 1 of the Centennial Master Plan. This phase encompasses areas of the gardens located between the Fowl River and Mirror Lake, from the North Bayou southward all the way to the northern edge of the Great Lawn. Of course, this means that it includes all garden spaces around the Bellingrath Home and the Delchamps Gallery of Boehm Porcelain building. Although all of the gardens are historic, we have chosen to call this particular area the “Historic Core,” since it forms the heart and soul of the garden and contains its most elaborately designed spaces. The design team for this project is Tres Fromme (3.fromme Design, Sanford, Florida) and Steven Lee Johnson (Sitework Studios, Asheville, North Carolina).
- [Blooming Bed Adoptions](https://bellingrath.org/blooming-bed-adoptions/): Over the past few months, three of our flower beds have been adopted. Joshua Turner and Samantha Stone adopted the center bed in the Secret Garden, and The Sybil and White Smith Foundation dedicated twin beds at the base of the Grotto.
- [Laying the Groundwork for the Centennial Master Plan](https://bellingrath.org/laying-the-groundwork-for-the-centennial-master-plan/): Last October, Bellingrath Gardens & Home unveiled its Centennial Master Plan to the public with much excitement and energy. Since then, we have been working intensely on design for Phase 1 (The Historic Core), but we also have been exploring possibilities with both the future Children’s and Family Garden and even the Camellia Arboretum. To say that we have seen interest in this plan is an understatement!
- [Breaking News](https://bellingrath.org/breaking-news/): A seasonal urge hit me for the first time this year on an unseasonably warm January Day—an unbridled urge…to buy plants. Does this sound like you? I’m glad you asked. If you’ve read this far (and technically, this is only the article’s 4th sentence after the title), then I’m guessing you answered emphatically “YES—MORE PLANTZ!” I’m guessing you have been thinking about spending all your available cash on plants. I have . I’m guessing you are thinking about the places in your garden that could use less pine straw and more flowers. I am as well—pine straw is so boring! I’m guessing you’re missing the joy of planting—the feel and smell of the earth in the palm of your hand. People have asked if I have dirt tattoos on my hands, to which I reply “uhhh nope, just dirt on my hands all the time.” I’m guessing right about now you remember how amazing your front porch looked last year, adorned with all those hanging baskets (or maybe you’re remembering your neighbor’s porch across the street that you had to stare at all summer long). I’m guilty...of having that porch and for being that neighbor. I’m guessing you are thinking about a plant that exceeded your expectations last year, unlocking an innate desire to grow it again…bigger and better than ever. I am too…all the time. I’m guessing you’ve perused the big box store plant selections and noticed they are pretty much the same every year, priced higher than expected, and lack the diversity to satisfy a hopelessly hooked gardener like you. Me too…join the club.
- [New Tree Plantings at Bellingrath Gardens & Home](https://bellingrath.org/new-tree-plantings-at-bellingrath-gardens-home/): Most months, I “only” get to write about BGH’s exciting progress on capital projects or special events. For this month, I’ve decided to write a separate, second column talking about some cool trees that we’ve recently planted at Bellingrath. Alabama celebrates “Arbor Week” in late February, an ideal time of the year to plant trees, and Bellingrath has been following suit. Since the beginning of the year, we have been working to plant out several dozen cool trees, and some shrubs, adding to our palette of woody plants that grace the grounds of our beloved garden. Here are some horticultural highlights.
- [A Mystery Solved – Almost](https://bellingrath.org/a-mystery-solved-almost/): On November 24, 1937, Mrs. Bellingrath purchased from Royal Antiques in New Orleans what the bill of sale termed’ “Two silver water pitches.” The price? $250 or about $5700 today. No other information is mentioned in early inventories for these monumental pieces standing nearly two feet in height.
- [Announcing Orchids and Mardi Gras (aka “OMG!”)](https://bellingrath.org/announcing-orchids-and-mardi-grasakaomg/): What floral display could possibly capture the euphoric, indulgent, ephemeral spirit of Mardi Gras? Glad you asked. Orchids. Lots and lots and lots of orchids.
- [Our Mardi Gras Cat](https://bellingrath.org/our-mardi-gras-cat/): Within the Bellingrath Collection is a cast iron cat produced around 1900 by the Hubley Manufacturing Co. of Lancaster, Penn. The cat is also a long-standing symbol of one of Mobile’s oldest Mardi Gras organizations: the Infant Mystics.
- [Getting the Word Out:  Marketing an Icon](https://bellingrath.org/getting-the-word-out-marketing-an-icon/): One of those familiar phrases that leaders never really want to hear is that you are “one of the best-kept secrets.” Bellingrath Gardens & Home, now open to the public for almost 94 years, is hardly in a position to be considered as a “secret” place, and yet sometimes we are astounded in hearing how many people, including locals, do not know about us. When I began working here in September 2020, I quickly realized that we had lots of work to do in getting the word out. Mr. Bellingrath was one of the savviest marketers of his era, and we needed to follow his lead in advertising year-round. I also sensed that we could do more to tap into the tourists coming to the region for our Baldwin County and Mobile County beach communities and Mardi Gras.
- [You Simply Just Can’t Resist…](https://bellingrath.org/you-simply-just-cant-resist/): On a recent walk in the Gardens with guests, I had the privilege of pointing out the tremendous contribution volunteers have made over this past year. Actually, it was an honor speaking of those who have done so very much.
- [A New Year with Gardens Abloom](https://bellingrath.org/a-new-year-with-gardens-abloom/): Now that the clock has turned from 2025 to 2026, Bellingrath Gardens & Home finds itself, always anew, looking toward the next cycle of blooms and beauty. From the splendors of Magic Christmas in Lights, which celebrated yet another highly successful season that concluded on January 10, to the upcoming winter and spring blooms, we want to always encourage you, our members and supporters, to come visit us now during this “shoulder season” at BGH.
- [A Place Built From Memories](https://bellingrath.org/a-place-built-from-memories/): Bellingrath is built on memories, not just the memories of Mr. and Mrs. Bell and hunting and fishing guide Mr. Frank Woodard, but the memories of hundreds of thousands of visitors who have walked these grounds in the decades since we opened to the public. Memories of engagements, high school graduation pictures, s’mores at Magic Christmas in Lights, and so many other moments, large and small. The memories make up the place; they shape it.
- [Clearing a Path Forward](https://bellingrath.org/clearing-a-path-forward/): What is a gardener’s best tool to see into the future of the garden? Glad you asked. A gardener’s next horticultural steps will be driven by something between a whim and a goal, but our point of view is the most immediate catalyst for launching that directive towards action. From our point of view, we apply our imagination, experience, and plant passion based upon what we are literally seeing from where we are actually standing. So, when line of sight is obstructed through a space (albeit by established but “over-mature” garden plantings, or by an overgrown thicket of vines and brambles) our vision of what is possible is likewise shortsighted.
- [A Special Anniversary](https://bellingrath.org/a-special-anniversary/): This month marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Bellingrath Home to the public. Walter Bellingrath had died the previous August and his foundation agreement specified that his home would be opened to the public after his death.
- [Ernest Edgar, III (1936-2025)](https://bellingrath.org/ernest-edgar-iii-1936-2025/): We sadly note the loss of Ernest Edgar, III on August, 26, 2025 in Auburn, Ala.  His grandfather, Ernest, Sr. married Mrs. Bellingrath’s younger sister Daisy Morse back in 1905. Ernest, Jr. arrived a year later.
- [A Fellowship of Azaleas](https://bellingrath.org/a-fellowship-of-azaleas/): Azaleas captivated Bessie Bellingrath like no other plant. They were her favorite flower, and she collected as many as she could and displayed them for as many people as she could. Following in Bessie’s footsteps, we want to welcome you into the gardens with a stunning array of evergreen and deciduous azaleas soon after you walk through the doors.
- [30 Years of Magic Christmas in Lights + New Milestones Reached](https://bellingrath.org/30-years-of-magic-christmas-in-lights-new-milestones-reached/): Thirty years is a long time, y’all! From 1995 to today in 2025, Bellingrath Gardens & Home (BGH) has been celebrating the Christmas and Holiday season through lights and beauty. From our humble origins in 1995 with several exhibits that are no longer used – although some still exist in our boneyard – to today with color-changing LED light technology and CNC plasma-cut metal sculptures, we have come a long way! The through line over these three decades is one of creativity, artistic expression, technological advancements, hard work, organizational “oomph,” and a celebration of families, couples, and the Holiday spirit. We thank you all for forming multi-generational bonds with Bellingrath Gardens & Home through 30 years of Magic Christmas in Lights.
- [Hershey’s Chocolate and Coca-Cola: A Bellingrath Tradition](https://bellingrath.org/hersheys-chocolate-and-coca-cola-a-bellingrath-tradition/): Since Executive Director Todd Lasseigne’s arrival, Magic Christmas in Lights has grown in leaps and bounds. One of the first additions Todd made remains one of our guests’ most popular: The S’Mores Stations.
- [Plant Royalty](https://bellingrath.org/plant-royalty/): I’m not a patent lawyer, but I can speak about plant patents from experience. If you find yourself awake all night wanting to know more about the plant patenting process, then I have the cure to your insomnia. The plant patent is perhaps the least understood component of ornamental horticulture—the topic seems rarely discussed, despite a large percentage of plant labels at your local plant retailer having a Plant Patent Number (PP #####) printed on it somewhere. So…what is a plant patent, what does it reveal about your plant, and is it relevant for your garden?
- [Planning is Everything](https://bellingrath.org/planning-is-everything/): Just a couple of weeks ago, Bellingrath Gardens & Home embarked, officially, on a path toward a long, but detailed, vision for the future – our Centennial Master Plan. The vision captured and communicated by this plan sees both the restoration and reinvigoration of beloved, historic spaces, combined with an infusion of new features that will grace BGH as it grows forward toward its 100th anniversary of being open to the public. Despite our long history, being publicly accessible since 1932, this master plan represents, to the best of my knowledge, only the second treatment in viewing and envisioning the boundaries and configurations of BGH’s used property since our founding by Walter and Bessie Bellingrath when they worked with George Bigelow Rogers starting in 1927. As such, we take this process as both serious and sacred.
- [Christmas in the Bellingraths’ Day — and Today.](https://bellingrath.org/christmas-in-the-bellingraths-day-and-today/): For thirty years visitors have enjoyed seeing the Bellingrath Home dressed for the holidays as they attend Magic Christmas in Lights. It would be wonderful if we had images of what some of the rooms looked like decorated for Christmas when Walter and Bessie Bellingrath were here, but so far, none have surfaced.
- [Momentum](https://bellingrath.org/momentum/): In football, there are those who feel that momentum is simply an illusion, but there are others who strongly feel that it is real and perceivable. I tend to fall in the latter camp, probably because I tend to get really wrapped up in the games that I follow. Likewise, at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, our forward momentum is both real and palpable. Many of the projects that I have been mentioning over the past couple of years or so are moving along very quickly now, and those of you who have visited BGH in recent weeks can attest to this progress.
- [Great Bellingrath Pumpkins](https://bellingrath.org/great-bellingrath-pumpkins/): Pumpkins.
- [A Twenty Year Milestone](https://bellingrath.org/a-twenty-year-milestone/): Mobile Bay Magazine is a popular local publication. This summer I was asked to stop by their Government Street offices for an interview to reflect on my twenty years of my column, Ask McGehee. I was shown into a conference room and it was suddenly filled with the entire staff of the magazine including publisher, T. J. (Jocko) Potts, and Executive Editor, Maggie Lacy.
- [The Great Bellingrath Harvest, Round 2](https://bellingrath.org/the-great-bellingrath-harvest-round-2/): Last year, we proudly announced the inaugural year of The Great Bellingrath Harvest, a new multi-week event that would run from the Summer Solstice, through October, and into early November. Because of this new event, and the p.r. that we were able to get from it, October 2024 became our best year, in terms of visitor attendance, in nine years. We had almost 6,000 folks come through our gates, and everyone seemed to really enjoy this new festival. We felt that The Great Bellingrath Harvest had legs and that it could continue on into the future.
- [A Bellingrath Recovery](https://bellingrath.org/a-bellingrath-recovery/): On September 12, 1979 Mobile was hit by Hurricane Frederic. That horrendous storm visited Bellingrath Gardens and Home on that memorable night, accompanied by at least two destructive tornadoes. Within 24 hours, just over 2,000 trees were downed and nearly 23,000 shrubs were smashed beneath them. Nine greenhouses were torn to bits and the entire irrigation system was left in a shambles.
- [Success Upon Success](https://bellingrath.org/success-upon-success/): I am excited to write and report to you that, thanks to amazingly generous support, Bellingrath Gardens & Home has completed its fundraising campaign to raise $15,000 for the Summer House restoration! Building off of the tremendous support from The Hearin-Chandler Foundation, we embarked in earnest nearly two years ago on an effort that would see this historic, 1930s structure, brought back to life – a project that will speak to the level of quality and attention-to-detail that we will be applying to all future work done to bring our new master plan to life. With further crucial support from the Stephen G. Crawford Estate, the A.S. Mitchell Foundation, and Mrs. Lulu Crawford, we then appealed for support from you, our members and the broader public. And boy, did you answer! With $15,000 needed, we were able to reach, and even exceed, our goal. From gifts of $10 to ones of $1,000 or more, we are excited to thank over 100 donors who helped us push past our goal.
- [Compost: The Secret Ingredient in your Southern Garden](https://bellingrath.org/compost-the-secret-ingredient-in-your-southern-garden/): Compost, like butter in our favorite recipes, is not to be used sparingly! Nearly every plant we grow in the garden benefits from decomposed organic matter—and often for reasons that we may not think about right away. Bellingrath Gardens is building and processing thousands of cubic yards of rich black gold for use in our seasonal and permanent planting beds.
- [Mr. Bellingrath’s Desk](https://bellingrath.org/mr-bellingraths-desk/): Dominating Mr. Bellingrath’s bedroom is his impressive desk upon its spiral turned legs. The piece does not appear in the 1943 or 1947 inventories of the Home’s contents. The 1964 guidebook to the Home explains that it had previously been in the library of the Bellingraths’ home on Ann Street.
- [Bellingrath and the Mockingbird](https://bellingrath.org/bellingrath-and-the-mockingbird/): On July 11, 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird was published. In the sixty-five years since that date the Pulitzer Prize winning book has been translated into 40 languages and sold an estimated 40 million copies. The 1962 film supplied Gregory Peck with a signature role and an Oscar. While authors notoriously dislike screenplays of their work, Miss Lee so liked Peck’s interpretation of her father that she presented him with Mr. Lee’s pocket watch.
- [Military Mondays: Honoring Those Who Serve](https://bellingrath.org/military-mondays-honoring-those-who-serve/): At Bellingrath Gardens & Home, we are proud to support the men and women who serve our country. As part of our ongoing commitment to military families, we want to raise awareness about Military Mondays, our year-round program offering a 25% discount on Gardens-only admission for all active-duty military members, veterans, and their immediate families.
- [Winter is Coming, So We’ve Turned Up the Heat](https://bellingrath.org/winter-is-coming-so-weve-turned-up-the-heat/): It’s almost 100 degrees, and we’re 100 days from our next 32-degree night.  So why are we installing greenhouse heaters in July? Glad you asked. Only 164 days have passed from our record-breaking January snowstorm until the 4th of July. So as crazy as it seems to be installing greenhouse heaters in July, at least we can all agree, “winter is coming.”
- [Unifying Cultures: Tsubaki, the Camellia](https://bellingrath.org/unifying-cultures-tsubaki-the-camellia/): Introduction As winter draped Osaka and Kyoto in silence, the Camellia bloomed—quiet, resolute. In that final chapter of my journey through Japan, it moved me to reflect on how a single flower could so gracefully weave threads between distant cultures. The precise dates of the introduction of various Camellia spp. outside of Asia remains a mystery, however most Camellia experts generally agree that with increased trade between European and Asian countries starting in the 16th century, species valued for their ornamental properties, tea, or oil were distributed to European countries, and eventually to the Americas, Africa, and Australia. In centuries since, thousands of cultivars (“cultivated varieties”) gained prominent placement worldwide. Indeed, many countries have a centuries-old relationship with the genus. Gathering at an international Congress with representatives from dozens of countries, I learned the different names for specific cultivars, the cultivation “rules of thumb,” and what breeding objectives are the most valuable. The International Camellia Society’s biennial Congress is held in various countries where Camellias are cultivated, and provides a platform for the dissemination of information, and the celebration and admiration of the genus Camellia. Osaka, Osaka Prefecture After an adventurous visit to Oshima Island, we began the final leg of our journey in Osaka. Famed for its ancient temples, we visited a number of those as well as a collection of botanical art of Camellias. The Osaka Museum of Natural History houses this collection and showcases four centuries of Camellia literature and its botanical art. The late Dr. Shinichiro Kishikawa, a medical doctor with a passion for horticulture, compiled an extensive collection of documents during his life, and the museum now proudly displays them. Thanks to Dr. Kishikawa's meticulous care in establishing this collection, the future of these historical documents is secure. Following our insightful visit to the Kishikawa Camellia Collection at the Osaka Museum of Natural History, we concluded the day by touring the Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum. Camellias adorned berms in sweeping arcs, echoing the splendor of Tsubaki Yama at Nonoichi Central Park.To my surprise, I discovered two cultivars in the collection that originated in Mobile, Alabama: ‘Sawada’s Dream’ and ‘Jackie Mann.’ Both are steeped in history. What makes these cultivars especially meaningful is that ‘Sawada’s Dream’ was developed by Mr. Kosaku Sawada, a Japanese nurseryman who emigrated to Mobile in the early 1900s. There, he founded Overlook Nurseries, where he bred and sold plant material imported from Japan—most notably Camellia japonica and C. sasanqua. ‘Sawada’s Dream’ is one of his signature varieties, treasured for its perfectly imbricated formal double form. Its petals fade from white in the center to blush towards the edges, giving the flower a delicate, porcelain-like quality, with a slight translucence that enhances its beauty. As for the other Mobilian cultivar, 'Jackie Mann,' Mr. J.M. Haynie developed this beauty near Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore, Alabama. Like ‘Sawada’s Dream,’ its form boasts a stately, large to extra large formal double that effortlessly captures the gaze of any admirer. Discovering these two cherished treasures from Mobile, Alabama, nestled here in Japan feels truly remarkable, as it demonstrates the enduring bond between the two countries. Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture After a restful night at the Karasuma Kyoto Hotel, we set out to explore several temples, beginning with Higashiyama Jishō-ji (慈照寺), the “Temple of Shining Mercy.” At the heart of its tranquil grounds lies an intriguing sand sculpture: a tall cone rising from a field of meticulously raked white sand. This feature, pictured below, is called a kogetsudai, or “moon-viewing platform.” It symbolizes the tranquility and power of Mt. Fuji and is said to reflect the moonlight, evoking the mountain as a gateway between Earth and the heavens. Nearby sits the ginshadan, or “sea of silver sand,” with rippling patterns that complement the kogetsudai much like Suruga and Sagami Bays magnify the majesty of Mt. Fuji. Later that day we visited Reikanji Temple. Renowned locally as the “Camellia Temple” due to its richness of Camellias, the site prominently features the Nikko Camellia, a type favored by Emperor Gomizunoo, who founded the temple during his 17th-century reign. The Nikko Camellia is characterized by kara flowers, which have small petal-like stamens arranged in a circle (not to be confused with Higo Camellias). Other cultivars represented in the temple are ‘Shirobotan,’ ‘Yako,’ ‘Maizuru,’ ‘Kinugasa,’ and ‘Shiratama,’ all originating from Kyoto. The next day we took a trip to Kyoto Botanical Garden. In its nearly one hundred year history, the garden has endured many significant challenges, most notably being slated for a housing development in the 1940s. However, with the efforts of dedicated local citizens, the garden was returned to its original glory in the 1960s. Since then, the garden has amassed some 12,000 plant taxa across a wide range of genera, showcasing a highly varied palette that includes European-style and sunken gardens, as well as impressive collections of bonsai, Hydrangeas, Camellias, and Irises. Among the Camellia collection, I found ‘Hikaru-genji’—known as ‘Hermes’ in the U.S.—especially intriguing. Named after the luminous protagonist Genji from Lady Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th-century classic The Tale of Genji, the cultivar perfectly embodies his refined brilliance. As the International Camellia Society Congress came to a close, we gathered for a farewell celebration where a magician’s illusions danced before our eyes. Much like the journey itself, the performance left us spellbound and filled with wonder once again. As the evening faded, a toast was raised to the Camellia, honoring its enduring beauty and quiet power to unite across cultural boundaries. Visit and Connect with Us Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using the hashtag #BellingrathGardens.
- [Ok, Now. What’s Next?!](https://bellingrath.org/ok-now-whats-next/): Sleep-deprivation has a way of working on you. Nine 4-days-long “weekends” of the inaugural Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival, plus the daily work involved in keeping Bellingrath Gardens & Home open to the public and looking at its best, took a toll, but we survived and we’ve emerged as a stronger and even more seasoned organization. Our thanks go to you, plus the 40,000 other guests, who attended this inaugural event! We also thank Tianyu Arts & Culture for placing faith in us as a nonprofit organization to partner with them and host a Chinese lantern festival. Initial plans are already afoot for the 2026 show, and we ask you to make sure to book your calendars with the start and end dates of April 16 and June 21, Thursday through Sunday nights, in 2026!
- [The Sunday Night Supper Room: Or Is It?](https://bellingrath.org/the-sunday-night-supper-room-or-is-it/): Beyond the Bottle Room is a room long nick-named as the Sunday Night Supper Room. Guides routinely inform visitors that it received that name from the Bellingraths who often had a simple supper here on Sunday nights after their weekend company had departed. A small table is set with two place settings to reaffirm this tale.
- [Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival – A Smash Hit!](https://bellingrath.org/gulf-coast-chinese-lantern-festival-a-smash-hit/): Well, here we are, seven weeks out of nine total into the inaugural season of the Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival! Two more weeks are left, and as such we are in the final stretch. It’s hard to believe that I was writing a column announcing this new festival just a short three months ago! What a season it has been, and what a season it will continue to be for the remaining weekends. We cannot thank you, our patrons and visitors, enough for making this new festival such a success.
- [Snow, Moon, and Flowers: Bellingrath on the Camellia Trail in Japan](https://bellingrath.org/snow-moon-and-flowers-bellingrath-on-the-camellia-trail-in-japan/): As promised in last month’s article, our journey through Japan continues—this time taking us from the structured elegance of mainland gardens to the wind-swept island of Oshima. Here, the Camellia’s story deepens, rooted not only in cultivation but in centuries of culture, geography, and tradition. From wild species to the caldera of a dormant volcano, this leg of the International Camellia Society’s Congress offered some of the most intimate encounters yet with this remarkable genus.
- [The Day Parlor: Then and Now](https://bellingrath.org/the-day-parlor-then-and-now/): Since 1956, guests have begun their tours of the Bellingrath Home in a small room which Mrs. Bellingrath termed her Day Parlor. The guide book to the Home termed it a “Date Parlor” although in the description of the room makes no mention of dates. Instead, Mrs. Moore wrote:
- [Bellingrath Abroad: Insights from the International Camellia Congress](https://bellingrath.org/bellingrath-abroad-insights-from-the-international-camellia-congress/): Local camellia organizations gather blooms from their gardens during the winter months for display and judging based on the ideal characteristics of each variety. In the United States, participants traditionally place a single flower with a leaf in a shallow glass dish. In contrast, in Japan, they arrange entire stems with one or more flowers and leaves in ornamental vessels, enhancing the bloom’s splendor and creating a striking presentation (pictured below).
- [Ginger Jars In the Bellingrath Home](https://bellingrath.org/ginger-jars-in-the-bellingrath-home/): The shape of a Chinese ginger jar may be traced to ancient China, with their wide covered mouth and tapered body. Their original purpose was to hold salt, spices, and oils and were often packed for shipment to the west. By the late 19th century that purpose had largely given way to their use as decorative objects in homes in the western hemisphere.
- [The Summer House Restoration: A Progress Report](https://bellingrath.org/the-summer-house-restoration-a-progress-report/): As the saying goes, “good things come to those who wait.”  And I am well aware that the Summer House has been mentioned by me since 2021, when I first noticed that the roof was deteriorating and that the iron lace metalwork was showing signs of corrosion and of being torqued. Last year, we commenced work with TAG Architects to develop the plan for a timber frame roof so that the renovated Summer House can have an open ceiling design. TAG also determined that steel columns would need to be added to support the roof, both because of the age of the cast iron columns and due to the additional lift that an open ceiling design would create under high-wind conditions. As of this writing, I am happy to report that engineering work on the timber frame roof trusses is complete and that the trusses are now being manufactured by our source company. We are using eastern white pine as the wood species, a natural product that is valued for its strength while also being relatively lightweight, and also being less likely to twist at drying.
- [Clumping Bamboo at Bellingrath](https://bellingrath.org/clumping-bamboo-at-bellingrath/): Bamboo is the largest grass on earth… we all could have guessed that, I suppose. When I am standing in our acre-sized, 60’ tall patch of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), I feel like I’m in the movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” Some types of bamboo, quite simply, are larger than life. Actually, the world’s largest bamboo, “dragon bamboo” aka Dendrocalamus giganteus can reach 150’ tall.  We’d try growing it here, except dragon bamboo is not tolerant of our occasional hard freezes. As the soil warms in mid spring, new bamboo culms (fancy word for stalks) emerge from the beneath the ground. Actually, “explode from the ground” is probably a more accurate description. Whether destined to be 1’ tall or 150’ tall, the new culms of most bamboo species go from zero to full size within a single warm season—stacking on up to a foot a day!
- [The Bellingrath Summer House](https://bellingrath.org/the-bellingrath-summer-house/): In 1870 the author of “Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste,” advised his readers that “summer houses of some sort are desirable and indeed almost necessary features in gardens of all dimensions and styles.”
- [Regenerating](https://bellingrath.org/regenerating/): What might Doctor Who have to do, if anything, with Bellingrath Gardens & Home?! Well, …, it turns out that gardens, too, are good at regenerating, or needing to be regenerated, every now and then. Sometimes, the “actors” (e.g., individual plants) take a bow and are replaced by other, newer actors, even. And so, as does Doctor Who, so too does Bellingrath!
- [The Enchantment of Chinese Lantern Festivals: A Timeless Tradition Coming to the Gulf Coast](https://bellingrath.org/the-enchantment-of-chinese-lantern-festivals-a-timeless-tradition-coming-to-the-gulf-coast/): For centuries, lantern festivals have illuminated the night, captivating audiences with their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and deep cultural significance. Originating in China over 2,000 years ago, these festivals symbolize hope, renewal, and the celebration of light over darkness. Today, the magic of lantern festivals has spread across the world, and Bellingrath Gardens & Home is bringing this breathtaking tradition to the Gulf Coast with the first-ever Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival.
- [Asian American Gardening](https://bellingrath.org/asian-american-gardening/): Everyone here at Bellingrath Gardens and Home is excited for the Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival coming in April—and I mean everyone! And while the place is buzzing in anticipation, I can’t help but think about great plants for our south Alabama gardens that originally came from Asia.
- [Lighting the Way](https://bellingrath.org/lighting-the-way/): In just over a month, as of this writing, Bellingrath Gardens & Home will host the inauguration of what we feel will become a new tradition for Mobile-area and Gulf Coast residents – The Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival. Partnering with Tianyu Arts and Culture, we are extremely excited and honored by the opportunity to bring this special event to Bellingrath!
- [From Lighting Spanish Moss to Chinese Lanterns](https://bellingrath.org/from-lighting-spanish-moss-to-chinese-lanterns/): After three decades of lighting the Gardens for Magic Christmas in Lights, it is interesting to look back at the days when Walter and Bessie Bellingrath entertained friends and family for overnight house parties. As it turns out, the property actually had lighting for evening events, at least around the Lodge.
- [Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival](https://bellingrath.org/gulf-coast-chinese-lantern-festival/): Experience the Enchantment of the inaugural Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival at Bellingrath Gardens & Home. From April 17 to June 15, 2025, visitors can immerse themselves in an unforgettable display of art, culture, and illumination. This must-see event will light up the night with spectacular handcrafted lanterns, interactive experiences, and family-friendly entertainment.
- [Curator’s Choice: The Erskine Cups](https://bellingrath.org/curators-choice-the-erskine-cups/): In August of 1940, the owner of Rothschild’s Antiques on Royal Street in New Orleans wrote Mrs. Bellingrath a letter. He regretted having been out of town during her recent visit but was happy to announce that he had found ”a very fine pair of silver cups with tops….from the collection of Mr. Erskine, president of the Studebaker Corporation. His collection was famous all over the United States and abroad.”
- [Azalea Core Collection Part 3](https://bellingrath.org/azalea-core-collection-part-3/): Conservation and Sharing
- [Feel the Burn](https://bellingrath.org/feel-the-burn/): Now that the shock of our recent historic Gulf Coast snowstorm is starting to be a “rear view” memory, it’s time to take stock and see where the dust has settled.  Y’see, in the world of horticulture, the snow is just the good and pretty stuff, but it’s the cold that matters.  At my home in Grand Bay, I woke up the morning after the snowstorm, and to my utter shock, the thermometer said 10°F!  Well, ya’ll, that’s cold!  Bellingrath, while not having a weather station on-site, probably bottomed out at 13°F.  So much for those forecasts of a warm and balmy 18°F, I guess. 
- [Reflecting on a Record-Breaking Holiday Season](https://bellingrath.org/reflecting-on-a-record-breaking-holiday-season/): 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!
- [Azalea Core Collection Part 2](https://bellingrath.org/azalea-core-collection-part-2/): 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?
- [A Bellingrath Souvenir](https://bellingrath.org/a-bellingrath-souvenir/): 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.
- [Restoring the Garden](https://bellingrath.org/restoring-the-garden/): 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.
- [Celebrate the Season with a Bellingrath Membership](https://bellingrath.org/celebrate-the-season-with-a-bellingrath-membership/): 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:
- [Holiday Cheer for All: Top Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit to Magic Christmas in Lights](https://bellingrath.org/holiday-cheer-for-all-top-tips-for-making-the-most-of-your-visit-to-magic-christmas-in-lights/): 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.
- [Thankful for Our Magical Season](https://bellingrath.org/thankful-for-our-magical-season/): 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.
- [When Capehart Meant Luxury](https://bellingrath.org/when-capehart-meant-luxury/): 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.
- [Bellingrath’s Iconic Cascading Chrysanthemums are Here!](https://bellingrath.org/bellingraths-iconic-cascading-chrysanthemums-are-here/): 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.
- [Azalea Core Collection Part 1](https://bellingrath.org/azalea-core-collection-part-1/): 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! 
- [A Bronze Thank You](https://bellingrath.org/a-bronze-thank-you/): In March of 1938, Mobile’s Gordon Smith, founder of Smith’s Bakery, sent out numerous letters, like this one to J. L. Bedsole, which read:
- [Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder](https://bellingrath.org/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/): Just recently, two exciting things happened at Bellingrath Gardens & Home. What things happened, Todd?! Well… beautiful things! However, beauty means something different for each of us, right? This reminds me of a dear friend of mine back in the ‘90s asking why I loved hollies so much, because, as he said, the flowers aren’t much to look at, and the foliage is prickly. I told him I loved them because I enjoy big, bold, bodacious, broadleaf evergreen plants – and they have nice berries on the female plants, too. In other words, I told him that I loved “green meatball” plants, as the legendary Dr. Michael Dirr, retired professor of horticulture from the University of Georgia, nicknamed all broadleaf evergreens, especially those without showy flowers.
- [From Harvest to Holiday: Pumpkins, Chrysanthemums, and Christmas Lights](https://bellingrath.org/from-harvest-to-holiday-pumpkins-chrysanthemums-and-christmas-lights/): October in Mobile isn’t just about a cool breeze or a quick dive into Halloween candy. At Bellingrath Gardens, October is our golden moment—when the magic begins to quietly brew. While everyone else is basking in pumpkin spice, we’re busy crafting something extraordinary. Pumpkins? Check. Chrysanthemums? Check. And let’s not forget the showstopper of the year—Magic Christmas in Lights—already flickering on the horizon. Yeah, we're multitasking on a whole different level.
- [Upcoming Nature & Wellness Events at Bellingrath Gardens – Fall 2024](https://bellingrath.org/upcoming-nature-wellness-events-at-bellingrath-gardens-fall-2024/): This fall, Bellingrath Gardens & Home is offering a series of enriching adult programs that blend education, discussion, and wellness with the serene beauty of our gardens. Whether you’re looking to connect with nature, learn something new, or simply unwind, we have a variety of experiences designed just for you.
- [STEM Workshops for K-6 Students and Educators: Hands-On Learning at Bellingrath](https://bellingrath.org/stem-workshops-pd/): At Bellingrath Gardens & Home, we believe in sparking curiosity and fostering a love for learning through nature. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce two incredible upcoming programs that engage both students and educators with hands-on, nature-based STEM experiences. Whether your child loves exploring the outdoors or you're an educator looking to enhance your classroom, our NatureNauts Academy and Cultivate: Growing STEM Educators workshops offer something for everyone.
- [Tactical Gardening: Spice Up Your Perennial Bed with Something Simple and Unexpected](https://bellingrath.org/tactical-gardening/): One of my greatest joys as a gardener is discovering that there are so many “right answers” out there—a seemingly unlimited number of plant selections and combinations capable of elevating a garden space into a transformational experience for those who pass through it.
- [Seeing With New Eyes](https://bellingrath.org/seeing-with-new-eyes/): A Major Step Forward: 3D Scanning of Bellingrath Home
- [Bell and Howell Projector](https://bellingrath.org/bell-and-howell-projector/): When Mrs. Bellingrath’s grandniece, Serena Edgar Wilcox, moved to Auburn to be near her brother, Ernest, a sale was conducted for items she would no longer need. One item given to Bellingrath Gardens was a large carrying case marked “Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile, Ala.”
- [COMMERCIAL CASTING](https://bellingrath.org/commercial-casting/): Bellingrath is launching a special project to refresh our promotional materials and highlight the vibrant community that makes the Gardens so special—you! We’re inviting visitors, along with their family and friends, to join us in creating a new commercial at the Gardens. Photos and videos captured may be featured in our promotional materials, including our website, onsite signage, and advertisements.
- [Education in the Gardens](https://bellingrath.org/education-in-the-gardens/): Education at Bellingrath Gardens & Home offers a unique opportunity to blend outdoor learning with the serene environment of a beautiful garden. Our educational programs and events are not just about imparting knowledge; they provide hands-on experiences that help both youth and adults develop a deeper connection to nature. Research has shown that spending time in gardens can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. At Bellingrath, we believe in fostering teamwork, cooperation, and social interaction through curiosity and inquiry-based learning. Education in our gardens is a powerful way to integrate experiential learning, environmental education, and holistic development.
- [The Great Bellingrath Harvest: Garden Transformations and Celebrations](https://bellingrath.org/the-great-bellingrath-harvest-garden-transformations-and-celebrations/): Warm-season flora has been at full throttle since May; after five months of hot days, warm soil, and sudden rains, south Alabama’s long 2024 growing season has played its hand. So much has happened this past summer in Bellingrath’s gardens—I thought I’d share a little of what’s been going on.
- [Help Make a Difference in a Child’s Life: Volunteer with Bellingrath’s Education Department](https://bellingrath.org/help-make-a-difference/): Are you passionate about nature, plants, and animals? Do you enjoy working with children and want to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join us at Bellingrath Gardens & Home as a volunteer for our Education Department!
- [Tropical Exuberance and Fun in September](https://bellingrath.org/tropical-exuberance-and-fun-in-september/): With the start of the school year in August and the transition from summer to fall in September, it would be understandable if visiting Bellingrath Gardens & Home isn't at the forefront of your mind. On one hand, focusing on getting children ready for the school year and helping them adjust once it begins makes sense. On the other hand, many of you might think, "Let's just wait until fall to visit Bellingrath."
- [A Forgotten Floral Genius](https://bellingrath.org/a-forgotten-floral-genius/): By Tom McGeheeMuseum Home Director

## Pages
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## Series
- [NatureNauts STEM Day](https://bellingrath.org/series/naturenauts-stem-day/)
- [Guided Bird Walks](https://bellingrath.org/series/guided-bird-walks/)

## Media Library
- [Lifestyle](https://bellingrath.org/media-library/lifestyle/)
- [General Gallery](https://bellingrath.org/media-library/general-gallery/)
- [Garden Gallery](https://bellingrath.org/media-library/garden-gallery/)
- [Garden History](https://bellingrath.org/media-library/garden-history/)
- [Events Gallery](https://bellingrath.org/media-library/events-gallery/)

## Press Releases
- [Discover the Magic of Weddings at Bellingrath Gardens & Home](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/discover-the-magic-of-weddings-at-bellingrath-gardens-home/)
- [BELLINGRATH WELCOMES JEREMY A. SCHMIDT AS DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE: A VISIONARY FOR BOTANICAL INNOVATION](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-welcomes-jeremy-a-schmidt-as-director-of-horticulture-a-visionary-for-botanical-innovation/)
- [Bellingrath Gardens & Home Welcomes Over 5,000 Pumpkins to Create Spectacular Fall Displays This October](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-gardens-home-welcomes-over-5000-pumpkins-to-create-spectacular-fall-displays-this-october/)
- [Bellingrath Gardens & Home Ushers in Spring with a Spectacular Array of Events](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-gardens-home-ushers-in-spring-with-a-spectacular-array-of-events/)
- [Bellingrath Gardens & Home Unveils 29th Annual Magic Christmas in Lights: A Dazzling Holiday Tradition](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-gardens-home-unveils-29th-annual-magic-christmas-in-lights-a-dazzling-holiday-tradition/)
- [Bellingrath Gardens & Home Unveils 60th Annual Chrysanthemum Spectacle!](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-gardens-home-unveils-60th-annual-chrysanthemum-spectacle/)
- [Bellingrath Gardens & Home Launches New Volunteer Program](https://bellingrath.org/press-release/bellingrath-gardens-home-launches-new-volunteer-program/)

## Venues
- [Test](https://bellingrath.org/venue/test/)

## Organizers
- [Lyn Acocella-Medina](https://bellingrath.org/organizer/lyn-acocella-medina/)
- [Thomas Blais](https://bellingrath.org/organizer/thomas-blais/)
- [Rebecca McNac](https://bellingrath.org/organizer/rebecca-mcnac/)
- [Marisa Schuse](https://bellingrath.org/organizer/marisa-brunson/)
- [Felicia Henderson](https://bellingrath.org/organizer/felicia-henderson/)

## Events
- [The Great Bellingrath Harvest](https://bellingrath.org/event/the-great-bellingrath-harvest-1/): Celebrate the beauty of fall during The Great Bellingrath Harvest, a seasonal showcase filled with festive displays, family fun, and unforgettable garden experiences happening September 19 - November 8, 2026!
- [Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee](https://bellingrath.org/event/jack-o-lantern-jubilee-3/): This event is packed with Halloween-themed fun for all ages. Enjoy trick-or-treating stations, costume contests, and a range of activities designed to bring out the Halloween spirit.
- [Garden Walk & Talk](https://bellingrath.org/event/garden-walk-talk-17/): Experience the beauty of Bellingrath Gardens in every season during our Garden Walk & Talk, held on the last Wednesday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This engaging monthly garden tour is led by our knowledgeable horticulture experts, who share insights into what’s blooming, garden care tips, and behind-the-scenes details about our historic landscape. Garden Walk & Talk is open to the public – the tour is included with regular Gardens admission, and it’s free for Bellingrath members. No advance registration required. Join us each month to connect with nature, learn something new, and enjoy the ever-changing beauty of the Gardens!
- [A Closer Look: Bessie Morse Bellingrath’s Silver Collection with Tom McGehee](https://bellingrath.org/event/a-closer-look-bessie-morse-bellingraths-silver-collection-with-tom-mcgehee/): Take a closer look at Bessie Morse Bellingrath’s remarkable silver collection with Museum Home Director Tom McGehee. Discover the stories, craftsmanship, and history behind pieces Mrs. Bellingrath collected for her beloved home, and learn what they reveal about her distinctive taste and passion for the decorative arts.
- [Cultivate: Growing STEM Educators PreK – K Session](https://bellingrath.org/event/cultivate-growing-stem-educators-prek-k-session/): Why Attend?
- [Cultivate: Growing STEM Educators 1 – 3 Session](https://bellingrath.org/event/cultivate-growing-stem-educators-1-3-session/): Why Attend?
- [A Charmed Holiday Evening: Gift Shop Christmas Open House & Fashion Show](https://bellingrath.org/event/a-charmed-holiday-evening-gift-shop-christmas-open-house-fashion-show-2/): Step into the holiday spirit at Bellingrath’s Gift Shop Christmas Open House & Fashion Show! Enjoy an evening of festive décor, seasonal shopping, and exclusive holiday finds. Members receive a 20% discount on all purchases during the event, and guests can sip wine and enjoy light refreshments while exploring beautiful Christmas decorations, gifts, and holiday treasures. Be the first to see our fashion show previewing new seasonal collections, and enter for a chance to win exciting door prizes throughout the evening. Celebrate the season in style at a truly charmed spot of the South—you won’t want to miss it!
- [Cultivate: Growing STEM Educators 4 – 5 Session](https://bellingrath.org/event/cultivate-growing-stem-educators-4-5-session/): Why Attend?
- [Cultivate: Growing STEM Educators 6 – 8 Session](https://bellingrath.org/event/cultivate-growing-stem-educators-6-8-session-2/): Why Attend?
- [Todd Talk: The Master Plan](https://bellingrath.org/event/todd-talk-the-master-plan/): Join Bellingrath Gardens and Home Executive Director Todd Lasseigne for an informative presentation about the organization’s Master Plan. Learn about the vision, priorities, and exciting plans that will guide the future growth and preservation of Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Free for members | Included with regular Gardens admission for non-members.
- [Oyster Shell Christmas Ornament Class](https://bellingrath.org/event/oyster-shell-christmas-ornament-class-2/): Create one-of-a-kind holiday keepsakes in this festive, hands-on workshop! Guests will transform oyster shells into beautiful Christmas ornaments, perfect for decorating your tree or giving as heartfelt gifts. All supplies are provided, and no experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and holiday spirit.
- [NatureNauts Academy: Secrets Beneath the Surface](https://bellingrath.org/event/naturenauts-academy-secrets-beneath-the-surface/): Learn all about plants and creatures below the surface of Mirror Lake and surrounding water areas at our 1.5 hour workshop designed exclusively for all K - 8 students!
- [31st Annual Magic Christmas in Lights Preview Party](https://bellingrath.org/event/31st-annual-magic-christmas-in-lights-preview-party/): Be among the first to experience the holiday magic! Join us for an exclusive Preview Party on Saturday, November 14, and enjoy early access to Magic Christmas in Lights before it opens to the public. The evening begins with a welcome glass of prosecco, and each guest will receive two drink coupons to enjoy during the event. Throughout the evening, guests will savor hand-passed hors d’oeuvres, a curated charcuterie display, and a delicious dinner. Guests will also enjoy a guided tour of the beautifully decorated Bellingrath Home and an exclusive first look at a brand-new Christmas scene created in honor of this milestone season.
- [Magic Christmas in Lights Workshop](https://bellingrath.org/event/magic-christmas-in-lights-workshop/): Did you know that Bellingrath’s famous Magic Christmas in Lights is designed and crafted right here in Alabama? All set pieces and scenes are hand-made and installed by Bellingrath’s staff to design this award-winning display that creates a holiday tradition unlike any other. Get behind the scenes of the 2025 season with our talented team and learn how to create a Christmas set piece for your home. Guests will be provided a metal frame created by our team and then learn how to attach lights to decorate the piece. All materials will be supplied and are included in the cost of the program. Space is limited and reservations are required in advance.
- [31st Annual Magic Christmas in Lights](https://bellingrath.org/event/31st-annual-magic-christmas-in-lights-2/): Explore the enchanting 31st Annual Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home — a festive paradise on the Gulf Coast! Wander through a dazzling 65-acre Garden estate adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. The Bellingrath Home adds to the holiday ambiance with elegant décor and vibrant poinsettias.
- [Members’ Morning Coffee](https://bellingrath.org/event/members-morning-coffee-13/): Join us for a peaceful start to the day at our Members’ Morning Coffee. This special gathering is a chance for members to enjoy complimentary coffee, light refreshments, and friendly conversation while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gardens. Take time to unwind, connect with fellow members, and experience the charm of Bellingrath in the morning hours.
- [Members’ Morning Coffee](https://bellingrath.org/event/members-morning-coffee-14/): Join us for a peaceful start to the day at our Members’ Morning Coffee. This special gathering is a chance for members to enjoy complimentary coffee, light refreshments, and friendly conversation while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gardens. Take time to unwind, connect with fellow members, and experience the charm of Bellingrath in the morning hours.
- [NatureNauts Academy: Soil Sleuths](https://bellingrath.org/event/naturenauts-academy-soil-sleuths/): Learn all about soil at our 1.5 hour workshop designed exclusively for all K - 8 students!
- [NatureNauts Academy: Plant Power! Grow a Garden from a Piece](https://bellingrath.org/event/naturenauts-academy-plant-power-grow-a-garden-from-a-piece/): Explore how plants can grow from stems, leaves, and other plant parts at our 1.5 hour workshop designed exclusively for all K - 8 students!
- [NatureNauts Academy: Weather Detectives-Explore, Measure & Predict!](https://bellingrath.org/event/naturenauts-academy-weather-detectives-explore-measure-predict/): Learn all about our real-time Davis Weather Station at our 1.5 hour workshop designed exclusively for all K - 8 students!
- [2027 Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival](https://bellingrath.org/event/2027-gulf-coast-chinese-lantern-festival/): Join us for the 2027 Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival, an all new show filled with all new lanterns. As night falls, the Gardens glow with more than 40 towering, handcrafted light sculptures that transform the landscape into a vivid world of color and scale. Inspired by traditional Chinese lantern artistry and brought to life with modern design, dazzling plants, animals, and imaginative creatures illuminate every path. Interactive displays invite you to move, play, and step into the experience. Explore the Gardens after dark and discover an unforgettable night of light, energy, and wonder for all ages, with stunning photo moments at every turn.