 ABL1958's Mobile Travelogues | | | | Title [Click to view] | Travel Year | Pictures | | BELLINGRATH GARDENS | 2000 |  28 |
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| Page Views: 596 Last Visit to Mobile: 2000 | BELLINGRATH GARDENS by ABL1958 - last update: Mar 17, 2006 |
|  | One musn't forget the Palm Trees....! |
Building up In 1927 Mrs. Bellingrath began developing the property into an estate with the aid of architect George B. Rogers.
In March of 1932 when the Depression was in full swing, Mr and Mrs. Bellingrath opened the gardens as a one-day event for the public. The response on that day was huge, with bumper-to-bumper traffic right into Mobile, so the Bellingraths decided to spend their energies on making the grounds a public garden. | | |
| | Mums by the lake... |
My favorite flower... | | |
| | White heron in the Cypress Swamp |
Red Berries in the cypress swamp There was a raised wooden walkway that circled the cypress swamp, bringing us very close to the plant life that had it's roots deep in the water. This is just a sample of what we saw. Looking down into the water, too, we were able to see catfish and crab in the shallow muddy water.......but, alas, NO alligators! :) | | |
| | Some final views of the gardens... |
Spanish Moss A very common sight in the south....silvery swaths of spanish moss draping over branches and moving gently in the breeze. This picture also shows some of the creativity of the gardeners in Bellingrath.....a huge planter with Mums hangs from the tree, enhancing it. | | |
| | And in conclusion...... I hope you enjoyed this little walk through the gardens...I have hundreds of pictures and can't put them all here which is maybe a good thing lol. It's hard to know when to stop!
Of all the wonderful things we did on my trip to the South, this was one of my favorites. I felt so good here! Color, warmth, and light feeds the soul. |
The Entrance... Admission to the Gardens varies, starting at $8.50USD for adults for the garden walk only, and going up from there depending on whether you wanted a house tour or river cruise included. We chose the garden tour only, because of time limitations, but that alone took a good 2.5 hours of time as we didn't want to rush through.
I am told that other times of the year, particularly the Spring season, are worth a trip in itself, no matter how long the drive or trip. Most famous is the azalea season in March with the Garden's display of over 250,000 azalea plants! Can you just imagine?? | | |
| | The Riverboat The Southern Belle is a U.S. Coast Guard certified 150-passenger vessel. She offers daily sight-seeing cruises, public dinner cruises, or private dinner cruises and charters. Daily sight-seeing tours are at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Dinner cruises which offer 3-entree meals and live music start at $27.00USD per adult. |
Flowers galore! In November the gardens are known for their unusual display of crysanthemums ("mums") that grow profusely throughout the grounds. Here one can see how they grow in cascades of color from a bridge over the walkway. Amazing! I love their spicy scent, too. | | |
| | and more...... Deep pink roses.....roses of many hues and shapes and sizes. I had to pinch myself to remind me this was November 10th, not mid-July! It was like stepping back in time....leaving behind the cold bleak grayness of New England and coming to a cheerful place of color and warmth! |
Keep going....:) One of several beautiful fountains gracing the gardens.... | | |
| | Part of the rose garden |
The Bellingrath Mansion | | |
| | The start of it all.... <font color=darkgreen><b>"By God's help I am going to try and make the world better and brighter by my being here".
Walter Bellingrath
In 1917 a 60-acre parcel of land was purchased by a Walter Bellingrath when his physician advised him to "learn how to play" and told him to buy the fishing camp he loved so much. The camp began with 3 run-down houses and an overgrown jungle. Mr. Bellingrath remodeled the cabins and began making paths, having the first of a long series of parites beginning in December of 1918, as the place became "more presentable".
This picture is of the original camp. |
Grotto with mums... <font color=darkgreen><b>This was located near the house as you walked down to the river. The use of flowers and little waterfalls was breathtaking, peaceful. | | |
| | Boathouse Near the grotto.....from here we could also see many waterfowl including seagulls, ducks, heron, and, most importantly.....pelicans. A first for me! (The Pelican also happens to be Louisiana's state bird). |
Butterflies There was a small Butterfly Garden tucked away near the house. This is kind we saw most frequently, intermingled with the famous Monarch butterfly which migrates south each fall in droves. They are all so beautiful! The butterflies didn't know they were restricted to a particular garden lol....they were all over the place! | | |
| | And more..... |
Bamboo Tree Isn't it so beautiful? This one stood alone, but the bamboo stand itself was so thick there would be no way through without a machete. I recalled my parents telling me about this from their experience in Paraguay......and now I understand what they meant! | | |
| | Entrance into the Oriental Garden |
Waterlily in the Oriental Garden | | |
| | Bridge over water in the Oriental Garden |
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| ABL1958's Mobile Travelogues | | | | Title [Click to view] | Travel Year | Pictures | | BELLINGRATH GARDENS | 2000 | 28 |
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 Comments for ABL1958 about Mobile | | | | |
kasandra_et Mon Oct 20, 2003 19:01 UTC
Mamma mia! What a beautiful place those BELLINGRATH GARDENS are! Very nice fotos. Thank you for sharing! I loved your Gulf Shores travelogues!!!Great! | TropicGirl77 Fri Jun 6, 2003 07:43 UTC
WOW! Simply beautiful! | zentrinko Wed Dec 11, 2002 02:37 UTC
Great views of the Bellingrath | lauriejeanne Thu Apr 11, 2002 00:38 UTC
Spectacular! That riverboat must be fun!!! |
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