Sunday, December 29, 2013

Jasmine Hill Gardens


Jasmine Hill Gardens and Museum is located in Montgomery, Alabama.  It is known as "Alabama's Little Corner of Greece."  There are over twenty acres of flowers and classical sculptures, including many of Olympic heroes and mythical gods.  One fascinating feature is a full-scale replica of the Temple of Hera ruins as found in Olympia, Greece.  The Museum on the grounds displays memorabilia of Olympic games of the past.


The gardens are open Friday and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.  From July through October, they're open on Saturdays only.  Admission for adults is $10.00 and for children, it's $6.00. 


Sunday, December 22, 2013

Bellingrath Gardens


Bellingrath Gardens is a 65 acre garden and mansion located in Theodore, Alabama, a town on the outskirts of Mobile, Alabama.  They were first opened to the public in 1932.  The gardens include an Oriental garden, Mermaid pool, bridal garden, and a river pavilion where guests can take a river cruise down the Fowl River on a boat called the Southern Belle.  Beautiful flowerbeds adorn the gardens throughout the year. These include  azaleas, roses, tulips, snapdragons, begonias, and marigolds.


If you happen to visit around Christmas, be sure to see the phenomenal display of over three million lights, known as the Magic Christmas in lights.  It truly is magical!

The gardens are open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  During the Christmas light show, they're open until 9:00 PM.  Admission for the gardens, home, and cruise tour is $29.00 for adults at $19.00 for children.  Gardens only is $12.50 for adults and $7.00 for children.  




 

Monday, December 16, 2013

The Jimmy Carter Center Gardens



The Jimmy Carter Center Gardens, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a thirty-seven acre wooded park that contains a formal garden, wild flower meadow, cherry orchard, Japanese garden, a couple of lakes, and waterfalls.  The rose garden contains about 400 plants with 80 different varieties.

Of course the gardens aren't the only thing to see here.  The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is here, which features an exact replica of the Oval Office and the Nobel Prize awarded to Jimmy Carter.



The gardens are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 -4:45 and Sunday from 12:00 - 4:45.  Admission is $8.00 for adults.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Barnsley Gardens


Barnsley Gardens, located in Adairsville, Georgia, are 160 year-old gardens that feature over 200 varieties of heirloom roses.  It's a romantic getaway that's a setting for many weddings.

The original estate was a manor called Woodlands.  Construction began in 1840 by Godfrey Barnsley as a gift for his wife, Julie.  Unfortunately, Julie never lived to see its completion. She died in 1845 of a lung ailment.  After her death, construction ceased.  It is said that Julie's spirit appeared to Godfrey the following year, urging him to finish the estate for their children and future generations.

In 1991, Barnsley Gardens was opened to the public as an historical garden and museum.  Today it's a resort destination with luxurious cottages, a golf course, spa, hunting, fishing, hiking, and numerous other activities.



Admission to see the gardens is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Jardin Botanico Chagual



The Jardin Botanico Chagual, is located in the Metropolitan Park of Santiago, Chile.  It covers nearly 70 acres.

Opened in 2002, its focus is to preserve plants that are native to Chile. There are also many plants that are native to the Mediterranean region. Many of them are rare and endangered.

As you walk through the gardens, you will see evergreen trees, shrubs, mountain cypress, and a lot of cacti. 



The garden is open from dawn to dusk.  Admission is free.