"Southern Charm in Full Bloom" ~ A Garden Tour

Monday, July 13, 2015

"Southern Charm in Full Bloom..."

That was the tag line of this past year's 
 2015 North Carolina Azalea Festival,  in Wilmington, NC.
The 68th annual festival was established in 1948.


My love for flowers is rich, and deeply rooted in my
tree of genealogy, on both sides!
My mom and I look forward to the Garden Tour part of the
Azalea Festival each year,
hosted by the Cape Fear Garden Club.

This year did not disappoint, 
it was truly "southern charm in full bloom!"


The tour consists of 13 gardens throughout the city
and neighboring Wrightsville Beach.
  
I love seeing the creativity of the gardeners,
such as repurposing an old livestock watering tub
into an unique planter!


Various foliage planted in trees...


...and flowering annuals in tree stumps were quite fascinating! 

 

The gardens of several homes in nearby proximity
were grouped together this year.
It was nice to be able to park and walk to see two or three,
and not have to drive to each one. 
This also allowed for more time in the gardens if you were trying to see them
all in one afternoon, great for out-of-towners!



I just adore these pretty planters...



Azalea Belles were a welcoming sight at each garden.  
Azalea Belles are Junior and Senior High School ladies primarily
from New Hanover County.


Some of the gardens surrounded homes in the historic district
in picturesque downtown Wilmington. 




Many of the homeowners decorated the outside living areas also.

Couldn't you see yourself relaxing in the afternoon
 with a large glass of sweet tea or refreshing lemonade and a good book,
...or enjoying a cup of java
 over the local newspaper in the early morning?
...I sure could! 








Sweet impatiens tucked in palm tree trunks...


The potting shed, sporting a pretty red door,
was a charming oasis inside.


With old vintage furniture scattered amongst
 flowering orchids, soil, stacked pots, and gardening implements,
it was sure to double as a peaceful retreat!


What garden tour wouldn't be complete without a bed of flowers,
...and a fairy garden...


 The Cape Fear Garden Club Azalea Garden Tour,
along with over 50 other events
that make up the state's largest festival of it's kind,
The NC Azalea Festival, will be held April 8-10, next year.


Just maybe I'll see you along the tour trail next year...
~Rhonda



Linking Post To:
DIY By Design - Sizzle Into Summer Party
Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesday
Common Ground - Share Your Style #22
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday
Rattlebridge Farm - Foodie Friday and Everything Else
Coastal Charm - Show and Share No. 271
Our Home Away From Home - Tuesday at our Home
Cozy Little House - Tweak it Tuesday

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful Rhonda! I love the bed filled with flowers too! I have a friend that moved from Beaufort to Wilmington and want to go to this some year. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Beautiful! I love a garden tour so much. It's fun to see how others use plants and the creative touches they add.

    Your new blog look is wonderful!

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  3. Wow, what a beautiful tour! So much creativity!

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  4. Lovely summer tour and how pretty to sit all day in a southern belles dress....having tea on that beautiful balcony.... Thanks for the beautiful garden tour....Hugs

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  5. What gorgeous gardens and homes...and love seeing the beautiful girls dressed in the traditional Southern Belle dresses....thanks for taking us on the tour!

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  6. Hi Rhonda! Oh, I loved seeing the flowers, gardens and pretty homes! Nothing like seeing some gorgeous Belles too! Hope you're having a great week and thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  7. These gardens are so beautiful! Even though I live in Minnesota, much of my childhood I lived in Greenville SC and Savannah GA, so I love seeing these pretty photos. It is on my bucket list to visit again!
    I have not read any of Mary Kay Andrews books, but now I want to! Thanks for the heads up! I really appreciate your visit to my blog, too!

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  8. Rhonda, I'd love to be able to feature one of your images from this blog post on my blog series called Friday Favorites. Please email me back and let me know if that's okay or not. You can find my email on my blog.

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