Airlie Gardens

Last weekend while at the coast, we visited Airlie Gardens in Wilmington on Easter Sunday afternoon.  My in-laws had been before, but we didn't even know this place existed.  It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.  

  The azaleas were in glorious full bloom that day, and they really brought the gardens to life.  Wilmington hosts the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival every April, and this year the dates are April 11th - 15th.  Of course, we won't be there for that, but we certainly had our chance to enjoy them over Easter holiday, as we also saw some in Southport on Saturday.  

 

 

    "The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."~Gertrude S. Wister  

   Precious snowdrops and tulips ...

    are surely "flowers of late winter and early spring."    

 

  Does anyone know what the flowers in the above picture are?  They're so pretty and dainty -- they remind me of little white stars.   

 

  "I hear the wind among the trees Playing the celestial symphonies; I see the branches downward bent, Like keys of some great instrument."~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   

  "The oaks and pines, and their brethren of the wood, have seen so many suns rise and set, so many seasons come and go, and so many generations pass into silence..."~Author Unknown    

 

  According to this sign, the live oak is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, including Spanish moss, an epiphyte that grows harmlessly on the trees and absorbs all its moisture and nutrients from the air, rather than taking them from the host tree.   

 

 

  Azaleas and dogwoods are much-loved heralds of spring in the south.  Is this true where you live, as well?   

 

 

  "Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter  That maketh the leaf and the flower come out."~ Bertran de Born

  Even though these pictures show everything looking sunny and warm, it's cold and rainy here today with a possibility of sleet and snow tonight.  This has gotten beyond old, even more so for those of you who still have snow on the ground, I imagine.  Maybe spring will be here for real soon.   Thank you so much for your visit today!  I hope you have a great weekend and I'd love to hear what you've been doing.