The Azaleas Are Coming

I was walking the gardens today and I noticed the early azaleas are starting to bloom. The camellias are still beautiful. The peach trees are showing color. All this means spring is almost here. Spring is my favorite time of the year. This is when Winter's hands of leather turn "velvet" to the touch. There is nothing in the world more beautiful than a romantic garden in springtime. As I walk around the gardens here, I really believe if God created anywhere more beautiful, He would have kept it for himself.I hope you have time to visit us as all of nature is full of spring excitement.Young leaves unfurl, sap rises and souls are renewed.All of the world gets another shot at life.

The best is yet to come

If you have stayed home and think you have missed most of The Winter Garden Festival-Think again. The camellias are still beautiful. This week-end is going to be the best thus far. Florence Crowder is one of our speakers. Florence has been traveling France, looking for ancient camellia varieties for "The Great Gardens of America Preservation Alliance". The Alliance is dedicated to preserving the older varieties of azaleas and camellias for the future. Florence found 20 ancient camellia varieties that have not "seen" The United States before. She will be talking about her trip, and hopefully, future excursions she has planned.
Dr. Patrick Hegwood will be speaking on "The Camellias of Burden Center, LSU..Burden Center, under Dr. Hegwood, recently moved an entire collection of historic camellias to the station to preserve them. He will talk on the Vi Stone camellia collection and the work they have done preserving them.
The Burden Center, along with Magnolia Gardens and The Norfolk Botanical Gardens , will be the primary propagation areas for the camellias and azaleas for the Alliance. The plants will then be sent around the country to other Alliance members to insure their protection.
LSU has a rich history of preserving camellias.
We are fortunate to have these 2 great camellia preservationist to be with us this week-end.
This will be one of the best festival week-ends thus far.

Too Much Going on to Miss

Our Winter Garden festival is in full swing now. Do not miss out on it. I was just up at The Carriage House where the Charleston Artist Guild has on display " The Girl With The Gold Earring". The paintings are beautiful! I am glad I do not have to pick the best. It would be impossible. If you are out, be sure to visit the exhibit. Also, in the art gallery in the gift shop, you can see the artists paintings of " The Winter Garden". Truly, We have some of the greatest talent here in Charleston.

Be sure to join our lectures this week-end. This is our "Green" week-end. Cliff Ruth, North Carolina Extension agent, is doing a program on " Rainwater Gardens"
at 1:00.
At 2:00 Amanda Stone is talking on" Sustainable Landscaping". Amanda is also a North Carolina Extension Agent.
Free garden walks each day at 1:00. You can learn about camellias and America's last "Romantic" style garden.
Like I said, too much to miss.

Congrads to Tillman

I want to congratulate Miss Tillman, a very intelligent young lady. I know how smart she is because she chose to do her project for school on camellias. I am sure she will get an "A" if her teacher is a camellia lover.
Good luck Tillman!
Thanks for letting Magnolia be a part of your project.
Let us know if we can be of help in the future.