Sweet Southern Blooms
By Crysta Cox
It’s spring again — a time of rebirth as the natural world wakes up and revives after going dormant in the winter months. In spring, our days start getting longer, flowers begin to bloom, and warmer weather allows us to spend more time enjoying the outdoors. Weather you’re heading out for some alone time and fresh air or you’re taking the whole family with you, there’s an abundance of ways to enjoy those sweet southern blooms.
A Walk in the Park
One could argue that any time of year is a good time to visit the park, and they wouldn’t be wrong, but the absolute best time is in spring. Not only is the grass greener and the flowers are blooming but people everywhere are coming out of their winter hibernations to discover the world all over again in it’s newest season. Explore the parks of the south and get the best of everything there is in our little slice of the beautiful planet.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park / Slade, Kentucky
Delight in the mountainside beauty of Natural Bridge State Resort Park. The calling card of this Kentucky escape is an impressive natural bridge that you can access via a hike along a scenic trail or a short ride on the park's sky lift. You will find a lot to explore nearby, including Daniel Boone National Forest and the Red River Gorge Geological Area, where you can go birding, fishing, picnicking, golfing, pedal boating, swimming, and canoeing. In the spring season the area is full of captivating wildlife and local foliage.
parks.ky.gov
Devils Fork State Park / Salem, South Carolina
The mountain spring-fed Lake Jocassee encompassed by the Jocassee Gorges, waterfalls accessible only by boat and some of the best South Carolina trout fishing are all part of the allure of Devils Fork State Park. The land around 7,565-acre Lake Jocassee remains mostly undeveloped and the only public access point to the lake is through Devils Fork. Four mountain streams and several waterfalls feed into the lake, making it cooler than others. Plus, the unusually clear water of is a haven for scuba divers and swimmers. During the spring months, hikers on the Oconee Bell Nature Trail are treated to sightings of the endangered Oconee bell wildflower.
southcarolinaparks.com
Desoto State Park / Fort Payne, Alabama
Nestled atop beautiful Lookout Mountain in scenic Northeast Alabama and accented by many rushing waterfalls is Desoto State Park. Although it is known for it’s fragrant wildflowers and 107-foot waterfall that will simply take your breath away, it also offers a family-friendly atmosphere that holds wonders for people of all ages. There is an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a playground, and thirty miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Make sure to head over to the nature center for cool programs and to learn about the local wildlife.
alapark.com
Stroll Through the Gardens
What could be more whimsical than a garden full of gorgeous flowers? Several gardens full of every kind of bloom imaginable combined with southern charm and tranquility. The south is home to some of the largest and most award winning botanical and estate gardens in the United States and any one of them is the perfect place to spend a day exploring.
Gibbs Garden / Ball Ground, Georgia
Gibbs Gardens, located in Ball Ground, Georgia includes 376+ acres of artistically landscaped gardens surrounded by majestic forest, spring-fed ponds, streams, waterfalls, and bridge crossings, making it the country’s largest residential estate garden. It was even voted one of the “Best American Botanical Gardens” in the 2020 TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Awards. Sixteen garden venues include four feature gardens including the Daffodil Gardens, the Manor House Gardens, the Monet Waterlily Gardens, and the Japanese Gardens. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Gardens at least once every three weeks, from February through early December to see its ever-changing beauty.
Gibbsgardens.com
Fort Worth Botanic Garden & Botanical Research Institute / Fort Worth, Texas
Enjoy the captivating beauty of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, one of the largest centers for botanical exploration and discovery in the United States. Located in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District, the combined 120-acre campus offers stunning garden views, horticultural displays, exciting exhibits, gift shops, a café and more. Spend the day strolling through the Japanese Garden with its koi-filled pools, crafted stonework and dramatic waterfalls. Schedule a tour of the Phil-ecology Herbarium, which houses more than 1.5 million plant specimens from around the world.
fwbg.org
Cheekwood Gardens & Estate / Nashville, Tennessee
Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, Cheekwood has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and an historic estate unlike anything else. Each year, Cheekwood welcomes over 400,000 visitors, making it one of the city’s top cultural attractions, with over 20,000 member households. Visitors enjoy family activities, programming for all ages and year-round festivals celebrating the four seasons. From 250,000 blooming bulbs in the spring to one mile of holiday lights in the winter, there’s always something to see at Cheekwood.
cheekwood.org
Flourishing Celebrations
Southerners can find just about any reason to celebrate but when a group of people all feel passionate about the same thing, it makes the celebrations even bigger and better. The South is home to several spring time events including speciality festivals for local blooms like cherry blossoms. These festivals are more than just a way to see the gorgeous landscape but a way to have several days of various fun.
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival / Winchester, Virginia
A 10 day series of more than forty events including band competitions, dances, carnival, dinners, luncheons, wine festival, a 10K Race, the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, two large parades, and celebrities. There is an event at the festival the whole family can enjoy. The festival is held in Winchester – Frederick County Virginia, in the beautiful and historic Northern Shenandoah Valley. Crowds in excess of 250,000 attend the festival each year and with the 96th Annual festival happening April 28 – May 7, 2023 the trend of visitors welcoming spring is sure to continue.
thebloom.com
Biltmore Blooms / Asheville, North Carolina
Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms the gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at the Winery. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the French Broad River, through dense forests, or peaceful open meadows. Hike the grounds of Biltmore at your own pace with their extensive network of trails with beautiful blooms as far as the eye can see. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.
biltmore.com
International Cherry Blossom Festival / Macon, Georgia
Each March, Macon becomes a pink, cotton-spun paradise as over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom in all their glory. For 10 days, festival-lovers are treated to one of the most extravagant displays of springtime color in the nation as they visit the town referred to by Congressional Records as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. Despite its humble beginnings, the festival has become one of the Top 20 Events in the South, Top 50 Events in the U.S., and Top 100 Events in North America. It has grown from a 3-day festival with 30 events to a month-long celebration featuring hundreds of events planned to entertain all ages and backgrounds.
cherryblossom.com
Whether it’s a park, a botanical garden, an entire festival, or even just the roadside weeds on your way into town, the south is bursting with bountiful blooms. So roses may be red and violets may be blue but no matter what you prefer, there’s a perfect spring destination waiting for you!
