Flora lovers will splendor in this 65-acre horticultural creation originated by Walter Duncan Bellingrath (1869-1955) and Bessie Mae Morse Bellingrath (1878-1943). The story of the Gardens and Home began in 1903 with Mr. Bellingrath and his franchise purchase to bottle Coca-Cola in Mobile. The initial one man operation slowly amassed his wealth and in 1906 he married his stenographer, Bessie Mae Morse.

In 1917 Mr. Bellingrath was contemplating the purchase of a fishing camp on Fowl River, and after his physician's diagnosis that he was a workaholic and prescription to slow down and enjoy life, the camp was soon purchased. The couples' South Ann Street home was known for it's extensive gardens of azaleas and camellias, often playing host to many a garden admirer, and became the basis for Mobile's Azalea Trail in 1929. However the nearby real estate was limited for Mrs. Bellingrath's desire to expand and the acres of land available at the fishing camp soon filled the void.

During the Spring of 1932, a national garden club meeting was being held in Mobile. A general invitation was sent out to the public by the Bellingraths for a garden viewing one Sunday afternoon, and much to their surprise, more than 5,000 visitors jammed the roads to see what the then named Belle Camp was all about. Mobile's police force was needed to direct traffic. Overwhelmed by the turnout, the couple decided to open the Gardens to the public for spring appreciation and the camp was officially named Bellingrath Gardens. The Gardens were opened year-round two years later.

Throughout the year, the Gardens display a wide variety of seasonal flowering plants across the estate. January and February bring about Winter Wonderland, featuring tulips, snapdragons, pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale, camellias, daffodils, poppies, primroses, paper whites, narcissus and more. Spring Spectacular occurs in the months of March and April and features over 250,000 azaleas, hydrangeas, Easter lilies, impatiens, salvia, fuchsia, geraniums and more.

May through August is the Gardens Summer Sensation with blooms of allamandas, hibiscus, copper plants, begonias, ornamental peppers, bougainvillea, caladiums, coleus, vinca, marigolds and more. The nationally acclaimed Rose Garden, with over 2,000 roses in 75 varieties, is also featured.

Enjoy hibiscus, copper plants and roses as the Gardens change from the tropicals of summer to the deep colors of autumn during their Fall Festival September through November. You can also view one of the country's largest outdoor displays of chrysanthemums, which features over 8,000 bedded, potted and cascading mums.

Rounding out the year, a holiday visit is a must during the Gardens Holiday Splendor in December. Magic Christmas in Lights, a multitude of Christmas light displays, compliment the red, pink, white, yellow and green shades of poinsettias scattered throughout the Gardens -- along with snapdragons, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansies and amaryllis.

After you've taken in the colorful flora of the property, take a tour of the 10,500 square foot Bellingrath home which was built in 1935 when the couple made the decision to open their property to the public.