Friday, March 16, 2012

Azalea Trail Photos!

Want to see some color?  Want to see spring?  It's here!!!


Yes, it's almost time for the annual Tyler Azalea and Spring Flower Trails!  So, I goofed off today and drove around, enjoying the colorful display of azaleas, tulips, daffodils, violas, camellias, Lady Banks roses, wisterias, dogwoods and Japanese maples all in their spring finery.  Enjoy the show!

Azaleas line the streets - they're everywhere!


Orange tulips were HUGE - and gorgeous!  I saw them in several gardens.


This Japanese maple was green, instead of the usual red.
Click HERE for more info on the yellow azalea.  


A private garden.  Isn't it beautiful?  
Click HERE to see more of this garden from last year.


You can see some wonderful views by walking around.


In fact, some of the gardens are right on the street.


Or you can just drive around and see the show.


This garden was along the street, too.  A perfect place to take family photos.


Hope you enjoyed seeing the colors of spring!




86 comments:

  1. I am shocked each year by just how many azaleas are around come bloom time. They really are growing out of every nook and cranny.... and they are so unassuming the rest of the year!

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    1. I know how you feel. There is an area that I drive by often, thinking "oh, why don't they do something with that area besides those big shrubs?" Then, in spring, they suddenly turn into an amazing, wonderful, beautiful display of color and blooms!

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  2. Isn't it beautiful! My sister lives on the trail and I love to drive through those neighborhoods - especially in the spring. Always enjoy your posts!
    Blessings,
    Ava

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    1. How lucky for your sister - although I'm not sure I'd like to live where all that traffic went through every year! But the neighborhoods are just beautiful, and the spring showing is magnificent.

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  3. Beautiful photos. I have family in the area but am never there when the azaleas bloom.

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    1. I hope one year you'll get to visit them when the azaleas are in bloom. They are worth a special trip to see.

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  4. Wow! I'm going to prune some of my azaleas this year.

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    1. Your azaleas are magnificent. Some of them can get quite large, though. I suppose most of these have to be pruned to keep them from outgrowing their space.

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  5. Wow, Holley, these garden shots are amazing! Texas seems to be THE place for growing azaleas well. I don't know how these people do it, but their gardens looks so well maintained. I wonder why I am never able to achieve this in my own little space... Thanks for sharing these inspiring photos!
    Christina

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    1. You'd think I'd be able to grow them, too! But, for some reason, azaleas hate my place! I think a lot of these gardens have hired gardeners, although it was obvious that some of them are maintained by the homeowners (in a good way). I know a LOT of work is involved in getting them in perfect shape for the festival. It's a big tourist draw.

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  6. So Beautiful! I love all of that color. Just Amazing!

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    1. The azaleas alway surprise me with all the different shades of color - and how big a splash they make to a landscape.

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  7. Beautiful photos, Holley--thanks for showing us all that COLOR! I love how the orange tulips in your "right on the street" photo are tucked away into little nooks. If you were walking along the sidewalk on that side they'd be a fun surprise when you got close to them.

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    1. I loved the orange tulips! We walked up and down that sidewalk - and I could have walked it another 10 times! There were little plantings tucked in among all the big plants, too!

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  8. Thank god for the keepers of the earth

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    1. I hope it inspires some people to start their own garden!

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  9. Ahhh color!! What beautiful gardens, and those orange tulips - gorgeous!

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    1. The beauty of these azaleas always takes my breath away. But afterward, I stood back and thought about some of these landscapes - and got some really great ideas from them!

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  10. Was your garden included in the tour? We won't see azaleas blooming for a month or more. I'm headed south to Charlottesville, VA tomorrow and I bet they will have some lovely spring colors there.

    Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. haha - No. I have one poor little sickly azalea in my garden! :( I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. And I'm certain it's me - they obviously grow well around here! Have a great trip!

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  11. Gorgeous gardens, thanks for taking us along! I don't know why I don't plant more azaleas, I have the perfect setting for them.

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    1. I've seen some really beautiful landscapes with azaleas. Since they're not in color most of the year, I don't know that I would ever do a complete landscape with just azaleas, but just an area would be gorgeous!

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  12. These are amazing...I was showing my hubby who was also in awe and that takes a lot being a non-gardener.

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    1. :) Even my husband is impressed with them. It's hard not to be impressed with giant mounds of glorious color!

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  13. Wow, those are beautiful. I haven't been to Tyler in years. Your photos show me that it might be worth the very long drive sometime.

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    1. It is worth it if you take in the azalea festival, stop at the rose garden, and go by Chamblee's! :)

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  14. Oh how beautiful!!!! All those colours!! WOW wow! And the Japanese Maple Tree! It all works so harmoniously! Spring is the best!!!

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    1. Spring really is wonderful. It's so nice to see these amazing colors after winter!

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  15. So many huge swaths of breathtaking colour, no wonder you decided to take the day off and wander. That one picture is a private garden! I'm incredibly impressed.

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    1. Yes, the owner of that garden opens his garden up to the public every year. So nice to do that! And he always loves to talk gardening to anyone with a question. I'm always amazed and humbled when I see that garden.

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  16. Spring is bliss, and your photos gave us a taste of it - wonderful!!!

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    1. Isn't it wonderful that the azaleas bloom in spring - just when we need a big shot of color!

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  17. I really enjoyed that virtual drive, beautiful photos.

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  18. What breathtakingly beautiful gardens! I love to see azaleas in bloom. The few azaleas that I have should be coming into flower in a few weeks. I always look forward to their blooms. Thanks for sharing your photos!

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    1. I love azaleas. Their blooms are so sweet, and I love their variety of color.

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  19. WOW what great color in those shots. I love those big orange tulips - eye candy. Thanks for sharing your tour with us!

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    1. I was so impressed with the tulips, too. I could not get over their size. And I love orange - they really stood out, at a distance or up close!

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  20. I love Azalea and miss it so much from when I lived in PA. It grows here, but is rarely happy. I never spec them for jobs as a result. I so enjoy the Southern states for such pretty displays of Azalea. You really have some beautiful examples here.

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    1. It would be so wonderful if every plant grew every place! I wonder what kind of gardens we would all had then! Something totally different for me, probably!

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  21. Beautiful azaleas, beautiful gardens!

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    1. They are all very neat and tidy. It's amazing to me - makes me want to tidy up my own garden!

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  22. Gorgeous gardens; they are truly a feast for the eyes. I also have to comment on your previous post. I worked in the garden ALL DAY today. I ache all over and feel wonderful. Yes, spring is bliss!

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    1. Glad you got to work outside! It's amazing the muscles we use gardening!

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  23. Heck yeah, I enjoyed the colors! These photos are fabulous and so therapeutic while we're still draped in winter here in western Oregon. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. I thought some northerners might appreciate seeing these photos!

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  24. I love it! I think we have another couple weeks or so before we have all that color, but it's coming fast. thanks for the tour of these lovely and very tidy gardens!

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    1. Most of the azaleas here are not in full bloom yet. Another week will make a big difference. These gardens, however, were looking very nice already.

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  25. HG! What a fun tour of color! I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for sharing ~ Cheers, Jenni

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    1. It's always a fun tour to see - it really lifts my spirits.

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  26. Sorry I'm not a big fan of Azaleas but your images are certainly a taste of spring. Chrisitna

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    1. I can't grow azaleas for some reason, but I do love seeing them in other gardens. Amazing how these shrubs are transformed into a big splash of color in the spring.

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  27. Yes, I enjoyed my walk along with you very much!

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    1. I love that it's a walking tour as well as a driving tour. The weather here has been perfect for getting out for a stroll.

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  28. Tulips and azaleas pack such a color punch. Is the place that looks like a castle a private home? Thanks for the tour of these lovely and brilliantly colored gardens!

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    1. Yes, it's a private home. Amazing, isn't it? I loved the moss on the rooftop!

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  29. Wow. Maybe they should call it the Tyler azalea instead of the Tyler rose. Beautiful tour. I used to work for a company that had a branch in Tyler. Been there many times but never in the spring.

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    1. You missed the very best time! There is a rose festival, too - but it's usually quite hot when that's going on.

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  30. Uwielbiam wszystkie kwiaty i ich wspaniałe kolory. Jeszcze trochę i tak ślicznie będzie nie tylko na zdjęciach.Pozdrawiam.*** I love all the flowers and their brilliant colors. Still a little and so cute is not just the pictures. Yours.

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    1. Azaleas do have some fabulous colors, don't they? I was really taken with the other plants, too - it seems everything wanted to bloom in time for the festival!

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  31. Great photos -- and an excellent illustration for Spring. The color in my part of the world is coming soon. I can feel it.

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    1. Isn't it funny how we can feel spring coming, just like the plants!

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  32. Wonderful, Holley! I'm always so impressed with the Azaleas and Rhododendrons when we travel south. They're so prolific! Thanks for the fantastic walking and driving tour!

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    1. They make such big bushes - they really can be quite impressive in full bloom.

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  33. Wow Holley, what a gorgeous place you live in. Pictures and gardens I love.

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    1. There are some gorgeous gardens here. It's fun to drive around and get ideas.

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  34. Wonderful photos!I loved these azaleas, very bright colors.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them! I'm going to try and incorporate some of these ideas into my garden!

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  35. Holley, I just had to get back over to visit you this morning and I'm so glad I did. The azalea trail is stunning, and those tulips and wow, just everything. When I saw the photo of the house with the stone turret/castle I was amazed. Oh, if only we could build Castle Aaargh that tall! How beautiful.

    I played catch-up on posts I missed too, and so enjoyed the story about your pear tree. My that tree looks wonderful for having come up from the root stock. I know they're weak, but they sure are pretty in bloom. We have one forlorn one in the Back Eight which is also some unknown variety. My eldest son brings me a rock for Mother's Day ever since he was a little guy.

    Your crabapples are so pretty. I love them for their small stature and oh, those blooms...

    I just got done with my Egoscue exercises this morning. I have been having foot and knee pain for years and we'll see if it helps in the long run. If I would just quit walking like a duck with my feet sticking out I'd be happy. One problem with living in Snow Country is you can see exactly what your gait looks like. (Quack, quack, lol.)

    I did a mile with Leslie before breakfast and now it's time to head to the exercise class at church. I'll be thinking of your gorgeous garden and the azaleas and tulips all day, what a sight you've shared, thank you so much.

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    1. I know your castle is going to be fabulous, no matter how tall it ends up. I love that your son brings you a rock for Mother's day! How great is that! You've done great with Leslie. I bet you are losing a lot of weight, and when you start working outside this spring, I bet you'll be able to tell a big difference in your endurance.

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  36. Replies
    1. The blooms should be perfect in a week or two. The couple that opens up their garden every year is wonderful.

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  37. What brilliant colour. I lived on Galveston Island for three years and walked for miles along oleander lined streets in awe of the vibrant colours around me. I was used to the pastel shades of cottage gardens in England. Then I moved to the Canadian prairies, what a challenge! I am about to move to the coast and a zone 8 area. As I struggle through all the work a move entails I keep looking at your blog to remind myself of all the possibilities ahead.

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    1. Oh, how exciting to be moving to a new gardening area! I hope when you move, you are greeted with lots of blooming flowers!

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  38. I so enjoyed the colors indeed!!

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    1. Glad you did! I think they are quite cheerful!

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  39. Really great shots! I had to look through them twice. You can't beat azaleas for vivid spring color.

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    1. They are big, and bold, and beautiful, aren't they? :)

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  40. One day, when they grow up, my Azaleas hope to look like that!
    A beautiful tour Holley!!

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  41. I've been to Tyler once for the Azalea tour. Loved it - but also loved looking at your wonderful photos and not having to drive there.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them. This is just a small sample, though!

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  42. those tulips are GORGEOUS! They are my favorite flower!

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    1. They were quite impressive! Such a bright color, and I've never seen such big blooms on a tulip. I was more impressed with them than the azaleas!

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