Tags
A Writer's Garden, Alabama Public gardens, Bellingraph Mansion and Garden, Catherine Castle’s garden blog series, Christian romance, Garden blog, June Foster, Restoration of the Heart
Today’s guest writer/gardener on A Writer’s Garden is June Foster. Since her last visit to the blog, she’s been on the road. So, she’s taking us on a road trip today to see an Alabama garden. I love visiting mansions and their gardens, and I can’t wait to show you where she’s been tiptoeing through the tulips. Take it away, June!
Bellingraph Gardens
My husband and I live full time in our RV, so needless to say, we don’t have a garden in which to grow the colorful blooms I love. But that’s okay. We’re blessed to have opportunity to visit many breathtaking gardens while we travel.
While in Mobile, Alabama for a family reunion, we enjoyed a visit to the Bellingraph mansion and Gardens, now a museum owned by the state of Alabama.
The gardens were once part of the estate of Walter and Bessie Bellingraph. The sixty-five acres of floral pageantry flank the Bellingraph’s 10,500 square foot mansion built in 1935. Today the site is open year round for visitors to enjoy.
The most exciting feature is the monthly display of a variety of flowers depending on the season. Since we visited toward the end of February, we relished an explosion of vibrant colors as we wandered through the azaleas newly in bloom.
Azaleas are described as the flaming drama of the south, and I can certainly understand why. When the azalea bush is in full bloom, every trace of growth is enveloped in crimson, coral, purple, or white.
Come back the next month and you might see verbenas, daisies, roses, or begonias. And if you visit in the fall, you’ll bask in the beauty of chrysanthemums, honeysuckle, or poinsettias.
Mobile, Alabama is blessed with a moderate climate that allows gardens to look lovely year round. If you travel south, you won’t regret visiting Bellingraph.
About the Author:
An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in education and MA in counseling. June’s books have finaled in the EPIC’s eBook contest, National Readers Choice Awards, the Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards and COTT’s Laurel Awards. June has also written several series, The Bellewood Series, The Almond Tree series, June enjoys writing stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. One of her most recent releases is Restoration of the Heart available at Amazon
Restoration of the Heart
Though a Christian, Luke Chamberlain ignored his values and indulged in his beautiful fiancé’s world of alcohol, parties, and nights at her apartment. After rededicating his life to the Lord, he vows never to fall into the lifestyle again. When the state of Idaho’s Tourism Department offers his construction company the contract to renovate Silver Cliff, an 1890’s silver mining ghost town, he accepts.
Janie Littleton studied history in college because life in the past is simpler than the uncomfortable reality of the present. With her extra pounds, eye glasses, and mousy brown hair, no man would find her attractive. When she’s offered the job of project historian at the restoration of Silver Cliff, she accepts. But as Luke Chamberlain shows an interest in her, she doubts his sincerity. To make matters worse, someone claiming to be the miner who founded Silver Cliff in 1890 intimidates her with frightening midnight visits.
Can Luke convince Janie he’s in love with the godly woman she is? Can Janie hold onto her faith as she’s harassed by frightening appearances of old Ezra Barclay who died a hundred years ago?
You can visit June at junefoster.com.
Catherine Castle 