Wilmington Azalea Festival 2008 Belles of Garden One

The beauty of Wilmington, North Carolina

Garden 1, the former Governor Dudley Mansion is today the home of Ron and Cindy Pickett on Front Street in Wilmington. The volunteers from the garden club did an outstanding job of presenting this garden in traditional attire.

Max found the people side to the presentation of gardens at the 2008 Wilmington Azalea Festival to be a key ingredient in making the tour a success. Over one hundred and twenty five young high school juniors and seniors performed three hour shifts around the gardens in 1865 period gowns, complete with parasols. Max noticed that, as people entered the gardens and moved through the larger gardens, these young ladies' presence gave the gorgeous plantings a formal and elegant touch.

At the Governor Dudley Mansion, Max was greeted by two hostesses in fashionable summer outfits with matching and jewelry and comfortable wide brim hats. They wore dark glasses like movie stars trying to avoid recognition. These fine ladies directed Max to the garden entrance.

Stationed at the front door was a lovely Belle in a dark green lace trimmed period gown, complete with white gloves and parasol.

By the garage stood two young Belles; one in a lovely pink gown trimmed in fine lace, and the other in a white gown with several layers. The Belles carried matching parasols adorned with tiny ribbons.

Seated on the grass by the back wall sat a Belle adorned in a blue gown with lace trimming with her matching parasol open to protect her from the warm spring sun.

By one of the garden's trees stood a Belle dressed in a gown that was designed in two tones of green, with an intricate lace pattern across the front part of the gown. The gown was trimmed in white lace.

The Belles wore hair styles that were elegant and fit with the gorgeous gowns they wore.

To the credit of the garden club, the young women were selected in such a way that all women in the Wilmington area were fairly represented. Each young lady had her hair done up for the event and looked lovely in her beautiful gown.

Some young ladies did get better positions than others simply because porches, benches and stairs afforded them better seating arrangements. A few of the ladies in the bright Wilmington sun had difficulty with parasols that worked better for show than for shielding them from the sun.

At each entry way, the members of the garden club greeted the visitors with wide smiles and a few words about the garden. Most gardens had two members of the garden club, though an occasional site would have one or two more that were busy enjoying the day.

Max realized that, in addition to the young ladies and the garden club members, many people were busy out of sight of the gardens. There were the strategically placed security personnel to direct traffic. More deeply hidden in the background were all the people that sponsored, planned and prepared for the event that may or may not have been visible during the event.

Here is some background on the Wilmington Azalea Festival.

The Cape Fear Garden Club organizes the annual Wilmington Azalea Festival. This non-profit, philanthropic, and educational association is organized to stimulate knowledge of gardening among amateurs in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina. The organization works to provide education on gardening and horticulture. It works closely with agencies to encourage environmental improvement to protect, restore and preserve the natural world for trees, plants, birds so that these can be enjoyed.

Founded in 1925, the garden club today has about three hundred active members. The Annual Azalea Festival is one of the biggest events, not only for the club but also for Wilmington, NC. Numerous related events, including a sizable parade, are held on the same day.

Wilmington itself is a unique city with an eclectic nature. Driving into the city, it appears to be a place of strip malls and small hotels. For many people traveling through to the New Hanover County beaches or south to Myrtle Beach, this may be the only city they see.

Just before the bridge out of town, a right turn will take a traveler to a quaint though lively waterfront downtown. Here the streets are brick and lined with interesting shops on one end. The other end of the street is lined with restored buildings going back to a more elegant time. The gardens in some of these houses can be explored by the public only during the Azalea Festival.

Going back north, along side streets on either side of the fast north/south routes through the city are enchanting neighborhoods lined with interesting homes. Hidden behind and around these homes are a plethora of gorgeous gardens. Only a few of these are open at any time other than through an opportunity like the festival affords us.