Bellingrath's Featured Plant
Tecomeria capensis
Tecomeria capensis, Cape Honeysuckle, is native to south Africa and has honeysuckle shaped flowers. Although we grow this plant as a small shrub, it can take on a vine like character. This wonderful sub-tropical plant has either orange or yellow flowers that are present all summer. In mild winters, Cape Honeysuckle is generally unharmed by cold, but will generally resprout from the root system if damaged by severe winters in Mobile.
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Shop the New Fall Merchandise
The Bellingrath Gift Shop has new fall merchandise for members and guests to enjoy. Decorative pumpkins, candles and other fall goodies will make great seasonal gifts or decorations to celebrate the season in your home. The Bellingrath Gift Shop is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
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Become a Member Today!
Join The Friends of Bellingrath and help perpetuate the dream and legacy of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath and Bellingrath Gardens and Home. As a member you will become a part of the legacy Walter Bellingrath envisioned when he wrote to his Mother his intent to "make the world better and brighter by my being here."
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| Hurricane Frederic: A Look Back
by Tom McGehee
 On the night of September 12, 1979 Hurricane Frederic hit Bellingrath Gardens and Home with its full force. At least two tornadoes added to the destruction of trees, plants, greenhouses, the irrigation system, roofs and buildings. Damages exceeded $6.5 million and the Gardens were closed until March 1, 1980.
The Bellingrath Home, which had just undergone an expensive re-decoration, had to be completely emptied of its furnishings. Drapes had to be cleaned, floors refinished and walls and ceilings repaired and painted.
Garden restoration included the donation of thousands of azaleas, hollies and other plants from local nurseries such as Flowerwood and Tom Dodd. Several individuals also came forward to donate specimen azaleas from their own gardens. Camellias in the arboretum were moved into empty spaces throughout the grounds.
The tree canopy that Mr. and Mrs. Bellingrath loved had vanished overnight. Some 3,000 trees were lost which represented at least 34 different varieties. The Gardens spent in excess of $300,000 just to remove the fallen trees. Many of the trees that survived were in such stress that they eventually died as well.
While live oaks, Magnolia Grandifloras, Japanese magnolias, river birch and ornamental pear trees were planted, it has taken the last decade to add more live oaks which have already begun to recreate the shady atmosphere for which the Gardens were long renowned. Even the flowing Spanish moss is back in abundance.
The Gardens reopened to the public in the spring of 1980. In the years since, we have had tropical storms and hurricanes but none have effected the property in the way a storm named Frederic did. |
From The Bellingrath Museum Home - an Inkstand With A Story
By Tom McGehee
 Many of the items within the Bellingrath Collection were obtained from local individuals and families. Inventory records occasionally give insight to the circumstances surrounding the purchase. The tale of this small inkwell makes it memorable. Mrs. Bellingrath received a call one day from Miss May McIntyre who lived in a small cottage at 921 Church Street. Records indicate that she had been one of the city's first telephone operators. Miss McIntyre, like many Mobilians, knew that Mrs. Bellingrath paid top dollar for antiques. She told her she had a very old porcelain inkstand for her to look at. The unmarked inkwell is thought to be English in origin and consists of a white porcelain base which holds an inkwell and a sandcaster. Covering this is a decorated biscuit figure of a farmer. He reclines enjoying his lunch, cup in one hand, bottle in the other. However when Mrs. Bellingrath viewed the piece the hand holding the bottle was missing. When she asked about the damage, Miss McIntyre informed her that he had been holding a bottle of wine, and that as she was a Prohibitionist, no one was drinking in her house so she broke it off. The surprised Mrs. Bellingrath asked if she still had the piece and indeed she did - locked in her jewelry box. Mrs. Bellingrath bought the piece and had it repaired by an expert in Philadelphia. The purchase price has gone unrecorded but the story of this inkstand continues to amuse visitors more than 70 years later.
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| Balloon Glow in the Gardens
 Dress up your little goblins and head out to Bellingrath for our 5th Annual Balloon Glow in the Gardens. Hot air balloons will be glowing on The Great Lawn like giant light bulbs (weather permitting). Plus, trick-or-treat stations will be throughout the Gardens marked by lighted, inflatable figures. Fun for everyone!
Reduced admission will begin at 5 p.m. Gardens admission for adults will be $5 and for kids 5-12 admission will be $3. As always, admission is free for members of the Friends of Bellingrath. |
| Upcoming Events
October 31, - Balloon Glow in the Gardens
November 7 to 22 - Cascading Mum Display Bloom Out!
November 6 & 7 - Kiku Matsuri Chrysanthemum Festival
November 7 - Fall Kid's Kruise (Registration required)
November 14 - Botanical Drawing Workshop with Val Webb (Registration required)
November 21 - Digital Photography Workshop with Jim McKinley (Registration required)
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