Journey: Azalea Gardens in Oklahoma
As spring erupts into bloom why not plan a day trip to visit one of these three gardens known for their azalea collections. Each offers a magnificent display in a unique setting. You should find azaleas in bloom for most of the month of April, peaking around the middle of the month (weather depending, of course). So many azaleas…so little time!
Honor Heights Park in Muskogee holds its annual Azalea Festival throughout the month of April. The park has over 30,000 azaleas in 625 varieties planted along the gentle slopes and edging the lakes and ponds. You will also find tulips, dogwoods and wisteria in bloom throughout the month.
Lendonwood Gardens is a three-acre botanical garden near Grand Lake in northeastern Oklahoma. Grassy pathways meander through more than 1,400 different types of plants, including the largest collection of rhododendrons in the southwest, totaling about 250 varieties. The Asian-themed gardens house vast collections of spring bloomers including dogwood and flowering cherries. The unfurling Japanese maple leaves will also put on a show of color.
Woodward Park in Tulsa is a favorite stop each spring, with over 15,000 azaleas in the three-acre arboretum. Stop by the weekend of April 10th and 11th for the SpringFest Garden Market and Festival. Be sure to visit Linnaeus Garden while you are in the area.
