Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was strolling around the 50 acres at Dothan Area Botanical Gardens?  It seems that way and I am looking forward to being back this week to enjoy some of the spring flowers that have to be popping out about this time.

I was thrilled to discover this lovely spot just off of Highway 431 about 4 miles north of Dothan, Alabama.  It boasts acres and acres of lovely gardens, trails, and undeveloped areas that are left natural for the sole purpose of preserving the lovely native plants of the area.

The first time that I visited was an early spring day when the sun was bright and the air was warm and I reveled in being able to just walk the grounds with no agenda or schedule.  As I wandered through the paths and walkways I encountered a few visitors but not too many so it was almost as if I had my own private garden.

There are so many different areas to explore within the gardens and each one is even more beautiful than the next.  I found the scene in the Mullen Asian Garden especially serene and beautiful

I could have just sat there all day long.  Seriously.  It was wonderful.  Can’t you just hear the waterfall and the lovely sounds of the birds and frogs and insects?

The Camellia garden was blooming and was lovely as well.  I snapped a lot of pictures of it but I am only sharing two today.

The gazebo and the area around it are the perfect setting for a wedding, don’ t you think?  I know that this is the place of many happy unions.

The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens also has a pretty interesting  Lovegate area but that will be the post for another day.

Another thing that absolutely thrilled me was finding a Little Free Library in the gardens.  If you have followed me for any length of time you know I love these things and had hoped to put one of my own up.  My good friend, Val, was able to get one established and she wrote about it here.
Of course I took a book and will be adding a few of my own additions on my next trip to Dothan.  Perfect location, don’t you think?

The flowers and trees and shrubs were just beginning to pop out when I was visiting so I am very anxious to go back this week while I am in Alabama again to see what changes are happening.  Spring is here and I am hoping to see a lot of the lovely spring flowers and blooms popping through.

Do you have a favorite place that you like to visit in your area that is similar to these lovely gardens?  I am in awe of this place and absolutely love their mission:

The Gardens’ Mission is to provide an enhancement to the quality of life for Wiregrass citizens, to serve as an educational resource for children and adults in garden lore and environmental issues, and to be a vibrant area attraction that promotes tourism and economic development in southeast Alabama.

Tell me in the comment section where your favorite garden spot is located.  Is it in your own backyard or at an area botanical garden?