| Show IN THESE UNITED STATES Fumed Gardens Gordens Recoil Recall und oDd Quiet ol 01 Old South Features NORFOLK VA Its It's Its It's spring again and Norfolk's azalea gardens tire are in bloom Eighty acres of floral and woodland beauty bid the visitor to old Virginia welcome to a beauty spot which many lovers of nature claim is unrivaled anywhere Within a few minutes' minutes drive of the business section of Virginias Virginia's Virginias Virginia's Virginias Virginia's Vir Vir- ginia's hustling seaport city and actually within sound of giant airliners taking off from Norfolk's airport the azalea gardens are a step to yesterday yesterday-to to the t e beauty and quiet of the Old South where nature stages a a pageant pageant page pace ant that man can only admire but cannot hope to reproduce More l than azalea bushes planted so as to give continuous blooming from about April 1 to about June 1 are the principal attraction at the gardens but the they are only a part of the beauties there Tall Tan trees and quiet lakes and flowers other than azaleas combine to form a a silent symphony of nature at herbest her best Song birds In profusion add their voices to the scene The azalea gardens a part of Norfolk's Norfolk's Norfolk's Nor Nor- folks folk's park system are located along the shores of Norfolk's lakes which form a n perfect water mirror for the flowers The area has been landscaped with paths and footbridges foot footbridges footbridges bridges to make all sections of the gardens available to visitors The gardens began their spring blooms in hi March when camellias Japanese quince and forsythia preceded preceded pre pre- ceded an avalanche of naturalized daffodils and bluebells In April five varieties of Indian azaleas azalea and six varieties of Kurume azaleas bloom under a canopy of 01 native dogwood shadbush and other plants Riot of Color May sees azaleas and andI I at their best with accompanying accompany accompany- I I lag ing plants being mountain laurel columbines and Louisiana wild iris In June the flowers grow near the waters water's edge The colors of the rhododendron rhododendron rhododendron rho rho- and the flame fiame azalea compete with those of the Japanese iris close by the shores Wild flowers bloom in profusion in July Included in hi the wild flowers In the azalea gardens are the beautiful beau beau- cardinal flowers which present presenta a contrast to the rhododendron max max- Lovers of ot the crape myrtle which Is Norfolk's adopted flower will find that plant at its best in August when Its blooms appear in bold masses In hi many parts of the gardens In the fall thousands of berry shrubs including four varieties of hollies and supplement the autumnal tints of the woodland The gardens as they exist today are a result of the dreams of Frederic Frederic Frederic Fred Fred- eric Huette director of the Norfolk bureau of ot parks and forestry and Thomas former city manager Admission to the gardens Is free and when the azaleas are at their best as many m ny as persons have visited them in one day Army Bows Out The azalea gardens have been recognized recognized rec tee by the army as having priority priority priority over the pressing needs of war emergency In 1942 the army staked out a construction project in the area and planned a series of buildings which would encroach on the actual actual actual actu actu- al garden properties City officials officials officials of of- garden clubs and other organization organization or or- rallied to the defense of the gardens and the army despite the pressure of war in hi 1942 changed its plans and erected its buildings elsewhere At that time Huette voiced the feelings of nature lovers the world over when he said Not all the governments government's billions billions billions bil bil- bil- bil lions can replace a year old oak a year old pine or a 2 20 year old old ear gum The azalea gardens are but a small part of at the attractions of the Norfolk area for the tourist The lakes on which they are located are area a veritable fishermans fisherman's paradise and while fishing is not permitted in the gardens themselves it Is permitted close by Numerous Attra Attractions Within 20 minutes' minutes driving time are arc Virginia Beach in one direction and Ocean View in hi the other In Inthe Inthe Inthe the general Tidewater are area are such points of interest as the Williams- Williams burg J burg Jamestown Yorktown historical section naval establishments at Norfolk and Portsmouth the waters of Hampton Roads and the scenic grandeur of ot the Great Dismal Swamp Not far away also are t the e rugged Outer Banks of the North Carolina coast As another lure to visitors Norfolk Norfolk Norfolk Nor Nor- folk points to its food which is universally universally uni wi- acclaimed as a delight to the visitor and alike whether it be saltwater delicacies from the deep or the famed tamed Smithfield Smithfield Smithfield Smith- Smith field ham and Virginia fried chick chick- chicken en ably supported by candled candied yams eyed black-eyed peas turnip greens and peanut soup |
