Afton Villa Gardens–Part 2

 

Hello, everyone!  I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!  We did, until about 3 pm when the electricity went out!  It didn’t come back on until 10:30 that night!  A spring storm came though and a small tornado touched down in our little town but, thankfully, there are no injuries that I know of.  We didn’t have any damage but we do have friends that lost quite a few trees!

 

Let’s go back to Afton Villa, shall we?  If you missed Part I and would like to catch up, click here.  This next picture would be on the right side of the home where the turret was.

 

 

 

 

As I walked around the rear of the house and come up the left side, this is the view towards the front lawn so the ruins would be to the left. See all the Spanish moss blowing in the breeze?

 

 

As I stepped onto the brick sidewalk I turned to my right and shot this picture.

 

 

At the top of the lawn, after the hedges, there is a large lawn with a sidewalk leading to sitting area under the large oak trees.  This first time I visited, there were chairs set up in this area for a wedding that was scheduled later that day.  To the left, you can see some large shrubs and this is what is tucked in there.

 

 

The family cemetery!  Since there were workers cutting grass in this area, I just took this shot from the opening.  This area is totally enclosed by these large shrubs, which are a mixture of camellias, Indian hawthorn, and azaleas.

As you stroll down the walkway leaving the boxwoods, you will come to several little small areas accented with flowers and statues.  A big expanse of lawn will open up but to the left leading down a hill is a special treasure!

 

 

Unfortunately we had a few late frost so everything wasn’t blooming!  Usually, at this time of the year, the trees have white blooms on them and there are DOUBLE the amount of daffodils blooming! There is a rustic trail that takes you down the hill and across the bridge.

 

 

I believe there are 100,000 bulbs planted in the gardens and I think the majority of them are in this area.  After you walk down to the bridge, you area at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by hills of flowers on all sides!

 

 

No, I’m not laying down taking this picture!  I’m standing on the trail looking upward which is where the trail will lead.  You can see the pathway in this next picture.

 

 

Here’s a great picture of Hunter heading up the hill.

 

 

At the top of the hill, you can look across to a man made lake that is surrounded by ancient oak trees covered with Spanish moss.  The trail leads to this area which is a perfect place for a picnic!

 

 

As I head back towards the ruins, across the lawn, I see this sugar kettle to the left.  Sugar kettles are very common garden features.  You can see a post here, that I did last year.

 

 

I don’t know how many people they have keeping this spectacular garden looking so beautiful but I was told the head gardener has worked here for 41 years!  As you walk to the back of the property, you can see there work area.

 

 

This beautiful old barn is huge!  Instead of animals, it houses plants!  Now for one last shot that I couldn’t pass up….

 

 

The ruins are on the top of a slight rise.  Once again, the Spanish moss provides a perfect back drop for this shot!

 

I hope you enjoyed the tour and if you are ever in this area, you MUST go here!  You will not be disappointed!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

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