In Louisiana, fall is basically summer part two, which allows us to enjoy the beautiful blooms of summer a tad bit longer. Throughout the month of October especially, we get the chance to see some unusual and colorful flowers. The Japanese maple trees at Full Moon Gardens or the Yellow Garden section at the Longue Vue Gardens are impressive examples. Come mid-November, the weather will get colder and the summer/fall blooms will no longer be available to enjoy. Check out these magnificent gardens in New Orleans and nearby for your last chance to soak up the beautiful weather and the extra-colorful plant life. Besides, these days especially, we need to take some time to stop and smell the flowers—roses or otherwise.
New
Orleans Botanical Gardens
These
popular gardens in New Orleans feature more than 2,000 plants from around the
world. The New Orleans Botanical Gardens opened in the 1930s and have since
cultivated 10 acres of gardens and art for the New Orleans community to enjoy. In
the gardens, October is a good time to see many butterflies who have been in
their cocoons. The mission of the New Orleans Botanical Gardens is to promote,
cultivate, and inspire the knowledge, love, and appreciation of plants through
educational programs and exhibits. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Louisiana
residents get free admission on Wednesdays with an ID. 1 Palm Dr., (504)
482-4888, neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden
Houmas
House
The historic
estate located on the Mississippi River has been remodeled by various owners
for over 200 years. The recent owner of the Houmas
House has restored the
gardens and the mansion, which features all the best elements from various
periods to showcase a legacy of each family who has owned it. The gardens of
Houmas House span across 38 acres and were planned to reflect the unique beauty
of each part of the year with an extensive color renewal in April and November.
The gardens have many sitting areas for guests to experience the fragrance of
the blooming plants and the sounds of nature around them. For fall, the Houmas
House decorates the inside of the mansion, as well as the outside. The estate
is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tour the mansion, the gardens,
and maybe even stay a night at the inn on the grounds. 40136 Hwy. 942,
Darrow, (225) 473-9380, houmashouse.com
Longue
Vue House & Gardens
The Longue
Vue Gardens are
eight acres and feature an impressive collection of Louisiana irises and an
interactive Discovery Garden for children of all ages. Longue Vue's mission is
to be a leader in the advancement of innovative thought, creative expression,
and life-long learning. The Longue Vue is holding a 5k virtual run all month to
raise money for education and wellness. The gardens are open seven days a week
at 9:30 a.m. to visitors, by reservation. Tuesday through Saturday, the estate
closes at 5 p.m., and at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. 7 Bamboo Rd., (504) 488-5488,
longuevue.com
Coastal
Ridge Farms
Coastal Ridge Farms in Mississippi has hundreds of
sunflowers, as well as fields of zinnias. You can pick your own sunflowers from
mid-September through October. The farm is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. -
6:30 p.m., with good weather. This is a great place to take pictures, and their
fields of zinnias are blooming beautifully right now with so many different
colors. It is $15 for admission into the farm, and $14 if you pay online. It is
cash only if you pay in person. 27290 Rd. 221, Picayune, MS, (601) 918-3770, coastalridgefarm.com
Full Moon
Gardens
On the Northshore, in the cute town of Abita Springs, is the Full Moon Gardens & Lua Café. The Full Moon Gardens specialize in unusual plants and gardening-related gifts. In the nursery, you will find fruit trees and tropical, exotic, and hard-to-find plants. The gardeners are happy to order anything you need. You can also relax in the gardens while enjoying delicious Brazilian food at Lua Café. The café offers Brazilian street food, homemade recipes, Brazilian-style tapas, desserts, and much more. The plants here are so unique and full of color, and their Vietnamese pottery is beautiful. 71344 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, (985) 809-5010, facebook.com/FullMoonGardensNursery