It’s camilla season in Tallahassee. If you haven’t been, you should check out Maclay Gardens State Park – with all the gorgeous camilla in bloom, it’s a beautiful sight.
Alfred B.” Maclay” Gardens State Park is a masterpiece of floral architecture and rich history, the gardens feature a picturesque brick walkway, secret garden, reflection pool, walled garden and hundreds of camellias and azaleas. Peak blooming season is from January 1 through April 30, with the floral peak in mid-to-late March. During these months, a special fee is charged for visiting the gardens and the historic Maclay House. There is something for everyone. The experiences include biking, hiking, horseback riding, weddings, tours, swimming, walking, running, geo-seeking, paddling, and so much more.
Alfred Maclay was a wealthy banker and financier from New York. He visited Tallahassee with his wife, Louise Fleischmann Maclay, in 1923 and was impressed by the huge oaks and pines, beautiful dogwoods and hollies. He decided this would be the place to fulfill his lifelong dream of creating a beautiful garden, and this would be their winter home. Over the years they established one of the most beautiful ornamental gardens in Florida. In 1953, nine years after Mr. Maclay’s death, Mrs. Maclay and her children donated the gardens to the state of Florida. She expressed her wishes that the gardens always be maintained as a memorial to her husband and his creation, and opened to the public for the enjoyment of the people of Florida and guests.
The park and historic gardens are open daily from 8am to sunset and the Maclay House museum is open January through April, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Located at 3540 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee. You can contact them at 850-487-4556 or click on the link below to go to the website for more information. And be sure to click the link below to see all the great events they have scheduled. You can go on full moon paddle with a park ranger in the lake, tours of the garden also given by a park ranger, and painting in the park is offered!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens
