These floral-filled destinations boast the state's brightest blooms.
Like clockwork, azalea bushes in botanical gardens, parks and front yards throughout Louisiana come to life each spring. From early March through late May, azaleas — recognizable fixtures of landscaping in the South — explode into colorful blossoms of pink, purple, white and fuchsia.
Here are a few of our favorite places to find these gorgeous flowers in Louisiana.
1. Kisatchie National Forest
Near Woodworth
About 31 miles long, the appropriately named Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie National Forest is a backcountry getaway for nature lovers. Head to this landscape of bottomland hardwood forests and rolling hills to see blossoming native azaleas from March through early April. The varieties you'll see along this trail are native to Louisiana — fragrant, heartier blooms than the more common imported flowers.
2. Afton Villa Gardens
Afton Villa Gardens is named for Afton Villa Plantation, a Gothic antebellum mansion that was destroyed in 1963. The long driveway leading to the ruins of the “big house” is lined with azaleas underneath wide, shady oak trees. Visit in spring to see a sea of colors.
3. Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
Learn about the lives of wealthy planters Daniel and Martha Barrow Turnbill and take a walk through Louisiana’s early 19th-century history at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site. That's where you’ll find Martha’s “pleasure gardens,” a vast 28 acres of greenery that includes crape myrtles, cryptomeria and tons of azaleas.
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
Afton Villa Gardens
Jungle Gardens on Avery Island
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
4. Jackson Square
Jackson Square is awe-inspiring, even for longtime New Orleanians. A city square built in the same style as a French place d’armes, it’s surrounded by St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo and Presbytère (part of the Louisiana State Museums system), the Pontalba apartments and Washington Artillery Park, which overlooks the Mississippi River. The centerpiece of Jackson Square is its garden, where you’ll find azalea blooms peaking in late March or early April.
5. New Orleans Botanical Garden
The most peaceful part of New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park just might be the Zemurray Azalea and Camellia Garden. Winding paths take visitors past meticulously placed azaleas, making for an inspiring experience. Even more azaleas are in bloom throughout the botanical garden — and outside it, too — especially in March, April and early May.
6. Jungle Gardens & Rip Van Winkle Gardens
From New Iberia, make your way to Avery Island, home of the world-famous TABASCO® and nearby Jungle Gardens. The gardens, founded by the same family that created the hot sauce, feature a 170-acre tropical paradise filled with greenery. While Jungle Gardens is open year-round, springtime is your best bet to find many of its colorful plants, including azaleas, in bloom.
Don't miss nearby Rip Van Winkle Gardens and the Joseph Jefferson Mansion.
7. Lafayette Azalea Trail
Known as the capital of Cajun Country, Lafayette is an easygoing South Louisiana city with a thriving culture and endless reasons to visit. One such reason is the Lafayette Azalea Trail, a 25-mile network of streets where you’ll find azaleas outside historical homes. The trail begins at Lafayette Travel’s visitor center and goes past Maison Mouton into downtown Lafayette and beyond. The azaleas are at peak bloom in March, but the trail is worth traveling year-round.
You don’t have to limit your outdoor adventures to spring — Louisiana’s natural beauty shines all year long. Plan your trip to Sportsman’s Paradise today.
