WILMINGTON, NC Day 2.  Today was another overcast day but much warmer, so much so that we needed air conditioning in the car.  We also wished we had worn lighter clothes as we drove to the Airlie Gardens to walk among the azalea and camellia bushes. Even though it is mid-November, many of these bushes were in bloom.  They have an encore azalea that blooms in both autumn and spring.  In addition to these, there are many very old huge live oak trees as well as magnolias.

This was not the best time to be here, since most of the bushes were dormant.  There was a lot of Christmas lighting set up already.  This is a large property that has changed hands a few times, but now is owned by New Hanover County.  If only the weather had been better . . .

Airlie Gardens Grounds

Azaleas in Bloom in November

Camellia in Bloom in November

Ferns Growing on Limb of Old Live Oak Tree

Walkway to Fountain and Pergola Garden

Fountain in Pergola Garden

Overlook Toward Pergola Garden