It kinda depends on what you want to see. I think more stuff would be at peak bloom in early to mid May than late April but things are chuggin along right now. At least in May every tree will have its leaves out and it will really look like Spring has sprung. NC Botanic Garden in Chapel Hill will look best early - for all the natives but Duke and the JC Raulston Arboretum will look better later for the big perennial borders. If you want to see masses of bulbs then earlier at Duke would be better - but they should still look great in mid May too.

I have provided a link to the AHS page showing daylily gardens. The July time frame will probably make it a little tough for GA gardens. The Joiners are located in Savannah, but their garden is closed in July. I have never visited it, but have read that Tim Bell has one of the most beautiful gardens in daylilydom. He is in South GA. It would probably still be a nice garden to visit, since he appears to have many plants other than daylilies in the garden. I visited Alcovy Daylily Farm, about 50 miles east of Atlanta, about 15 years ago. Bought my very first daylily there. I think I spent about $15 and they were as gracious as if I had spent $1,500. Even served me some homemade Banana Nut Bread. At the time I visited, it was mostly a daylily garden, so don't know what it would be like in July. If interested, you could call them, as they are very nice. Wish they were closer. Gregg Connell (Favorite Things Daylily Garden) is located in North GA (Calhoun). I have never visited, but have bought from Gregg, on the Auction and he was a pleasure to deal with. Don't know anything about his garden. Someone from Ft. Payne, that used to post here, has visited Gregg, I think. She probably also has an outstanding garden, especially now, since she just returned from a raid to Arkansas. Lessee, I believe her name was Ellie somethingorother. Oh yeah, MizEllie. Hope you have a very nice trip. Royce Here is a link that might be useful: AHS

When you visit the Florida Botanical Garden in Largo, also cross over the foot bridge to Heritage Village (a link on the FBG website or http://www.pinellascounty.org/heritage/ ). They are both awesome. And free! "Come visit this 21-acre living history museum located in the heart of Pinellas County. The natural pine and palmetto landscape is home to some of Pinellas County's most historic buildings. More than 28 historic structures and features, some dating back to the 19th century, include a school, church, sponge warehouse, railroad depot and store as well as a variety of historic homes and farm structures." These is not far from the 30-mile-long chain of off shore islands "the beaches", nearest being Indian Rocks Beach which is perhaps the least over-developed... no high highrises, nice little eating places, cotteges... also there, and free: the world's largest seabird sanctuary http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com An hour or so away in downtown St. Petersburg, in the waterfront park system, is the "largest outdoor collection of palm trees in the world" as I think I have heard it advertised: the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum. (free) http://www.stpete.org/parks/palm.asp Have fun! Irma

Hi there! Please visit Manhattan's best kept secret - the Jefferson Market Garden :-) It's a small but peaceful and exceedingly attractive garden with roses, birdbaths, stone benches, a gold fish pond and other exotic flowering plants. http://www.jeffersonmarketgarden.org/ Hours: open afternoons, except Mondays from May to October. The garden is on Greenwich Avenue between Sixth Avenue and West 10th Street in the midst of Greenwich Village, right behind the Jefferson Library. I think the City Sights bus travels down Fifth Avenue. When you get on board, ask the driver for directions to Sixth Avenue and Greenwich Avenue. The Jefferson Market Library building is a stunning red brick structure with Gothic details, it is easily spotted. Just in case, here's a picture in the follwoing link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Market_Library Enjoy your trip (to NYC and, hopefully, to the Jefferson Market Garden)!