Have a Bloomin’ Good Time on Wildflower Trails

In spring Mother Nature dresses the land with her finest colors as eager sightseers set out to explore the region. Numerous trails and festivals this time of year celebrate these blooming displays, beckoning travelers to enjoy the blanketed fields while driving into town.

Driving trails around Linden and Henderson are calicoed with color; Ennis lies among seas of bluebonnets; and Tyler’s streets are jeweled with azaleas. Further south, Nacogdoches boasts gardens with acres of bright blooms; and Palestine’s dogwood trails show off delicate blossoms that appear like falling snow.

Almost any time the sun peeks through the clouds makes for a beautiful day of viewing the abundant wildflowers and blooms in the region.

Linden, Avinger, Hughes Springs

The Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival occurs April 28-29 and celebrates the Northeast Texas wildflower blooming season. The trails include Highways 49, 155, and 11 between Avinger, Hughes Springs, and Linden. The festival celebrates thousands of varieties of wildflowers that grow naturally in the area. For information visit www.wildflowertrailsoftexas.org.

Avinger hosts Wildflowers & Wine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28. The event includes a wine tasting, a canine beauty pageant, a kids’ fishing hole, a prize raffle, an art and photography show, and a parade. The exhibit opens Friday, April 27 and includes an adult and youth competition with cash prizes and a treasure hunt. For information visit www.avingertxchamber.org.

Nacogdoches

Nacogdoches is the Garden Capital of Texas and offers a guided walk among nearly a mile of trails through dozens of azalea beds that bloom in March and April. The garden features tall loblolly pines that rise high above the shrubbery and offer ample shade on hot days.

The beautifully curated Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden occupies 11 acres along University Drive near the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. Collections of other flora — namely camellias, Japanese maples, and hydrangeas — bloom during other times of the year. The nearby Gayla Mize Garden also offers beautiful scenery and a portion of the university’s walking trails. For information call (936) 564-7351 or visit www. visitnacogdoches.org.

Palestine

Palestine’s Davey Dogwood Park features miles of driving trails in addition to an open area where guests can park and enjoy the outdoors on foot. The dogwood blooms are spectacular when seen from the road but viewing them up close is also a treat.

Palestine holds its 87th annual Dogwood Trails Arts Festival to draw visitors to see the dogwoods’ beauty in person during the last two weekends in March and the first weekend in April — this year from March 17 to April 2.

The festival features fine arts events, a parade, fairy gardens, and other activities. For information call (903) 723-3014 or visit www.visitpalestine.com.

Tyler

Tyler features more than 10 miles of historic homes and residences along its brick streets in the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail March 24 to April 9.

Visitors see an abundance of azaleas, wisteria, tulips, and dogwood blooms along the city’s historic homes in late March and early April.

The Tyler Rose Garden also features the world’s largest variety of roses and is open year-round.

Both the trails and gardens are free and open to the public. For information call (903) 593-6905 or visit www.visittyler. com.

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