Augusta is in bloom

It's been said azaleas are overrated because they bloom for only a couple of weeks every year. Oh, but for those couple of weeks they are amazing.

The most famous azaleas can be found at Augusta National Golf Club, but you can also find spectacular blooms elsewhere around Augusta, if you know where to look.

Augusta is also known as the Garden City, and you can find plenty of beautiful places to feast on the flora in public spaces.

We asked Augusta's master gardeners for some suggestions, and compiled a tour. You can see a video at chronicle.augusta.com, and there's a map, at right, to help plan out a route.

Here are some highlights:

- There are several outstanding areas downtown. Greene Street is filled with azalea beds under towering oaks from Fourth to 13th streets.

- St. Paul's Episcopal Church is Augusta's oldest church, and its grounds are open to the public. The gardens are lovely, with dogwoods and azaleas planted among the graves of historical figures such as Col. William Few, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. The church, founded in 1750, is located at 605 Reynolds St., at Sixth Street.

- Also downtown is Sacred Heart Cultural Center , 1301 Greene St. The onetime Catholic church is 109 years old. Not only is the inside gorgeous, but the surrounding gardens are beautiful.

- Some of the oldest neighborhoods in Augusta are at their best this time of the year. Try to meander your way up the Hill to the Summerville area to see an astonishing display of azaleas, dogwoods, cherry trees and wisteria. One of the prettiest streets is Henry Street .

- Summerville leads to the Forest Hills neighborhood, one of the city's oldest housing developments. You will want to take your time to catch the beauty and to limit the bumps from the brick-paved streets. Don't miss Park Avenue , which could well be the most beautiful street in Augusta, at least for two weeks.

- Take a break at Pendleton King Park. There are picnic tables and playground equipment as well as several garden areas to explore. If you've brought along your dog there's also the Bark Park, or if you're missing your dog there are usually several dogs with their human servants taking advantage of the safe, fenced-in area.

Join the "growing" conversation with the Garden Gnome online at blogs.augusta.com.