Stop and smell the flowers at one of the South's many blooming festivals.

• The beauty of camellias can be experienced up close on guided tours at Middleton Place in Charleston, S.C., on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through March 29. One of the South's most beloved flowers shows off its blossoms in the 65 acres of formal gardens. French botanist Andrè Michaux gave the Middleton family four camellias in 1786, and there are now more than 3,500 camellias on display. Reservations are required. Garden admission is $25 for adults (no additional fee for the camellia walks), $5 for children ages 7-15. www.middletonplace.org .

• From March 29 to April 13, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in Washington. The riot of pink blossoms from 3,000 cherry trees is delightful. A festival highlight is the April 12 parade. Immediately following the parade, head to the annual Japanese Street Festival — a one-day presentation of Japanese culture with dance, music, arts, cuisine, crafts and even a beer garden. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org .

• From April 5 to May 18, spring is celebrated at the Festival of Flowers at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. Wander through more than 90,000 tulips in the Walled Garden and enjoy live music on the weekends. Save on ticket prices with online purchases. Prices are $39 for Sunday-Friday visits; $45 on Saturdays. Included is admission to Biltmore House, gardens, winery and River Bend Farm. Guided garden walks are offered Saturdays and Sundays from April 5 to June 1. Day of arrival reservations are accepted, $15. www.biltmore.com/visit/calendar/spring.asp .

• The 15th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is March 19-June 1 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. More than 300 horticulturists work a full year to install 300,000 bedding plants, 750 container gardens, 45 flower towers and 70 topiaries (the largest is Goofy at 14 feet). Festival highlights include Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden, a lush screened enclosure housing 500 butterflies, and special Guerlain fragrance presentations at the France pavilion. Musical hit makers of the 1960s and '70s, including the Guess Who, Davy Jones, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Herman's Hermits, and Petula Clark, will perform daily. Disney horticulturists offer special tours. Go to disneyworld.disney.go.com and search Epcot Flower Festival.