Armstrong Atlantic State University Arboretum: 11935 Abercorn Street,
Savannah, GA 31419 (912)344.2576.
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Armstrong's 268-acre campus is a beautiful arboretum displaying a wide variety of shrubs and other woody plants. Developed areas of campus contain native and introduced species of trees and shrubs, the majority of which are labeled,
including many unusual plants not seen locally. Natural areas of campus contain plants typical in Georgia's coastal broadleaf evergreen forests such as live oak, southern magnolia, red bay, horse sugar, and sparkleberry.
Plant collections include a Fern Garden, a Ginger Garden, a Conifer Garden, a Camellia Garden, a White Garden, an International Garden and a Primitive Garden.
Atlanta Botanical
Garden: 1345 Piedmont Avenue Northeast,
Atlanta,
GA 30309 (404)876-5859.
- This remarkable Garden showcases 15 acres of cultivated
plants environmentally suited to the southeastern United States. The exhibits
are organized into three collections: the Display Garden Collections (an herb
garden, vegetable garden/orchard, water gardens, ornamental grasses/turf plots,
perennial borders, fragrance garden, vine arbor, southern bulb collection, rock
garden, drought-tolerant hillside, winter garden, hardy cacti and succulents,
iris garden, hardy palms, southern conifer collection, carnivorous plant bog
(watch your step!), Japanese garden, a coastal plain garden and a children's
garden), The Upper Woodlands Collections (wildflower garden, backyard wildlife
habitat, fern glade, and camellia collection), and the Storza Woods (being
restored to a Piedmont hardwood forest). The Fuqua Conservatory contains over
2,000 orchids.
Atlanta History Center:
130 West Paces Ferry Road,
Atlanta, GA 30305-1366 (404)814-4000.
- The Museum
features a number of gardens: the Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden
(trees, plants, and shrubs that predate European settlement and are indigenous
to Georgia's piedmont and coastal plain regions), the Cherry Sims Asian American
Garden (Asian and American plants in a contemporary landscape design), the Frank
A. Smith Memorial Rhododendron Garden (showcasing a new gardening style
developed in Atlanta to better address the topography and needs of the city's
urban forest), the Swan House (terraced front lawn and boxwood garden), the
Tullie Farm (plants used in the 1840s for cooking, medicine, cosmetics and dye),
and Swan Woods Trail (through 10 acres of mature forests of oak, hickory, and
pine and an advanced secondary growth of pines with an understory of shrubs and
hardwoods).
Barnsley Resort Gardens: 597 Barnsley Gardens Road,
Adairsville, GA 30103 (770)773-2457
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Step into the legendary gardens at Barnsley Resort to learn more about
the fascinating history and diverse collection of flora and fauna in the
village and heirloom gardens. The horticulture team carefully tends the
expansive grounds to ensure it is a true four seasons garden, perfect
for viewing at any time of year. (See website for details about
visiting.)
Callaway Gardens:
U.S. Hwy. 27, P.O. Box 2000,
Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2000 (800)225-5292.
- A
remarkable 2,500 acres of cultivated plants including the world's largest
display of hollies, more than 700 varieties of azaleas and a seemingly endless
variety of wildflowers, can be viewed from walking trails or a scenic drive.
Other attractions include the Sibley Horticultural Center (an indoor-outdoor
garden/greenhouse complex), the Day Butterfly Center (the largest glass-enclosed
tropical butterfly conservatory in North America), Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden
(producing more than 400 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs and is the
Southern filming site of the television show The Victory Garden, and the
Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl (40 acres showcasing 4,000 hybrid and native
azaleas as well as pond cypress, sweet bay magnolia, ground cedar, Japanese
iris, oak, pine, fern, hemlock, grancy greybeard, camellia, holly, witch hazel,
maple and dogwood).
The
[Jimmy] Carter Center: 453 Freedom Parkway,
Atlanta, GA 30307 (404)331-3900.
- The Carter Center includes a 37 acre wooded park,
that contains a formal garden, wildflower meadow, cherry orchard and
waterfalls tucked between two small lakes. Visitors can stroll through
the Rose Garden, which is home to 400 plants and 80 varieties, including
the coral Rosalynn Carter Rose, or view the serene Japanese Garden,
designed by Master Gardener Kinsaku Nakane.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens: 2 Canebrake Road,
Savannah, GA 31419 (912)921-5460
- This 50 acre University of Georgia botanical garden features native and exotic plants showcasing
bearded iris, xeriscape, camellia, daylily, cottage, vegetable, rose, water, and Mediterranean gardens, and a bamboo maze.
Special areas include the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail, the Water Garden, Barbour Lathrop Bamboo Collection,
Dwarf Palmetto and Palm Collections, the Rose Garden, the Cottage Garden, the Organic Vegetable Garden, the Xeriscape
Demonstration Garden, the Bearded Iris Trial Garden, The Garden for All Abilities, the Daylily Collection and the Orchid
Greenhouse.
Cashin's Sculpture Garden: 1140 Liberty Grove Road,
Alpharetta, GA 30004 (678)899-0509
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Opened in 2015 at a polo club, a woodland walking/horse trail features numberous large sculptures and, eventually, rest and reflection areas,
gardens, labyrinths and a maze. Please see website for tour information.
Dunaway Gardens: 3218 Roscoe Road/Highway
70,
Newnan, GA 30263 (678)423-4050
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Originally a 25 acre theatrical training grounds listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Dunaway Gardens was
restored beginning in 2000 and now features live performances in a rock and floral garden that includes a Hanging Garden,
the hidden Great Pool, the old Wedding Tree and numerous spring-fed pools, stone waterfalls and hand-laid
rock paths, walls, and staircases.
Fernbank Science Center: 156 Heaton Park
Drive, NE,
Atlanta, GA 30307 (404)378-4311.
- This educational center includes
Fernbank Forest (a 65-acre tract of relatively undisturbed mature mixed hardwood
forest with labeled plants open for self-guided tours), two Victorian
greenhouses (at 1256 Briarcliff Road) featuring tropical and succulent plants,
and the Robert L. Staton Rose Garden (at 767 Clifton Road) with over 1,300
roses. Don't miss the Home Composting Demonstration Site behind the main
building, which includes a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden and different
species of ornamental plants.
Founders Memorial Garden:
325 South Lumpkin Street,
Athens, GA 30602 (Garden Club of Georgia)
(706)227-5369).
- America's first garden club -- the Ladies Garden Club of Athens
-- is memorialized by these lovely gardens, including a formal boxwood garden,
two courtyards, a retrace, a perennial garden, and an arboretum. The garden was
created by the
Garden Club
of Georgia which has an excellent web description and photos.
Georgia Golf Hall
of Fame’s Botanical Gardens: One Eleventh Street,
Augusta, GA 30901
(706)724-4443.
- This 17 acre home of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame features 8
acres of display gardens including a Rose Garden (with 800 varieties of
miniature roses), a Formal Garden, an Asian Garden, a Tropical Garden, a Pergola
Garden, a Coastal Garden, a Butterfly Garden, an Azalea Garden, a Xeriscape
Garden, a Bulb Garden, a Grass Garden, and a Cottage Garden. Larger than life
bronze statues of golf greats provide additional interest in this unique and
lovely attraction.
Georgia Southern Botanic Garden: 1505 Bland Avenue, Georgia Southern
University, P.O. Box 8039,
Statesboro, GA 30460-8039 (912)871-1114.
- In keeping
with the Garden's mission to promote knowledge and appreciation of the diversity
and importance of the native plants, animals, and ecology of Georgia,
particularly those of the Coastal Plain, the Garden contains an extensive
collection of plants native to Southeast Georgia.
Gibbs Gardens: 1987 Gibbs Drive,
Ball Ground, GA 30107 (770)893-1881.
- The rolling hills, springs, streams and
mature shade trees of the North Georgia Mountains create a truly unique backdrop for these
unforgettable gardens. The 292 acre site has 220 acres of gardens.
Jim Gibbs, the owner and designer, has created 16 gardens venues with 24
ponds, 32 bridge crossings and 19 waterfalls. The numerous garden rooms
are planted with hundreds of varieties of plants and are carved into
pockets surrounded by acres of deciduous trees that provide spectacular
Fall color. The four feature gardens are the Japanese Gardens, the largest in the nation,
the Water Lily Gardens, the nation's largest display of 140 varieties
in a natural environment, the Daffodil Gardens, the largest display in the country,
and the Manor House Gardens with seven flowering terraces covering 150 feet
change of elevation from the Manor House to the Valley Gardens.
The Guido Gardens: 600
North Lewis Street, US Highway 121 North,
Metter, GA 30439. (912)685-2222.
- Home
to a television production studio, Guido Gardens features ornamental plantings
among waterfalls, fountains, koi and goldfish ponds, a stream, arbors and
gazebos, a teahouse, and a Prayer Chapel.
Hamilton Gardens
at Lake Chatuge: 96 Pavilion Road,
Hiawassee,
GA 30546 (706) 970-0011.
- Overlooking Lake Chatuge in the North Georgia
Mountains, Georgia's largest rhododendron garden displays over 400
varieties and 3,000 plants, plus a colorful array of dogwoods, tulip magnolias,
native azaleas, wild flowers, and trillium. This botanical paradise is
interspersed with pine bark trails.
The Herb Crib Garden: 2998 Track Rock Church Road,
Blairsville, GA 30512 (706)781-6465.
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This herb nursery, nestled in a valley in the North Georgia mountains, features display gardens that
offer native plants in a place of peace, beauty and mystical charm. Features include a medieval thyme bench,
a biodynamic vegetable garden, a bog garden a cutting garden and an herb crib.
Hills & Dales Estate and Gardens: 1916 Hills and Dales Drive,
LaGrange, GA 30240 (706)882-3242.
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Completed in 1916, the 13,000 square foot home was designed to flow gracefully into its gardens, a series of dwarf
boxwood parterres planted by Sarah Ferrell which have adorned the terraces of the hill for more than 175 years
and is considered one of the best preserved 19th century gardens in the country. The classic lines of the home,
designed by renowned architects Neel Reid and Hal Hentz, have now silently watched over the beloved gardens for a century.
Isaiah Davenport House Museum:
324 East State Street,
Savannah, GA 31401-3411 (912)236-8097.
- A garden graces
this 1815 Federal-style brick house whose preservation became the founding of
the Historic Savannah Foundation. Now a museum, it is furnished to reflect the
life of its first occupants.
Lockerly Arboretum: 1534 Irwinton Road,
Milledgeville, GA 31061 (478)452-2112.
- This 50-acre arboretum surrounds historic Rose
Hill, a mansion built in 1852, and includes a native plant collection,a
camellia collection, a tropical greenhouse, and a pinetum. A picnic area
near the spring-fed pond on the back lawn provides an inviting place for
lunch. In addition to walking trails, there is a gravel drive which
allows visitors to drive through the Arboretum.
Massee Lane Gardens:
American Camellia Society, One Massee Lane,
Fort Valley, GA 31030
(912)967-2358.
- Headquarters of the American Camellia Society, the nine-acres of
Gardens display a world renowned collection of camellias. As a lovely bonus,
visitors will discover the Abendroth Japanese Garden, the Scheibert Rose Garden,
and beautiful plantings of daffodils, daylilies, chrysanthemums, azaleas,
flowering trees, annuals and perennials.
Meadow
Garden: 1320 Independence Drive,
Augusta, GA 30901 (706)724-4174.
- The
grounds of this former home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence are
landscaped in plants and herbs of the period.
Meadowlark Gardens: 2617 Newnan
Road,
Griffin, GA 30223 (770)228-0974.
- These beautiful southern gardens are home
to hundreds of rare trees and plants, a beautiful collection of deciduous
magnolias, and thousands of both English and American boxwoods. Dozens of
pathways and allees meander through cozy garden rooms throughout the property.
Oak Hill and The Martha Berry Museum:
Veterans Memorial Highway (GA Loop 1) and Martha Berry Highway (U.S. 27), P.O.
Box 490189,
Mt. Berry, GA 30149 (706)291-1883 or (800)220-5504.
- The museum
grounds offer elegant gardens and nature trails including the Formal Garden, the
Goldfish Garden, the Bridal Walk, the Sundial Garden, the Sunken Garden, the
Fernery Nature Trail, the Catfish Pond, and functioning greenhouses.
The Oaks Miniature Golf: 3709 Whiting Road,
Gainesville, GA 30504 (404)401-8007
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Enjoy this park-like wooded hillside mini-golf course with waterfalls, ponds, steams and a play-though cave.
Piccadilly Farm Gardens: 1971 Whippoorwill Road,
Bishop, GA 30621 (706)765-4444.
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This 23 acre farm, located south of Athens, features a retail plant nursery, scenic pastures planted in conifers, and 5 acres of planted woodland gardens.
The gardens were planted by retired University of Georgia Professor of Botany
and his wife.The gardens are well known for their abundant plantings of Hellebores (Lenten Roses) which bloom in the early spring. Other featured plants include rare and
unusual shrubs and trees, hundreds of different sun and shade conifers, a large collection of Camellias, and many different shade perennials.
Polk County Historical
Society Museum and Gardens: 311 N. College Street, P.O. Box 203,
Cedartown, GA 30125 (770)748-0073.
- Local artifacts, films, art festivals are
housed the 1921 former Hawke's Childrens' Library.
Rock City Gardens: 1400 Patten Road,
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 (706)820-2531
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Located atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia (6 miles from Chattanooga) Rock City Gardens is an enchanted, 4,100-foot walking trail showcasing soaring rock formations,
caves and lush woodland gardens. Guests take a 60 to 90-minute, self-guided walking tour along the
trail that gently meanders through the 14-acre property. The gardens feature more than 400 different species of wildflowers, plants, shrubs and trees
and the site includes massive rock formations, panoramic views of seven states,
views of Chattanooga Valley and Missionary Ridge Civil War battlefields,
a 140-foot waterfall, Needle's Eye, 1,000-ton balanced rock, Swing-A-Long Bridge and Stone Bridge,
and Lover's Leap. Pet friendly.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia:
University of Georgia, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue,
Athens, GA 30605 (706)542-1244.
- This marvelous 313 acre collection of gardens includes an International Garden
(11 gardens depicting the geographic origin of plants, the plant hunters who
sought them, and the forces that drove the plant hunters), Shade Garden, Rose
Garden, Native Flora Garden, Annual/Perennial Garden, Dahlia Garden, Trial
Garden, Rhododendron Collection, Groundcover Collection and Native Azalea
Collection and more. Five miles of nature trails meander through the gardens.
Taylor-Grady House: 634 Prince
Avenue,
Athens, GA 30601(706)549-8688.
- A Greek Revival mansion built in the 1840
is a National Historic Landmark. The thirteen elegant columns represent the 13
colonies. A recent grant will allow more restoration of the garden. Watch for
the small holes in the kitchen walls for pigeons to come in -- and wind up as
dinner.
University of
Georgia Greenhouse: Botany Department,
Athens, GA 30602-7271 (706)542-3732.
- 22,000 square feet of greenhouses showcase collections of ferns and fern allies,
cycads, unique gymnosperms, arid plants, tropical plants, and carnivorous
plants.
UGA Mountain Research & Education Center Ethnobotanic Garden: 195 Georgia Mountain Experiment Station Road,
Blairsville,
GA, 30512 (706(745-2655
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The Ethnobotanic Gardens serve as a living display of plants that the Cherokee, early settlers and modern man have used for
food, fiber, crafts and medicine. Visitors to the Gardens can begin at the Interpretive Center, housed in the historic rock
cannery, circa 1935. There, large, interpretive panels discuss man's interconnection with the plant kingdom and history panels
share the story of the Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center's significant impact on the local community.
The Gardens include a Woodland Medicine Trail, an Ethnobotanic Garden, and an Herb Garden featuring more than 150 plants and trees. Interpretive signs and informative brochures are located throughout the Gardens.
Please consult website for hours.
Vines Botanical Gardens: 3500 Oak Grove Road,
Loganville, GA 30239
(770)466-7532.
- The 18,000 square foot manor house is embellished by 25 acres of
garden, including Native Azaleas, the V-Bed Area, the Winter Garden, the
Memorial Garden, the Reflection Pool and Border, the Whimsical Garden
(exhibiting "yard art"), the Ornamental Grass Garden, Pappy's Garden, the
Woodland Walk, the Brook Garden (with waterfalls), the Hardy Tropical Garden,
the Southscape, the Water Garden, the Arbor/Patio Cabana, the Culinary Garden,
the Asian Garden, Lakeside, the Island Garden, the White Garden (with a Wedding
Gazebo), the Mermaid Fountain, the Rose Garden and the Rose Compass. Antique
European statuary graces the gardens.
Waddell Barnes
Botanical Garden: Macon State College, 100 College Station Drive,
Macon, GA
31206-5144 (912)471-2780.
- The College is in the early stages of making the
entire campus into a recognized botanical garden. The web site tracks the
progress of this laudable project.
Zoo
Atlanta: Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Avenue Southeast,
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404)624-5620.
- This 110 year old 40 acre zoo offers over 1,000 animals,
representing 250 species of animals from all over the world. The Zoo believes in
providing excellent natural environments for its creatures and extends that
commitment to its visitors as well by providing beautiful grounds, winding
paths, lush plants and trees.