Georgia is known for its lush, green landscapes and stunning scenery. But what you may not know is that the Peach State also boasts some of the best botanical gardens in the South! From the Atlanta Botanical Garden to Callaway Gardens & Resort, there’s something for everyone. Let’s explore some of the best botanical gardens in Georgia.
Beautiful Botanical Gardens in Georgia
Massee Lane Gardens in Ft Valley Georgia
Massee Lane Gardens is located at 100 Massee Lane, Ft.Valley, GA
Entry Fee is $5 per person.
Massee Lane Gardens has one of the world’s finest collections of camellias. It fills a nine-acre area with brick walkways surrounding the camellias for easy viewing. The Abendroth Japanese Garden, the Scheibert Rose Garden, and beautiful plantings of daffodils, daylilies, chrysanthemums, azaleas, flowering trees, annuals and perennials add to the year-round beauty.
Massee Lane Gardens also houses the largest collection of Edward Marshall Boehm porcelain sculptures on public display in the United States. Two galleries, the Stevens-Taylor Gallery and the Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Educational Museum, showcase the porcelain collection there at the gardens.
Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta Georgia
Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA
Entry fees range between $21.95 – $49.99 per person depending on the day and what ticket you choose.
Atlanta Botanical Garden includes 30 acres of outdoor gardens in the middle of Midtown Atlanta. The Botanical Garden opened their doors in 1976 and has been ever evolving since. The gardens mission is to develop and maintain plant collections for the purpose of display, education, conservation, research and enjoyment.
There is something always blooming there, just depends on the season, what you might see. For example in March, there are daffodils, tulips and orchids all in bloom. Visit their website before you go to see what’s in bloom and what special events and exhibitions they might have. As the garden evolves, each experience there will be unique. There is a fantastic display of Christmas lights there as well. In addition, Atlanta Botanical Gardens displays the largest collection of Dale Chihuly works in a Botanical Garden.
Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville Georgia
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville is located at 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, GA
Entry fee is $12.95 – $14.95 per person.
The Gainesville Garden is more than just a garden. Discover acres of natural woodland beauty on its multitude of maintained trails. There are over 168 acres at the expansive garden with a Children’s Garden, Stream Garden, Overlook Garden and more.
The Gainesville location, opened in 2015, celebrates years of planning and development of one of North Georgia’s most beautiful landscapes. It is home to the largest conservation nursery in the Southeast.
Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground Georgia
Gibbs Gardens is located at 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GA
Admission is between $10 and $20 per person.
Gibbs Gardens was named 2020 “Best American Botanical Gardens”. Gibbs Gardens is about 220 acres and features over 20 million Daffodils! The gardens are composed of 16 gardens including 3 feature gardens – Manor House Gardens, Japanese and Waterlily Gardens. There is so much to see, be sure to wear good walking shoes and plan to spend at least a half a day. The day I went, it was raining and I was the only person in the garden. It was a surreal experience as I explored with my umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other.
UGA State Botanical Garden in Athens Georgia
UGA State Botanical Garden is located at 2450 Milledge Ave, Athens, GA
It is free to visit the gardens, but there is a donation box. There are trails and nature areas, Children’s Garden, Flower Garden, Heritage Garden, Horticulture Greenhouses, Hummingbird Trail, International Garden, Tropical Conservatory, Herb, and Physic Garden, and Shade and Native Flora Gardens. There is plenty of variety here to suit everyone’s enjoyment.
Smith Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw Georgia
Smith Gilbert Garden is located at 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw, GA
Admission fees range between $5 and $10.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens is 16 acres of serene setting with over 3,000 species of plants, several rare in American gardens. United by woodland paths, the Gardens consist of separate groupings with individual elements of fascination. These include the Bonsai Exhibit, Palladino Camellia Garden, tea house and waterfall area, Rose Garden, and Conifer Display. There are beautiful sculptures throughout the garden as well.
Columbus Botanical Garden in Columbus Georgia
Columbus Botanical Garden is located at 3603 Weems Rd, Columbus, GA.
Admission to the garden is free, but they suggest a donation of $5. There is a donation box near the farmhouse.
You can come and visit their rose, cottage, herb, vegetable and camellia gardens. In 2020 they had the new additions of a perennial wild flower collection, pollinator garden and ginkgo shade garden. Take a stroll along the tree shaded, mile long trail through the mixed hardwood forest. You can see a diverse array of native songbirds along their trails and at their feeding stations.
In March there were a ton of annuals blooming along with azaleas and camellias, some trees, lantana, with roses just starting their new growth awaiting the buds.
Callaway Gardens & Resort in Pine Mountain Georgia
Callaway Gardens has multiple entrances/addresses for entry. Their main entrance is at 17617 US-27, Pine Mountain GA.
Admission is $24.95 if purchased in advance or $29.95 at the gate per person.
Callaway Gardens boasts 2,500 acres of beautiful woodland gardens, as well as, the endangered plants & animals that live within it.
There are restaurants, lodging, zip lining, fishing, golf courses, water sports, spa, trails, and gardens all over. They have a butterfly center and birds of prey show. You can rent bikes or bring your own and ride on the bike trails or just walk the pedestrian trails. Be sure to check them out especially in March/April for azalea season and November/December/January for Fantasy in Lights and Christmas market.
Georgia offers plenty of botanical gardens to explore! Whether your preference is learning about native plants at UGA State Botanical Garden or strolling through Gibbs Gardens taking in the sights of nature – there are plenty of options available no matter where you are located within the state. So don’t forget to make visiting one or more of the most beautiful gardens in Georgia.
While you are out and about exploring the gardens, be sure to check to see if any Georgia wineries are on your route! There are 73 wineries in Georgia, I’m sure you will be able to find one to visit! Make it a day of explorations in this beautiful state of Georgia!
-S&E