Gardens and Tours 

Georgia is home to amazing public and private gardens and this year's tour line-up will feature a fantastic group of gardens, covering a wide array of techniques and trends. #GWA2016 attendees will have the opportunity to view public and private gardens in the metro Atlanta area.

See below for a preview and the schedule:

Saturday, September 17 | Atlanta, GA

#GWA2016 kicks off with an early morning photo shoot at the Atlanta Botanical Garden followed by a Story Tour at The Carter Center & Presidential Library. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is the 30-acre garden located in Midtown Atlanta. The Garden is composed of a number of smaller themed gardens, each containing different landscapes to display a variety of plants that include a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and two woodland areas. There is also a conservatory full of plants from tropical rainforests and deserts. The Fuqua Orchid Center is home to the largest collection of species orchids on permanent display in the U.S. #GWA2016 will be visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden for an early morning photoshoot on Saturday.

The Carter Center & Presidential Library

The Presidential site garden is a 35-acre park that includes several separate garden areas. The gardens range from a formal entry garden, a Japanese garden and a rose garden to a native oak woodland area. The area also has a substantial cutting garden, 2 large lakes and a Koi Pond. 
Sunday, September 18 | Atlanta, GA

Sunday afternoon, #GWA2016 attendees will have the option to participate in Story Tours at the private gardens of the following individuals. Sunday evening, Gibbs Gardens will be host to our reception.  

Private Garden of Candy Johnson 

#GWA2016’s first private garden tour is to the home of Candy Johnson. Ms. Johnson’s gardens feature a natural moss lawn and a natural artesian well that flows first into a pool then into a stone-edged creek that continues through the property. The pools include water hyacinth and fish while water irises and other water plants enjoy the cool stream bed. The whole moss and stream garden can also be viewed from the screen in porch. 

Private Garden of Robin & Marc Pollack 

The Pollack residence includes 3 acres of terraced landscape. Recently both the home and landscape have undergone major renovation to include a Hartley Botanic greenhouse, raised organic vegetable beds and koi ponds. Plant material includes native azaleas, hydrangeas, grasses and bamboo. The natural landscape is also home to bird house collections and numerous art sculptures.  

The Private Garden of Carole McWilliams 

With the help of local garden designer Tim Stoddard, this 5-acre property has been transformed into a woodlands sanctuary. The property is known for its whimsical artwork and unique birdhouses which make it a popular stop for garden tours. Collections include rhododendrons, native azaleas, camellias, oak leave hydrangeas, conifers and Japanese Maples. Visitors can also enjoy the antique rose garden as well as a Cumminghamia and a weeping Katsura which hangs over the tiered ponds.  

The Private Garden of Lee Dunn 

Lee Dunn is an artist who has created a number of informal garden rooms on the property. The property is partially shaded and has several levels that can be viewed from the house or terrace as well as from the garden areas. Perennials and shrubs provide color under mature hardwood trees that surround the property.  

Gibbs Gardens 

Gibbs Gardens is a relatively new public garden north of Atlanta that was developed by the owner of the award winning Gibbs Landscape Company. The North Georgia Mountains create a backdrop to the garden that is home to hundreds of intersecting streams, rolling lawns and colorful flowerbeds that make up the 19 gardens included 3 feature gardens. In the 220 acres of the garden, there is the manor house complete with mature Japanese Maples and American Hollies, 24 ponds, 32 bridges and 19 waterfalls.
Monday, September 19 | Atlanta, GA  

#GWA2016 concludes on Monday afternoon with four Story Tours to the Atlanta History Center and three private gardens. 

Atlanta History Center 

The gardens at the Atlanta History Center are diverse. The 22-acre site includes the Swan House and mid-18th century garden with a circular upper lawn terrace is surrounded by heirloom roses before descending down to a second level with an impressive fountain; the Quarry Garden with over 600 native plantings; and the Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Garden and the Cherry Sims Asian American Garden.  

The Private Garden of Rosie Davidson 

The garden is multilevel at the back but there is plenty to see on the level patio without steps. Rosie Davidson designed her own garden with a series of 4 terraces into an array of wonderful garden areas. The woodland gardens include lilacs, viburnums, hydrangeas and ferns while the pool is surrounded with camellia ‘Cleopatra’. There is the magnificent Parrotia tree that is also in the woodland garden along with Royal ferns, asarum, hostas and shade perennials. Perennial beds attract pollinators to the vegetable and herb garden and containers are filled with an assortment of annuals, perennials and small shrubs.  

Private Knot Garden of Mary Wayne Dixon 

The garden of Mary Wayne Dixon is regarded as one of Atlanta’s finest gardens. Visitors enter the property through an iron archway which leads to a gravel courtyard and shaded by a stately Vitex. The side pocket garden includes a formal knot garden, camellias and fruit trees espaliered along the fence. This garden has a pocket wall on one side that is fronted by conifers, edgworthia and hellebore. Small walls and seating areas make the garden a peaceful place to rest and enjoy the view. Guests wander under a golden robinia and a rose-and-clematis arbor which lead to the quiet side lawn.  

The Private Gardens of The Home Depot Co-Founder, Arthur Blank 

The garden of Arthur Blank is a private estate garden in a quiet Atlanta suburb. The expansive lawns are tiered and surrounded by perennial beds. Rose gardens and a large fountain are the features of the upper terrace garden along with several colorful containers on pedestals. Long, lush lawns are on several levels and surrounded by formal hedges and perennial gardens. A new vegetable garden is expected to be added to the landscape this season. 

For more information about the gardens and more images, please visit our website!