“Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get”

– H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

If the above quote holds any truth, then these are some superbly well-cared-for gardens! Flowers and their gardens are currently exploding back to life after a chilly winter, so what better time to explore them than now? Check out a handful of the eight most awe-inspiring gardens in Georgia – it’s an awesome way to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors before it gets a little too sweltering out. Springtime in Georgia is a magical time – let’s get out and fall in love with the outdoors all over again.

1. Atlanta Botanical Garden

David Berkowitz via Flickr
1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
JR P via Flickr
Atlanta Botanical Garden, a gorgeous botanical garden located in Midtown, is right next to Piedmont Park and features many pieces of art, as well as flowers. During the summer, they also host several events such as wine, music, and light shows! Pictured above: Students performing Tai Chi class in front of the Henry Moore Sculpture in the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

2. Callaway Gardens

JR P via Flickr
17617 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, USA
utahwildflowers via Flickr
Callaway Gardens is one of the most spectacular displays of botany in Georgia! These 2,500 acres of cultivated plants include the world's largest display of hollies. The gardens also feature the largest glass-enclosed tropical butterfly conservatory in North America. Pictured above: Another amazing view at Callaway Gardens.

3. Gibbs Gardens

Vicki DeLoach via Flickr
1998 Gibbs Dr, Ball Ground, GA 30107, USA
Dave Lawrence via Flickr
Gibbs Gardens is truly a botanical masterpiece, designed by Jim Gibbs. It has four featured gardens, one of which is the Japanese Gardens - the largest in the nation! Pictured above: Peaceful serenity and beauty at Gibbs Gardens.

Related Stories

10 Amazing Field Trips Every Georgian Took As A Kid... And Should Retake Now

10 Amazing Field Trips Every Georgian Took As A Kid... And Should Retake Now

 This Little Known Nature Preserve In Georgia Is The Perfect Place To Get Away From It All

This Little Known Nature Preserve In Georgia Is The Perfect Place To Get Away From It All

 If You Live In Georgia, You’ll Want To Visit This Amazing Park This Winter

If You Live In Georgia, You’ll Want To Visit This Amazing Park This Winter

4. Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Stephen Rahn via Flickr
2382 Pine Mountain Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30152, USA
Stephen Rahn via Flickr
The huge and beautiful Smith-Gilbert Gardens hosts more than 3,000 plant species! It also features contemporary sculptures, events, and various classes. Pictured above: Lovely flowers in the Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

5. The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia - University of Georgia

2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605, USA
Cynthia He via Google Local
The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia is located in Athens and features an amazing International Garden. Additionally, there are five miles of nature trails throughout all of the gardens.

6. Vines Botanical Garden

3500 Oak Grove Rd SW, Loganville, GA 30052, USA
Jimmy_Joe via Flickr
The amazing Vines Botanical Garden is another free-of-charge botanical garden that is undeniably amazing and a definite must-see! In addition to a vibrant array of flowers, the gardens feature a koi pond, fountains, and a manor house. There are also restaurants and special event rooms on the property for those certain special occasions!

7. Dunaway Gardens

3218 Roscoe Rd, Newnan, GA 30263, USA
Dunaway Gardens via Google Local
Dunaway Gardens is six miles north of Newnan and is a garden filled with serenity and beauty! With more than 25 acres of lush botanical gardens, it is a prime wedding location for Georgia locals.

8. Columbus Botanical Gardens

3603 Weems Rd, Columbus, GA 31909, USA
Richard Whittington via Google Local
Come visit this beautiful garden in North Columbus for free! These gardens feature 22 acres of vibrant plant life. This destination is also an awesome event venue. Additionally, horticulture seminars and community learning are offered here. Columbus Botanical Garden is a stunning step above the rest. Come out and see!

Planning to visit and not sure of where to stay? Check out all the amazing options from our friends at Booking.com.

Have you ever visited any of these gorgeous displays of botany? If so, are they as spellbinding as the pictures? What other amazing gardens in Georgia are not on the list? Share them (and a favorite picture) with us in the comments!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Gardens in Georgia

Tori Jane | March 13, 2024

What are some of the best gardens in Georgia?  

Georgia is known for its lush, green environments and plenty of old Antebellum homes surrounded by it all. Spring in Georgia is an amazing time, with all the best gardens bursting with life once more following a chilly winter. Some of the best gardens in Georgia are gardens like: 

  • The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center – This gorgeous garden is indoors, but don’t let that fool you. It’s just so all the butterflies that live there can’t stray too far from home.  
  • The Fuqua Orchid Center – Orchid lovers, this one’s for you. Both indoor and outdoor, you’ll be enchanted by just how incredible these flowers are.  
  • Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens – With even more incredible orchids, what’s not to love?  

Learn more about some of the best indoor gardens in Georgia – they're stunning!  

How many botanical gardens in Georgia are there?  

Georgia might not be overly enormous, but we sure do have a number of wonderful botanical gardens you can’t find anywhere else. There are more than a dozen to pick from, so it might be somewhat overwhelming at first, but we suggest you check out these botanical gardens in Georgia first:  

  • Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens – Located on the campus of Middle Georgia State University, this garden is jaw-dropping in its splendor.  
  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden – This amazing botanical garden is smack-dab in the heart of downtown, and it’s awe-inspiring.  
  • Lockerly Arboretum – This wonderful slice of paradise is 50 acres of pure, planted perfection.  

Learn more about all these botanical gardens in Georgia and more on this road trip.  

What is spring in Georgia like?  

Georgia is a beautiful state all year round, but spring might be the best time to visit. Wildflowers (and all the flowers on all the trees in all the towns!) are blossoming, the cold slowly creeps away, and the warm quietly enters – all preparing us for summer. Average highs range from the 50s and 60s to the 70s and 80s, depending on which part of the state you’re in and just how late in the spring it is. The air is fragrant with the scent of gardens awakening for another season or so. It’s an amazing time! Come see all the best things to do in Georgia in the spring. 

Related Articles

Explore Georgia