PLOT SUMMARY: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia ecompasses 313 acres of displays, natural areas, and conservations in Athens, Georgia.
Six themed gardens present unique collections of flowers and plants. The Heritage Garden showcases the history of Georgia agriculture, highlighting plants native to the state. On the outskirts of the Heritage Garden lies the Flower Garden, filled with wildflower meadows and aromatic plants. The International Garden presents plants from different cultures and time periods. There’s even a garden for your kids: The Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden features interactive and educational landscapes to inspire a love of nature. You can find a map of the land online for more help navigating all that the State Botanical Garden has to offer.
The garden’s vast display of flowers and plants is breathtaking, but it doesn’t stop there. Nature trails stretch for five miles throughout the area, winding through peaceful natural areas and along the Middle Oconee River. Depending on the season, you may spot different plants or animals on your trek along one of these color-coded paths. You will also walk alongside babbling brooks and across small bridges during your exploration.
The main conservatory, an indoor collection within the Visitor Center, exhibits plants from tropical rainforests with necessary functions. Coffee, tea, fruit, spices, soaps, medications, and more essentials of our everyday lives come from the plants housed inside the conservatory. Also located in the Visitor Center are a café, gift shop, and public restrooms.
ADMISSION: Free (Donations accepted at the visitor’s desk)
PHONE: (706) 542-1244
ADDRESS: 2540 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA, 30605
CHECK HOURS: https://botgarden.uga.edu/
PET-FRIENDLINESS: No pets allowed. Only service animals are allowed.
ACCESSIBILITY: All facilities and most gardens are accessible by wheelchair. The public restrooms inside the Visitor Center have wheelchair-accessible stalls. The Flower Garden and Native Flora Garden have limited accessibility; they have natural mulch pathways, and the Flower Garden is fairly steep. The garden offers wheelchairs and motorized scooters for visitors on a first-come, first-served basis, but they can also be reserved by contacting the Visitor Center in advance of your visit. A boardwalk leads to trails on the banks of the Middle Oconee River, but other nature trails are unpaved and fairly steep.
SOURCE: https://botgarden.uga.edu/
