The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located in Athens. Described as a ‘living laboratory’ of the University of Georgia, on whose grounds the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located, it is a superb environment for gardeners, children, and a wide array of plant communities. What I love about this place is the diversity of plant ecotypes represented. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia certainly has the usual array of perennials, shrubs, and roses, and these all shine brightly. The stars of the garden however are the likes of Pitcher Plant and Long-Leaf Pine and the commitment to acknowledging those plants native to Georgia; the Native Flora Garden features over 300 species of plants native to our region.

It would be a disservice to the Botanical Garden to suggest it is only about the natives, however.
There are a number of special collections. The International Garden, in the words of the designers, “portrays the interrelationship between people and plants within the context of historical eras that have significantly influenced the evolution of botanical gardens. Eleven botanical and horticultural collections depict the geographic origin of plants, plant hunters who sought them, and the forces that drove the plant hunters.” Having an office in the Anthropology Department at the University of Georgia (although I’m no Anthropologist), I find the relationships between our development as a species and our environment through history offer significant insight into where we find ourselves today.

The photograph to the right is of the largest Crepe Myrtle I’ve ever seen. Southerners tend to look at Crepe Myrtle as ubiquitous. Rarely, however, do we get to see this plant grown without the dramatic and ruinous practice of lopping the tops off every winter. Grown properly, a canopy develops that allows the exfoliating bark to shine.

How many of us have seen Long-leaf Pine? Not many, yet Long-Leaf Pine once covered the South from Florida to Virginia, millions and millions of acres. Why did the Long-Leaf Pine disappear? Well, Long-Leaf Pines communities are predicated upon fire ecology. Long-leaf Pine cannot compete well with significant understory. As roads were built throughout the South, the asphalt created fire breaks, with the result that fires that once swept throughout the forest stopped. Human impact upon ecosystems can rarely be truly understood until the damage is done. This lesson resonates from Yosemite to our lost Long-Leaf Pine forests. But…should you want to see a Long-leaf Pine or three, the State Botanical Garden is the place to come.

Thus ends my brief introduction to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. In addition to the experiences I related, you can visit one of the finest Rhododendron and native Azalea collections in Georgia, view antique roses and heirloom plants in the Heritage Garden, or hang out with prehistoric-looking tropical plants in the gorgeous conservatory.

The State Botanical Garden is located on Milledge Avenue and is open normally until dark (don’t be tempted to stay later as they’ll lock you in!).