The Garden of the City
By Dan Stowe
With acres of intricately entwined landscapes, structures, sculptures, fountains and pools, the Atlanta Botanical Garden encompasses a living architecture like no other place in the city. Just three miles from downtown Atlanta and connected to Piedmont Park, the gardens are set among 30 pristine acres brimming with horticultural diversity. Everything from lush outdoor display gardens to enclosed climate-controlled ecosystems ranging from desert to tropical rain forest are to be found here.
Visitors seeking tranquility may find it in the Japanese Garden, designed with ancient Zen principles as a place for meditation. Serenity also governs the Upper Woodland Garden, where curved stone sidewalks and wood paths meander through shade gardens and habitat displays beneath a tall canopy of trees. A 15-acre, old-growth hardwood forest, Storza Woods, is criss-crossed with walking trails.
Also on the property, the Fuqua Observatory and Fuqua Orchard Center are home to lush collections of exotic and endangered desert and tropical plants from around the world. The Desert House supports an oasis of succulent plants and desert flowers native to southern Africa and Madagascar, while the Orchid Center recreates the fragile habitats where some of the most rare and beautiful flowers in the world exist.
Another popular attraction of the garden is the two-acre, $3 million Children’s Garden. Built in cooperation with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, it features a variety of themed sections that together create a fun, interactive learning environment for children and families. The Atlanta Botanical Garden also hosts special events such as the “Cocktails in the Garden� outings and summer concert on the lawn series, as well as a variety of programs such as lectures, tours and even seasonal day camps for kids.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located adjacent to Piedmont Park at 1345 Piedmont Avenue and is open year-round. Visitation hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. April to September, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through March. For more information visit atlantabotanicalgarden.org or call (404) 876-5859.
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