Garden Feature: Atlanta Botanical Garden

You think it would be difficult to think of what to write in the first issue of a newsletter, but luckily I am still riding the high from a recent visit to the anti-depressant known as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. They have a larger range of plant choices than here in the Midwest, but the design and grand gestures are what make the garden memorable.

I’ve got a bucket list of all the gardens I want to visit before I die, and time is working against me. For every garden I cross off the list, I learn about two more hidden gems. Atlanta however, was very high on my list for the South Eastern US.

A Grassroot Inception

Radical comes from the Latin word radix as to be radical is to change the root problem of a system and not just surface problems. The beginning of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the product of grassroots radicalism, which saw a group of volunteers come together to found a botanical garden in their growing city. The efforts of this non-profit organization created this gem in Atlanta.

Dedication to Conservation

The garden is dedicated to conservation through it’s conservation greenhouses and the Southeastern Center for Conservation. They also feature a conservation garden with native plants to the area. This garden is so visually unique that I did audibly gasp and catch the attention of nearby staff.

In Step With a Growing City

In 1999, the Fuqua Orchid Center opened. I can only describe this place as a drug.

in 2002, the Children’s Garden opened, making it a destination for families.

In 2010, they opened the Canopy Walk, a 600 foot walk through the treetops.

A Verdant Museum

A defining point for this garden is how it combines art and horticulture. During my visit there was an Alice in Wonderland exhibit, which featured large living sculptures paying homage to the work by Lewis Carroll. It’s a fitting exhibit, because it felt like I fell down the rabbit hole. Unlike Alice however, I’d prefer to have stayed in Wonderland.

Written for five beautiful readers. 💌

Until next Thursday,
Ken

About the Author

Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.