Atlanta Botanical Garden, Revisited

Why return to a garden that you've already visited?  There are so many reasons.  Gardens change with the seasons and over time.  Public gardens offer new features and programs to encourage folks to repeat their visits.  I had the opportunity to explore the Atlanta Botanical Gardens twice in 2013, and I wrote all about it at the time. While some things have remained the same, there have been some changes that I believe warrant a new blog post.

"Chalices" was one of the featured pieces for the
Curious Garden at Atlanta Botanical Garden

The exhibit of the season is artist Adam Schwerner's "The Curious Garden".  To me, the most eye-catching feature of the exhibit is called "The Spirited Bosk".  Hundreds of maple saplings were cut at the base of the trunk, all the foliage was removed, and the trees were painted bright shades colors and placed throughout the property.  In addition to the two areas with painted trees inside the property, a line of pink painted trees greets visitors from the entrance to the garden's parking area.


All-in-all, Schwerner created twelve art features that were scattered throughout the grounds, including green chains in the Fuqua Conservatory that were designed to mimic the aerial roots suspended from Cissus, purple totems along the flower walk, large red accents suspended above the Kendeda Canopy Walk designed to attract visitors' attention to the tree canopy overhead, and a mixture of glass and orchid chandeliers in the orchid center.

"Revenge of the Black Widow" is part of the
Scarecrows in the Garden autumn display

If incredible garden displays and art exhibits weren't enough to bring a visitor in for a repeat trip, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is also hosting their "Scarecrows in the Garden" fall feature.  Businesses, individuals, non-profit organizations, and clubs created more than 100 very creative scarecrows that have been placed throughout the gardens.  Scarecrow themes range the gamete from incredibly quite to pretty downright creepy.  Visitors of all ages really enjoyed the display, and I saw dozens of folks taking selfies with their favorite scarecrows.  If this idea sounds familiar to you, it's possible that your local public garden has a scarecrow fall feature as well.  The next season will bring "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights", which should be a lot of fun for visitors as well.

For those of you who read my previous post about the "Imaginary Worlds" exhibit, you will probably remember the really stunning Earth Goddess mosaiculture feature.  I had really been looking forward to returning to see the stunning goddess in all her verdant green, and I had been especially hoping to impress my travel companion with this really cool garden art.  My initial disappointment after discovering that the feature was in the midst of repairs was quickly replaced by excitement.  Right now is a great time to see the "bones" of a mosaiculture art piece.  The wire mesh was totally exposed and unplanted.  Very cool!

Musa velutina in fruit next to the Cascades Garden

In addition to the seasonal exhibits, visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the Chihuly glass pieces in the gardens and visitor center. Other features include a children's garden, edible garden, conservation native bog garden, Japanese garden, and all of the amazing plants growing across the property.  I was able to catch a cooking class in the edible garden's outdoor kitchen, and I think the experience was worth a standalone blog post.

If you work up an appetite during your trip, be sure to check out the new Longleaf Restaurant for a delicious meal.  If you prefer a quicker meal without the fuss of being served at a table, you can pick up a sandwich or snack at Longleaf's Quick Cafe or out in the garden at the Snack Bar.  The gift shop was also worth a visit, whether you're shopping or window shopping.

Other important considerations when planning your trip:

"Totems" is another feature of the Curious Garden

• Hours of operation:
• April - October, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
• November - March, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
• Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years day
• *Admission:
• Adults: $21.95
• Youth (3-12): $15.95
• Members and children under 3: Free
• Parking:
• 0 - 30 minutes: Free
• 31 - 60 minutes: $2
• Additional 30 minutes: $1
• Daily Maximum: $15
• Accessibility:
• Virtually the entire garden is accessible.  I did not note any areas that could not be reached by one way or another.
• Wheelchairs available at the Visitors Center on a first come first serve basis.
• Electric mobility scooters may be rented.
• Pets:
• Restricted to service animals only.
• Dogs are allowed for the annual "Reindog Parade" event.
• Atlanta Botanic's guide to Garden Etiquette is available for review.

*Are you a member of your local public garden?  Ask if membership includes participation in the American Horticulture Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program.  By supporting your local garden, you and one guest could visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden for free.

To see more photos of any of my visits to the Atlanta Botanic Garden, check out my flickr stream.

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

When is the last time that you visited a botanical garden exhibit?  What was your favorite feature?  

When is the last time that you visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden?  How was your experience?

The Skyline Garden at the Knoxville Botanical Garden

 

The usually verdant mosaiculture "Earth Goddess" is in the midst of repairs

Light Up the Night at Cheekwood Botanical Garden

Bruce Munro's Field of Light at Cheekwood Botanic Garden

Garden aficionados may go out of their way to visit a garden they've never seen before.  After the first visit, it often takes a special event to coax visitors into returning.  Nashville's Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum cooks up something special every year, from Chihuly Nights to Big Bugs.  When I heard about this year's Bruce Munro LIGHT, that piqued my interest enough to spur a drive across the state and revisit this fabulous garden.

Munro's dazzling displays feature fiber optic light as art.  The outdoor section of the exhibit has seven arrangements, including firefly-like lights throughout the bamboo grove in the Japanese garden, 40 water towers near the Botanic Hall that collectively contain over 10,000 recycled water bottles, and a massive field of light that fills the open space between the East Gardens and the Museum of Art with 20,000 glass spheres.  Wow.

These towers are made of recycled water bottles.
Each bottle contains thread for fiber optic lights.

Bruce also created several pieces that are showcased within the Museum of Art.  Keep your eyes peeled for my favorite from the indoor collection -- the interactive piece "Pop Princess."  I would have missed it completely if a kindly security guard in the adjacent stairwell had not walked me through it.

Garden hours were extended until 11:00 p.m. for optimum viewing experience.  During my visit mid-July, the show started just after 8:00.  If you're not much of a night owl, consider visiting later in the year when the days are longer.  Plan to visit before the exhibit closes November 10th.

Music lovers will especially enjoy the lights during "First Tennessee Fridays".  Live music will be scattered at several locations around the garden.  However, first fridays do get very crowded.  If you'd prefer to avoid large crowds, the exhibit is less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

"Crawling Lady Hare" in Cheekwood's
Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail

That said, you don't need a special event to visit Cheekwood.  The phenomenal gardens are brimming with life and color year round, and there's always something to see in the Museum of Art or Frist Learning Center and Contemporary Art Galleries.  I especially enjoyed walking through the Burr Terrace Garden.  The use of layering with contrasting colors, textures and shapes was really refreshing. If you're up for a hike, the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail is full of art and wildlife.  In addition to exploring some pretty interesting displays, I crossed paths with a rabbit, turtle, two wood chucks and two deer.

Cheekwood also has plenty to keep young visitors entertained.  From the Walden Treehouse to the Trains! model train exhibit featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, there is lots for the wee ones to do outdoors.  The Frist Learning Center often includes interactive art opportunities for visitors, and offers classes and camps to engage youth in the pursuit of art.

It would be remiss if I did not mention the fabulous Pineapple Room restaurant.  The Pineapple Room isn't your run of the mill garden restaurant aimed at satisfying visitor's appetites.  Many folks visit Cheekwood primarily to taste the garden gourmet.  You'll want to call ahead to make reservations to be sure you don't miss out.

Other important considerations when planning your visit:

• Hours of operation:
• Normally, Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• For the lights until November 10, Wednesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Closed Mondays except Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Admission:
  

  

  Not all areas of the garden are wheelchair
  accessible.  Check the accessibility map for
  more information to help you plan your visit

• Adults: $12
• Seniors: $10
• College Students (with ID) and Youth: $5
• Children under 2: Free
• Military personnel save 50% with a current ID.
• Bruce Munro LIGHT Nights: An additional $3 after 4:30 p.m.
• Parking: $3
• Accessibility:
• As a historic site, many of the garden paths are not easily accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.  However, there are very accessible and easy to navigate paths throughout many areas where visitors can experience the most of the garden.  An accessibility map is available to help you plan your visit.
• Shuttle transportation is available on request at any Cheekwood building.
• Pets: Restricted to service animals only.
• Cheekwood's "Helpful Hints" for visitors for available to review.

Special thanks to my cohort Chris for keeping me company at the light show and putting up with my incessant photography.

To see more photos of my visit to the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum, check out my flickr set.

If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

When is the last time that you visited a botanical garden?  What was your favorite feature?

When is the last time you visited the Cheekwood Botanical Garden?  How was your experience?

20,000 glass spheres light a dazzling display the field between Cheekwood's East Gardens and Museum of Art

Cheekwood's perennial garden is especially stunning at sunset.

I explore Cheekwood before Bruce Munro's LIGHT exhibit

Explore "Imaginary Worlds" at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

This surly ogre was a favorite in the
Atlanta Botanical Garden "Imaginary
Worlds" mosaiculture exhibit

I absolutely love exploring gardens.  Public gardens, botanical gardens, personal gardens, you name it.  What I love even more than visiting a garden one time, is when there's a reason to return.  It's for this reason that I have been so pleased with the Atlanta Botanical Garden this year.

In February, my cohort Morgan and I headed to Atlanta for the "annual" Southeastern Flower Show.  While planning our trip, we heard that a former classmate, Julie, had landed a job at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  Julie's tour of the botanical garden turned into the highlight of our visit.  As we were leaving the garden, Julie encouraged us to return in May to check out their upcoming "Imaginary Worlds" mosaiculture sculpture exhibit.  We just got back this afternoon, and I can not wait to tell you all about this wonderful summer feature!

Mosaiculture involves using live plants to create patterns.  Imaginary Worlds takes this a step further by implementing mosaiculture on the face of larger than life statutes.  A steel skeleton provides shape and support for the statute.  The frame is covered with a planting medium, and herbaceous planted as plugs into the medium.  Some of the larger pieces, including (my favorite) "Earth Goddess", are actually supported with heavy duty beams and footers.

Water is crucial to the success of these living statutes.  Without the drip irrigation system that runs in the body of the statute near the plants' root zones, the plants would languish in Atlanta's summer heat.

Massive cobras needed extra support in the Atlanta
Botanical Garden "Imaginary Worlds" exhibit

The exhibit seemed to draw visitors of all ages, but the statutes seemed to be especially enchanting with the youngest visitors.  Little girls felt like princesses next to the grazing unicorn and boys leaped over garden beds to get a closer look at the grumpy ogre.  A visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a must for anyone driving through the city with youngsters this summer.

Of course, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens have more captivating features other than "Imaginary Worlds" that can be experienced throughout the year.  If it's been several years since your last visit, you'll want to experience the Kendeda Canopy Walk.  Since 2010, this is a very sturdy suspension bridge has allowed visitors to walk through the tree tops of Storza Woods.  It's fun to see the garden beds below from a birds eye view.

If the weather is a little cold or drizzly, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory has many mature tropical specimens.  Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) creeps along the conservatory ceiling, and the roots stretch all the way down to the floor.  Live quail help control insect populations in the conservatory (watch your step for little chicks!).  Sounds of the birds and bugs come together to create a relaxing melody.

Other features include a children's garden, edible garden, conservation native bog garden, Japanese garden, and the list goes on.  Keep your eyes peeled for the Chihuly glass pieces in the gardens and visitor center.  Be sure to visit the MetroFresh cafe to relax, enjoy refreshments, and reflect on your visit.  The gift shop was also worth a visit, whether you're shopping or window shopping.

Other important considerations when planning your trip:

• Hours of operation:
• April - October, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
• November - March, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
• Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years day
• Admission:
  

  

  Lady slipper orchids sit in ladies' slippers
  on stockinged trees in the "Orchid Daze"
  exhibit in the Fuqua Orchid Center
• Adults: $18.95
• Youth (3-12): $12.95
• Members and children under 3: Free
• Parking:
• 0 - 30 minutes: Free
• 31 - 60 minutes: $2
• Additional 30 minutes: $1
• Daily Maximum: $15
• Accessibility:
• Virtually the entire garden is accessible.  I did not note any areas that could not be reached by one way or another.
• Wheelchairs available at the Visitors Center on a first come first serve basis.
• Electric mobility scooters may be rented.
• Pets:
• Restricted to service animals only.
• Dogs are allowed for the annual "Reindog Parade" event.
• Atlanta Botanic's guide to Garden Etiquette is available for review.

Atlanta Botanic staff member Julie has a wonderful photo blog - Petal, Thought, Leaf - that catalogues her experiences in the garden.  I follow her, and you should too.  Special thanks to Julie for her brand of Southern hospitality and Morgan for her company!

To see more photos of my visit to the Atlanta Botanic Garden, check out my flickr stream.

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

When is the last time that you visited a botanical garden exhibit?  What was your favorite feature?  

When is the last time that you visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden?  How was your experience?

"Earth Goddess" was my absolute fav mosaiculture piece in the Atlanta Botanical Garden "Imaginary Worlds" exhibit

There's plenty to see and do at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in any season