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

The North Carolina Arboretum -- "Some Assembly Required"

Fall is in full swing at the NC Arboretum

The autumn winds are blowing, drawing us out to see deciduous trees in all their gaudy splendor.  There are few places in the Southeast U.S. that compare to Asheville, North Carolina for viewing fall foliage.  The North Carolina Arboretum is one of Asheville's treasures, and a great place to explore the colors of autumn.

The 434 acre property boasts several trails of varying difficulty, diverse and well-maintained garden areas, and two very nice buildings for visitors -- the Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center.  I visited the NC Arboretum for the first time earlier in October.  Although the whole property was dazzling, my favorite areas were in the main garden area.

Bonsai displays may use traditional or unique plant
material, like this grove of bonsai bald cypress.

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden was especially impressive.  Although the specimens were younger than bonsai exhibits that may be found at other gardens, I thought the variety of plants and styles were much better than other displays I've seen.  In addition to the traditional Japanese maples, junipers and pines, the exhibit included specimens native to the continent and the southeast region, like bald cypress and hornbeam.  Although the bonsai specimens are the main attraction, the exhibition garden is a really lovely setting for the display.  Also, the signage was attractive and informative.

The Gardener's Green Shed showcases
water-saving methods for the landscape

The Quilt Garden is usually a "must see" area.  I visited during a kind of weird in-between period where their summer annuals had been removed but it was too early to add their winter interest plants.  Plants in the quilt garden are arranged in really interesting patterns.  Visitors can walk between squares to see the pattern up close or view from an overlook to see the whole picture.

A couple other areas include the Heritage Garden that showcases ornamental plants that have a history as utility plants in the appalachian region, the Dickinson Holly Garden that showcases a variety of hollies and their uses in the landscape.

Although I was originally drawn to the NC Arboretum to view fall foliage and explore new gardens, I was in for a special treat.  Right now the arboretum has LEGO nature-inspired art pieces on display throughout the garden as a part of their "Some Assembly Required" exhibit.  Of the 27 sculptures that are part of the exhibit, 15 are places outdoors throughout the gardens.  Created by certified LEGO artist Sean Kenney, pieces range in size and style, from a intricate phalaenopsis orchid to a life-size lawnmower.

Young folks were really interested in
"Some Assembly Required" LEGO statutes

The morning of my visit, it seemed like most folks were there to see the LEGO art.  Finding each piece was like an exciting scavenger hunt for young visitors.  Children cried with joy when they discovered the next sculpture, then fell into silent, wide-eyed awe as they took in the intricacy of the display.  If you know a LEGO lover of any age, definitely check out "Some Assembly Required" at the NC Arboretum this fall and winter.  The LEGOs will be on display until January 5, 2014.

The arboretum offers several features intended to enhance the visitor experience, including cell phone tours, geocaching, clean bathrooms, water fountains, and other amenities available for use in their buildings.  The Savory Thyme Cafe is housed within the Education Building, and offers local, natural, and organic selections.  The Connections Gallery gift shop in the Baker Exhibit Center had a nice selection of horticultural, local, and touristy items for sale.

Other important considerations when planning your visit:

• Hours of operation:
• April 1 to October 31, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• November 1 to March 31, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Baker Exhibit Center, Education Center, Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission: FREE
• Parking: 
• FREE the first Tuesday of each month
• $8 personal vehicles
• $30 commercial vehicles
• $50 buses
• Free for members of the NC Arboretum
• Accessibility:
• The garden areas, production greenhouse, Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center are wheelchair accessible.  The trails have varying levels of accessibility.
• Wheelchairs are available to use free of charge, and may be borrowed from the Baker Exhibit Center and the Education Center.
• Pets:
• Dogs may visit the gardens and arboretum areas as long as they are kept on a leash.  Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
• Service animals are allowed inside buildings.

The arboretum is very easy to find from I-40, with plenty of signage guiding you there from the interstate.  However, when you plan your trip to the NC Arboretum, consider taking the road less traveled.  In addition to hopping on I-40, some folks could also travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway or 19 to Cherokee then up 411 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Special thanks to my co-hort Nathan and his friend Tiffany for keeping me company in the Arboretum. Also thank-you Jared in Raleigh and Nathan in Johnson City for helping me triangulate the peak time to visit Asheville.

To see more photos of my visit to the North Carolina Arboretum, check out my flickr set.

If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, please feel welcome to leave a comment on this post or shoot me an email.

Tell me about your last visit to a garden or arboretum.  What was your favorite part?

What's the most unusual display or exhibit you've seen at a garden or arboretum?

Young folks were really interested in "Some Assembly Required" LEGO statutes

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