Gibbs Gardens
Gibbs Gardens is a 376 acres (152 ha) privately owned botanical garden located in Cherokee County, Georgia. It is open to the public except in the winter.
History
[edit]The garden started on 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland and woodland along Yellow Creek Road in Cherokee County. Jim Gibbs purchased the land from Broughton Bannister in September 1980. Additional adjacent parcels were purchased by Mr. Gibbs over the years to reach the current 376 acres (152 ha), including 40 acres (16 ha) in Pickens County.[1]
The Garden opened in 2012 and has 6 feature gardens and 18 seasonal color gardens.[2]
Feature gardens
[edit]Daffodil Gardens
[edit]Starting in 1985, 50 acres (20 ha) were planted with hundreds of thousands of daffodil bulbs.[3] Perennial bulbs divide every season, so the number of blooms increases from year to year. Daffodils are planted on hillsides with different color and bloom time varieties.[4]
Manor House Gardens
[edit]Seven terraces with 150 feet (46 m) of elevation variance from the Manor House down to the Valley Gardens, these gardens have views of Mount Oglethorpe.[2]
Waterlily Gardens
[edit]The Waterlily Gardens have spring fed ponds with hardy and tropical waterlilies. The Monet Bridge is modeled after the Japanese bridge in Monet's Waterlily Gardens.[5]
Japanese Gardens
[edit]The 40-acre (16 ha) Japanese Gardens contains shrubs and trees pruned in the tradition of Japanese bonsai.[6] The entrance is through the torii gate and this garden also features a zig zag bridge.
Inspiration Gardens
[edit]Added in 2021, the Inspiration Gardens includes flowering trees and shrubs suited to average-sized home gardens. The 15 acres (6.1 ha) have dwarf conifers, knock out roses, and Encore and native azaleas.[7]
Le Jardin, The Color Garden
[edit]Added in the summer of 2023, this garden has nine flower beds featuring annuals and perennials.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Gibbs Gardens plans expansion into Pickens County". Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News. July 28, 2022. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Gibbs Gardens". In the Garden. Episode 913. April 12, 2024. PBS NC. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Alexander, Christine (April 12, 2023). "The Gibbs Gardens Shine in Spring". FineGardening. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ Milliken, Paul (March 9, 2023). "Incredible daffodil display dazzles at Gibbs Gardens". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ "Blooms - From Spring To Fall". GardenSmart. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Gibbs Gardens". Cultivate. UTIA Marketing. Summer 2016. p. 4. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Issuu.
- ^ GardenSMARTTV (May 23, 2021). GardenSMART @ Gibbs Gardens New Inspiration Garden Ep1. Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Gibbs Gardens Adds New Garden-It's All About Color". AllOnGeorgia. July 23, 2023. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.