LIFESTYLE
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, MARCH 7 - 13, 2024 • PAGE 14
Splendor of nature on
display at Gibbs Gardens
BY GALE HORTON GAY
FREELANCE REPORTER
The coming of spring means
those with a love of nature have eight
months to experience one of North
Georgia's treasures—Gibbs Gardens.
Located in Ball Ground—
approximately 60 miles north of
DeKalb County—Gibbs Gardens is 376
acres of landscaped gardens with an
array of native plants as well as flora
brought in from around the world.
Art including sculptures of children
at play are integrated throughout the
property.
The gardens opened March 1 and
will welcome visitors until December
when it closes for the season.
According to officials, there's
something special to see every season.
Fifty acres of daffodils showcase
their colors March through mid-April;
tulips, 30,000-plus in 40 varieties,
bloom April to mid-May; more
than 1,000 hydrangeas flower May
through October; and the wildflower
meadow—all 30 acres—bursts with
color in spring and fall.
"We have something different
blooming every six weeks," noted one
official.
The daffodils are now in bloom
and there are plenty of them—more
than 20 million, according to the
garden's website. The 100 varieties
of these delicate flowers are spread
across hillsides and valleys. Southern
Living magazine declared it the largest
daffodil display in the nation, adding
"The most stunning daffodil garden-
eve r I"
One of the many highlights of
the venue is the 40-acre Japanese
Gardens with its seven spring-fed
ponds and bonsais, some of which
are 60 years old. The gardens' 3,000
Japanese maples (200 varieties) are an
all-season feature.
The man behind the gardens
is Jim Gibbs, who graduated from
the University of Georgia in 1965
after studying horticulture and
landscape design. Fie started a
landscape business in Atlanta and
began searching for years for a site
to build a family home and a public
garden, according to Leslie Drohan, a
representative of Gibbs Gardens.
"Jim Gibbs traveled for 15 years
covering the nation and the world
viewing gardens of every style and
decided that he wanted to design and
build a world-class garden," states
the website, adding that he designed
24 ponds, 32 bridge crossings and 19
waterfalls on the property.
The garden's springs are
surrounded by millions of naturalized
ferns making it one of the largest
ferneries in the nation. Native azaleas,
dogwoods, and mountain laurels
provide additional seasonal interest.
Located near SR 400 and 1-575, the
property that became the gardens was
originally pastureland, woodlands and
wetlands. Gibbs bought the property
in 1980 and developed it into his
family estate, working on 10 acres
at a time crafting it into the gardens
it is today. It opened to the public in
2012, however, Gibbs and his wife still
live in the Manor Flouse, which sits
high up on the property at a 150-foot
elevation. Interestingly, garden guests
are allowed to walk around the house
that's surrounded by tiered displays of
plants and flowers and a pool.
Drohan, a gardener herself, said
that the public gardens are Gibbs'
legacy and he desired for "people to
come and feel the peace and joy."
The gardens are constantly
evolving. In 2023, nine serpentine
gardens were installed with flowering
annuals and perennials.
"You can come 10 times, you
don't see the same thing twice," said
Drohan as she gave a visiting writer a
tour.
Among the busiest times at Gibbs
Gardens are Mother's Day and during
the fall, according to officials.
Tickets are $10-$25. For more
information, go to gibbsgardens.com
Gibbs Gardens is a 376-acre public park with an array of plants, flowers and trees
such as hydrangeas, tulips, Japanese maples, daffodils, ferns, dogwoods, azaleas and
more.
Jim Gibbs traveled the world for years Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia,
studying public gardens. opened March 1. Photos provided
Southern Living magazine has declared Gibbs Gardens as the largest daffodil display in
the nation.
Scan thE
QR CODE^ 1
VISIT US ONLINE @
THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
