Botanica Atlanta | Landscape Design-Build-Maintain

Spring is here (along with the pollen) and if you are like me, you are ready to tackle new projects to enhance your outside space…but where to begin and what to do?  Why not start by visiting some of our amazing Georgia public gardens for ideas and inspiration. Recently I made the trek up to Ball Ground in the North Georgia mountains to spend the day at one of the most breathtaking places you will ever see - Gibbs Gardens. Although the gardens just opened to the public last year, they have been over 30 years in the making. In 1980, Jim Gibbs, an acclaimed Atlanta landscape designer, settled on these lovely 300 acres, built his personal home on the high point with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and began designing a garden showplace.

View of the Japanese Garden at Gibbs Gardens

Gibbs Gardens contains 16 gardens, 24 ponds, 32 bridge crossings and 19 waterfalls! There is something for everyone and you will find ideas galore to incorporate into your own private landscape. Here are a few of the ideas I took away from my day at Gibbs Gardens:

Mass plant garden beds for big impact…Daffodils are the highlight of early spring at Gibbs Gardens - masses of daffodils that reach into the millions! People travel from all over the world to view the biggest daffodil display outside of Holland! Why not plan to mass plant a bed of daffodils and other spring bulbs next fall in your front garden for a major statement next spring? Now I don’t expect you to plant a million bulbs but a few dozen would be nice! Not only will your spirits be lifted by the cheerful colors but your neighbors will appreciate the show.   Planting bulbs close together in larger numbers is more appealing than just planting a few bulbs here and there around the garden. Roses, day lilies, zinnias, hydrangeas and gardenias also look great planted en masse in a garden bed.

Millions of daffodils are mass planted at Gibbs Gardens for a stunning 6-week display.

Plant a four-season garden…Yes, it’s great to see the daffodils, azaleas, dogwood and cherry trees blooming in the spring, but what do you have in your garden to continue the show after these flowers fade?  Gibbs Gardens was specifically designed with four-season interest in mind and no matter what time of year you visit, you will enjoy blooms and colorful foliage. Think about your own outside space and what time of year you need to add some color and interest. Hydrangeas and roses start to flower in May and if you plant several varieties with early, middle and late bloom times you can extend the show for several weeks. The foliage of Japanese maples comes in many stunning colors from chartreuse to burgundy. When gardens are starting to wilt in the heat of late summer, lantana, coleus and asters can take center stage. Plant a variety of camellias and you will be rewarded with blooms from early fall through the next spring! Check out Long-Blooming Garden Plans.

After the daffodils are spent, seasonal color continues with mass planted hydrangeas.

Roses and day lilies continue the seasonal blooming throughout the summer.

The colorful foliage of Japanese maples also gives seasonal interest.

Place containers of eye-popping annuals anywhere you need an extra punch of color…At Gibbs Gardens you are greeted with a vibrant collection of colorful containers as you walk to the Welcome Center. Many more pots are arranged throughout the gardens in places where people gather like the outside dining area at the café and the pool/entertainment area at the manor house. View containers as movable gardens that you can place wherever you need some pop and change out the annuals seasonally for a fresh look.

At Gibbs Gardens, containers are placed where people congregate and wherever a spot of color is needed.

Containers are changed out seasonally for a fresh look. Coleus foliage adds color to summer pots.

Plan a visit now to Gibbs Gardens for more great garden ideas!