Massee Lane Gardens, Botanical garden in Fort Valley, Georgia
Massee Lane Gardens is a botanical garden spanning nine acres with over 1,000 camellia varieties arranged along brick pathways and complemented by rose, daylily, and daffodil sections. The property is divided into different themed areas that each showcase different plant types.
David C. Strother established this space in the 1930s as a personal collection and donated the 150-acre property to the American Camellia Society in 1966. This gift transformed it into a center for preserving and studying camellia varieties.
The space is named after its former owners and serves as a center for camellia cultivation in the region. Visitors can observe how locals engage with the gardens while learning about plant care practices.
Wear sturdy shoes since the pathways have different surfaces and gentle slopes throughout the grounds. The site provides plenty of shade from trees, making visits comfortable even during warm weather.
The grounds include 42 granite mill stones from abandoned local mills and old distance markers from the Old Wire Road incorporated into the landscape. These objects tell the story of the region's industrial past and add a historical dimension to the gardens.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
