The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a 313-acre botanical garden in Athens with eleven distinct collections of native and international plant species. The grounds are organized into themed gardens that allow visitors to explore a wide range of vegetation.

The garden was founded in 1968 as a research area and opened to the public in 1976. Since then, it has been managed by the University of Georgia for both botanical research and public education.

The Heritage Garden section shows plants that shaped Georgia's history, including cotton, peanuts, and fruit trees. These specimens help visitors understand how certain crops influenced the region's development.

The garden is open daily throughout the year except on University of Georgia holidays. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since pathways lead through different sections and the terrain includes some slopes.

The grounds received a 1.6 million dollar grant to develop a native seed network that supports plant restoration projects across Georgia. This program demonstrates how botanical gardens work beyond their borders to help preserve natural habitats.

GPS coordinates: 33.90139,-83.37947

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01