Welcome to Smith-Gilbert Gardens!
Welcome to one of North Georgia’s hidden gems, Smith-Gilbert Gardens. As an established collectors garden, we have over 3,000 species of plants, many unique to American gardens. Having grown through the years, the Gardens stand out as an exceptional blend of art, history and horticulture, all creating a tranquil respite of reflection and enjoyment.
We hope that you will enjoy your visit to our website, but most importantly, we invite you to experience firsthand the beauty and fascination of Smith-Gilbert Gardens.
NEWS
Facebook Posts
The next big thing at Smith-Gilbert Gardens comes up on Thursday 9/26. Half-price admission when you buy in advance! squareup.com/market/smith-gilbert-gardens
3 days ago
What a day! Thanks to these awesome folks for making our first Bonsai Team Challenge such a great time.
4 days ago
Come witness the Bonsai Team Challenge at Smith-Gilbert Gardens! This Saturday, September 14, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Included with paid garden admission.
Working in teams of two, members of the Bonsai Study Group will transform plain-Jane nursery stock junipers into on-of-a-kind works of art! Audience participation will be encouraged - vote for your personal favorite.
All trees from the Challenge will be sold. No tree will be priced higher than $50. A great addition to any collection!
6 days ago
I need a ride. Can you help a guy out? 😉
Ben
If you're wondering how to deal with this hot dry weather, garden manager Lisa has some suggestions. Check out her latest blog post:
smithgilbertgardens.com/this-drought-and-your-landscape/
This Drought and Your Landscape - Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Hard to believe fall is right around the corner when summer refuses to go away. As of this writing, ...1 week ago
EVENTS
A haven for wild birds
In addition to the dozens of bird species residing on the property year-round, Smith-Gilbert Gardens lies on a major flyway for migratory birds. Each spring and again in fall, more than 100 bird species pass through and over the property on their journey between summer breeding territory up north and overwintering grounds down south. Our expert birding guides have spent years learning to identify birds by sight and sound, and have a passion for wild bird conservation.
Watch with us!
Come enjoy watching birds with us! You’ll learn keys to bird identification, where you can look for wild birds in your neighborhood, how to make your own backyard a habitat for wild birds, and more. This monthly meetup is included with garden admission.
Presented by West Cobb Regional Library
Experience the wonder of the garden with your child through a special story time at Smith-Gilbert Gardens! With stories, interactive play, and music your child will experience the Garden in a fun and educational way!
This event is included with Garden admission
Rain or shine
Nature Field Day at Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Exploring our Connections to Nature
Thursday, September 26, 2019
9AM-3PM
Homeschool families and fall breakers, join us for a fun day of activities and demonstrations by area naturalists and environmental educators. Click the “tickets” button for half-price admission!
There’s lots to see and do all day long at Nature Field Day:
- Multi-talented musician, past Glacier National Park Artist-in-Residence, and environmental educator Deb Gerace will lead sing along nature songs.
- Meet a beautiful corn snake and learn about the importance of watershed stewardship from our friends at Cobb County Water.
- Dig into a worm bin to find out how easy it can be to keep food waste out of the landfill.
- Get involved in a citizen science project.
- Environmental Award Winning Naturalist Mark Warren will present “The Ancient Ways of the Cherokee, and How We Can Use Them Today” at 10:30AM and 1:00PM. Mark, owner of Medicine Bow Wilderness School in Dahlonega, GA has been teaching nature and survival skills of the Cherokee tribe to adults and children for more than 45 years. You won’t want to miss it!
This event is included with Garden admission. Pre-purchase your tickets and save 50% off the Garden admission price! Advance tickets are on sale now.
Garden Stories
Pre-registration required
Children aged 2 to 6 years old and their caregiver will enjoy a story on a garden-related topic. Along with story time, accompanying activities will vary monthly and may include related arts, crafts, dance or organized play. Participation in Garden Stories gives you admission to the Gardens for the entire day.
Cost:
SGG Member Child: $5 ($6 after Wednesday before program date)
Non-Member Child: $7 ($8 after Wednesday before program date)
Adults pay regular admission;
additional participating children are $5 each ($6 after Wednesday before program date)
Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Ticket price will increase for registrations made after the Wednesday before the program date. Children under 2 will not be charged for this program. Groupons and other promotional discounts may not be used for Garden Stories participants or accompanying adults and children.
Led by Bonsai Curator Rodney Clemons
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch 12 noon – 1 p.m.) Open to visitors; included with garden admission
Rodney Clemons visits Smith-Gilbert Gardens on the 2nd Saturday of each month (some exceptions as noted on the events calendar) to oversee, evaluate, care for, and prune the Gardens’ bonsai collection. Along with a small group of well-trained and very experienced volunteers, Rodney provides expert care in all aspects of maintaining the collection.
Visitors are welcome to ask questions and talk with Rodney and the volunteers to learn more about this ancient art.
If you’re interested in learning more about bonsai, please plan a visit on the 2nd Saturday.
(Please note: We request you do not bring your personal bonsai trees to the Gardens.)
