Gibbs Gardens, a World-Class Garden in North Georgia

I recently visited Gibbs Gardens in North Georgia, and the saturated beauty of the place left me searching for superlative words to describe it.This bridge at Gibbs Gardens is a replica of Monet's famous bridge at Giverny.Jim Gibbs, founder of Gibbs Landscaping Company, spent six years looking for the perfect area to develop a world-class garden. Located about an hour north of Atlanta, the site covers over 220 rolling acres and is one of the largest residential gardens in the country. Mr. Gibbs began developing the Gardens around the Manor House in 1980. The Gibbs family still lives on site, but Mr. Gibbs graciously opens the Gardens to the public year round.

I took over 200 photos. Here is a sampling; for the most part I will let the images speak for themselves.

Views near the entrance to Gibbs Gardens:

The Manor House:

The pool behind the Manor:

The rich colors remind me of an Easter basket! The stiking green lawns are a mixture of fescue grass that stays green all year:

 

After exploring areas adjacent to and near the Manor House, we caught a tram that took us to the Japanese Garden:

Reflections in the water:

From the Japanese Gardens we leisurely walked back toward the entrance, past fern glades, woodland streams, and pleasurable resting spots:

I am still resting in the glow I felt walking through Gibbs Gardens. Joy to you all!   Deb

Garden in the Sun

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Jean Plecker's garden. Unlike my own garden, hers has abundant sunshine.I was a little jealous of all the sun-lovers she can grow on the hillside behind her house. Many people may look at a hill and, judging it too much work, will give it over to a few trees and mulch (or weeds!). But Jean has planted a wonderful assortment of colorful plants, with a succession of blooms through the seasons. 

When I visited, her day lilies were in full bloom. 'Watchyl Dreaming Purple' may have been my favorite:

However, Jean had a number of other gorgeous day lilies, so it is hard to say:Clockwise from top left: 'Christmas Wishes'; 'Silk Mystique'; 'Forever redeemed'; 'Choo Choo Magic'; 'Barbara Mitchell'; 'Beside Still Water'; 'Primal Scream'; Unidentified - Anyone have an ID for this one?

Other colorful plants in Jean's garden included Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia:

Homestead Purple Verbena and Texas Square Bud Primrose:

Klanchoe lucia 'Flapjack':Klanchoe lucia 'Flapjack' grows in this pot with Sedum mexicanum 'Lemon Ball.' and Senecio 'Blue Chalk Fingers.'

Cyperus alternifolius, commonly called Umbrella Papyrus, Umbrella Sedge, or Umbrella palm. Cyperus is a member of the sedge family:

More lovely plants:
'Christmas Cheer' daylily growing in front of Asclepias, also called Butterfly Weed.

Clockwise from top left: Green Santolina; Monarda Raspberry Wine, Bee Balm; Gold Bar Maiden Grass, Miscanthus; Cranesbill Geranium.Tropicana Canna Lily:

A pretty pot of flowers:

Jean also had a few spots of shade. This variegated hosta was growing in two places, one in shade and the other in a much sunnier location. Notice the hosta on the left, the one in shade, is a richer green than the one on the right, which grows in sun:

Jean's garden is unlike my predominantly shady garden. I think how the conditions of the landscape dictate the type of gardens we have. While our taste in plants is often molded by what works in our own gardens, our eyes may be opened to new possibilities by seeing what other gardeners are doing. That is what makes visiting various gardens so much fun. In almost every space there is a takaway, an idea that I can bring home. Klanchoe lucia 'Flapjack' now grows in a pot on my sunny patio. Thank you, Jean!