Having seen lovely spring bulb photos on FB from a local friend, I started exploring this special Botanical Garden in North Georgia: Gibbs Gardens
Avoiding the Easter weekend due to the crowds on the road as well as here at the Gardens, we booked a ticket on line for April 8.
Very easy, having our Senior Admission on our iPhone... we were in!
At the welcome center we were greeted by the friendly resident kitty Spot and he was easy to cuddle with.
Fed and cared for by the workers and during winter when they close, he moves downstairs inside the welcome center and is being fed daily by workers that need to tend the 220 acres of garden...
We started out walking around.
Lovely setting and plenty of Japanese maples to admire
However cloudy all day, we had NO rain!
18℃ or 64.4℉
There were PLENTY of benches for resting and taking in the beauty of the gardens!
Plenty of tulips were still blooming
In the Japanese Garden, don't know what the sign above reads...
Lovely Cherry Blossoms!
This cherry tree is budding out...
We just leisurely walked our 4.3 km or 2.67 mi
The elevation ranked from 400 m or 1,312 ft to 550 m or 1,804 ft
Rolling hills with views from different heights!
Last year they ranked 2nd amongst 'BEST AMERICAN BOTANICAL GARDENS'
This all began in 1980 as a private estate of 300 acres or 121.4 ha and after 30 years it became a world-class public garden!
Back to our Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest... We enjoyed two free award nights; one of the perks when staying with one good line of hotels!
Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest | previous post
Pieter Picking up his Campbell Colleagues and showing them TULIPS in The Netherlands | massive tulip display
Hello Mariette, What a beautiful time to visit this impressive garden. They have so many memorable features and vistas. About the sign, I don't know Japanese, but the top character means "hill" and the bottom one means "pond" so since the path is leading upwards, and the garden is famous for its ponds, Hill Pond makes sense. Since it has such an interesting name, I looked up the history of Ball Ground. Apparently, long ago the Cherokee Indians played a type of ball game here, and the quite literal description remained as the settlement name.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteIt was a beautiful time, we did not want to go during the too crowded Easter weekend, but this was perfect. Also for the blooming season it was rewarding. Thanks for analyzing those characters and that sure makes sense! An interesting history and it quite well explains the origin of Ball Ground.
Hugs,
Mariette
Gibbs Garden is practically in our back yard, Mariette, but Danny and I have yet to go. We will definitely make a point of doing so soon!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeleteOh wow, if I would live there that close, it would become a more frequent place to leisurely stroll around!
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh, Mariette, those gardens are heaven on earth. I should have gone into horticulture. Beautiful. I would NOT have wanted to leave!
ReplyDeleteDearest Kim,
DeleteYes, once springtime comes, they look heavenly with all their colorful blossoms!
Horticulture, no matter flowers, vegetables or fruits, is a hard work and not always rewarding. Often labor has been done for very little profit...
Hugs,
Mariette
I made the trek from Roswell, GA to Ball Ground (full gear / seated behind my son on his motorcycle) years ago. My first and only long ride, it was exhilarating. I fell in love with an antique shop on the Main Street thru town, doubt it is still there.
ReplyDeleteYour Garden photos are stunning .. I need a return trip ~ by auto!
Dearest Helen,
DeleteWhat an interesting story this is, some 30 miles seated behind your son on his motorcycle! We have not explored Ball Ground as we just traveled to and from... enough walking done, at least for my Pieter.
The timing was perfect and we both thoroughly enjoyed it!
Hugs,
Mariette
Just Lovely - Every Photo Captured My Heart - Thanx For Sharing Such A Delightful Outing - Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteCheers
Dearest Travis,
DeleteThank you and it sure was a delightful morning in nature!
Hugs,
Mariette
How awesome place!!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, it was so well worth our stay nearby (one hour away) and visit!
Hugs,
Mariette
Son fantásticos los colores que has captado en ese bello jardín.
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Antónia,
DeleteGracias y sí, estuvimos allí en el momento adecuado y con el clima perfecto!
Un abrazo,
Mariette
Oh my gosh what gorgeous gardens Mariette and so beautifully shown here. Spring is the prettiest time of the year 🌷🌷🌼🌸
ReplyDeleteDearest Grace,
DeleteYes, this certainly is a gem of a botanical garden and especially at such a height with lots of bridges over the streams.
Spring is the BEST show in nature!
Hugs,
Mariette
What a beautiful garden and such lovely tulips. So wonderful in Spring; especially the cherry blossoms. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photos with us.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both always.
Dearest Victor,
DeleteThank you and yes, it was quite showy at the time we walked there. Those double cherry blossoms were spectacular.
Guess what we just shared on that bench where I captured Pieter? Some dark chocolate that I kept in my backpack, on my back... No melting like in your story!
Hugs,
Mariette
Just letting you know I was here
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you, always welcome!
Hugs,
Mariette
I so enjoy walking through a beautiful garden especially when it is not so crowded. I have been to Keukenhof twice and of course that is an amazing place. On that list I have been only to the Sarasota one. I am surprised that the Dallas Arboretum is not on the list. Another fantastic garden I adore is the one on Vancouver Island. You must have enjoyed your getaway and stay in such a nice hotel. I am more than ready for another trip! Have a wonderful weekend...Janey
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteLike you, we both enjoyed this so much and there were lots of cars in the parking lot but with the vast size of these gardens, it did not appear crowded.
From that entire list we only have been to 10. Longwood Gardens.
You at least have visited some fabulous ones!
Hugs,
Mariette
The Japanese garden is excellent: the stones and trees are set around the pond skillfully. The atmosphere is poetic. The stone lantern is cute.
ReplyDeleteDearest RTC,
DeleteWe both did thoroughly enjoy walking there leisurely, taking all the blossoms in and sitting on a bench.
Hugs,
Mariette
Beautiful
ReplyDeleteDearest Regine,
DeleteIt sure was when being there in person!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hej Mariette, wat een heerlijk uitje hadden jullie. Prachtig park! Jullie hadden volop de ruimte. Fijne dag, lieve groet Willy
ReplyDeleteBeste Willy,
DeleteJa, dat was echt een heerlijk uitje en op zo'n enorme schaal zie je de andere bezoekers niet zo snel. Overigens ik wacht altijd met foto's nemen tot mensen doorgelopen zijn... Vind het n.l. storend om er 'mensen' in te knippen.
Liefs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - What a lovely garden for you and Pieter to visit. To be in a beautiful spring garden filled with new blossom makes for a memorable treat.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, mentioned in your 'BEST AMERICAN BOTANICAL GARDENS'.
Dearest Rosemary,
DeleteYes, that was such a lovely outing and the best one can do in the spring!
That list of best American botanical gardens is a good one, we only have been to Longwood Gardens.
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteein Aufenthalt in einem so schönen und besonderen Garten hätte mir auch gefallen, die Tulpenblüte dort ist ja beeindruckend! Und die rosafarbenen Blütenpuscheln der Kirsche, einfach herrlich!
viele liebe Grüße aus dem ostfriesischen Drosselgarten schickt Dir Traudi.♥
Liebe Traudi,
DeleteJa es war wirklich perfekt um da spazieren zu können und um etwas zu fotografieren.
Die Kirschen, in doppelte Blüte war ein Traum.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette