I’ve lived in Georgia my whole life and in Atlanta for the past four years and I can’t believe it took me so long to visit Gibbs Gardens. It is safe to say I loved the garden and that I will be visiting it again. Gibbs Gardens features countless varieties of flowers, small waterfalls, a stream running through the garden, mountain views and many small ponds.
Visiting Gibbs Gardens
Gibbs Gardens is located in Ball Ground Georgia, about an hour and half from the Atlanta area. They are open March-December from 10am-4pm. Visit their website for exact dates and for information when they have closings.
Parking is free and admissions for adults are $25. If you plan on visiting multiple times a year, it’s worth it to become a member for $60 so you can visit whenever you’d like. While you can purchase your tickets in person, I recommend buying them online so you just scan the QR code and head straight to the gardens.
If you walk all the trails throughout the garden, you’ll total just above 4 miles. If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry, you can definitely opt not to do all the trails! They do recommend allotting 2-3 hours to see the whole gardens, so I do recommend bringing water and wearing comfortable shoes.
You can bring water into the gardens but other drinks and outside food are not allowed. If you get hungry, they do have a small cafe serving sandwiches and drinks.
Professional photography isn’t allowed (don’t plan to get your engagement pictures taken here) but you are welcome to bring a regular camera to capture the gardens.
Manor House Garden and Valley Garden
Grab a map before starting your walk so you have a better idea where everything is located. It’s not too difficult to get around though, just follow the red arrows to make your way through the gardens. If you’re ever not sure which way to go, most paths will loop you back around to the same place.
The garden is split into two main sections: Manor House Garden and Valley Garden. You’ll start off in the Valley Gardens, passing the cafe as you make your way through the waterlily garden passing a few ponds. Eventually you’ll have the option to head to the Manor House, or continue on to the Japanese Garden. It doesn’t matter which you decide first, we just chose to walk through the Japanese gardens first. Before entering the Japanese gardens you see a walkway to the left, if you head that way you’ll enter the field were wild flowers grow in the spring and fall.
The walk to the Manor House is uphill a bit but it’s definitely worth the trip. When we visited in the spring pink, white and purple azalea were in full bloom on the walk up. At the top of Manor House relax for a second while you take in the beautiful mountain views. While you can’t go in the Manor House, you can walk around it and the guest house to enjoy the views.
Gibbs Garden Throughout the Seasons
The gardens open up in mid-March, just in time for Daffodil blooms. The early spring boast daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips and dogwoods. Late spring/early summer will bring azaleas, ferns, drift roses, water lilies, and hydrangeas. In the alate summer and fall you’ll find daylilies, crepe myrtles, wildflowers, and Japanese maples. If you’re hoping to see something specific, checkout the what’s in bloom section of the website before you go. Here they regularly update (with pictures) what’s blooming a certain week.
If you haven’t visited yet, you definitely need to add Gibbs Gardens to you list of places to visit in Georgia! No matter when you visit, you’ll be in for a relaxing & beautiful walk through the gardens.
