The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Athens, Georgia, United States

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The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, established in 1968 and covering 313 acres, is a major public garden operated by the University of Georgia.

It was originally called the University of Georgia Botanical Garden and was designated as the State Botanical Garden in 1984, enabling it to receive state funding. The garden features a wide array of themed botanical and horticultural collections including an international garden, a heritage garden showcasing Georgia's agricultural past, a shade garden, and an extensive native azalea collection.

It offers around five miles of nature trails amid various plant habitats and natural areas. Central to the garden is the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center and Conservatory, completed in 1985, which houses tropical and semi-tropical plants and serves as a cultural hub with a gift shop, cafe, and rotating art exhibitions. More recently, a children’s garden was added to foster education and interactive learning.

The garden serves as a botanical research, education, and recreation facility, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and hosting programs that promote plant conservation and appreciation.