JUNE 2012


SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION


3 D


‘At less than an hour’s drive from Atlanta, it’s well worth the trip to see a landscape that undoubtedly will be considered one of our region’s most treasured landmarks.’ — M. LINDSAY BIERMAN, Editor, Southern Living


Gibbs Gardens: World-class destination named ‘One of our region’s most treasured landmarks’


Gardens, the world-class destination garden owned, designed and developed by Jim Gibbs. Set in the rolling woodlands of


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northeast Cherokee County, Gibbs Gardens encompasses 300 acres of gentle hillsides covered with mature trees, 22 ponds, pristine streams, waterfalls and countless natural springs that flow seamlessly around 220 acres of artistically designed gardens. Football legend and gardening author


Vince Dooley once described Jim Gibbs’ magnificent gardens as “Georgia’s hidden jewel.” Dooley believed Jim Gibbs’ creation, with its brilliant melding of landscape artistry and natural beauty, “was the best hidden secret in Georgia, the Southeast and beyond.” The secret is out, thanks to Jim Gibbs


decision to open his estate to the public in March. Now thousands of visitors who come to Gibbs Gardens every week rave about its spectacular beauty, breathtaking landscape design and unforgettable feature gardens. And the experts agree. Gibbs Gardens is “a masterpiece that


will mature into one of the nation’s great gardens,” said Michael Dirr, retired UGA professor and author, recognized as one of the nation’s leading horticulture experts. (“Horticulture Haven,” Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 17, 2012). Gibbs Gardens is “a landscape that


undoubtedly will be considered one of our region’s most treasured landmarks,” Southern Living editor W. Lindsay Bierman proclaimed in the February issue.


Summer flowers create the perfect backdrop for the black garden bench set on one of the terraces at the Manor House Gardens.


Sixteen garden venues Gibbs Gardens’ visitors stroll along


meandering tree-shaded paths through 16 superb garden venues that offer a unique blend of garden experiences. The Grandchildren’s Sculpture Gardens’ whimsical recreations of Jim and Sally Gibbs’ 11 grandchildren at play evoke smiles . . . and memories. The Pleasance beckons visitors to rest in the shade of soaring hardwoods, relax and reflect. Azalea, rhododendron, hydrangea, rose, crape myrtle, daylily and wildflower gardens present an ever changing tableau of color, fragrance and texture. All visitors are captivated by Gibbs Gardens’ four dramatically different feature gardens: The Manor House Gardens offer


spectacular changes of color every season. Located on the highest ridge in northeast Cherokee County, these gardens feature seven flowering terraces flowing seamlessly down 150 feet of elevation to the Valley Gardens. Cascading layers of garden rooms and woodland embrace the home, flowing from each side of the house. The Manor House Gardens offer amazing views of terraces, lawns, pools, waterfalls, undisturbed woodland, North Georgia mountain vistas and sweeping sky. The Waterlily Gardens feature 140


A view across one of seven ponds in the Japanese Gardens.


varieties of unique lilies in one of the largest natural displays of waterlilies in the nation. Five ponds reflect the beauty of hardy and tropical waterlily blooms from May through November. A replica of Claude Monet’s Japanese Bridge in Monet’s


Garden at Giverny (outside Paris) is veiled with white and lilac wisteria blooms. The Japanese Gardens —- covering


more than 40 acres with 7 spring-fed ponds, islands, bridges, massive boulders and rocks — are the largest in the nation. Enter the Hill and Pond Stroll Garden, “Tsukiyama,” though the Torii Gate and stroll along gentle paths, past pagodas, 40 hand-crafted Japanese lanterns, and decades-old shrubs artistically sculpted through the Japanese art of bonsai. Chase away evil spirits as you cross the traditional Zigzag Bridge. The Daffodil Gardens begin Gibbs


Gardens’ Seasons of Color with the 50-acre display of millions of daffodil blossoms. See more than 60 varieties of daffodils in colors ranging from primrose-yellow to yellow, saffron, gold, orange, shades of yellow and orange, and blush pinks, creamy whites and white. Gibbs Gardens Seasons of Color are


a feast for the senses: clean fresh air, the natural fragrance of flowers and plants, birds singing and waterfalls splashing softly. Stop by the Arbor Café for sandwiches


made with bread baked fresh each morning. Top off your wonderful memories of Gibbs Gardens with a unique memento from The Seasons gift store. Our open-air trams run to the Manor House and Japanese Gardens from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Plan your visit to Gibbs Gardens today. Less than an hour’s drive from Atlanta, Gibbs Gardens is conveniently located in north Cherokee County between Interstate 575 on the west and SR 400 on the east.


pectacular. Breathtaking. Unforgettable. These are the words first-time visitors use to describe Gibbs


E N T E R T A I N M E N T


A replica of Claude Monet’s Japanese Bridge graces one of the ponds in the Waterlily Gardens.


Gibbs Gardens is open from 9 a.m.


until 5 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday (except Thanksgiving) from March 1 until November 30; the last admission is 4 p.m. The gardens are closed Mondays and Tuesdays for maintenance except for Monday holidays such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day. For more information, ticket prices, hours of operations and directions, go to www. gibbsgardens.com.


Gibbs Gardens Gibbs Gardens 1987 Gibbs Drive Ball Ground, GA 30107 (770) 893-1880


Website: www.gibbsgardens.com • • •


Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 1-November 30 Amenities: The Arbor Café, The Seasons gift store, Open-air trams


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