Surround yourself in fresh blooms, lush greenery and carefully designed gardens this year by attending one of the amazing garden tours, expos and sales happening in and around Atlanta.
Garden tours and expos not only offer visitors a beautiful experience for the day, but you'll also find new ideas for your home and garden, see plant species you've never heard of and maybe even get an opportunity to purchase a little green goodie from one of the vendors to bring home and plant in your yard.
South Metro Rose Society 33rd Annual Rose Show. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 19-20. Free. Fayetteville Church of Christ, 870 Redwine Road, Fayetteville, Ga. 30215. 770-631-3885. www.facebook.com/events/1707305832650491/.
Get ready to experience some of the most beautiful roses in the world at the South Metro Rose Society's 33rd Annual Rose Show. With hundreds of roses to see (and smell) this year's rose show will feature a diverse collection of roses that will compete for awards and prizes. Guests also have the opportunity to win raffle prizes that include restaurant gift certificates, rose bushes, garden center gift certificates, books and more.
Keep Smyrna Beautiful 10th Annual Garden Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19. $15 in advance, $20 day of the show. Reed House, 3080 Atlanta Road SE. 770-431-2863. www.facebook.com/events/133357810799548/.
Explore and tour 5 private gardens around Smyrna plus a Tea Room and Plant Sale at the historic Reed House, built in 1910. Money raised will go to Smyrna public schools for gardening, recycling and academic programs. Follow the link above to see where to buy tickets in advance.
»RELATED: 7 epic bachelorette getaways the future bride will never forget
Tucker Historical Society's 17th annual Garden Tour. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19. $15 advance tickets, $20 tour day tickets. Tucker, Ga. 30084. 770-309-3749. www.tuckergahistorical.org.
This not-to-miss garden tour showcases the range of gardens in Tucker. It takes you on a journey from 1960’s ranch homes to a “Japanese-inspired dreamworld” and then some. There are a total of six gardens on the tour this year, four are private and two are public. All the gardens are near downtown Tucker so you can spend more time in gardens and less in your car. All money raised will benefit the Tucker Historical Society. Follow the link above to see where to buy tickets.
Flower Arranging from the Gardens Workshop. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. May 26. $45 admission. Callaway Discovery Center, Violet Classroom, 17800 U.S. Highway 27, Pine Mountain, Ga. 31822. 855-546-9740. www.callawaygardens.com.
Bring some of the beauty from your front or backyard inside with artful arranging. You’ll have a lovely arrangement to take home with you.
Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Festival. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2. Free. Columbus Botanical Garden, 3603 Weems Road, Columbus, Ga. 31909. 706-327-2067. www.columbusbotanicalgarden.com.
At the Chattahoochee Valley Daylily Festival in Columbus, visitors can view an accredited daylilies show, see gardening demonstrations by experienced gardeners and even get a chance to purchase some of the most beautiful daylilies you've ever seen. This free event also features arts and crafts booths and food vendors so your family can have a full day of floral fun.
State Botanical Garden Conservatory Daylily Show. Daylily sales start at 10 a.m., displays open at 1 p.m., June 2. Free. State Botanical Garden Conservatory, 2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens, Ga. 30606. 706-542-1244. www.northgeorgiadaylilysociety.com.
Gardeners display prize-winning daylilies in this judged event beginning at 10 a.m., after which the public can view and purchase beautiful flowers starting at 1 p.m. til 4 p.m. Although free to the public, make sure to bring your money so that you can pick out a few daylilies for your garden at home.
Garden Club of Ellijay Flower Show. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23. Free. 268 Calvin Jackson Drive, Ellijay, Ga. 30540. 706-635-4528. www.gardenclubofellijay.org.
Join the Garden Club of Ellijay for its "Gardens of Europe" flower show at the Gilmer County Library in Ellijay. Vote for your favorite design. After learning about European flowers and gardens, learn more about native plants from Heather Adams, Interpretive Ranger of Fort Mountain State Park. She’ll talk about gardens in Georgia State Parks.
Looking for a great public garden to spend an afternoon? With such a temperate climate, you can pretty much find an amazing garden to visit any day of the year in the South. Check out seven of the South's great public gardens, and check out more gardening events at walterreeves.com.
About the Author
