I was getting my nails done on Saturday morning and the woman next to me was chatting about going to Gibbs Gardens. I inquired what that was because I'd never heard of it. Oh the things you find out as a friendly (Yankee turned) Southerner.  Apparently Gibbs Gardens, located in Ballground, GA,  is a 300-acre private family estate that has turned into a world-class public garden with 220 acres of landscaped gardens. 

The weather was beautiful this weekend and my husband Mike, daughter Riley, her friend Annie and I headed out on a spontaneous field trip. 

The "Seasons of Color" at Gibbs Gardens begin with the Daffodil Festival featuring over 10 million daffodils that bloom over the course of 6 weeks. It was magnificent. (P.S. We bought 50 daffodil bulbs when we were there and promptly went home and planted them). 

Jim Gibbs, the founder of Gibbs Gardens took 32 years to curate these gardens before he opened them up to the public. (He was there today and gave us lots of tips on how to plant our new bulbs). Mike and I bought an annual pass ($50/person) and are so excited to go back for all the festivals.  The gardens bloom in seasons - next up are the Azaleas and Cherry blossoms, then the Roses and Crape Myrtles and then the Japanese Maples. Mixed in are the Daylillies, Waterlilies and Ferns. I'm SO excited.

Of the sixteen garden venues that are open for exploration, I can already tell that the Japanese Gardens will be one of my favorites. Even though they weren't blooming today, they were gorgeous. 

The sculptures throughout the gardens were amazing. 

I loved all the smiling stone monks that were sitting throughout the gardens.

This one is for my friend Brownlee Currey as I know he will appreciate this.

I cannot imagine what these gardens will look like in the Fall when it becomes a plethora of rich reds, oranges, yellow and green. No filter will be needed I'm sure! 

If you are interested in having a glorious spontaneous weekend field trip like we did, you can visit Gibbs Gardens from now thru Mid-June Tuesday-Sunday from 9am to 5pm and Mid-June to mid-December Wednesday- Sunday 9am-5pm.  (If you stop and eat lunch at the quaint cafe, I recommend the chicken salad on homemade cranberry walnut bread).

1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Grounds, GA 30107

770-893-1881   info@gibbsgardens.com 

HAVE FUN!!!

Kelly