| History and General Info |
Dr. Joyce G. Latimer, Professor of Horticulture, served as a principal leader in converting this plot land into a unique showcase of science-based research in gardening, landscape management and environmental horticulture.
A capital funding campaign was initiated in 1997 that eventually netted over $175,000 for the installation of the Demonstration Gardens – a series of theme gardens displaying plant selection and management, landscape design, and practices for improving and sustaining environmental quality. Additional support in the form of plant material, design, hardscape, soil amendments and equipment were provided by industry, professional associations, civic and garden clubs, and the local community. Thirteen gardens were installed in 1998 and 1999; three additional gardens have been installed since 2000.
Research has remained an integral part of the Garden’s mission since the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division awarded a $60,000 grant to the Garden for its inaugural research project in landscape management. To date, over 30 research projects have been conducted at the Garden by College of Agricultural & Environmental Science faculty yielding over 40 research publications.
The Friends of the Garden organization was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2000 and provides support to the Garden and its mission with funds derived from membership dues, an annual plant sale, and other fund-raising activities. Their funding has supported the installation of the beautiful gateway into the Garden, purchasing of supplies and equipment, and assisted in the construction of the Garden Education Building and associated hardscapes in 2008.
The Garden has continued to build partnerships with the professional industry, professional associations, regulatory agencies, civic organizations, local school systems, Griffin Technical College, the Georgia Master Gardener organization and other community entities. The estimated 9,000 people who visit the Garden each year will attest that the Research & Education Garden is “cultivating minds and the environment” in its research and outreach programs. |
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| Entrance Garden |
| Although you can enter the Demonstration Area through several vantage points, the formal entrance is situated at the northern end of the area. It is accented by a large and sprawling pergola that adds beauty to the garden and a respite from the sun. |
| Garden for the Physically Disabled |
| Undeveloped and not yet adopted. Currently, it is being used to display seasonal annuals. |
| The Pergola |
| Serves as entrance to the northern end of the Demonstration Gardens. Wisteria growing on the structure accents its beauty and provides a covering for meetings and other gatherings. |
| The Xeriscape Garden |
| Surrounds the Pergola. Trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers in this garden require minimal watering. Visitors can see landscape that is both drought tolerant and conserves water. |
| Turf Plots |
| Eleven varieties of turfgrasses are planted in the Turf Garden. They include bermudagrasses, zoysias, St. Augustine, fescue and seashore paspalum which are used for golf courses, sports fields and homeowner landscapes from the North Georgia Mountains to the coast. |
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| Rock Garden |
| Its 3-tier design creates a variety of microhabitats with differing amounts of shade, soil and moisture. A variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and rare and unusual plants await visitors of this southern rock garden. |
| The Perennial Garden |
| Boasts color from early spring (dianthus) to late fall (asters) year after year. These perennials are well adapted to Georgia's climate and offer visitors an opportunity to see what plants they may enjoy growing in their own gardens and landscapes. |
| Native Plants Garden |
| A vine-covered arbor marks the entrance into the Native Plants Garden. Georgia native plants growing here rang from colorful spring wildflowers to snowy white Annabelle hydrangea in summer to the purple berries of American Beautyberry in fall. |
| The Herb Garden |
| Allows visitors to wander through herbs that have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal, culinary and aromatic values. After smelling the rosemary, lavender and mint and seeing the lavender cotton and sage in bloom you will want to learn how these herbs were used over the years to heal the body, flavor food and soothe the soul. |
| Water Gardens |
| Featured 2,000 years ago in Persian gardens. Today, water gardening is popular again. Our Water Garden offers a homeowner or contractor an idea of how the finished product may look complete with fish, varieties of tropical water plants, and the surrounding landscape. It's system of water management can be compared to the water feature in the Windbreak Garden. |
| Ornamental Grasses Garden |
| An assortment of ornamental grasses ranging in height from 10 inches to 10 feet are on display in the Ornamental Grasses Garden. Visitors can see the ultimate size, and the plume appearance and color of the grasses planted here. |
| Children's Garden |
| Children of all ages enjoy the Children's Garden. It is designed to appeal to all of our senses. There are brightly colored flowers, beautiful butterflies, and an occasional hummingbird. Roses and herbs fill the air with pleasant fragrances. Lamb's ear, thornless blackberries, and other plants beckon to be touched. in season ripe blueberries and blackberries are for the tasting. A playhouse, a walkway etched with pictures of plants and animals, a paver stone checkerboard, and small benches provide a setting for play and endless use of our imaginations and creativity. |
| The Butterfly Garden |
Named after Deen Day Smith form her generous support of the Garden, her activism in environmental horticulture, and her interest in butterflies. Our garden houses and supports all stages of the lifecycle of several butterfly species. Adult butterflies are attracted to colorful lantana, pentas, and butterfly bushes where they feed upon nectar from the flowers. Eggs are laid on various plants like fennel and parsley that also serve as food for caterpillars.
Antique Climbing Roses - Growing along and over a wrought iron fence that borders the Heirloom Garden. Climbing Musk Rose, Perle d'Or, and the Cherokee Rose (state flower) are among the roses dating from 1540 to 1931. |
| Irises & Day Lilies |
| Griffin is known as the "Iris City" and befitting that designation, irises and day lilies grow and bloom throughout the Garden, but especially in the Heirloom Garden. From mid-March to mid-April, Touch of Mystique, Fine China, Latin Lover and other iris burst forth with yellow, pink, purple, orange and white flowers. |
| Heirloom Garden |
| Captures this practice with perennials, annuals, and vegetables propagated from seeds, cuttings and bulbs (tubers). Many of the plants growing here were donated by members of our community. Walking through this garden reminds visitors of their grandmothers' and great-grandmothers' yards and gardens. |
| Windbreak Garden |
| Designed to display choices of plants for landscapes that provide screening for privacy and from the wind or other elements. This garden is accentuated with a bench and water feature offering visitors some quiet solitude. |
| Bog Garden |
| Located within the Native Plants Garden and is a fascinating place with plants found in Georgia bogs. Pitcher plants, sundews and sedges survive and flourish in the water-saturated, nutrient-poor soils of southern bogs. Some are carnivorous and trap insects and other small invertebrates that supplement their diets with protein. |
| Wild Flowers Garden |
| Grows within the Perennial Garden and form a border along the Native Plants Garden. They offer a beautiful transition from grassy areas to shrub beds in landscapes. Wild flowers attract pollinating insects, beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife. |
| Rain Gardens |
| A relatively new innovation for southern landscapes. They are designed to capture and absorb storm water run-off flowing across landscapes. Our Rain Garden is an example of a home landscape garden that helps us recycle water by returning it to our groundwater reserves. Our design includes a beautifully-shaped retention area containing and bordered by various perennials that are adapted to extremes in soil moisture. |
| The Four Seasons Garden |
| Occupying the center of the Demonstration Gardens. It offers visitors a more formal garden theme with sheared formal hedges, crepe myrtles, Knock-Out roses, seasonal color, and statuettes representing spring, summer, fall and winter. |
| Amenities |
| Parking and Public Restrooms |
| Hours Open |
| Visitors may take a self guided tour of the garden on weekdays (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (May through September). Groups may visit/tour the Demonstration Gardens. Please contact us to arrange a date/time, and for more information contact Susan Thornhill. |
| Contact, Address, Directions and Website |
| Phone: 770-233-6107 - Address: Georgia Station, 1109 Experiment Sr., Griffin Georgia 30223 Directions: The Research and Education Garden is adjacent to the main campus of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Griffin Campus (Georgia Experiment Station) within the corporate limits of Griffin, Georgia. The Garden is located 40 miles south of Atlanta on Ellis Road, off U.S. Highways 19/41. University of Georgia Research and Education Website |
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State Botanical Garden 
