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State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Located just three miles from the University of Georgia campus, State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens is a living laboratory, serving teaching, research, and public service roles for the university. A wide range of specialty gardens and collections exist in this 313-acre botanical garden. Located next to the Visitor Center, the International Garden reveals the interrelationship between people and plants within the context of three eras-the Middle Ages, the Age of Exploration, and the Age of Conservation. Inside the International Garden are the Herb Garden, the Physic Garden, and the Bog Garden. It contains collections of herbs used for culinary, dye, fragrance, and ceremonial purposes; medicinal herbs; and representative species of flora of the Mediterranean region, Latin America, China, and the southeastern United States. The Heritage Garden contains heirloom annuals and perennials; antique roses; fruit crops such as apples, pears, and peaches; row crops such as cotton, tobacco, and peanuts; and a selection of plants native to Georgia. A wide variety of shade-tolerant plant species are housed in the Shade Garden. The wisteria-covered arbor and La Grazia Dello Stelo (the graceful stem) are its most prominent features. Built in the honor of Linton Reese Dunson Sr., a conservation agronomist, the Native Flora Garden contains woodland specimins and some of the rare, threatened, or endangered species. Established in 1975, the Rose Garden is an official All-America Rose Garden. It features a wide variety of roses including all major classes (multiflora, grandiflora, hybrid tea, etc.), as well as many antique roses. Specialty collections such as plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies and a traditional perennial border are included in the Annual/Perennial Garden. The Dahlia Garden which includes a number of dahlia types and the Trial Garden are located nearby. In addition, the botanical garden holds collections such as the Rhododendron Collection that features hybrid rhododendrons, which range in colors from white to vivid reds; the Groundcover Collection, which contains an array of groundcovers; and the Native Azalea Collection. Approximately five miles of color-coded nature trails wind through the garden. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia makes a perfect location for both large-scale events and private functions. The Visitor Center, the Callaway Building, an ideal venue for meetings and conferences, the Day Chapel, and the Garden Club Headquarters, are scenic rental facilities that are available to the public. Completed in 1984, the Visitor Center is a perfect setting for programs and special events. It includes offices and classrooms, a small theater, gift shop, atrium, and a three-story conservatory that features a permanent collection of tropical species. Constructed in 1994, the Day Chapel with carved mahogany and glass doors, is a major architectural feature of the garden. Its excellent acoustics make it a favorite venue for concerts and recitals, as well as weddings, special services, and other events. Lectures, receptions, and exhibitions can be hosted at the Garden Club Headquarters, built in 1998. True to its role as a botanical garden, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia strives to foster appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of plants and nature through collections and displays, horticultural gardens, educational programs, and research.