There’s a big fancy bunch of gardens in Hall County near Lake Lanier that has lots of pretty flowers and an identity problem.
If this oasis had a Facebook page, its relationship status would be “It’s Complicated.” They’re Secret Gardens.
The gardens used to be known as Smithgall Woodlands Gardens, Smithgall Woodland Legacy and/or Smithgall gardens, but not anymore. Not that anything went wrong or anybody went to The Dark Side, it’s just not called that anymore.
These days the Secret Gardens are (is?) known as The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville.
That’s about as catchy as calling a Ferrari a “two-door coupe.” This is why radio stations began calling themselves “Fred” or “Ralph” or whatever. We can identify with a friendly name.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden (not “gardens”) in Gainesville (TABGiG) is never going to fit on a bumper sticker, T-shirt or mug. So, I’m voting for a name change to the Secret Gardens.
Now that I have that taken care of, let me tell you about the Secret Gardens. They’re fantastic.
There are 50 parks on Lake Lanier. Most of them have flowers or trails or places to sit and think.
The Secret Gardens — also unknown as The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville — is better.
Don’t get me wrong.
I’d rather ride my zippy motorcycle in the mountains for relaxation, but TABGiG is way better for first dates, parties with fancy folks, wine tastings with anybody or for a stroll through a winding path in the forest that has lots of botanical stuff that you might recognize.
Director Mildred Fockele and her able crew hope to create “a new destination for connecting with beauty and the natural world.”
TABGiG, as you might imagine, describes the gardens a bit differently than your average motorcyclist:
Complete with a visitor center, outdoor gardens, a model train garden and an amphitheater, [is] a cultural center for the community hosting exciting exhibitions, events, and educational programs.
The nationally recognized collections will expand the horticultural palette of Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Garden has already developed a sophisticated horticultural operation and the largest conservation nursery in the Southeast on the property. Endangered plants will be propagated on the site for the conservation program.
The best part of TABGiG? The Temptations are going to play there on July 11th.
Seriously. THE Temptations! At TABGiG! Yup.
TABGiG has a dandy ampitheat … amphath … spot to sit outside and watch The Dang Temptations!
How cool is that?
Can I guarantee they’ll play Since I Lost My Baby? No. But they should.
I can probably forget getting free tickets to this fabulous event, even if I sang Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.
There’s probably still hope that they’ll let you in … for the concert and to tiptoe through the better stuff than tulips at The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville.
Seriously. The next time someone says, “I’m bored. There’s nothing to do around here.” Take them for a walk around the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville.
Even though it’s a rose that should be called by any other name.
Directions to TABGiG
Address
- 1911 Sweetbay Drive
- Gainesville, Georgia 30501
The entrance is located on Cleveland Highway a quarter-mile north of Limestone Parkway on what was formerly Lakehill Drive, less than a mile south of the trooper headquarters.
Click Here for The Temptations in The Secret Gardens
Click Here for The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville
