I love the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We’ve been members for several years and every year we can count on the Gardens to present us with several outstanding, special attractions. In the past, these have included: displays of beautiful glassworks by Chihuly, numerous topiary sculptures of bugs, giant snakes, trolls, Scarecrows by local schools and garden clubs, trains and villages,  and much more. Additionally, I’ve taken classes in photography and garden vegetable cooking. There are numerous classes offered including Tai Chi in the Garden. 

Currently, ABG is presenting The Curious Garden, an art installation designed by artist Adam Scheverner. My husband, my friend and I went to check it out last week, cameras in hand. Scheverner’s installations lead you to look up into the tree canopy and down into the valley and dry stream beds in the garden, rather than constantly at eye level. You will find neon treetrunks hanging in the canvas of natural, living trees, brightly painted gourds tumbling along those dry creek beds and crawling up trees that line those beds, bright red flying saucers soaring overhead on the Skywalk, neon towers in ponds and waterfalls, and a collage ofvarious containers with colored contents in the Orchid House.

The Children’s Garden is a special place for all ages, offering story book readings, trains, the Garden Grooves with Wiggle and Warble, classes on veggie planting and care, and a Splash fountain, a frog swamp and much more.

One of our favorite offerings is the summer concerts series. These concerts take place on the main lawn in front of the Orchid House. Dinner can be ordered ahead of time, cocktails, wine and beer are available for purchase. Food cannot be brought in. There is a wide array of artists. We’ve enjoyed Gavin Degraw, Los Lobos and Jonny Lang. Please check out the schedule of what is left this season.

Everywhere you turn in the Gardens is a lovely surprise, including a Japanese garden, rose gardens, the Parterre Fontain created to hold a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture donated after his first exhibition and a giant topiary of Mother Nature overlooking a lovely fountain, the Skywalk through the tree canopy and some of my favorites, the bronze frog sculptures sitting and reading on benches throughout the garden.

For garden members there are several Fall and Winter events to come:

• Member evenings for families with “live country and blues music”, Chef demos and children activities.
• Light Bites and Garden Insights October 24, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
• Summer Strings August 28, 6:30- 9:00 PM Cocktails, Hors d’oeuvres and live music.
• Garden Lights, Holiday Lights Premier for members, November 9, 6:00 – 10:00 PM. Open to the public November 11 – January 7, 5:00 – 10:00 PM.
• Wine in the Woodlands, Last Thursday of each month, May – October, 6:00 – 9:00 PM.
• The Science Cafe, Last Thursday of each month, June – September, 7:00 PM.

I urge you to check out one of Atlanta’s best attractions.

For further info:

• 404-876-5859
• 1345 Pienmont Ave, NE
• www.atlantabg.combg.com