Gibbs Gardens started as the private home of Jim Gibbs and family in 1980. It has become over 300 acres, 220 of which exist of landscaped gardens. The Manor House rises above hillsides of rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils, daylilies, roses, crape myrtles, dogwoods, cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and wildflowers. These and more are laid out among streams, ponds, lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and specialty gardens. The view from the Manor House travels down seven terraced levels of gardens. The family still occupies the Manor.
Among the “Special Gardens” are The Gazebo, Grandchildren’s Sculpture Garden, The Pleasance and the Japanese Garden. The Japanese garden alone has over 40 acres of ponds, bridges, handcrafted Japanese lanterns, islands, boulders, specially chosen and placed rocks and boulders and more than 1000 Japanese maples. The garden is especially beautiful in the Fall when the maples are vibrant.
Currently, the Daffodil Festival is going on until April. Daylilies will bloom in June and July. There are over 20 million daffodil bulbs, blooming at various times in the early spring. A tram will take you around to all the hillsides of daffodils. Our family paid a visit this past weekend, the first one open this season. We arrived shortly after opening at 9:00 am and by the time we left three hours later, the lines were out into the parking lot, so go early or try to go on a weekday. The Gardens include a cafe where you can get a snack and rest among the gardens.
Your tickets can be credited toward an annual pass, so you can visit during several blooming seasons. There will always be something blooming.
For information about festivals, costs and times of operation, you can check at:
The gardens are located at 1987 Gibbs Dr., Ball Ground, GA 30107
