Our Gardens

The Spirit Garden

The Spirit Garden is our newest addition to the garden. During the pandemic of 2020, HCBG was not able to hold the Annual Plant Sale. Having already purchased plants and with no way to conduct the sale, the Friends of the Garden took and planted thirty of the native azalea bushes along the path from the entrance to the Anne King Garden and created the Spirit Garden to remember that difficult time for the country.
This garden is dedicated to "Hart County 's Front Line Heroes and the intrepid community that supports them."

Take a virtual tour of the garden

Nancy Hart Meadow

We're excited about a new garden that's in the works! Keep checking on the progress being made on the new Nancy Hart Meadow at the North Garden Entrance.

Anne King Garden
Anne King was a member of our first Master Gardener class in 1997. She proposed the idea of developing a botanical garden in Hart County that would be a place of beauty and education for the area citizens. Her vision became a reality in 2000 when work on the garden began. Anne worked for 31 years with the Hart County Extension Office and retired in 2004. She looked forward to having more time to dig in the Hart County Botanical dirt, but sadly, passed away in 2006.

Anne was a collector of plants, and Japanese maples and hellebores were among her favorites. Look for these special plants honoring her in the garden. She treasured all plants, especially 'passalong' plants and the connections with friends that they held. Many native perennials and shrubs are planted in the Anne King Garden so that something will be blooming almost year round. There are also many 'passalong' plants that were generously donated by Anne King's Master Gardener friends. The cherub fountain incorporates Anne's love of water features with the widespread belief that she has now taken the role of guardian angel of the HCBG.

In developing this garden we hope to express our thanks to Anne for her vision and her unbridled spirit. We invite you to sit and relax while enjoying the peaceful beauty of the Anne King Garden.

Children's Garden

The goal of the Children's Garden is to provide an interesting and educational place for children and parents to visit and enjoy. Here they can learn about nature by observing insects, the soil, ground covers, snakes, and plants that don't look like animals, but have animal names. They will also be fascinated to observe what is happening in the Insect House.
Bring the kids to enjoy and learn in our Children's Garden while also giving them the opportunity to play and be physically active. There are several picnic tables to use, and the picket fences painted by the Hartwell Service League add whimsy and color to the garden.

Don't miss the nearby Free Little Library filled with books to enjoy during your stay and sit and play a game of checkers!

Asian Garden

The Asian Garden incorporates aspects of traditional gardens found throughout Asia. The lovely Moonhouse is the garden's centerpiece utilizing natural building elements and Japanese design style. Also in this garden you'll find statues, bambo fences, and plants typical of Asian gardens. Our red Asian bridge crosses a gentle stream and provides a unique photo opportunity.

Thanks to the crew from Phillips Brothers Contracting for the installation of the bridge.

Shade Garden
Enjoy a stroll through this enchanted garden

Native Plant & Woodland Garden

William Bartram was a naturalist and explorer who lived from 1739 to 1823. He traveled extensively throughout the southeastern United States around the time of the Revolutionary War. Thanks to his journals and drawings, we have an accurate record of the plants, animals, and Native Americans that were living at this time in our area. Bartram was responsible for documenting the Franklinia Tree (Franklinia alatamaha) that is today extinct in the wild. He discovered this tree growing along the Altamaha River in Georgia and named it for his family friend, Benjamin Franklin.
Here and in the adjacent woods, you will find many different plants that are native to this area.

Heritage Garden & Bird Sanctuary

In the Heritage Garden, you will find many varities of beautiful Camelias. These gorgeous shrubs flower during the winter and help to keep the garden pretty year round. This garden also serves as a bird sanctuary with differing types of birdfeeders to attract all kinds of birds. Sit on a bench and count how many different bird species can be seen here! A prominent feature here is Mamaw's House. Designed to resemble a traditional southern back porch, make yourself comfortable here in one of our old-fashioned rocking chairs.