The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. What to know about this Athens gem

Officially recognized as the state's botanical garden in 1984, The Botanical Gardens of Georgia has grown into an extensive 323-acre spot for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers offering a variety of seasonal events that showcase the beauty of nature year-round.

The garden features 290 acres of natural area and 32 acres of cultivated gardens, including the eight specialty gardens like the Alice H. Richards Children's Garden and the Discovery and Inspiration garden .

One of the garden's standout features is its large interior conservatory with a tropical plant collection, providing a warm escape during the colder months. The popular "Orchid Madness" program showcases their impressive orchid collection.

"We are a free, accessible, available location for people to experience nature and whether that is through our five miles of hiking trails, the eight specialty formal gardens, the porcelain and decorative arts museum, bringing children to the Alice H Richards children's garden," said Jason Young, director of horticulture. "We are, as some people have said, a community asset. We're totally run, and we are a division of the University of Georgia, and it is just a wonderful community place for people to come and experience."

Is there stuff to experience year-round at the Georgia Botanical Gardens?

Throughout the year, the garden offers seasonal attractions. The Spring brings vibrant displays, while summer features the Sunflower Concert Series , a monthly event from June to September held in the flower garden, alongside a range of educational classes and summer camps for children.

As the Fall arrives, the gardens transform with the changing colors of the leaves, providing perfect photo scenes for visitors. The educational department also hosts numerous field trips , allowing local schools to explore and learn about the diverse plant life.

The Winter WonderLights wrap up the year with a half-mile walking trail through the gardens on select nights from Nov. 22 through Dec. 30. Featuring over one million light bulbs wrapped on trees and on sculptures, this has been voted two years in a row as one of the best local events in Athens. Last year, there were over 63,000 visitors that attended Winter WonderLights.

Botanical Gardens of Georgia hours of operation

Located at 2450 S Milledge Ave., the display gardens and nature trails are open Monday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. except for UGA holidays.

The Visitors Center, Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum and Gift Shop are open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.

Tickets

A daily visit to the garden and parking is free. There are certain events and festivals that are ticketed.

The upcoming Sunflower Concert Series with the Randall Bramblett Band on Sept. 17, 7 p.m.- 9 p.m., has $24 tickets for adults (16 and older) and $12 tickets for children (ages 5-16), and children four and under have free entry.

Winter WonderLight tickets go on sale in September. The show will run from mid-November through Dec. 30. Tickets can be purchased online at wonderlights.uga.edu .

With its diverse programing and ever-changing landscape, the Botanical Gardens of Georgia offers something for everyone, making it a must-visit destination throughout the year.

For more information about events, please visit, botgarden.uga.edu/events .

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. What to know about this Athens gem