Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
Savannah, GA 31419
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00a - 5:00p
Saturday: 10:00a - 5:00p
Sunday: 12:00p - 5:00p
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens are 16.5 miles, 22 minutes from River Street via I-16 West, I-95 South and then Hwy. 25 East. The Gardens is a former USDA plant-introduction station that has developed into a 51-acre botanical garden. It is located at 2 Canebrake Road, Chatham County, Georgia, south of Savannah. Still known by many Savannahians as "The Bamboo Farm" (a name that dates from the 1940s), the botanical garden is open daily, except holidays, and no entrance fee is required.
The garden's collection began in the late 1880s when property owner Mrs. H. B. Miller planted three giant Japanese timber bamboo plants. By 1915 an impressive bamboo grove developed, which drew the attention of noted botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild. In 1919 Barbour Lathrop, a friend of Fairchild, purchased the site from Mrs. Miller for $5,000 and leased it to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for $1.
Most specimens were planted in the 1920s and '30s. It also displays 40 winter-hardy palm species, including numerous cultivars of dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor). With at least 36 different species, the gardens are also home to one of the largest collections of camellia species outside of China, in the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail. Impressive specimen trees also cast shade across the property, including China fir, southern magnolia, Japanese evergreen oak lord's holly. Oliver, Chinese pistachio and live oak.
Today, Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens' collections contain around 60 bamboo taxa, said to be the largest American bamboo collection open to the public east of California.
The site also showcases landscape roses, native plants of the state of Georgia, day lilies, bearded iris and seasonal annuals. A 50,000-gallon water garden was completed on the shores of one of the site's lakes in late fall 2012. In mid-2013, a Mediterranean-style garden was completed in the area by the Bridal Cottage and Conference Center.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm is roughly 10 miles southwest of downtown Savannah. We are accessible from three main regional arteries: Interstate 95 (exit 94), as well as the Abercorn Expressway and the Atlantic Coastal Highway/Ogeechee Road. Free parking is available on site. We are also served by Chatham Area Transit, "Silk Hope" Bus #17.
There is no fee to visit Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens during regular business hours. During special seasonal events, a per-person or parking fee may be charged.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens is closed on major federal or state holidays, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Call ahead to confirm our hours if you are uncertain about holiday closings.
In addition, we are closed the Friday after Thanksgiving and the entire week from Christmas (December 25) through New Year's Day (January 1).
Garden Etiquette
As a botanical garden, we strive for the preservation, display and maintenance of a wide array of plants. Call us a "zoo for plants," where we educate the public about the plant kingdom's diversity, uses and beauty. Ensure the health and integrity of our plant collection is always considered during your visit. Kindly abide by these simple rules of etiquette:
- Do not pick flowers, leaves or fruits from any plants. Taking unauthorized plant propagation cuttings is prohibited.
- Walk on the grass and remain on sidewalks and other paved surfaces. Refrain from stepping into mulched planting beds as you risk damaging dormant plants, metal plant markers and irrigation emitters.
- Photography is welcomed, but do not manipulate plants or flowers for the sake of your shot. Don't position people so that they are in planting areas where they may trample dormant bulbs and flowers and cause soil compaction.
- Place your litter in proper receptacles.
- Bicycles are prohibited on sidewalks and garden walkways. Use bicycles on asphalt roads only.
- We discourage bringing any pets, especially in warm weather. All dogs must be on a leash and controlled, regardless of breed or size. Owners are expected to clean up after their dogs and keep them out of garden beds.
- All tobacco products are prohibited from all buildings and the entire outdoor gardens and grounds. No smoking or chewing tobacco.
