Smith-Gilbert Gardens is the City of Kennesaw’s botanical garden. Recognized by Cobb Travel & Tourism as one of the Top 10 places to visit in Cobb County, the 17-acre property is rich with botanical, artistic and historic treasures. Fifteen themed garden spaces, anchored by the reconstruction era Hiram Butler House, contain more than 4,000 curated plant species. The award winning “Garden with Wings” butterfly house (open every July) promotes conservation of beneficial Georgia native pollinators.
The crevice garden displays a gardening style and plant collection rarely seen in the Southeastern United States. Robust collections of hydrangeas, camellias, conifers and azaleas, along with woodland and perennial gardens inspire visitors to explore variety for their own landscapes. Blending horticulture and art, the bonsai collection includes more than 70 trees, diligently trained during monthly work sessions that are open to garden visitors. Each spring during Art Blooms, thousands of daffodils highlight the Gardens’ remarkable outdoor sculpture collection by nationally and internationally known artists. Voted the #1 place to take children in the Atlanta metro area, families are encouraged to play…in nature as they discover different playful habitats. Woodland trails, koi ponds and a waterfall round out the experience.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens opened to the public on a full time basis in 2009 and is staffed by six full time employees and one part time employee. The City of Kennesaw provides additional labor and technical support through the Finance, IT, Public Works and Building Maintenance Departments.
