"The Best American Botanical Gardens of 2020"
From Humble Beginnings: Jim Gibbs
It's safe to say that Jim Gibbs, the founder, and namesake of Gibbs Gardens, is a more than talented man. Before he created the incredible gardens you've seen today, he was always active in the gardening and landscape architecture scene since he graduated from UGA in 1965, with a major in the first field, and a minor in the latter. Following his graduation from UGA, Mr. Gibbs used his gifts for gardening, and his visionary mind to build one of the most decorated landscaping companies in Georgia, Gibbs Landscaping Company. Although Mr. Gibbs has retired from his position in Gibbs Landscaping Co., he served the Atlanta Area for over forty years, and his accolades in landscaping placed him at two separate White House galas, where he earned his two national landscape awards.
Outside of his own businesses and gardens, however, Gibbs has remained equally active in other landscaping organizations, like the Atlanta Botanical Garden, of which he is a founding member and lifetime trustee. Having personally visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden several times, I can see many similarities in the placement of fountains and reflective pools across both Gibbs and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as well as distinctive Japanese Garden sections. Having visited both, however, I can't say enough just how jaw-dropping Gibbs Garden was, and likely will be for generations, which brings me to my next point in Gibbs story, legacy. In the words of Mr. Gibbs himself, "Passing down seeds and plants from generation to generation provides a kind of love that only a gardener understands. I’m sure my three children and eleven grandchildren will enjoy this garden for years to come as I hope the general public will enjoy visiting and viewing the legacy I leave behind. A garden is fresh and alive from early dawn to the peace and tranquility of the setting sun.”
Throughout Gibbs's own life, he was inspired by both of his grandmothers, his great aunt, and his mother, who all worked either on their own ornate and beautiful gardens or in the case of his mother, as a blue ribbon floral arranger. Gibbs was often fascinated by his great aunts shimmering fountains, vibrant flowers, and meticulously maintained garden, and it was early on in life that he told his mother, "I want a garden just like hers". I think it's more than safe to say that he accomplished that goal, and has left an incredible legacy that is sure to inspire for generations to come.
Outside of his own businesses and gardens, however, Gibbs has remained equally active in other landscaping organizations, like the Atlanta Botanical Garden, of which he is a founding member and lifetime trustee. Having personally visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden several times, I can see many similarities in the placement of fountains and reflective pools across both Gibbs and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as well as distinctive Japanese Garden sections. Having visited both, however, I can't say enough just how jaw-dropping Gibbs Garden was, and likely will be for generations, which brings me to my next point in Gibbs story, legacy. In the words of Mr. Gibbs himself, "Passing down seeds and plants from generation to generation provides a kind of love that only a gardener understands. I’m sure my three children and eleven grandchildren will enjoy this garden for years to come as I hope the general public will enjoy visiting and viewing the legacy I leave behind. A garden is fresh and alive from early dawn to the peace and tranquility of the setting sun.”
Throughout Gibbs's own life, he was inspired by both of his grandmothers, his great aunt, and his mother, who all worked either on their own ornate and beautiful gardens or in the case of his mother, as a blue ribbon floral arranger. Gibbs was often fascinated by his great aunts shimmering fountains, vibrant flowers, and meticulously maintained garden, and it was early on in life that he told his mother, "I want a garden just like hers". I think it's more than safe to say that he accomplished that goal, and has left an incredible legacy that is sure to inspire for generations to come.
Gibbs Garden
Before opening the gates to his own garden in 2012, Mr. Gibbs traveled the country and the world for fifteen years, viewing the achievements and ornate creations of fellow gardeners. Over the years, Gibbs began to learn more and more about the many different styles of gardening and floral arrangement, before he decided to create a garden of his own. After this dream began to blossom, Gibbs spent another six years looking for the site of his namesake garden, dreaming of land with mature trees, a strong and natural source of water, and rolling hills. This search brought him to a small town in North Georgia, Ballground, where the always-packed Gibbs Garden stands today.
Sitting at 336 acres, the Gibbs Garden of today is one of the largest residential estate gardens in the country, with views of wonder at every turn. Building on the natural plant population of ferns. azaleas, dogwoods, and mountain laurel, Gibbs transformed the property to include twenty-four ponds, thirty-two bridge crossings, and nineteen waterfalls, filling each nook and cranny with distinctive, beautiful plants. It's evident from Gibb's design and arrangement of the garden that he has a clear soft spot for water, and my pictures can only begin to do the sight justice. These twenty-four reflective pools highlight the unique color and texture of this garden offering a different perspective to each wonderous site.
Beyond his gardens, Gibbs also has an architectural wonder, the Manor House. Being built in 1980, this home features the greatest mountain view of the property and is surrounded by trees planted at the same time the house was built some forty years ago, but for people unlike myself, the house is more interesting than what surrounds it. Bolstering a 14th-century French limestone fireplace, 17th-century French Interior Doors, and 18th-century beveled windows, which are of course, also French. This house certainly is an architectural oddity in the area, and absolutely compliments the incredible gardens below it.
Sitting at 336 acres, the Gibbs Garden of today is one of the largest residential estate gardens in the country, with views of wonder at every turn. Building on the natural plant population of ferns. azaleas, dogwoods, and mountain laurel, Gibbs transformed the property to include twenty-four ponds, thirty-two bridge crossings, and nineteen waterfalls, filling each nook and cranny with distinctive, beautiful plants. It's evident from Gibb's design and arrangement of the garden that he has a clear soft spot for water, and my pictures can only begin to do the sight justice. These twenty-four reflective pools highlight the unique color and texture of this garden offering a different perspective to each wonderous site.
Beyond his gardens, Gibbs also has an architectural wonder, the Manor House. Being built in 1980, this home features the greatest mountain view of the property and is surrounded by trees planted at the same time the house was built some forty years ago, but for people unlike myself, the house is more interesting than what surrounds it. Bolstering a 14th-century French limestone fireplace, 17th-century French Interior Doors, and 18th-century beveled windows, which are of course, also French. This house certainly is an architectural oddity in the area, and absolutely compliments the incredible gardens below it.
Experiencing the Garden Yourself
Having only visited the garden once this fall, my family and I have already purchased our annual passes, and are sure to be making return visits with each season change. Having been to over a dozen botanical gardens myself, Gibbs is a new, unachievable standard that is always sure to impress. Walking around the gardens, there are plenty of benches, smooth walking paths, and pull-off photo opportunities that make Gibbs great for families of any age or mobility. With sixteen gardens, and three evolving feature gardens, including the Manor House, Japanese Garden, and Waterlily Gardens, the entire site only takes around two and a half hours to complete, including plenty of time for bathroom breaks or photos. Whether Gibbs Garden is your first botanical garden or your fiftieth, I'm certain you'll find elements to enjoy, and I hope you can make it soon!
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