North Georgia blooms beautifully every spring. One of our favorite things to do when it gets warm is touring area gardens. Here are five North Georgia Gardens you don’t want to miss if you are in the area.

The most unique North Georgia garden: Calhoun’s Rock Garden

The Rock Garden in Calhoun is one of those bucket list experiences. We have been several times. Each time we seem to discover something new. Dewitt Boyd of Calhoun’s Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Ga. 53 created this unique wonder full of structures that may seem familiar to you. You can walk from the Notre Dame Cathedral to the Roman Colosseum in just a few short minutes.

Along the way, you will find words of inspiration and beautiful foliage. Venture beyond the garden and walk the short trail to see wildlife. We spotted a beaver on one of our trips. The best part of it all-it’s free. The Rock Garden is open from dawn until dusk.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville

I haven’t visited the legendary Atlanta Botanical Garden but its sister site about an hour away in Gainesville gave me a glimpse into how beautiful they must be. From the woodland trails to the stream gardens, you will find plenty to see here.

My favorite is the forest pond, where I was greeted by this guy.

We found all sorts of interesting animals during our visit.

I am still not sure what this was, but it was a big highlight of my day.

The garden is open March 1 to Oct. 31, Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $14.95 for adults and $12.95 for children ages 3-12. Children under the age of three are free.

The gardens at Berry College’s Oak Hill

Oak Hill was the home of Martha Berry, the founder of Rome’s Berry College. The college is renowned for its beauty and the home of its namesake is equally beautiful. When we began our tour, we didn’t know about the beautiful gardens on the grounds.

We toured in September so the blooms of spring were long gone. But there was plenty to inspire even on a cloudy day. My favorite is the sunken garden. According to the college’s website, Martha Berry added this garden last after she was not satisfied that the gardens were as dramatic as those she had seen in Europe.

Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum should be at the top of your list if you explore Rome. They are open Monday through Saturday. Admission is $5, with discounts for students and senior citizens.

A daffodil field you may not have seen

You can find several places to see daffodils in the spring, but have you seen them interspersed with unique art? That’s what we found at Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw. We went as they were just beginning to bloom and it was still a bit chilly.

This 17-acre space has so many beautiful blossoms in the spring. We found a lot of surprises along the way, including this little guy.

The gardens change with the seasons. We hope to go back and see what is blooming in the autumn. Admission is $10 with discounts for seniors, children and the military. Be sure to stop by the gift shop to check out some of the spectacular art.

The North Georgia garden everyone knows

Most people in North Georgia have been to Gibbs Gardens, are planning to go or know someone who went. There’s a reason why this Ball Ground garden is so popular–the daffodils in the spring and the Japanese maple trees in the fall.

We went in the fall and the maples had not turned quite yet. But we found other surprises at this North Georgia garden we did not expect. This large hill full of wildflowers was breathtaking.

And this view from the Manor House of the North Georgia mountains is amazing.

You will probably need hours to take it all in-we did. And, of course, we were hungry at some point. We grabbed sandwiches from the Arbor Cafe. I consider myself a chicken salad expert and theirs was great.

The gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday in the spring. If you plan on visiting during other seasons, check the website. Admission is $25, $18 for those over 64, and $10 for children ages 3 to 17.

You will find several beautiful gardens in the South? Which ones do you recommend?