Nature Ramblers

Free Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists, featuring guest guides. Meet at children’s garden arbor. Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the State Botanical Garden while making new friends and enj......More

Free Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists, featuring guest guides. Meet at children’s garden arbor. Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the State Botanical Garden while making new friends and enjoying the fresh air. Rambles start with an inspirational reading by a nature writer such as Annie Dillard, John Muir or Janisse Ray. Ramblers are encouraged to bring their own nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. This is a ramble, not a hike stopping to view interesting plants, insects, butterflies and mushrooms, etc., along the way is part of the experience each week. You can join for just one or all sessions. These informal rambles are free, but donations are accepted in the garden’s donation box in the lobby of the visitor’s center. To get a feel for what these rambles are like, visit http://naturerambling.blogspot.com.

Shade Garden Arbor, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA, 30605, United States

November Friends First Friday Using Vines and Climbers in Your Garden   

$12 general admission | $10 for members Register OnlineWhether you’re planning an expansive suburban landscape or looking for that special patio plant, there’s a place for vines in your garden. The use of vines and climbers in formal and natural garden settings will be ......More

$12 general admission | $10 for members Register OnlineWhether you’re planning an expansive suburban landscape or looking for that special patio plant, there’s a place for vines in your garden. The use of vines and climbers in formal and natural garden settings will be discussed with an emphasis on clematis. Join us as Dan Long shares an amazing array of vines, both classic and new, suited to a wide variety of growing conditions in all colors of the rainbow. Long is the owner of Brushwood Nursery, a mail-order nursery specializing in clematis and other vines. He is currently the president of the International Clematis Society. He is also an author and a past instructor at Longwood Gardens and has lectured and taught at seminars for over 20 years. By focusing on vines and climbers, he has gained extensive knowledge and amassed a body of images on the subject, which he shares in his presentations designed to inform and inspire the audience. The registration deadline is noon on Oct. 30.

Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum – Classroom, 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30605, United States

Basic Botany: Fundamentals of Plant Biology

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native ......More

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native plant certificate program will build, particularly Plant Taxonomy. With an emphasis on relating form to function, it surveys the origins of plants along with their basic forms and life processes. Students will become acquainted with plant tissues and structures, as well as their roles in the life of plants. Course Learning Objectives: Origins of plants and their basic groupsBrief history and fundamentals of the science of botanyPlant structures (internal and external) – their forms, functions and developmentPlant life cycles and reproductionIntroduction to basic plant geneticsEvolutionary adaptations of plantsCourse Structure: This class consists of three elements: a series of pre-recorded introductory videos, in-person or at-home lab exercises exploring plant anatomy and a wrap-up discussion session through Zoom. Part 1 – Introductory Video Lectures – content released Oct. 14Part 2 – Exploratory Lab Exercises – self-paced at home OR in-person session Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.Part 3 – Online Discussion Session – through Zoom Nov. 10, 6 – 7 p.m.Participants who sign up for the online lab session will be provided instructions for conducting their own activities at home. This class is a core class for the Certificate in Native Plants.

Visitor Center & Conservatory Adult Classroom, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia, 30605, United States

Basic Botany: Fundamentals of Plant Biology

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native ......More

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native plant certificate program will build, particularly Plant Taxonomy. With an emphasis on relating form to function, it surveys the origins of plants along with their basic forms and life processes. Students will become acquainted with plant tissues and structures, as well as their roles in the life of plants. Course Learning Objectives: Origins of plants and their basic groupsBrief history and fundamentals of the science of botanyPlant structures (internal and external) – their forms, functions and developmentPlant life cycles and reproductionIntroduction to basic plant geneticsEvolutionary adaptations of plantsCourse Structure: This class consists of three elements: a series of pre-recorded introductory videos, in-person or at-home lab exercises exploring plant anatomy and a wrap-up discussion session through Zoom. Part 1 – Introductory Video Lectures – content released Oct. 14Part 2 – Exploratory Lab Exercises – self-paced at home OR in-person session Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.Part 3 – Online Discussion Session – through Zoom Nov. 10, 6 – 7 p.m.Participants who sign up for the online lab session will be provided instructions for conducting their own activities at home. This class is a core class for the Certificate in Native Plants.

Visitor Center & Conservatory Adult Classroom, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia, 30605, United States

Museum Tour

Join us at 12 p.m. every Sunday for an in-depth, one-hour tour of the State Botanical Garden’s Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. These tours are led by docents, museum assistants or the curator. Tours are $5 per person, payable at the Garden Gift Shop upon arrival. ......More

Join us at 12 p.m. every Sunday for an in-depth, one-hour tour of the State Botanical Garden’s Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. These tours are led by docents, museum assistants or the curator. Tours are $5 per person, payable at the Garden Gift Shop upon arrival. 

Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum – Classroom, 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30605, United States

Fungal Ecology & Diversity: The Fascinating World of Fungi

Sam Landes, treasurer, Mushroom Club of Georgia Cornelia Cho, president, Mushroom Club of Georgia Register OnlineFungi are an essential yet often overlooked part of our natural world. In this class, participants will explore the fascinating diversity of fungi and learn ......More

Sam Landes, treasurer, Mushroom Club of Georgia Cornelia Cho, president, Mushroom Club of Georgia Register OnlineFungi are an essential yet often overlooked part of our natural world. In this class, participants will explore the fascinating diversity of fungi and learn about their structures, identification and many uses. The course will introduce key aspects of fungal biology and ecology while highlighting the important roles fungi play in natural systems. We will also touch on the culinary side of fungi and their value to people. Through discussion and hands-on examples, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable world of fungi. 

State Botanical Garden Visitor Center, Classroom 2, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, 30605

Tuesday Tour

Join us at 2 p.m. every Tuesday for an in-depth, one-hour tour of the State Botanical Garden’s Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. These tours are led by the curator or docents. Tours are $5 per person, payable at the Garden Gift Shop upon arrival. 

Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum – Classroom, 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia, 30605, United States

Basic Botany: Fundamentals of Plant Biology

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native ......More

Sabrina Sewell, botanist Register OnlineExplore the biology of plants in this introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, evolution, and development. This course presents the fundamental information about plants upon which other courses in the native plant certificate program will build, particularly Plant Taxonomy. With an emphasis on relating form to function, it surveys the origins of plants along with their basic forms and life processes. Students will become acquainted with plant tissues and structures, as well as their roles in the life of plants. Course Learning Objectives: Origins of plants and their basic groupsBrief history and fundamentals of the science of botanyPlant structures (internal and external) – their forms, functions and developmentPlant life cycles and reproductionIntroduction to basic plant geneticsEvolutionary adaptations of plantsCourse Structure: This class consists of three elements: a series of pre-recorded introductory videos, in-person or at-home lab exercises exploring plant anatomy and a wrap-up discussion session through Zoom. Part 1 – Introductory Video Lectures – content released Oct. 14Part 2 – Exploratory Lab Exercises – self-paced at home OR in-person session Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.Part 3 – Online Discussion Session – through Zoom Nov. 10, 6 – 7 p.m.Participants who sign up for the online lab session will be provided instructions for conducting their own activities at home. This class is a core class for the Certificate in Native Plants.

Virtual Lecture – Zoom

Nature Ramblers

Free Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists, featuring guest guides. Meet at children’s garden arbor. Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the State Botanical Garden while making new friends and enj......More

Free Leaders rotate among a group of local naturalists and biologists, featuring guest guides. Meet at children’s garden arbor. Join the Nature Ramblers to learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the State Botanical Garden while making new friends and enjoying the fresh air. Rambles start with an inspirational reading by a nature writer such as Annie Dillard, John Muir or Janisse Ray. Ramblers are encouraged to bring their own nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. This is a ramble, not a hike stopping to view interesting plants, insects, butterflies and mushrooms, etc., along the way is part of the experience each week. You can join for just one or all sessions. These informal rambles are free, but donations are accepted in the garden’s donation box in the lobby of the visitor’s center. To get a feel for what these rambles are like, visit http://naturerambling.blogspot.com.

Shade Garden Arbor, 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA, 30605, United States

Winter WonderLights Season Premiere

Join us as we kick off this year’s Winter WonderLights with a Season Premiere party! Be among the first to experience Winter WonderLights during a special evening in the garden before the show opens to the public. A limited number of tickets are available for this exclu......More

Join us as we kick off this year’s Winter WonderLights with a Season Premiere party! Be among the first to experience Winter WonderLights during a special evening in the garden before the show opens to the public. A limited number of tickets are available for this exclusive event, which includes VIP parking, entry to the show, a selection of food from local restaurants, including Cafe Racer, Holy Crepe and Maepole, two drink tickets and a s’mores kit.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, 30605

Garden Closed until 11:30 a.m.

The State Botanical Garden will be closed until 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026, for a special event.

Entire Garden, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, 30605

Invasive Plant Control Strategies, Techniques, Tips, Tricks and Tools!  

Gary Crider, invasive plant control specialist Register OnlineThis class will detail safe, practical and effective control methods for three critical species: Japanese Stiltgrass, English Ivy and Chinese Privet. With the right strategies, tools and techniques, these inv......More

Gary Crider, invasive plant control specialist Register OnlineThis class will detail safe, practical and effective control methods for three critical species: Japanese Stiltgrass, English Ivy and Chinese Privet. With the right strategies, tools and techniques, these invasive plants can be brought under control, reducing their impacts and improving the ecological function of affected sites. Other problematic species will also be discussed, including Japanese Knotweed, Callery Pear, Kudzu and Japanese Chaff Flower.

Virtual Lecture – Zoom