Atlanta Blooms! 2022

"Atlanta Blooms!", now in its second decade, is one of the most beautiful events in all of Atlanta, and it's in your own backyard, at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

If you know our Garden you know that there is always something going on, something new growing or expanding. If you haven't been in more than a year, it's time to go back and check out all that's new, which is a lot!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 is featured throughout the Garden! You'll have the marvelous opportunity to explore hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths, as well as other spring blossoms. And check out the Garden's Events Calendar for opportunities to check out a variety of ways to grow bulbs, including container gardens and floating islands. 

Also, be sure to watch for updates on peak bloom times at atlantabg.org.

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There's a LOT blossoming right now! The usual suspects--tulips, daffodils, etc.--are fully present, but there's also flowering shrubs, flowering trees...there are blossoms everywhere you look! It's definitely one of the more beautiful times to visit the Garden.

The day I went, earlier this week, was a heavy pollen day, so I wore my COVID mask. It cut way down on pollen inhalation and it didn't look weird! How awesome is that?! I think we'll see masks around a lot more in springtime in the coming years. When I lived in DC I used an umbrella when it was snowing--a lot of people did--and I saw others using umbrellas when the sun was beating down, wholly unbearable. I don't think any of those protective measures are weird anymore!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

My favorite flower is the tulip, so this exhibition is especially wonderful for me. I've told the story before, but please allow me to share it once more. When I was barely able to walk, we'd had a late frost at my grandmothers. Little Travis ventured outside and picked the only surviving tulip and brought it inside and said, "Flower, mommy, flower." I loved hearing that story growing up and it was the catalyst for my love of tulips. 

Did you know that tulips are a symbol for true love or deep love? And the various colors have meanings, too. My favorite floral arrangement is red roses with white tulips. It's stunning!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There are several Chihuly sculptures in the Garden--part of its permanent collection--that blend beautifully with spring blossoms. The one pictured above is in the Levy Parterre, right about the middle of the whole of the Garden.

Speaking of sculptures, check out Orchid Daze, running in conjunction with Atlanta Blooms!, on display in the Conservatory and Orchid Center, but only through April 10. It features sculptures by Kristine Mays.

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There's so much to see at this exhibition, so please explore the whole Garden! Get a map when you first come in--the Garden volunteers are super helpful and sweet. I was a volunteer and docent here for years and it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a way to share your time.

Look right, look left, look across the Garden, and definitely look behind you for some truly awesome vistas/photographs that you just won't get if you don't look around. 

Here are a few tips for photographing flowers with your phone camera. There are a lot on tips and tutorials on the Internet for flower photography. I recommend spending a little time viewing/reading those and use the ones that resonate with you. You stand the chance of developing your own style or perhaps improve on your current style! 

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

All these blossoms bring out the beautiful pollinators! There's not reason to be afraid of them; they're busy pollinating and care more about the flowers than us visitors. And they make for some great photographs! 

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I remember the first time I saw an orange azalea, many years ago at Callaway Gardens. I was mesmerized! The Atlanta Botanical Garden has had them for a number of years now which I find exciting, and their azalea collection is growing with the relatively new Azalea Walk!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I love the purple flower pictured above, but I didn't know what it's called. I turned to the Garden's trusty Plant Hotline (which you can call or email) and they came through--as they always have! It's a Camassis quamash, sometimes called a Camas. "Thank you!" to Master Gardener Jeanne for the assist! 

FYI, the Plant Hotline is operated by a team of Master Gardeners who answer questions from all over the world! They respond remotely and onsite in the Sheffield Botanical Library. They're truly remarkable experts, always super nice, and, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest assets at the Garden! 

Camas are typically found in the Western U.S., so it's a real treat for us to get to see them here. The ones pictured above are over near the Glade Garden where you'll find the Dale Chihuly "Radiant Yellow Icicle Tower" (which has replaced the former "Saffron Tower"). You can't miss that tower!

Also, the new "creek" in Storza Woods is complete so if you haven't been to the Garden recently, this will be a delightful treat for you!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

While the Garden's Camellia Show was last month--because many Camellia varieties bloom in winter--there are still quite a few gorgeous Camellia blossoms on the Camellia Walk near Earth Goddess in the Cascades Garden. 

If you're a member of the Garden, remember that your membership includes admission to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, GAINESVILLE! They have super-fun exhibition going on right now titled, "Nature Connects". The exhibit includes 15 larger-than-life (much larger in some cases) LEGO sculptures! It's going on through May 30, but don't wait...you know how quickly the days and weeks tick by!

Atlanta Blooms! 2022 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I'll share some additional photos over on wanderlust ATLANTA's Facebook and Instagram pages, but do go see Atlanta Blooms! in person...it's truly magnificent! 

Atlanta Blooms! 2017

Happy first day of Spring! 

Now is a perfect time to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, specifically for its annual Atlanta Blooms! exhibition. 

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Although we had an extremely mild winter—seems last week was our "whole" winter—the Atlanta Botanical Garden is filled with thousands and thousands of daffodils, tulips and countless other blooms! Right now! 

The photos in this post were made just yesterday, March 19, the last day of winter. Hard to believe, but true story!

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

My favorite flower is the tulip. 

I think this is greatly in part due to a story my mother told me as a child. As it goes, we were visiting my grandmother and little Travis, barely old enough to walk, comes into the house bearing a single stemmed blossom, saying, "Flower, Mommy, flower!" 

That flower was the only surviving tulip in grandmother's garden following a harsh freeze. And I picked it. Sweet and innocent, I was. I've loved tulips all my life because of that story. I miss my grandmother Evelyn dearly.

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

If you've not been to the Garden in the last few or couple of weeks, get there soon so you can see the "field" of tulips surrounding the "Water Mirror", accented by the Dale Chihuly Saffron Tower, the sculpture we got to keep after last summer's Chihuly in the Garden exhibition. They're spectacular!

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I was afraid that last week's freezing temperatures would have wiped out all the new blooms, but Garden staff either took great measure to protect them or planted extremely hardy varieties. I'm grateful either way. 

I know that the Garden plants tulips (at least a great many) that will thrive even though mild winters. A lot of tulips, as I understand it, require a number of days of below-freezing temperatures to—in the spring—reach their full potential height. But tulips and everything else pictured here are thriving, despite the recent freezing temperatures! 

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I read in National Geographic Magazine—known for its magnificent photography—many, many years ago that the optimum times for photos are sunrise and sunset. I "listened" to that and do my best to take advantage of that wonderful lighting. I get super excited when I see the results of such lighting. If only it weren't so fleeting.

The photo above is one that had the sunlight behind it. I encourage you to get creative and not assume that "back lighting" is a bad thing. With digital cameras—the freedom to make hundreds of photos in a single outing, if not more—there's ample opportunity to explore and discover what works and what doesn't. 

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Make all the "tiptoe through the tulips" jokes you want (there's a lot more history to this song than most know)...the bottom line is that Atlanta Blooms! is one of the most magnificent flower displays in all of Atlanta! Please, do make time to see it.

This display has encouraged many Atlantans to plant more spring bulbs in their own gardens. The Atlanta Botanical Garden has been a wonderful influence on beautifying out city!

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I encourage you to get "up close and personal" with the flowers in this exhibition, while respecting the Garden, of course. 

It's not respectful or polite, to the Garden or other Garden visitors, to trample into flower beds to get the "perfect" shot. It's not enjoyable for others when beds are disrupted and plants damaged for the sake of a picture. Enjoy the Garden, but please leave it intact for others to enjoy. I'm just sayin'.

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

While I like to play with light, there's the occasional shot with full-on sunshine that makes for a decent photo. 

If you're a budding photographer, I encourage you to experiment—and to read, read, read up on tips and best practices for optimal photographs. Just imagine how amazing your photos will be if you build on what others have already learned and then let loose your imagination on top of that!

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

This particular flower fascinates me! To me, it looks like a praying mantis with Phoenix wings! You see it, don't you? And it's a tulip!

Have you seen Santa Mantis during "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights"? 

Atlanta Blooms! 2017 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Get to the Garden soon so you can enjoy Atlanta Blooms! and if you visit by April 9, you'll also get to enjoy this year's spectacular Orchid Daze!

When planning your visit, be sure to check the Garden's website for other programs on or around you planned visit. There's always something "blooming" at the Garden!

Upcoming at the Atlanta Botanical Garden...

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and there's a lot to celebrate! I'd like to share a few highly anticipated upcoming exhibitions and events, and I hope you'll enjoy these recent photos I made at the Garden during its Atlanta Blooms! exhibition.

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Chihuly in the Garden opens next weekend with approximately 20 installations throughout the Garden, and it will be the largest outdoor exhibition by Dale Chihuly yet! 

I was living in D.C. when the 2004 Chihuly in the Garden exhibition was here, but I've since come to believe that that was the exhibition that sealed Mary Pat Matheson's legacy as the greatest Executive Director (now President & CEO) the Atlanta Botanical Garden has ever seen. Witnessing all the changes that have happened since I returned to Atlanta in 2010, I can only imagine what she has in store for us next! 

Chihuly in the Garden will be open during the day Tuesday-Sunday, and separately during evenings Wednesday-Sunday. The Garden is closed on Mondays.

Dwarf Peach | Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Linton's in the Garden opens April 28! I've had the honor of meeting Chef Linton Hopkins on a number of occasions. I admire his food philosophy and commitment to fresh, local ingredients. And I've watched the construction of the new restaurant, from the ground up...it's magnificent! I can hardly wait to dine on the open-air rooftop in company with the Garden's tree canopy and Atlanta's magnificent skyline.

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Concerts in the Garden opens soon for its 14th season! In this year's line up I'm most looking forward to Phillip Phillips. And the Gainesville location has a concert series, too. In their line up I'm most looking forward to Loretta Lynn, a surprise to many—given my punk rock history and love of dance music—but I grew up listening to Country music and Loretta was always a favorite.

Ladybug | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour has been on my to-do list every year, and hopefully I'll make it this year. Even without having been, this is something that I highly recommend for all garden/gardening enthusiasts and I think it'd make a lovely Mother's Day gift, too. You'll get to explore 10 private gardens over Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8, something you don't get to do every day!

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

The 2016 Atlanta Rose Show is Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8, a wonderful outing for Mother's Day! 

The Garden hosts quite a few flower and plant shows throughout the year. Keep an eye on their calendar for a show featuring one of your favorites!

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've not yet visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, but friends of mine who have are saying wonderful things. And they've already had some pretty awesome programming—exhibitions, events, concerts, etc.!

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Alston Lectures are free to the public, a wonderful offering from the Garden. The next Alston Lecture, on Tuesday, May 3, is being given by Andrea Wulf, titled, "The Invention of Nature. Alexander von Humboldt's New World", followed by a book signing. 

I've attended a number of Alston Lectures and every one of them has been fascinating!

Cherry Tree Blossoms | Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Free, docent-led Garden Tours are offered Tuesday-Friday at 1:30 p.m. I was a volunteer docent at Atlanta Botanical Garden for a number of years and still know many of the tour guides. They're a wonderful group of people and each is passionate about the Garden. Treat yourself to this free tour (free with Garden admission) of one of Atlanta's top attractions! 

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

New for the 2016 Olmsted Plein Air Invitational, a gathering and competition of 36 of the world's greatest plein air artists, visitors to the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 can see artists in action, painting scenes in our beloved Garden. 

I attended the kick-off party at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlantic Station and can attest that this is going to be a magnificent 6-day event...go to as many of their events as you can and definitely stop by the Garden on the 28th and 29th!

Atlanta Blooms! 2016 | Atlanta Botanical Garden

There's a lot more to explore at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, but if you did just the ones I've listed here, you're in for a most wonderful Atlanta spring and summer.

Saint Nick at the Garden

Known by many names—"Father Christmas" in England, "Papa Noel" in Argentina, and "Weihnachtsmann" in Germany—Santa Claus is being tracked by NORAD around the world...as I type! Many, many children are hopeful, as am I, that he and his reindeer stop in Atlanta.

Before he started circumnavigating of the globe—which he does in a single night, nonetheless—Saint Nick was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for a visit with kiddies and families, now a Garden tradition of more than a decade. 

He shared with some of the kids his name variations in the different countries he visits, and they listened quite attentively, a favor he returned when they shared their Christmas gift wish lists.

Saint Nick at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Saint Nick during more than one holiday season and I have to say...he's awesome! And he's brilliant with the kids...even the hesitant ones. A "gimme a high five" or a "are you a princess" and they're quick friends, anxious to share with him what they hope to be gifted for Christmas.

Saint Nick has made photos with visitors in various parts of the Garden over the years. When regaling his years of visits to the Garden, he recalled the Chihuly in the Garden exhibition back in 2004. For at least the last couple of years, he's visited with families in the Fuqua Orchid Center. 

Poinsettia Tree at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

This year's Poinsettia Tree, located in the Orchid Center, is yet another spectacle of holiday gorgeousness! This one, the backdrop for this years photos with Saint Nick, was made with a total of 500 plants—230 Jubilee Pink Poinsettia and 270 Dracaena Lemon Lime! At the base are more pink and green plants and flowers, including a smattering of pure white Amaryllis. 

Learn more about the creation of the Poinsettia Tree in The Orchid Column, authored by Fuqua Orchid Center Manager Becky Brinkman.

If you've not met Saint Nick at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, keep an eye out for next year's holiday events listing on their website. Oh, and photos with Saint Nick—which a Garden volunteer is happy to make with your own camera—are free with Garden admission.

Ho, Ho, Ho and Happy Holidays, Everyone!