HISTORY OF THE GARDENS
The gardens at Rock City began in the 1920’s from the inspiration of Frieda Carter, one of Rock City’s cofounders. A woman with an idea, Frieda used a simple ball of red string to mark her desired garden paths and then developed the paths by transplanting native plants alongside. Groupings of Heuchera, Columbine and ferns were paired with native azaleas, rhododendron and mountain laurel. Using her eye for design, she allowed nature to guide her with its offerings. Her gardening efforts earned her the Bronze Medal of Distinction from the Garden Club of America in 1932, thus marking her place in history.
In 2024, a new trail was opened to the public at Rock City. Aptly named Standing Stones trail, this magnificent sunny perennial garden boasts large, monumental statuary that are both fanciful and native to the space as if they magically emerged from the rocky ground itself. Imagined and sculpted by the Innovation team at Rock City, the sculptures stand within the sunny garden that offers many different native species of plants that bloom and provide nectar, pollen, food and shelter for numerous pollinators indigenous to our area. Hummingbirds, butterflies, honeybees and more will visit this “trail between the trees” and allow our guests to enjoy their lively activity along the way.
One of Georgia’s most recognized flowering shrubs, the azalea gets top billing in the Azalea Glade at Rock City. Showcasing both native and cultivated varieties, this collection explodes each Spring with shades of pink, purple, white, red, orange and yellow. Native azaleas often have abundant fragrance, and the clusters of blooms are extraordinary. The cultivated azaleas offer differences in shape, bloom size, foliage and sometimes repeat bloom cycles. Prepare to see more azaleas in our garden, as our collection continues to expand and enchant.
What can a fallen tree offer at Rock City? A wealth of opportunities! An idea birthed from the challenge of a large fallen tree within the gardens, Rock City engaged sculptor John McLeod to carve three totem-like figures known as Elder Flame. Standing as a tribute to the native peoples who inhabited this area for millennia, Elder Flame also anchors a pollinator garden that is in its second year of growth. Taking advantage of another sunny corner of the trail, the native plants in this space will begin to fill in over the seasons and blossom into a palette of color, texture and form. Pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and moths will be drawn to visit this beneficial oasis while also delighting our guests who stop to witness this marvel of nature.
This unique wooden walkway is enhanced using the sustainable resources of a local bamboo forest. Forming an abstract gridwork of many lengths and thicknesses, this tunnel provides a bridge from the Standing Stones trail to Legacy Lane at Rock City. During the daytime, the earth tones and texture of the bamboo lead you forward. In the evening, natural and enhanced light plays with the sculptural element of the gridwork. Let your imagination go wild as you experience the shadows and forms it creates as you journey through the tunnel!
Begin your journey at Rock City by stepping down into the Grand Corridor. Let your eyes wander left, right and up to the sky as you meander between moss and lichen covered boulders the size of buildings. Delight in the ferns, trees and rhododendrons that line the path as it embraces you with the hushed coolness of earth, dewdrops and lush greenery. This Grande Dame of the gardens spirits you along as your imagination takes flight.
Nature and its many hues meander through this small valley called Stone Vista. The purple of Tennessee Coneflower, the yellow of Black Eyed Susans, the orange of Butterfly Weed and the deep, vivid red of Bee Balm combine for a seasonal showcase of color among the boulders. Standing above some of the treetops, your eyes can wander over the pond in the distance and along the walls of the boulders while taking in the rich, seasonal prism that encourages pollinators to become some of the regular visitors to our garden. Watch for hummingbirds to zip past as they explore the nectar of the native plants. Enjoy the butterflies as they flit and flutter from bloom to bloom. Following in the footsteps of cofounder Frieda Carter, Rock City chooses to showcase native plants that are essential to the survival of all our native flora.
In nature, opportunities occur when rainfall has a chance to collect. The Bog Garden at Rock City is a perfect example of that natural opportunity. Depressions in the unique boulder formations have allowed rainfall to collect and sediment to build over time from fallen leaves and windblown twigs. The wet soil soon gives way to plants that flourish and thrive in the rich muck of a boggy abode. See how our small bog garden provides the ideal conditions for Cardinal Flower, Yellow Flag Iris, Baptisia and Button Bush.
