You’ve heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” In Savannah, some flowers bloom year-round, but late spring is the optimum viewing time to take in the sights.
Savannah Botanical Gardens, located just outside the Historic District at 1388 Eisenhower Drive, provides a tranquil escape with its formal and naturalistic plantings, as well as a two-acre pond, natural trails, archaeological exhibit, and the historic Reinhard House. All public areas of the Gardens offer free admission, although a donation may be required for groups of 10 or more.
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens located 10 miles from downtown Savannah draws about 100,000 visitors each year. More than a dozen gardens display crepe myrtles, Chinese pistachio trees, camellias, Mediterranean plants, an exquisite rose display of roses, a bamboo collection, and more. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for ages 6-16 and free for ages 5 and under. Hours are 10-4 Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 on Sundays. Gardens are closed on Monday.
Garden of Fragrance in Forsyth Park makes a wonderful stop in the Historic District. The renovated garden displays plants with a fragrant collection of plants, trees, and flowers. It’s a quaint, peaceful spot in one of the city’s busiest parks. Find a spot on a park bench and enjoy the delightful bouquet. The gardens, located behind ornamental iron gates, is open 9-2 Monday through Friday but closed on weekends.
Visitors to the Andrew Low House can explore two outdoor features. The Historic Formal Garden sits in front of the property overlooking Lafayette Square. It retains its original 1849 structure and is one of only two antebellum gardens remaining in Savannah that is open to the public. The Low’s garden has a central path that divides the elegant symmetry of hourglass-shaped planting beds. Plant materials reflect the period. Its Courtyard Garden is filled with azaleas, camellias, Confederate jasmine, tea olive, and dwarf boxwood. Natchez crepe myrtles provide shade in the summer.
The Courtyard and Garden at the Davenport House Museum use typical Georgia plantings but is not a restoration of the home’s original courtyard. In the 1820s, the area would have been utilitarian with a carriage house, privy, horse shed, and other such out-buildings. Features include flower beds, a parterre, arbor, benches, Italian pots, and a pond. While tours are scheduled for the House Museum, the gardens and museum shop can be explored on your own. Hours are 10-4 Monday through Saturday and 1-4 on Sundays.
A variety of flowers and bushes can be spotted throughout Savannah’s public spaces, including its 22 squares. Take a walk through the Historic District to enjoy these blooms such as the tulip magnolia bushes, which drape the sidewalks with blankets of pink petals. Also look for Angel’s trumpet, azaleas, camels, and dogwoods. Bonaventure Cemetery is another site for lovely flora.
Even your Historic District rental can provide a front-row seat to the display of colors. Book your stay now.
