Gibbs Gardens Summer Events Near Big Canoe

Summer weather is upon us and for many, it's time to take to the 'high' road and surround ourselves with nature in full bloom in the North Georgia mountains. Rhododendrons, Mountain Laurel, ferns and native wildflowers are at their beautiful best in the summertime.  One of the most beautiful private gardens is Gibbs Gardens about 10 minutes away from Big Canoe, one of the largest master planned communities in Georgia and a great place to find rustic mountain homes. 

Located in Ball Ground, Georgia, Gibbs Gardens features 220 acres of European manor style gardens designed by Jim Gibbs, a prominent landscape designer of high end residential gardens in Atlanta for 40 years. The grounds are composed of 16 separate gardens featuring 24 ponds, 19 waterfalls and 32 bridge crossings. Seasonal events are held March through mid December, events are scheduled around what is going on in the gardens beginning with Daffodils and  Azaleas in the spring, Summer Perennials and Hydrangeas in the Summer, followed by Fall Color and natural Holiday decorations in December. Erica Glasener, another well known garden designer in Atlanta, is the resident expert in North Georgia gardening and provides lectures when the garden is open. Music in the garden events are scheduled throughout the summer as well as Arts and crafts shows. Here are some of this summer's offerings:

• July 2,  Thursday, llam- Talking Gardening with Erica: Summer Favorites- Trees, Shrubs, Perennials that take the heat and don’t miss a beat
• August 6,Thursday, 11am-Talking Gardening with Erica: Summer Annuals
• September 5-Saturday, Twilight in the Gardens. Performance by The BC Boys 5-8pm.
• September 12, 13, Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm, Arts and Crafts Show

A boon to artists, photographers, plein air painters and gardeners in search of inspiration and ideas. Gibbs Gardens began in 1980 with the purchase of 292 acres of land by Jim Gibbs. Soon after the purchase he began the installation of large specimen trees, Japanese Maples, and other slow growing plants to give the garden a feeling of age when it was finally opened to the public in March 2012. The sixteen garden rooms are worked into the existing deciduous forest, native plants were preserved and featured in the gardens. Mature specimen Dogwoods, Redbuds, Native Azaleas and Mountain Laurels were saved and are accented with all manner of flowering shrubs, perennials and bulbs to provide year round interest in the garden.

Big Canoe is a venerable and popular retirement community located 60 minutes north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The property Big Canoe rests on was assembled by the Tate family of North Georgia, famous for mining pink marble, they provided the marble for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. One of the largest master planned communities in North Georgia and the winner of the National Association of Home Builders "The Nationals" Silver Award for 2014 Masterplanned Community of the Year.  Big Canoe encompasses over 8,000 acres of land and straddles two North Georgia counties, Pickens and Dawson. This gated community has 3,100 full time residents and many second home dwellers who love their rustic mountain homes with long mountain or lakeside views.

Ground was first broken on the gated mountain community in 1972, so there is a great mix of Big Canoe real estate to choose from. Existing rustic mountain homes are available and homesites with vetted homebuilders are offered to build your dream retirement home. As one of the largest master planned communities in the area there is something for everyone in terms of activities. Social clubs are available from literally A to Z in terms of interest. Outdoor activities include golf, fishing, hiking, tennis and there is a fitness center and spa on site. Three lakes on the property provide the venue for water sports and habitat for birds and fish.

Summer is one of the best times to visit the area. It is a great time to be in the mountains, temperatures stay cooler and many activities move outdoors. The nearby towns of Jasper and Dawsonville offer a small town ambiance and some great barbeque. Dawsonville is home to Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, Bill Elliott, and has a museum devoted to NASCAR and the history of stock car racing, The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.  The North Georgia Premium Outlets are a great day trip for shopping.

As Georgia continues to phase out state income tax on retirees, this makes the state an excellent retirement destination. Beeline to the north side of Georgia this summer to enjoy Gibbs Gardens and check out the good life at Big Canoe.