Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm
Friends of Coastal Gardens: An Invitation to Join
What is Friends of the Coastal Gardens?
Friends of the Coastal Gardens is an organization formed for the purpose of supporting growth and development of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Its membership includes citizens from various backgrounds who appreciate the educational and family oriented programs provided. They offer support through volunteer work and fund raising activities.
What do Friends do?
Our volunteers manage specific gardens; assist in greenhouse and grounds maintenance, conduct group and 'Roots & Shoots' educational tours as well as fund raising events and other activities.
Young children, families, seniors, garden club members, students, teachers, home-owners, professionals and visitors, benefit from the programs which members help sponsor.
What do I receive as a member of Friends?
As a Friends member, you will receive special invitations and advance notification of programs and events — including plant sales and discounts on Summer Camp and class registration. But most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens become an increasingly important educational and research source to the people of coastal Georgia.
What is the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens?
Formerly a USDA Plant Introduction Station, it was known locally as The Bamboo Farm. For more than 60 years, plant materials gathered by plant explorers from all parts of the world were planted and evaluated at the facility to determine growth and potential use in the sandy soils and humid climate of coastal Georgia.
Today, the facility houses an internationally known collection of oriental bamboo as well as many rare and historic plants and trees. In addition to historical plants and trees, visitors will see seasonal displays of native and regionally adapted plants recommended for the coastal region.
Many of the plants are one-of-a-kind specimens in North America. Others are some of the oldest and best specimens in the United States.
Plant collections include bamboo, iris, camellias, roses, magnolia, crape myrtle, loropetalum, holly, daylilies and ornamental grasses. Display gardens include perennials, annuals, and a Children's garden. Demonstration plots include with Georgia Gold Medal plants and the Xeriscape Water-Wise garden. The Southeastern Palm Society has developed a palm court of various species. There are many different exotic palms located throughout the grounds.
A partnership with the Southeastern Camellia Society provides species of rare and unusual camellias for public viewing. This will be the largest collection of camellia species in the world in one area with the exception of a garden in China.
Banana research at the Bamboo Farm by Greg Fonsah, UGA Extension specialist, provides information for Banana Production in Georgia.
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm is a unit of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Conference facilities available for public and group use include: an educational building with a demonstration kitchen seating 70 people, an open-air pavilion that accomodates more than 200 people with a state-of-the-art catering kitchen, and an educational classroom for groups use. Lakes on the property may also be used for special fishing events.
In 2007, a new Strategic Plan was developed for the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm. The Friends organization is an important partner in the implementation of this plan.
Friends of the Coastal Gardens Mission
The mission of the Friends of Coastal Gardens is to provide financial and human resources to support the The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm.
Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens Mission
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens will provide education, public outreach, and applied research in horticultural and environmental sciences.
Objectives
- To establish and maintain a series of rotating display gardens which will serve as an outdoor classroom in which visitors can learn about fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants recommended for the coastal region and cultural practices for successfully growing these plants.
- To evaluate new plants for their adaptability to the coastal region.
- To serve as an educational facility for extension agents, youth groups, professionals in the horticulture industry, and the general public.
Be a Friend of the Coastal Gardens — Join Today!
