Gardens for Peace

Gardens for Peace: 3101 Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta GA 3035 --->Swan Woods Trail

Pre Visit:

• Garden is meant to unite plants and people.
• Gardens for Peace is an international organization created in 1984 by Laura Dorsey.
• Gardens in organization symbolize peace. 
• Mission: "Identify and link established gardens throughout the world where contemplation and meditation by individuals and communities will foster respect for the environment and a climate for peace among all peoples."
• Swan Woods Trail is the first garden of the organization.
• 10 acres.
• Stages of forest growth present.
• Upper area of garden is an Oak/Hickory/Pine Forest.
• Lower area of garden is secondary growth of Pines and shrubs.
• Native Georgia wildflowers.
• Statue area is deemed most beautiful aspect of the garden.
• The five figures in the statue represent five continents.
• The fourteen foot tall statue was dedicated April 1988.
• Statue Artist is Gia Japaridze.
• Developed by Peachtree Garden Club.

During Visit: 

• Gates were closed to main house (Atlanta Historic Society)
• Circulation---> wood chip paths
• Canopy gave the feeling of enclosure.
• Garden not apart from nature
• Sound of street gradually disappeared.
• Essence--> Woodland garden
• Plant Choices: 
• Rhododendron
• Woodland Wildflowers
• Poncirus as a hedge
• Fothergilla
• Bloodroot
• Foam Flower
• Green and Gold
• Lady Slipper
• Trillum 
• Dwarf Crested Iris

Post Visit:

• Garden location = fail
• Near busy streets and freeway (how can you meditate with all that noise).
• Tucked away in ritzy neighborhood (if a garden is for the people why is it located exclusively for wealthy people in neighborhood)
• Location of garden wouldn't be known unless you looked up the garden or lived in neighborhood.
• House
• Very manicured lawn and planting. 
• Obviously for the community.
• Dramatic gate.
• Manicured lawn/landscape beside a woodland garden is kind of odd.
• Trail
• Wildflower/woodland garden achieved.
• Not formal at all (garden not separate from nature)
• Statue really tall and beautiful but in an odd spot. 
• Over all opinion
• I was not that impressed by this garden .
• Great example of a woodland garden not a southern garden.