Who is Mother Nature? Is she the life-giving spirit of the Earth? The guardian and keeper of the landscape. Or maybe, in her personification, she is simply the gardener who tends to the land and nurtures all-natural creations.
The gardeners—you know who they are—the ones whose hands are caked with soil, whose knees are blackened by the labor of the day, and whose patience is steadfast and true. Jim Gibbs, the creator and designer of Gibbs Gardens, is one such gardener.
Gibbs Gardens, located in Ball Ground, GA, is the culmination of a life-long vision by a man whose world was connected to nature by a passion passed along by family. Jim Gibbs’ garden estate was a 30-year journey to provide a hidden gem of nature’s beauty in the rolling hills and valleys of North Georgia to anyone who wished to come.
Jim grew up with his hands in the dirt, exploring the art of gardening and landscaping from his mother, grandmothers, and many aunts. The deep-rooted values nurtured by the women in his life led him to a passion that would ignite his dream of creating a world-class garden to share with the nearby community.
Arriving at the entrance to Gibbs Gardens, a 376-acre estate, fills you with a sense of whimsical magic. As if something from a fairy tale, you immediately feel a sense of child-like wonder that gently draws you across the first bridge and cascading waterfall to the welcome center. As you wander the perfectly orchestrated path through the brilliantly colored tulip beds of “Le Jardin,” you immediately notice the joy the flowers bring to everyone as they select the perfect spot to capture the moment with family and friends.
While you continue your stroll into the Grandchildren’s Sculpture Garden, you realize the extraordinary care, love, and thought that has been placed into each detail. The playful scenes grab the imagination of visiting children while offering a visual invitation that lets parents know their children are welcome in the gardens. Jim and Sally Gibbs’ grandchildren grew up on the property, and the presence of their sculptures in the gardens is testimony to their love for family.
One of the most magnificent sights to be noticed is the Japanese Gardens. With a stunning balance of reflecting ponds, stone features, and the natural beauty of Japan’s most vibrant plants, it is easy to see why this peaceful place of respite would be Jim Gibb’s favorite garden on the property. One could easily spend an entire afternoon meditating or contemplating life’s purpose while taking solace in the sounds of nature.
The Manor House, also known as Arbor Crest, is the personal residence of Jim and Sally Gibbs. The French-inspired home is located on the hillside, overlooking the gardens and offering a spectacular view of Mount Oglethorpe. The house was intentionally built as part of the public garden, allowing all its visitors to wander around the outside property of the home, sit by the family pool, and peek in the windows to try and catch a glimpse of Jim Gibbs himself. While many admit they would never allow that type of public access to their home, Jim thinks otherwise. “I built the gardens for others,” he humbly smiled, “I’m going to keep doing it.”
The grand finale to the spring walking tour at Gibbs Gardens is the daffodils. This sprawling hillside garden cascades into the valley between the Manor House and the North Georgia Mountains. The sweeping meadows display 20 million swaying daffodils that seem to be waving to the more than 4,000 garden guests meandering through the natural walkways on any given Saturday. This 50-acre masterpiece is a tribute to Jim’s mother, whose deep devotion to nature inspired her son to create one of the most extensive public gardens in the United States.
As the spring colors burst onto the scene throughout the gardens, it is essential to note that Gibbs Gardens was developed as a four-season garden. This year-round experience promises to never disappoint visitors by producing a stunning array of seasonal colors, plants, and beauty. Once you have visited, you will want to return season after season to take in the transformation each change brings to the gardens.
Jim Gibbs’ garden estate was built to inspire others and be shared with anyone who desires a connection with nature. His hope and dream of bringing the incredible gardens of the world to Canton is nothing short of pure determination and God-given patience. While Jim would tell you that his gardens are a treasure built for the people, the true treasure may be in Jim Gibbs himself, a simple gardener who followed his heart led by the example of the women in his life. As a visionary in the field of landscape architecture, Jim Gibbs has created a natural wonder for many future generations.
"I built the garden for others, and I will keep doing it as long as I can."
