Step into a beautiful garden and your senses instantly come alive. The colors of blooming flowers, the textures of plants and trees and the thoughtfully designed landscapes create an experience that is both energizing and peaceful. It’s no surprise that so many people enjoy visiting gardens and immersing themselves in nature. Our community will have that opportunity on Saturday, May 9, when Johns Creek Beautification’s Secret Gardens of the Johns Creek Community tour returns.
This year marks the fifth “drive-yourself” tour featuring six private gardens in the Johns Creek community. The tour is called “secret” because the locations of the homes are not revealed until shortly before the event. Each garden offers its own personality and design—from a hillside retreat with a waterfall and pond, to a quiet woodland sanctuary, to a garden designed for entertaining. No two gardens are alike, and each showcases its own palette of color, texture and dimension. Many include unusual plants, trees and shrubs, and several are recognized as Certified National Wildlife Gardens. For visitors interested in learning more about plants, knowledgeable docents will be available to help identify species and answer questions.
One of the distinctive features of JCB’s garden tour is the presence of musicians and artists within the gardens. Along with volunteers who help visitors identify plants and guide them through the spaces, guests can enjoy the sounds of solo musicians and small ensembles while observing visual artists at work. The combination of art, music and nature creates a unique and memorable atmosphere.
The organization behind the tour is Johns Creek Beautification (JCB), a 100% volunteer nonprofit founded in 2007 shortly after Johns Creek became a city. The garden tours began in 2018 and are offered biannually. JCB’s mission is to enhance the well-being and natural beauty of the community by bringing people together through landscaping and public works of art.
Today, JCB leads several community initiatives. Daffodils4Hope has coordinated the planting of more than 72,500 bulbs throughout the city with the help of volunteers and sponsors. ArtSpot focuses on placing meaningful public art in shared spaces. Its next major project is the commissioning of a monumental sculpture honoring the 14,000-year legacy and culture of the Indigenous peoples who first called this area home. Proceeds from the garden tour will support this future landmark.
The event is made possible through the dedication of volunteers, homeowners and generous sponsors. The next tour will not take place until 2028, so don’t miss this chance to explore remarkable gardens at your own pace. Previous tours have sold out, so purchasing tickets in advance of May 9 is strongly recommended.
Saturday, May 9th, 10 AM – 4 PM Rain or Shine