Formal gardens surrounded by trees and lined with boxwoods. — *Swan House Garden*

An Exclusive Journey to Private Gardens, the Cherokee Garden Library, the Atlanta History Center & Atlanta Botanical Garden

Open to members first through Monday, July 27. Members received a link to register via email on Saturday, July 11. Contact our office if you did not receive it. 704.331.0664

Come explore "The City in the Forest" on an exclusive three-day journey through Atlanta's landscapes, garden history, and horticultural treasures. Enjoy expert-led tours of the Atlanta History Center's Goizueta Gardens and the renowned Cherokee Garden Library, including a special presentation featuring rarely seen books, manuscripts, and archival materials from the Elizabeth Lawrence collection. Our itinerary also includes exclusive visits to four exceptional private Buckhead gardens designed by Alex Smith, along with a guided exploration of the celebrated Atlanta Botanical Garden.

From the elegant Italianate and ornamental gardens of the Atlanta History Center to the timeless private landscapes of Buckhead and the spectacular 30-acre urban oasis of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, each stop has been thoughtfully curated to offer beauty, inspiration, and behind-the-gate access. Along the way, enjoy conversations with the historians, landscape architects, and horticultural experts who know these remarkable places best, offering insights into their design, history, and stewardship. Enjoy luxury accommodations at the InterContinental Buckhead, exceptional dining, and the warm hospitality that defines every Wing Haven journey.

Private Atlanta Gardens

Our exploration of Buckhead's private gardens is led by acclaimed landscape architect Alex Smith, founder of Alex Smith Garden Design. Since establishing his firm in 1999, Smith has become one of the Southeast's most respected residential landscape architects, celebrated for creating distinctive outdoor spaces that unite architecture, horticulture, and a strong sense of place. His work has been featured in Southern Living, Veranda, Better Homes & Gardens, Coastal Living, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and includes some of the region's most exceptional private estates.

Over two days, Alex will personally guide our group through four remarkable Buckhead properties of his own design, offering insights into the vision behind each project, the collaboration between designer and homeowner, and the thoughtful plant choices that allow these landscapes to mature gracefully over time. This rare opportunity allows us to experience these exceptional gardens through the eyes of the landscape architect who created them.

Our visit concludes at Alex Smith Garden Design's Chamblee headquarters, where a restored farmhouse, greenhouse, cold frame, cutting and vegetable gardens, and seasonal wildflower meadow reflect the firm's commitment to exceptional horticulture and enduring design. Following our tour, we'll gather for a boxed picnic lunch before beginning our journey home.

Goizueta Gardens and Cherokee Garden Library

Our journey includes a visit to the Atlanta History Center’s Goizueta Gardens, led by Sarah Carter, Vice President of Goizueta Gardens & Living Collections. Our private tour will include the Swan House Gardens, an elegant Country Place Era landscape designed to complement Philip Trammell Shutze’s celebrated 1928 mansion; Smith Farm Garden, where heirloom plants, historic crops, and traditional farmstead features evoke everyday life on a nineteenth-century Georgia farm; and Olguita’s Garden, an intimate ornamental garden inspired by the English tradition, with layered plantings, formal borders, fragrance, texture, and a series of inviting garden rooms. Together, these three distinctive landscapes offer a rich view of Southern garden history, design, and horticultural tradition.

Our visit continues with a special behind-the-scenes experience at the Cherokee Garden Library, where Senior Director Staci Catron will lead a curated tour of one of the nation's premier collections devoted to gardening, horticulture, and landscape design. We'll discover treasures such as vintage seed catalogs, early postcards, and rare botanical books reveal the evolving story of Southern landscapes.

Especially meaningful for Wing Haven members, this exclusive presentation includes a rare look into the Elizabeth Lawrence collection. Lawrence, a visionary in American horticulture, shaped the region’s gardening traditions, advanced the role of women in landscape architecture, and inspired generations to embrace gardening in every season.

One of America's most influential garden writers and an enduring voice in Southern horticulture, Lawrence inspired generations to garden thoughtfully and joyfully in every season. Today, Wing Haven proudly stewards and shares her Charlotte home and garden, making this opportunity to explore her legacy through original books, manuscripts, and archival materials an unforgettable connection between two of the South's most treasured garden institutions.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

A guided docent tour introduces us to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, one of the nation's premier public gardens and a 30-acre urban oasis adjacent to Piedmont Park. Celebrated for its exceptional horticultural displays, innovative garden design, and remarkable plant collections, the Garden seamlessly blends art, conservation, and education in a series of beautifully curated landscapes.

Following our guided introduction, you'll have time to explore at your own pace. Wander through vibrant seasonal display gardens, discover the internationally acclaimed Fuqua Orchid Center and Conservatory, stroll beneath the towering trees of Storza Woods along the Kendeda Canopy Walk, or pause to admire Dale Chihuly's iconic glass installations nestled among the Garden's lush landscapes.

Your registration includes: Two nights' accommodations at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta; admission to and private tours of the Atlanta History Center's Goizueta Gardens and Cherokee Garden Library; admission to and a docent-led tour of the Atlanta Botanical Garden; exclusive visits to four private Buckhead gardens with our guide, Alex Smith; three lunches; two dinners; light breakfast refreshments before Tuesday's departure; and all ground transportation, including round-trip motor coach service between Charlotte and Atlanta and executive shuttle transportation throughout the trip.

Participation is limited to 24 guests to ensure an intimate and engaging experience

Rain or shine. Please pack comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for a variety of weather conditions.

Please review our trip cancellation and refund policy.

TRIP ITINERARY

Tuesday September 22

6:30 am Guest Welcome and Light Breakfast Refreshments,
Park Road Shopping Center

6:45 am Depart by charter motor coach for Atlanta

10:45 am Arrive InterContinental Buckhead

11:30 am Classic Southern Luncheon at The Swan Coach House Restaurant

12:45 pm Private tour of Swan House Gardens, Smith Farm Gardens and Olguita's Garden within Atlanta History Center's Goizueta Gardens led by Sarah Carter, Vice President Goizueta Gardens & Living Collections

2:00 pm Guided tour of Cherokee Garden Library and rare look into the Elizabeth Lawrence collection with Senior Director Staci Catron

4:00 pm Return to hotel and Free Time

6:00 pm Cocktails and Welcome Dinner at The Americano

Wednesday September 23

Enjoy breakfast on your own

8:50 am Depart for Morning Gardens

9:00 am Welcome by Landscape Designer Alex Smith and Private Buckhead Garden One

10:00 am Private Buckhead Garden Two

11:30 am Luncheon at the prestigious Piedmont Driving Club, one of Atlanta's most distinguished private clubs, founded in 1887

12:45 pm Atlanta Botanical Garden Docent-Led Tour and Exploration

3:00 pm Return to hotel and Free Time

6:00 pm Cocktails and Farewell Dinner at Atlanta Fish Market

Private Buckhead Garden

Thursday September 24

Enjoy breakfast on your own

9:00 am Depart for Morning Gardens

9:10 am Private Buckhead Garden Three

10:10 am Private Buckhead Garden Four

11:20 am Private tour of the Alex Smith Garden Design farmhouse, greenhouse, seasonal gardens, and wildflower meadow, followed by a boxed picnic lunch.

1:30 pm Depart on motor coach for Charlotte

5:30 pm Arrive back in Charlotte

Through the Garden Gate: Trip to Atlanta