ATLANTA (January 30, 2026) – The Atlanta Botanical Garden celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a host of exhibits and events throughout the year marking its golden milestone.

The Garden’s founding dates to humble beginnings driven in the 1970s by a dedicated, determined group of community volunteers who believed that, like all great cities, Atlanta needed a botanical garden. The group, which for years had cultivated small demonstration gardens around city greenhouses in Piedmont Park, convinced city leaders to lease 30 acres for developing a public garden, and in 1976 a nonprofit organization was formed to operate it. Since then, the Garden has blossomed into a world-class attraction with nationally recognized plant collections, international conservation and research efforts, and popular community outreach and educational programs. In 2015, it extended its reach to northeast Georgia with the addition of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville.

The anniversary celebration kicks off next month with the Garden’s annual orchid exhibit.

  • Orchid Daze: Living Canvas features hundreds of blooms in gallery-like spaces February 14 – April 12. It includes an interpretive gallery where guests can learn more about the Garden’s orchid conservation efforts and the history of its flagship orchids, the largest indoor collection of species orchids in the United States.
  • Valentines in the Garden celebrates 50 years of love stories that have blossomed at the Garden while toasting its own milestone. Revisit five decades of romance on February 14 through fashion, florals and music while enjoying small plates and cash bars.
  • The biennial Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show salutes the anniversary with an Hierlooms-themed competition of entries in Horticulture, Floral Design, Botanical Arts and Photography February 20 – 21.
  • The Garden’s annual spring bloom display nearly doubles its number of bulbs with about 140,000 tulips and daffodils blanketing the Great Lawn alone in March and April for Atlanta SUPER Blooms!
  • No one throws a party like the Garden, and when it marks a special occasion, count on it being over the top! The annual Garden Party on March 27 celebrates spring’s arrival as a “Golden Jubilee” featuring string ensembles, a toast to the 50th anniversary and dozens of artists creating botanical artwork, along with festive drinks and food.
  • Returning after 20 years to help the Garden celebrate is an exhibition of Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculpture, Niki in the Garden. The exhibit, first presented in 2006, features 42 of the late artist’s mostly massive works, including her whimsical “Nanas” – colorful sculptures of females, animals and monsters – May 9 – September 6.
  • Rounding out the year will be the annual Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit and ever-popular Garden Lights, Holiday Nights with special surprises on tap.

For more information, visit atlantabg.org.
Photo taken of the Levy Parterre at Atlanta Botanical Garden.

The mission of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is to develop and maintain plant collections for display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. The Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. For information, visit atlantabg.org or phone 404-876-5859.

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Media Contact:
Danny Flanders, 404-591-1550
dflanders@atlantabg.org