GA State Univ. Botanical Garden Walk & Talk featuring Native Plants of GA

IN A NUTSHELL:  Hope you can take advantage of the gorgeous spring weather that's expected on Friday and join us for this 2-hour "combo" at the GA State University Perimeter College Botanical Garden.  Each spring and fall the garden sponsors these free weekly Friday sessions hosted by expert naturalists.  On display at the garden are hundreds of species of beautiful trees, wildflowers, shrubs, vines, ferns and other fascinating plants.  Their "Ferns of the World" exhibit is said to have perhaps more different species of ferns than any other garden in the United States!

EVENT DETAILS:  Our Atlanta Outdoor Club "subgroup" will gather a few minutes before 10:00 AM at the garden entrance - see detailed directions & GPS info below.  After introducing one another we'll first explore the greenhouse area near the entrance where a variety of potted native plants are offered for sale at reasonable prices.  We'll then walk together through the adjoining botanical garden with special attention to the many species that are putting on new spring foliage and sporting colorful blooms at this time of year. 
  At 11:00 AM we'll regroup in a nearby classroom (Bldg "SH," Rm 1500) for an indoor presentation by native plants expert Ernest Koone on the topic, "Native Azaleas."  Feel free to bring a picnic lunch (or snacks) and a drink to enjoy during the presentation.

  If you can join us only for the Walk, or the Talk, but not both - no problem.  Feel free to arrive and depart as your schedule permits.  

FOR MORE about the GSU BOTANICAL GARDEN and some lovely photos click the following link:  http://sites.gsu.edu/pcnativegarden/our-garden/
  For a complete schedule of the Garden's "Seminar Series" this season (and their specific topics) click http://sites.gsu.edu/pcnativegarden/lunch-and-wildflower-series/

DIRECTIONS from I-285/ I-85 "SPAGHETTI JCN" INTERCHANGE in NE METRO ATLANTA:
1. From the I-285/ I-85 Interchange (near Doraville) take I-285 southward about 15 miles and get off at the "Flat Shoals Rd" exit (I-285 exit #48 which is 2 mi south of the big east-side I-285/ I-20 interchange).
2. Turn Right onto Flat Shoals Road and go just 0.2 mile (northwestward) to the traffic light at Panthersville Rd.
3. Turn Left onto Panthersville Rd and continue straight ahead for about 1 mile (southward). After passing through the traffic light at Clifton Springs Rd get in the rightmost lane of traffic.
4. About 0.1 mile beyond the traffic light look for a small brown "Botanical Garden" sign and turn Right into the large parking lot.
5. Meet me and our AOC "subgroup" at 10:00 AM in the far side of the parking lot in the shady area near the garden entrance path. (If you arrive early feel free to explore the garden on your own before you meet us.  Conversely if you have to be late, no problem!  - just look for our slow-moving group in the garden or along its adjoining wooded pathways.)

For a zoomable map or satellite view of our meetup spot near the garden entrance click on the rectangular blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.

GPS USERS may wish to augment the above directions by entering as your destination the following concise Lat/Lon coordinates of our meetup spot (being sure to include the comma & minus sign):  33.6871, -84.2741

The street address & phone number of GSU's "Native Plant Botanical Garden" are:
3251 Panthersville Rd, Decatur, GA    678-891-2668

FREE Event with free Parking and never a Garden Entrance Fee!