Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden
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The Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden is a botanical garden specializing in rhododendrons, located within the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road (off US Highway 76 West), Hiawassee, Georgia.
The garden is open daily from Sunrise to Sunset. An entrance fee of $3 dollars is charged during this blooming period. Guided walking and shuttle tours are available daily from 9am - 3pm. Reservations are required. Help support the Hamilton Gardens... buy a plant from our Garden Shop. Shop hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 9am - 3pm, Spring thru Fall Festival.
The garden was established in 1982 when Fred Hamilton, a plant breeder and former Sears, Roebuck and Company executive, donated his garden by moving about 1,000 rhododendrons to the present site. Hamilton is known for developing the domestic yellow azalea, named Hazel after his wife.
Today the garden contains more than 3,000 hybrid rhododendrons, one of the largest such collections in Georgia. It is laid out on a hillside sloping to Lake Chatuge, with walking paths along the lake shore. Bloom time is from early April to late May.
An ever increasing number of special events are held in the gradens throughout the year. These encompass Music, Art and Education. Bookings for weddings and private funcations are accepted and areas can be reserved.
If you would like to experience the rewards that come from assisting in any way with the care and development of the Hamilton Gardens, phone our Information Line (706) 896-4191 or visit our Thursday Morning Working Bees.
[edit] See also
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