COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus Botanical Garden sits on about 40 acres of greenspace on Weems Road, according to its website, with more than 750 camellia varieties, a 1-mile walking trail and gardens built around a historic farmhouse. The nonprofit garden at 3603 Weems Road is about 6 miles northeast of downtown Columbus, according to its history page. Visitors can explore its gardens Tuesday through Sunday, with general admission of $12 for adults and $8 for ages 2 through 17.

The garden grew from a 1998 design on land set aside by the Adams family. It now includes rose, vegetable, herb, pollinator and camellia gardens and a woodland trail. Here are 15 numbers that explain its history, attractions, admission costs and community programs.

1. 40 Acres of Greenspace, With 4 Acres Developed

Columbus Botanical Garden describes its property as 40 acres of greenspace in north Columbus, with approximately 4 acres developed. That means about 10% of the property is developed. The organization also describes a 10-year plan for additional gardens. Its history page gives a slightly different total, saying the property has grown to 36 acres, 4 of them developed.

2. 1998: A Design That Started the Project

The garden traces its origins to June 1998, when Philip M. Adams drew a rough botanical garden design for his post-graduate thesis. Several months later, the George M. Adams family set aside approximately 20 acres of family land for the project. Columbus City Council officially approved the garden's development in 1999. Between 1999 and mid-2000, the Adams farmhouse, barns and other outbuildings were moved to the garden property. Those structures previously stood at the current Lowe's location on Veterans Parkway, and the garden grew up around them.

3. $150,000: The Adams Family's Early Contribution

At the end of 2001, the Adams family donated $150,000 to begin the project's first phase. Local landscape designer Mary Florence Benson prepared the original landscape plans. The garden was officially dedicated on April 30, 2004, which makes 2026 its 22nd year since dedication. Nicole Sanchez became the garden's first executive director in 2007.

4. 1890s: The Historic Adams Farmhouse

The garden's home page says the Adams Farmhouse was built in the 1890s, and its about page calls it an 1898 farmhouse. The garden's tours page describes it as the "last working farm in Muscogee County." Now modernized with a catering kitchen and three restrooms, the farmhouse has a wraparound porch and brick courtyard and hosts weddings and events. A Gin House moved to the property in 2008.

5. More Than 750 Camellia Varieties

The Sam M. Wellborn Camellia Garden contains more than 750 varieties beneath a high pine canopy along the walking trail. Its collection includes Camellia japonica and Camellia reticulata cultivars, along with newer hybrids. The camellia garden became the first garden along the trail in 2013. According to the garden's bloom calendar, camellias generally bloom from January through March. Roses bloom April through October, flowering trees, shrubs and perennials March through November, and the vegetable garden all 12 months.

6. 2017: Two Major Garden Additions

Our Mothers' Rose Garden was built in 2017 as the first of three tiers in the Southern Terrace Gardens overlooking the Adams Farmstead. Its roses include Mister Lincoln, Double Delight and Queen Elizabeth grandiflora. The Sally H. Adams Vegetable Terraces were also built in 2017 beside the Gin House. The vegetable terraces share produce through a partnership with Feeding the Valley. Other garden areas include the Adrienne and Wade Wallace Pollinator Garden, Georgia Native Perennial Garden, Ginkgo Shade Garden and Cottage Herb Garden.

7. 1 Mile of Woodland Walking Trail

The JoAnn Holt Walking Trail, designed by landscape architect Gary Gullatte and opened in 2008, is a mile-long loop through mixed hardwood forest. Native songbirds can be seen along the trails and at feeding stations. Dogs are permitted on the walking trail only and must remain on non-retractable leashes no longer than 6 feet. The garden prohibits bicycles and skates, smoking and vaping, balloons and glitter, and weapons, including concealed carry. Alcohol is allowed only at scheduled events.

8. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Regular Visiting Hours

Columbus Botanical Garden opens Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entrance at 4 p.m. The garden closes on Mondays, and its website advises that hours can vary seasonally. The office generally operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with visitors advised to call ahead.

The garden is at 3603 Weems Road, Columbus, GA 31909. Visitors can sign in at the farmhouse office to obtain a map for self-guided exploration. The organization does not sell food on the property and identifies Columbus Park Crossing on Whittlesey Boulevard as a nearby dining area.

9. $12 for Adults, $8 for Children

Regular admission costs $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 2 through 17. Children ages 1 and younger enter free, as do garden members. A family with two adults and two children would pay $40 ($24 + $16) for a visit. The $85 Bee Hive Family membership, which covers two adults and four children, equals about 2.1 such visits ($85 / $40).

10. $3 Admission Through Museums for All

Columbus Botanical Garden participates in Museums for All, offering $3 general admission to eligible EBT cardholders and up to three additional people. The program includes qualifying ACCESS, WIC and SNAP cardholders, who must present an EBT card and photo identification. The discount applies to a maximum of four people per visit. Eligible cardholders can also purchase a Bee Hive Family membership for $45. That membership must be purchased in person.

11. 1 Hour for Guided Tours

Private docent-led garden tours last approximately one hour and require reservations at least two weeks in advance. The cost is $15 per person for groups of 10 or more, with a $150 minimum for smaller groups. The garden offers free docent-led tours of the Adams Farmhouse every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those farmhouse tours do not require appointments. The Cottage Garden, Farmhouse, Rose Garden, Perennial Garden and Ginkgo Shade Garden are listed as wheelchair accessible.

12. 21 Volunteer Groups

The garden lists 21 volunteer groups, including trail maintenance, rose garden care, composting, vegetable terraces, floral design, parking assistance, pollinator gardening and farmhouse history. Others cover event setup, native plants, herbs and daylilies. Volunteers earn recognition as they log service hours. The program provides a custom water bottle at 50 hours, a free Beehive membership at 100 hours, a custom T-shirt at 200 hours and a commemorative plaque at 300 hours.

13. $55 to $1,000: Membership Options

Memberships start at $55 for Bee Hive Individual and $85 for Bee Hive Family, with Bronze Trowel at $150, Photography at $250 and Platinum Trowel at $1,000. Members receive free general admission to Columbus Botanical Garden. The organization also advertises reciprocal benefits at more than 345 gardens, including Atlanta Botanical Garden and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Other spots on the same page say more than 340.

14. 501(c)(3): A Privately Supported Nonprofit

Columbus Botanical Garden is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit. According to its membership page, it does not receive funding from city, state or federal government sources. Instead, the organization relies on donations, memberships, fundraising, programs, private events, grants and partnerships.

15. 2 Weeks: Advance Planning for Special Activities

The garden requires special events, including proposals and photo sessions, to be scheduled at least two weeks ahead. Private guided tours carry the same two-week booking requirement. The garden's phone number is 706-327-8400.

Upcoming Programs in November

The garden's events calendar includes educational activities, art programs and recurring classes, several of them for young children. The page has some date errors, so check with the garden before attending. The following non-holiday activities were listed on the garden's website as of Oct. 28, 2026.

Little Sprouts on Nov. 3 focuses on "Preparing for Winter," and Phenology Friday offers observation, drawing and journaling for all ages. Paint and Sip on Nov. 14 costs $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers, and Tuesday yoga is free for members. The garden also lists an England gardens and Chelsea Flower Show trip scheduled for May 14-22, 2027.

## How we did this Columbus Times compiled this guide using information published on the official Columbus Botanical Garden website, columbusbotanicalgarden.org, and reviewed Oct. 28, 2026. Sources included its home, about, history, hours, FAQ, featured garden, volunteer, membership, Museums for All, tours, guest guidelines and events pages. Calculations involving developed acreage, family admission costs, membership value and years since dedication were made by Columbus Times using those published figures; the site's 40-acre and 36-acre figures are both reported.