Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University

Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University

About the Garden

Welcome to the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University
 
Welcome to the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University, which traces its roots to Daniel Bland and Catharine O’Neal’s meeting in 1914 at the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School (now Georgia Southern University). Their story embodies the essence of rural farm life on the Southeastern Coastal Plain.

Despite challenging sandy soil, the Blands built a thriving model farm. Their small dairy, livestock operation, and diverse crops of pecans, pears, and field produce earned them recognition by Georgia Magazine in 1929 for their innovation and productivity. Mr. Dan, a self-taught naturalist, cultivated native plants alongside traditional favorites throughout their working farm. Today, their 11-acre former farmstead has evolved into the Botanic Garden—a living testament to Dan's passion for regional flora and fauna and their pioneering environmental stewardship that continues to educate and inspire.

Many plants in our collection would have been familiar to the Bland family, whose generous bequest of their beloved farm made this Garden possible. Their story of love, learning, and environmental stewardship lives on in every corner of this special place.
 

Whelchel Camellia Garden Camellias hold a cherished place in Southern culture; their elegant blooms are a familiar sight in gardens and landscapes across the region. Originating from East and Southern Asia, these evergreen shrubs found a welcoming home in the South’s temperate climate. More than beautiful flowers, camellias have become symbols of grace and hospitality, adorning historic estates and modern homes alike. Their winter blooming season provides a splash of color during otherwise dormant months, and they are woven into the aesthetic of the classic southern garden.   The Garden proudly showcases these botanical jewels in our distinguished Whelchel Collection. While Camellia sinensis leaves are treasured worldwide as a source of tea, the spectacular blooms of Camellia japonica are celebrated here. Our collection features prized cultivars including the crimson ‘Adolphe Audusson,’ the distinctive ‘Betty Sheffield Supreme,’ the ancient Japanese ‘Daikagura,’ the soft pink ‘Debutante,' and the award- winning ‘Pink Perfection’ with its perfect double form.   Visit our collection from November through March to experience these extraordinary plants at their most magnificent, a stunning reminder of nature’s ability to bring color and life to the garden during the coldest months of the year.