![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK91uzdHyj8FgdSoWOUKuuYRN1kERIdLKa04nxeZ9hvm9v85XgOXFLeJCIDJR7f49H9OAq_qbm0L2ORsRdbTG720TilxuaD-I-DP5D_PNKVPKKUcH4Rv6NyVsSBRr2YjSO4sb0I7J3Vw/s1600/GOA+201405+swan+house+lawn+fountains.jpg) |
Just a humble place to call home... Atlanta History Center's circa 1928 Swan House |
For a gardener visiting Atlanta, it's hard to top the allure of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
But there are other garden attractions in Dogwood City, including the gardens at the
Atlanta History Center. These gardens include both the formal gardens around the
1928 Swan House, as well a variety of Georgia native plants nestled into a wild and wooded ravine. Here are some glimpses into these two very different types of gardens:
![Formal Swan House garden, Atlanta, Georgia Formal Swan House garden, Atlanta, Georgia](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBYdAiPK-7F6KQDYvdCHZJ2IXo_Y-wvw-whvLZig380VjhZYF5EPxzFChdUqUrz23Hv3K8wOicuTW8zKhoqJZvtqnMXo1cigUOIiiD7AM2U5o2XJ-uILay-L5S4g51wJF2jep-cLrZA/s1600/GOA+201405+swan+house+formal+garden+2.jpg) |
The formal side garden at the Swan House. Fountain? Check. Statuary and columns? Yep. Boxwoods and crape myrtles abound. It's not my style at all, but I can appreciate the symmetry and the clean lines. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNi0O8mIwG4kKmQAHjQucLgLsHrQrS8lnNTh4GwFPnTzX-esmLetxRuGpAKAJd4McShS4Q7Lv7bCHUlPuDNXydwSgfGA5XFv68PPrTkDkLSTOm3EMlfpE8V5Kgzuxd5ZXTN__mklQfw/s1600/GOA+201405+atlanta+history+center+wooded+ravine.jpg) |
This wild garden in a woodland ravine was more to my liking with some beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangeas |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg3RKH6fbRK8zkuGV3fa0ANtGloqivj5JyMUXRTZy17CnEcrljiv3GKihaqPbWyY9cW9UJ9f7ZkOlFYNDQHx9yaC2zIpsJqz7Qdgw1dm7dcCTe5RzJ1qZa5tG3BcjzixIKKe5kNngiQ/s1600/GOA+201405+atlanta+history+center+cotinus+obovatus+american+smoketree.jpg) |
Cotinus obovatus, American Smoke Tree is high on my list of coveted trees that I hope to add to my garden. I've usually seen it described as a full-sun plant, but it seemed to be growing happily in this shady ravine at the Atlanta History Center |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q2_9l_2D7KBhhWs6ZeBEBf2I0-2nCoeXkhZETs96ql77Sa7GOuE4-_9QByb_BK9uGR86NAF-gVUtbp444KJDeLzpPbHGMpo60wHY-z6YYMNu-LJmyZU9Ovm_FNyM7IpqPoA7c2g5xg/s1600/GOA+201405+atlanta+history+center+cotinus+obovatus+looking+up.jpg) |
Light filters through the canopy of Cotinus obovatus, American Smoke Tree. The "obovatus" name comes from the egg-shaped leaves. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPd_ibBd4KLDlR9j0SjdzJkkrSZ2EqDuF7BP3bcEBpdW_vnS9LQMFDZKm5Ss9u8AKrN62Ebl4nj7imgKvSzlCscuQwxSUfzMLcxJiqCKMTq4FB4dieTxGxEMDUMWK8Dx3CJp6gd8eyA/s1600/GOA+201405+atlanta+history+center+cotinus+obovatus+smoke.jpg) |
Here's a close-up on the Smoke Tree's smoky flowers. I suspect that trees grown in the shade will have fewer flowers than those in full-sun settings. |