Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden

Georgia, United States

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The Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden, located near Hiawassee, Georgia, is the largest public botanical garden in the Southeast U.S. specializing in native azaleas and rhododendrons.

The 33-acre garden sits on a scenic hillside overlooking Lake Chatuge and was established in 1982 when Fred and Hazel Hamilton donated their extensive collection of over 1,000 cultivars to the community. Fred Hamilton, a former Sears executive and avid horticulturist, developed new rhododendron varieties including the yellow Rhododendron flammeum named after his wife, Hazel.

The garden features more than 400 varieties and 3,000 individual plants, along with walking trails through lush woodlands and spectacular floral displays that reach peak bloom in April and May. It serves as an educational and conservation space dedicated to promoting appreciation of native plants and offers visitors serene views of the lake and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.

The garden also hosts an annual Rhododendron Festival with music, food, and community events, inviting visitors to enjoy the vibrant spring blooms in a tranquil mountain setting.