Secret Gardens of Atlanta

Swann House

The flowers at Swann House bloom among the ancient-looking ruins that home and garden designer Phillip Shutze placed there. Some of the gardens around the house-- built in 1920--reflect an upper-crust formality while others provide meandering paths shaded by tulip poplars and a glimpse into Atlanta's agricultural past.

Gainey

Garden designer and author Ryan Gainey has taken a page from his own book and planted a garden worthy of any fairy tale. Honey locust branches form romantic gates that open onto unique garden rooms. Ryan combines past and present using an old barn, rose trellises and elegant statuary to create a colorful cottage garden.

Wolford

Most couples bring home photographs of their honeymoon, but Mr. and Mrs. Cator Wolford brought back ideas for their garden. The Wolfords built their stylish home and accompanying gardens in the early 1900s. Grecian columns and an Italian gazebo reflect the Wolfords' European travels and accent the 33-acre estate.

Dargan

Though only five years old, this garden blooms with petals and purpose. Visitors take their own sweet time roaming through Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan's garden. Rosemary, thyme and chives add to the herbal horticulture. And for those looking for color as well as culinary interest, clematis and delphinium perform the job royally in shades of purple.