An Enchanting Daytrip

Story by Lynn Hobbs and Judi Collins, art contributed by Atlanta Botanical Garden

This is the last year children of all ages can venture into the whimsical world of Alice’s Wonderland at Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s fantastical tales, the exhibit features 38 larger-than-life topiary sculptures. It debuted in 2019 and, like Carroll’s timeless novel, was such a big hit that it returned with new sculptures added each year.

“They keep updating it so it doesn’t look quite like it did the year before,” noted William Bauchat, a Lake Oconee resident who has held a family membership at ABG for many years. “It is pretty remarkable, really. You see all the characters made from flowers and it’s really a worthwhile thing to see. We love going there.”

Each display sparks curiosity and imagination through scenes that include giant storybooks, teacups, playing cards, the toothy grin of the Cheshire Cat, a 27-foot-tall White Rabbit and more. The adventure is on display through Sunday, Sept. 14.

Alice’s in Wonderland’s final chapter at the Gardens coincides with the world premiere of Enchanted Trees by Poetic Kinetics. These 10 sculptures feature trees standing 10 to 17 feet tall adorned with dazzling acrylic leaves that cast dappled light and reflective colors on everything around them, according to the ABG website. It will be on display through Jan. 11, 2026.

“To me, the exhibits such as Alice in Wonderland, they’re great; they’re sort of an added benefit,” Bauchat opined. “I think the whole garden itself with all the different exotic plants is pretty spectacular. Anytime we have friends coming to town, we always take them to the garden because it’s quite beautiful.”

On one such visit, Bauchat was unable to walk long distances due to a foot injury, so he took advantage of the Garden’s scooter rental for the day. He said his grandchildren really enjoy the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden and splash pad. Bauchat’s personal favorite place in the 30-acre Garden is the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory. “It’s got one of the

most exotic orchid houses I’ve ever seen,” he said, noting it features plants from tropical and desert regions of the world.

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. For more information, call 404-671-3063 or visit www.atlantabg.org

To see how the topiaries were made, go to https://www.lakelife.today/post/alice-s-wonderland 

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This story appeared in Lakelife magazine, Volume 19, Issue 4 and is the property of Smith Communications, Inc. No portions of the story or photos may be copied or used

without written consent from the publisher.