The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

These 145 spectacular color photographs celebrate nature's cycles in a splendid and diverse southern garden. Each month for more than six years, Carol and Hugh Nourse have explored the paths and collections of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, capturing the kaleidoscope of its seasons. In this large-format, beautifully produced volume, we move by season and scale from detailed close-ups to atmospheric vistas. From the subdued blues of a snow-covered garden to the dazzling golden light on scarlet leaves in autumn, the Nourses' keen and affectionate eyes have captured not only the living forms, but the essence of a garden in all its changing moods.

A general introduction traces the history and development of this public garden, and brief sectional essays describe the special features of the Garden in each season. The sequence begins aptly with the glorious explosion of spring and meanders joyfully through the waxing and waning of the seasons to the stark forms of winter. An "Under Glass" section showcases tropical and sub-tropical jewels in the three-story conservatory. In the foreword, Garden director Jeff Lewis points out that the Nourses' photographs enable us to "notice details we might otherwise miss--symmetry, texture, form, color."

Dedicated volunteers with the Garden's Plant Conservation Program, the Nourses champion conservation in a uniquely powerful way by simply letting the beauty of nature speak for itself. As they turn our eyes to the intricate, fragile beauty of tiny wildflowers and lacy ruffles of peeling bark, we begin to see this and all gardens with new wonder.

These 145 spectacular color photographs celebrate nature's cycles in a splendid and diverse southern garden. Each month for more than six years, Carol and Hugh Nourse have explored the paths and collections of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, capturing the kaleidoscope of its seasons.
CAROL NOURSE, with her spouse and longtime partner, Hugh Nourse, has published photographs and writings about wildflowers in American Gardener, Backpacker, Nature Photographer, and Wildflower magazines. The Nourses have also lectured widely on the subject. Volunteer photographers for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, they were named Volunteers of the Year for the Garden in 1997.
HUGH NOURSE, with his spouse and longtime partner, Carol Nourse, has published photographs and writings about wildflowers in American Gardener, Backpacker, Nature Photographer, and Wildflower magazines. The Nourses have also lectured widely on the subject. Volunteer photographers for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, they were named Volunteers of the Year for the Garden in 1997.