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Buzz over to Dunwoody Nature Center for a visit to see the park and Educational Exhibits — It's FREE!
We can be reached at (770) 394-3322.
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Gardens at
Dunwoody Nature Center
» Gateway Garden
» Rock Garden
» Native Plant Garden
» Compost Demonstration Site
» Wet Meadow
» Map Of The Gardens
Gateway Garden
We consider the front entrance a window or "gateway" to our "natural classroom for environmental education" and no one could have better expressed this philosophy through design than David Bennett McMullin. The garden was installed in spring 1999 under the volunteered guidance of David, the award-winning designer and owner of New Moon Gardens. This beautiful, harmonious planting extends along the entire frontage of the Nature Center. The unique design consists mostly of native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials with a focus on fall color and berries for wildlife. Virginia sweetspire, red cedars, sumac, fothergilla, hydrangeas, ironweed, goldenrod, asters, Joe Pyeweed, broom sedge and lespedeza are just a few of the native and underused plants that were chosen.
Incorporated into its design are surrounding woodland areas that have been cleared of nonnative plants in order that existing understory natives such as sassafras, dogwood and 'Euonymous Americanus' (also called Hearts-a-bustin') may flourish.
Many thanks to David for his time and wonderful talent. In addition, we would like to thank the Dunwoody Women's Club, Kiwanis Club of Dunwoody and Wyntercreek Garden Club for their financial support of the Gateway Garden Project.
In May 2002, Blake Zimmerman added the split rail fence and more native plants to this garden as well as painting the large entry sign. This was a successful Eagle Scout project which added a lot to the look of the nature center's main entrance. Blake planned the project, secured funding for all materials, and managed the whole project. He has also taken responsibility for keeping the garden watered so that the new plants survive their first long, hot Georgia summer — since they are natives, very little watering will be needed after that. Thank you, Blake, and congratulations on your achievement!
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden at Dunwoody Nature Center is situated beside the stairs leading to the front door. A few years ago, summer campers planted this garden as part of a lesson on plants. It contains a variety of sedum, thyme, creeping geranium, creeping phlox, lamb's ear and other rock garden favorites. The rosemary is the plant that gives this garden such a great scent — go ahead and touch to release the aroma!
Native Plant Garden
The Georgia Native Plant Society planted this beautiful, low-maintenance shade garden in 1995. Featured are native hydrangea, Northern sea oats, crossvine, wild geranium, trillium, wild ginger, senecio, heuchera and foamflower. It is a wonderful demonstration garden to discover how Southeastern natives can be incorporated into the landscape. Thanks to garden designer, Jim Harrington, and G.N.P.S. for a very welcoming garden.
The Native Plant Garden is located just in front of the large front windows of the nature center. The plants in this garden are labeled and a detailed map is available.
Compost Demonstration Site
A collaboration between DeKalb County Master Gardeners and Composters Bobbi Sedam, Lucinda Headrick, and Jackie Heyda in 1997, this area is one of several county-wide sites designed to educate the public about the benefits of composting. Our site features three types of compost bins.
The site is currently maintained by Bobbi and Bonnie Barton. Bobbi has also set up a Vermicomposting (WORM composting) site inside the building to teach about setting up and using that type of composting as well.
Help yourself to all kinds of composting literature at the display inside the building and if you are lucky enough to catch one of our "Compost Queens" at work she can help answer your questions on the subject.
Wet Meadow
This garden, located behind the building, incorporates bog and bird-friendly plants, such as chokeberry, red-twig dogwood, Virginia sweetspire, serviceberry, Joe Pyeweed, Louisiana and yellow-flag iris, hummingbird clethra, stokesia, goldenrod, aster, upland sea oats and native hibiscus. Three bird houses have been added with the help of a Jr. Girl Scout Troop and Brownie Troop. The remainder of the area is experimentally un-mowed to encourage plant naturalization. Many thanks to Master Gardener Amy Hillis for the design, installation and maintenance of this garden. A detailed map is available.