Smith Gilbert Gardens Blog

Coffin Tree

By Shon Cameron, SGG Head Gardener

On your next visit to the garden come view our Coffin Tree.  It doesn’t have pretty flowers or a heavenly scent like some of our other trees.  What is does have is a very fascinating history and has been used to make incredible works of art for centuries. Taiwania cryptomeriodes is the Latin name of the Coffin Tree and is part of the Cupressaccae family.  It has some very large kin, including the Giant Sequoias of California. Read the rest of this entry »

Sarah Mansfield

Sarah Mansfield is one of our most dependable Docents, always willing to pitch in wherever assistance is needed.  Her latest job is looking after the Hummingbird feeders. In addition, Sarah frequently works in the Hiram Butler House, helps with the Children’s Programs and conducts tours of the Garden.

Sarah was born a Tennessee girl but came to Cobb County at an early age and graduated from Osborne High School. Sarah received her B. S. from UGA, and then taught elementary school in Gwinnett County. She has also worked in the insurance industry as a Certified GA. Life, Accident and Sickness Insurance Agent. In addition to all that, she is certified to teach Conversational English to Adult Internationals.

Sarah is married to Dan (for 44 yrs.), is the mother of two adult children, and in her own words is “waiting patiently for grandchildren.”  Sarah has lots of varied interests including gardening, reading, travel, painting, cooking and following GA Tech sports (she’s forced to as hubby, daughter and son-in- law are all Tech grads. Poor thing!) Sarah is a joy to be around and a real asset to Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

Graham Gold

Graham Gold, our decorator extraordinaire is another of our Volunteers of Note.

Graham was born in London England in the late 1940’s moved to the States as an adult and became a citizen about 20 years ago.  Graham majored in Residential and commercial Design. He studied at the New York School of Interior Design, The Art Institute and at Kennesaw University.

Graham ran his own business in New York for many years and was the Head Designer for close to 10 years for a major corporation here in Atlanta. Graham is now retired and enjoys his volunteer time here at Smith-Gilbert assisting with the Monday Morning Work Group, the Gift Shop and other SGG decorating challenges.

Graham has been married to wife Joann for 37 years, and has two grown children and two grandchildren.

It is a real treat to have Graham and his quick wit with us here at the Garden. We especially appreciate him giving his time and extraordinary talent to decorate the Hiram-Butler House for the Christmas season.

American Crow

by Pat Pepper

I do realize that choosing a crow for the bird of the month in a garden publication is risky. After all, that’s not a scarerobin propped up next to the fence around the SGG vegetable garden.

When I decided to highlight one bird for this column, I had to choose a qualifying factor. I decided to cast away any personal bird prejudices, either for or against a particular species. My qualifier would be a bird that had best captured my interest or imagination while walking around the garden. Read the rest of this entry »

Nonprofit organizations could not exist without a good group of volunteers. Smith-Gilbert Garden is no different in its need for assistance.

Volunteers are free to work any schedule they desire–one afternoon or morning a week, just one Saturday a month, or Sunday afternoons. If you can’t commit to a specific schedule we always need extra help for special events. The Garden provides training and excellent benefits for our volunteer friends. You will receive a discount on all purchases in the Gift Shop, unlimited access to the Garden, and a special treat in the form of field trips and Volunteer appreciation functions during the year. Read the rest of this entry »

While she holds the official title of Receptionist, our newest employee Carrie Camden is really a “Jane of All Trades”. She spent most of her career in higher education at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. Carrie comes to us as a recent transplant from Statesboro, Georgia where she was the Executive Assistant to the City Manager, Human Resources Director and City Attorney. She holds degrees in Business and Fine Arts and is on her way to a Masters of Business Administration.  Carrie’s expertise will help us on many fronts, especially grant writing and data management. Read the rest of this entry »