Over the millennia plants, like people, have literally traveled around the world, affecting history, politics, culture, art and religion. The International Garden, located adjacent the Visitor Center, portrays the interrelationship between people and plants within the context of three eras that have significantly influenced the evolution of botanical gardens—the Middle Ages, the Age of Exploration and the Age of Conservation.

International Garden Lawn

Eleven botanical and horticultural collections depict the geographic origin of plants, plant hunters who sought them, and the forces that drove the plant hunters.

The Herb Garden contains collections of herbs used for culinary, dye, fragrance, and ceremonial purposes; medicinal herbs are displayed in the Physic Garden reminiscent of a 17th century knot garden. These two gardens represent the Middle Ages. Early physic gardens, then associated with medical schools, led to the development of botanical gardens.

The Age of Exploration is represented by the Mediterranean & Middle East, Spanish America, American South, and China sections. This era saw active exploration of the planet in search of new and valuable plants—and a proliferation of botanical gardens to contain and study them.

The Age of Conservation, a subject of great concern today, is explored in the Threatened & Endangered Plants section and the Bog Garden. The American Indian Plants section features plants used by Indians of the southeast U.S. whose conservation practices provide excellent models even today.

The visual axis of the garden is provided by a stream originating from a wall fountain at the rear of the Visitor Center. Water flows along a stream through a series of pools, under the flower bridge, and into a larger pool where it is filtered and recirculated.

The International Garden pays homage to three plant hunters whose work has had significant influence in the American South—John and William Bartram who discovered the now famous Franklinia (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin) and Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson whose Oriental introductions have proven well adapted to the Southeast.

Panoramic views are possible from several locations, notably the pavilion, overlook trellis, cafe, and the flower bridge.

Medicinal herbs are displayed in the Physic Garden reminiscent of a 17th century knot garden.