Georgia's flora is among the most diverse of any state in the U.S. Ferns, trilliums, bloodroot, and lady slipper orchids are among the more than 300 species found in the Native Flora Garden. The garden was established in honor of Linton Reese Dunson Sr., a conservation agronomist.

Callicarpa americana

Many of the species found here are woodland species, some rare, threatened or endangered. Other rare, threatened, and endangered species can be found in the Bog Garden and Threatened and Endangered Plants section of the International Garden.

Georgia and the southeastern U.S. were a mecca for European plant hunters in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Tradescant, Clayton, Catesby, Michaux and others botanized throughout the area, sending hundreds of new species back to European gardens. In 1765, John and William Bartram discovered (near present day Darien) the famous Franklinia, now extinct in the wild. On a later expedition, William Bartram traveled through or near land now comprising the State Botanical Garden.

Trout lily