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All the United States Georgia Decatur Ferns of the World

Ferns of the World

This collection of ferns from across the globe is the largest assortment in the United States.

Decatur, Georgia

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Jesse
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Entrance sign to the gardens with Fern Mountain in the background.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance sign to the gardens with Fern Mountain in the background.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
One of the hundreds of fern species.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
The verdant pathways through the fern gardens.   jessemiers / Atlas Obscura User
Another Walk   mandofd13 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Tucked away on the campus grounds of the Georgia State University's Perimeter College is a little-known garden of Jurassic proportions. Few people realize that beyond the over-sized college parking lot, and behind the Native Plant Botanical Garden, lies a hidden world frozen in time. Ferns of the World is a sanctuary with perhaps one of the most impressive collections of ferns in the United States. 

In 1990, a botany professor by the name of George Sanko was given permission to plant a native plant botanical garden on a three-acre plot on the campus. Although the native plant garden was adeptly and beautifully constructed, Sanko also seized the opportunity to plant his extensive personal collection of fern species from all over the world.

With an astounding variety of unique and unusual ferns that continued to grow over time, this lush green haven turned into a world-class garden in its own right. Although Sanko passed away in 2018, his unparalleled collection of ferns still delights and enchants people, as if they were transported to a Jurassic world. 

Today, these gardens are recognized as the most extensive assortment of fern species in the United States. Yet they remain little-known, out of sight, and hidden amid a tranquil hideaway. 

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Plants Nature Botanical Gardens

Know Before You Go

Ferns of the World is part of Georgia State University's Perimeter College Native Plant Botanical Garden and free to visit. Walk past the Native Plant Botanical Garden and into the forest to find the ferns. 

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jessemiers

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mandofd13

  • mandofd13

Published

October 7, 2020

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  • https://gardentraveler.com/decatur-georgia-perimeter-college-botanical-garden/
Ferns of the World
3251 Panthersville Rd
Decatur, Georgia, 30034
United States
33.686896, -84.274417
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Nearby Places

Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram

Conley, Georgia

miles away

Alpaca Treehouse

Atlanta, Georgia

miles away

Doll's Head Trail

Atlanta, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Decatur

Decatur

Georgia

Places 6

Nearby Places

Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram

Conley, Georgia

miles away

Alpaca Treehouse

Atlanta, Georgia

miles away

Doll's Head Trail

Atlanta, Georgia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Decatur

Decatur

Georgia

Places 6

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