54. FLOWERLAND

(admission free), Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd. approximately 13 miles northwest of Atlanta, is the 138-acre estate of Dr. L.C. Fischer, who bought the land in 1931 and immediately began to cultivate it as the most spectacular rose garden of the Atlanta vicinity. For two miles along the highway, fences and trellises are covered with the climbing talisman, Paul's scarlet red, and Dr. Van Fleet pink roses.

To the right of the entrance a path leads through a long arbor covered with Paul's scarlet roses to the beds, where more than 600 varieties of bush roses are planted between terraced pathways. The red, white, cream, yellow, and pale pink blooms glow brightly against the clay-red waters of Nancy's Creek, which has been turned so that it circles through the gardens.

Steps between the rose beds lead down to a path at the edge of the creek that is bordered with lavender and purple rhododendron, flame azalea, and pink and white mountain laurel. The path affords a view of the opposite slope, which is covered with more roses, and winds a short distance through cool woods fragrant with sweet shrub. Banked around a long lily pond near by is a rock garden, where grow forget-me-nots and other small flowers and plants. Flowering vines, including the large blue clematis, climb the trees, and on tree trunks throughout the garden are framed verses appropriate to the setting, such as "Shared" by the Georgia poet Agnes Kendrick Gray:

Some things there be that are better shared—
A cottage fire, a table spread;
A country road in the evening hush,
And gardens trellised and garlanded.

A bridge with hanging baskets of petunias, geraniums, and coleuses crosses to a path at the foot of a steep embankment, planted in rhododendron and mountain laurel. At the end of this path another bridge crosses the creek where the sluggish waters suddenly come to life in their rapid fall over a dam. Across the bridge is a large rock garden colorful with the velvety hues of innumerable pansies.

On a high eminence overlooking the grounds is the Doric-columned, red-brick residence of Dr. Fischer. Beyond the main entrance to the gardens a long drive leads from the highway to the rear of the house. Along this winding driveway are vivid plantings of multicolored roses, poppies, irises, narcissi, and tulips. A clipped-privet dog and doghouse in the plot just back of the house are popular with children who visit the gardens.

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