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Jungle Paradise to hold an open garden event
6 Daylillies pic 3
With flowers that are single or double, ruffled or smooth, large or small, daylilies for every taste can be found at Jungle Paradise, an exotic, private garden in Dawsonville that will open to the public for the first time this weekend. - photo by Photo/Michele Hester

For the first time in more than 13 years, Suzanne Franklin plans to open her exotic garden, Jungle Paradise, free to the public June 20 and 21.

  

A renowned daylily hybridizer, Franklin has more than 1,000 unique daylilies on her property on Mill Creek Drive in Dawsonville, as well as hundreds of azaleas and other exotic plants.

  

“We like to say this is Dawson County’s own botanical garden,” Franklin said with pride as she followed a meandering walking trail through the rainbow of flowers. “I just love it here.”

  

With a variety of rare plants and flowers you can’t find anywhere else in the area, Franklin wants to share her love with the community.

  

“The reason I’m opening the garden is that it’s so much beauty, I feel selfish for not sharing with other people,” she said.

  

During the inaugural open gardens event, Franklin plans to give guided tours through the 10 acres of beautiful flowering scenery every 30 minutes. Guests can also choose to spend the day walking the gardens on their own or have a picnic next to the relaxing creek.

  

Franklin loves to share her beautiful creations. In the past year, she has donated dozens of daylily plants throughout the community, including Rock Creek Park, Veterans Memorial Park, the senior center and surrounding the Dawsonville City Limit signs.

  

She also welcomes local groups to take part in tea parties in her garden.

  

Jungle Paradise, located at 929 Mill Creek Drive, off Hwy. 9 South, will be open June 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and June 21 from noon to 8 p.m.

  

Parking is available in the cul-de-sac at the end of Mill Creek Drive. Franklin plans to open the garden for the event annually.

  

For more information, call (706) 265-2130 or (678) 410-6830.