A lover of horticulture, she is preserving history and growing community at the Savannah Botanical Gardens.
Written by Mary Cornetta
Photography by Tiffany Bradley
Tucked south of the Historic District, right off the Truman Parkway, the Savannah Botanical Gardens feels like a well-kept secret — one that Trish Lawrence has been helping more locals discover. As vice president of programs and events, Lawrence plays a key role in shaping everything from community programming to preservation efforts, all while honoring the city’s deep-rooted gardening traditions.
Her connection to the earth began early. Growing up, Saturdays meant riding along with her father (who worked for a local florist) to deliver arrangements and ending their day at the greenhouse. Today, her love of horticulture is reflected not only in her job but also in her longstanding involvement with local garden clubs.
She currently serves as vice president of the Garden Club of Savannah’s executive board and is former president of the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden Club. While in that role, she helped procure “The Garden Keeper,” the cast-iron fountain in Kavanaugh Park that honors Mary Robinson Myrick, founder of the Downtown Garden Club and the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden Club.
Most recently, Lawrence has been instrumental in the revitalization of the historic Reinhard House, a circa-1840 farmhouse located on the grounds of the Savannah Botanical Gardens. One of the few remaining pre-Civil War farmhouses in Savannah, the structure stands as a rare example of early rural architecture and is now the headquarters of both the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs and the Savannah Botanical Gardens, as well as a space for special events.
With upcoming projects such as a StoryWalk (an interactive outdoor experience aimed at promoting literacy for children), a future sculpture garden, and ongoing enhancements to the grounds, Lawrence is helping to ensure the gardens remain both a community resource and a place of quiet beauty. We caught up with her to talk about her favorite local spots, her fondness for her Ardsley Park neighborhood, and how she spends a perfect day in Savannah.
What do you enjoy most about Savannah’s gardening community? Friendships formed through Savannah’s garden clubs add a whole other layer to what makes the community feel so special. They turn gardening from a solitary pastime into something social, supportive, and genuinely joyful. Savannah gardeners tend to treat plants like community currency — cuttings, seeds, extra seedlings, compost, even tools. Someone always has something to pass along.
Where is your go-to spot in Savannah to buy plants or gardening supplies? Hester and Zipperer. Chris and Meredith Zipperer are so knowledgeable and are always willing to support the botanical gardens.
What do you adore most about living in Ardsley Park? The neighborhood has that lived-in beauty Savannah does so well: old oaks, front porches, and architecture with personality.
Where’s your favorite local spot to meet friends for lunch? Ardsley Station is a real neighborhood gem. The team there is deeply rooted in the community and committed to giving back.
Describe your perfect Saturday in Savannah. A perfect Saturday in Ardsley Park starts with the feeling that everything you love about Savannah is just close enough to shape the whole day. One of the best perks of Ardsley is how naturally it connects you to the rest of the city. A short, easy bike ride brings you straight into Forsyth Park. If it’s game day, you can simply walk over to Grayson Stadium — no parking stress, no traffic, just a neighborhood stroll that ends in one of the most joyful, chaotic, uniquely Savannah experiences. When the heat peaks or you want a change of scenery, Tybee Island is only a short drive away.
What are some things about the Savannah Botanical Gardens you would like people to know? The Savannah Botanical Gardens is one of Savannah’s true hidden gems, located just minutes from the Historic District downtown. Its location along the Truman Park Trail makes it an ideal spot for a picnic, and its close proximity to Lake Mayer creates a perfect route for a 5K training run with a relaxing cooldown in the gardens. The gardens are also available for special events and can comfortably accommodate up to 75 guests.
Can you give us a glimpse into what’s next for the gardens? We’re fortunate to have eight member clubs, affiliate clubs, master gardeners, and a dedicated team of volunteers caring for the gardens. Thanks to their work, the parterre and summer gardens are receiving beautiful makeovers. Visitors will soon be able to enjoy a StoryWalk around the pond featuring Tilly the Turtle, and we’re currently fundraising for three exciting additions: a sculpture garden, a tea olive terrace, and an arboretum.
