About Us

The Cox Arboretum and Gardens is a private estate located in Canton, Georgia. Canton is approximately 40 miles north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Piedmont Range. Numbering over 4,000 living specimens, the plantings display one of the largest private collections of temperate flora in the United States. With an elevation of 1200 feet and containing several lakes and streams, we are able to grow a wide variety of plants in our zone 7B climate. The property is also bounded by several large wetland habitats where many migratory and native fowl make their home. It is situated on 13 acres in the middle of an old-growth southern deciduous hardwood forest, containing many large Oaks, Hickory, Poplar, and Sweetgum–some of which are over 100 years old.

The Arboretum was started by Tom and Evelyn Cox in 1990 for the purpose of collecting garden-worthy plants. Throughout the years the mission has evolved with a present focus on plant evaluation, preservation of rare and endangered flora, and to develop a public appreciation and enlightenment of plants.  It also serves a scientific and educational purpose, through testing and displaying new and rare plants in a garden setting.

Tom served as a national president of the American Conifer Society  www.conifersociety.org (2006-2008).  He now travels the world in search of conifers that might be adaptable to the southeastern U.S.  Along with Dr. John Ruter, he has co-authored the first-ever book on conifers for the South.   Landscaping With Conifers and Ginkgo For the Southeast.

Over time the mission has evolved from one of general collecting to evaluation, selection, and display of a widely diverse group of plants from around the world that are hardy in a USDA Zone 7b climate. Since human activities such as clearing forest have put much of the world’s flora at risk, the mission also includes preservation of the germplasm of many critically endangered plants. A major focus today is conifers at the genus/species level, as well as dwarf selections that may have commercial appeal. Throughout the year, we receive numerous plants from growers and horticultural institutions for the purpose of evaluation. Through this effort and in offering tours to the public, we are seeking to expand the plant palate in the southeastern U.S.

Approximately 3 acres of land is maintained in a natural state and remains undisturbed. The goal is to maintain and ultimately increase native species diversity of both flora and fauna.