The couple loved native azaleas and rhododendrons and during Fred's frequent travels, they collected specimens from locations around the globe and propagated many varieties in their greenhouse.

In an effort to preserve the plants and save them from eventually being destroyed, their goal was to give their entire collection of rhododendrons and native azaleas to the people of Towns County, if a suitable location could be found.

Fred Hamilton discovered the perfect spot at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds campus on a peninsula surrounded by Lake Chatuge.

The location had recently opened after the Tennessee Valley Authority gifted the land to Towns County for a park.

[3] Fred Hamilton's donation was based on an agreement that the board of the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and the Towns County Lions Club would utilize their volunteers to maintain and improve the gardens.

Commodes leaking or not working, rotten partition walls, peeling paint, broken windows, etc.

At the time of transition, there were weeds 2+ feet tall in the pathways, areas overtaken by invasive plants, dead trees and limbs throughout the gardens, leaking irrigation, infested hemlocks, etc.

The garden's plants received proper care while community awareness, donations and volunteer hours increased.

Because the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds provided no financial support, the garden board looked for other sources of income.

When asked for a lease, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds board refused, stating that they viewed the land as their asset and they would not relinquish control.

[5][6][9] The Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge board declined to continue their hard work without proper funding, so they dissolved the nonprofit in 2021.

Peak viewing season, characterized as “A Blooming Affair at Hamilton Gardens”, typically begins in mid-April and lasts through mid-May.

[2][12] In addition to rhododendrons and native azaleas, there are dogwoods, ferns, trillium, tulip magnolias, redbuds, hydrangeas, Solomon's seal, wild ginger and trout lily.