2011 Garden Tours
Three spectacular private home gardens.
June 25 & 26,2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 26, 2011 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
Chairwoman: Pat Abrecrombie
The South Carolina Festival of Flowers is proud to present threee beautiful garden tours this year. Come spend the day strolling through private home gardens, many that have never seen seen by the public.
You’re sure to be inspired!
Doris and James Hall
112 Reynolds Ave.
The 1899 Victorian home, a real “painted lady” in shades of purple, is an attention grabber, but it is easily equaled by the grounds which are landscaped into outdoor rooms. One, christened “Old Favorites,” boasts plantings of deutzia, quince, spirea, camellia, forsythia and bearded iris. The hydrangea room features mopheads, lacecaps, oak leaf and varieties with variegated leaves. Ferns and hostas abound, and an unusually large Japanese maple sets the tone for the Japanese garden. The wild, spreading limbs of elaeagnus are groomed into a wall of arches. Smilax vine shades the back porch while the front porch features a trellis of wisteria. A crapemyrtle walk and a hedge of Knock Out Roses join beds of annuals to create splashes of color in this inviting garden, and don’t miss the Chinese tallow tree and Flying Dragon shrubs.
Nelson and Hattie Smith
407 Powers Ave.
This is a garden filled with surprises as paths meander among more than 30 Japanese maples as well as a wide selection of hydrangeas, azaleas, camellias and tea olives including one tea olive with orange flowers that give off a delicate scent of oranges. A full-length mirror some 20 feet up in a 100-year-old willow oak reflects a gently turning windmill. High in another tree hangs a majestic piece of Chesapeake Bay driftwood studded with seashells. In the curves of shrubs and flowerbeds, benches invite visitors to take time to reflect on nature’s handiwork. Chimes sing their songs, and a gently flowing fountain adds to the tranquility of the setting. You will find yourself wanting to learn more about the evolution of this garden, and don’t forget to ask about the wrought iron piece originally used in the film, “The Color Purple.”
Dr. Mims and Mary Jane Mobley
103 Overbrook Drive
More than 40 years in the making, this well-established shade garden reflects the love and care of its owners. A bank of hellebores competes for attention with hostas, ferns, bloodroot, pachysandra and May apple. Of note are the multitude of boxwoods and azaleas rooted by the owners, who designed a landscape with paths that hold horticultural rewards at every turn. A hedge of tea olives, two magnificent Confederate roses, climbing hydrangea and several Yoshino cherries are among this garden’s highlights. River rock were laid to create planting beds and to terrace the almost two acres which descend some 25 feet to a vegetable garden and fruit orchard. A small, lowland meadow provides a vista onto a creek bordering the property. Nature lovers will delight in trying to identify the plethora of plants in this garden. You are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes.