Festival of Gardens
Columbia Green established the annual Festival of Gardens in 1991 to showcase beautiful private gardens while, at the same time, helping to further fund beautification of public areas around Columbia. The Festival has evolved over the years, growing from a half-day tour accompanied by a lecture to a two-day festival that generally exhibits a dozen inspiring gardens clustered near to each other. In past years, neighborhoods ranging from Shandon and Heathwood to Spring Valley and Wildewood have all been on the tour.
The tour is Columbia Green’s largest fundraiser. It utilizes nearly 100 volunteers and Master Gardeners who help guide visitors through the gardens and aid them in plant identification. It generally draws several hundred garden enthusiasts who can enjoy the flora and fauna from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 on each of the tour days. Participants are encouraged to bring cameras and notebooks to help them record their favorite displays.
This year, the captivating gardens of the Forest Acres area will be highlighted during our 18th annual Festival of Gardens on Thursday, May 15 and Saturday, May 17. Twelve gardens will be on display with a tea party capping off the day’s events from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the home of Peggy and David Jacobs at 6133 Lakeshore Dr.
Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour only at the home of Chip and Dene King at 4916 Hillside Road, the first garden on the tour. After that, the gardens may be viewed in any order. Participants will receive brief descriptions of each garden as well as directions and a map to guide them through the neighborhoods.
Ticket holders are welcome to visit the gardens in any order, but should keep in mind that the tea party does not begin until 2 p.m. each day. The tea party is being sumptuously donated by Northern Exposure, a premier catering firm in Columbia. A rose sale with Earth Friendly roses provided by Roses Unlimited in Laurens as well as a children’s book sale by well-known Columbia author Karen Petit will also benefit Columbia Green during the tea party.
View the 2007 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2006 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2005 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2004 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2003 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2002 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
View the 2001 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery