2004 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
2004 Garden Tour
The 13th Annual Festival of Gardening was held May 19th, 20th and 22nd of 2004. The Festival kicked off on Wednesday evening with Columbia Green and the Columbia Tree & Appearance Commission 4th Annual Columbia Choice Awards event followed by Thursday and Saturday Garden Tours, Tea Party and Plant Sale. See below for a tour description.
Garden 1
Tour tickets are available in this beautiful richly planted tiered garden of a Master Gardener. The patio is separated from the upper garden by a 6 foot wall draped with overflowing blooms and foliage. You can take two paths: one leads to an arbor and swing with a lake view, and one leads to the upper garden from the patio area. This garden is as colorful and delightful as its Head Gardener!
Garden 2
Only a year old, this extremely handsome house, complete with mahogany front and garage doors and low maintenance landscaping, is perfect for its frequently traveling owners. The front, iron-gated courtyard is neat as a pin, and even attractive at night as subtle lighting gives a warm glow. Situated on a lake in Ashworth, the house enjoys a view of a large fountain from the back porch.
Garden 3
This working couple wanted a garden that provided pleasure without extreme maintenance issues. Very attractive from the street, this home has a brick and iron walled back yard that has a very southern feel. The gracious columns on the back of the house lead to garden of camellias, crepe myrtles, iron plant, and liriope, which provide a maximum of enjoyment with a minimum of effort.
Garden 4
Large trees and a curved brick walkway lined with boxwoods and hydrangeas that lead to the front door, create a cozy and cool old-fashioned garden setting. Go through the arched gateway to the back garden, and you enter an unexpected world of geometric gardens and patios, low black iron furniture, and richly planted containers. A millstone fountain and black ceramic pots used as seats are ideas you just may want to copy.
Garden 5
The first thing that enters your mind at the top of the driveway is "European manor house". A graceful private driveway leads to a lovely large gray stucco home with gas lamps, wonderful porches, and a magnificent pool. One side of the property is wooded and natural, with a creek and birds galore. The other side is bounded by a lake, which gives a wonderful sense of peace and privacy.
Garden 6
Do not miss this one - a beautiful cream stucco house with flowing gardens that can be seen from every room in the house. Oh, my, my! Are we too old to be adopted? Cool and sprawling, painted chairs, a canoe, a hammock by the lake, statues of toads and frogs, and a gorgeous raised planter make this garden about as inviting as they come. You may want to go get your pajamas.
Garden 7
This is a double treat in more ways than one! This duplex turned single residence has an old fashioned, charming front entrance, and an appealing side entrance to the garden behind the house. Take the brick walkway past the tree ferns and olive jar fountain, skip by the 3 frogs on the bench, enjoy the raised beds of perennials, and lo and behold, you will enter yet another garden! Hidden behind the main house is a quaint cottage and garden that the Duchess of Kent would envy!
Garden 8
Next door to the adorable duplex is an extremely appealing blue stucco house with a courtyard garden. The brick walls are covered with climbing fig, and give privacy to the owners of this corner lot in a beautiful neighborhood. Notice the limbed-up oleanders in the large pots – unusual and attractive! Outside the walls, neighbors get to enjoy the lovely rose garden along the curb.
Garden 9
Even in winter, this front garden maintains its appeal. The variety of plants in the curving front beds, as well as the huge oak trees, tempts you to lollygag in the front yard. Mondo grass used along the boarders is very attractive and tidy. The variety of perennials in the back yard tells you that a plant lover lives here! Viburnum tinus is an effective evergreen hedge, providing privacy and berries for the birds as well.
Garden 10
The first thing to catch your eye will be the colorful tiles on the attractive slate front porch. You will go past a camellia hedge on your left, and a unique small fountain on your way to the back yard that never needs to be mowed!These chemistry professors are too busy to keep a high maintenance garden, but they enjoy their carefree, cool back yard retreat, with its stone paths and bunny statues. Ajuga, moss, and groundcovers replace grass, and camellias provide privacy.
Garden 11
The beautiful green tiled roof and wisteria-covered arbor in front of the garage give a hint of the classical elegance of this garden. Once you enter the backyard, you will feel transported to another place and time. The view from the upper terrace is breathtaking! Surrounded by old oaks and azaleas, you will gaze down upon a beautiful garden, pond with fountains and koi, and statues of the four seasons. Be strong, or you will be tempted to violate the 10th Commandment! Garden Tea Party generously provided by Patty McDougall and the Happy Cookers.
