2006 Festival of Gardens Photo Gallery
2006 Garden Tour
The 2006 Garden Tour took place on Thursday, May 18, and Saturday, May 20, 2006 and included 12 gardens, located in Northeast Columbia in the Spring Valley and Wildewood neighborhoods.
Garden 1
This passionate gardening couple describes themselves as transplant Yankees who yearned for gardening in the South. Eleven years ago this garden was built from scratch and the dream of growing southern favorites such as camellias, azaleas, and rhododendrons finally became a reality. The result is a personal creation containing plants from friends in Boston, iron pots from the mills of Pittsburgh, and a secret garden created especially for their seven grandchildren to explore while visiting from the North. The perennials, roses, and native evergreen shrubs combined with the personal touches of these delightful gardeners have transformed this property into the southern garden this couple once envisioned.
Garden 2
You'll need your sturdy walking shoes to enjoy this extraordinary garden carved into a slope overlooking beautiful Lower Spring Valley Lake. Embedded with paths, ponds, bridges, and countless tons of creatively placed stones, this gardens most amazing feature is the recirculating streambed that pumps water uphill and forms a meandering stream that flows throughout the terraced paradise. In addition to its creative design, this garden also contains quite a collection of unique plants. Don't miss the citrus trees which produce Meyer lemons, oranges, and even grapefruits, all grown by a relentless gardener who refuses to buy into the myth that citrus trees cannot grow in the state of South Carolina.
Garden 3
You'll know you've arrived at this stately home and garden when you see the hand-painted blue stone driveway created by the late artist Rick Bay. A waiting visitors is a series of master fully designed garden rooms, each of which has a personality of its own. Enjoy the quaint herb garden full of lush rosemary, grape vines, and a pergola beautifully draped with evergreen Clematis armandii. While surrounded by azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas, stroll down a natural path overlooking a walled garden containing a brick patio, beautiful garden room, and an abundance of lush planting. Don't miss the twenty-four-year-old kiwi vine or the towering cryptomeria, which the garden owners started from rooted cuttings.
Garden 4
It took twenty-eight years, a sense of humor, a creative gardener, and a strong back to create this charming garden. Who needs to traverse the globe when you can tour gardens from around the world in one backyard? This self-made paradise is as whimsical as its head gardener and promises to put a smile on your face as well as take you to faraway places. Every brick was laid by the gardener himself, resulting in countless paths winding from Charleston to England with numerous stops and gorgeous planting along the way. There is never a dull moment in this delightfully designed garden, so keep your eyes peeled or you just might miss moving trains, trickling fountains, or a trip to a secret garden. Oh, and by all means, please pay your respects to Scruffy.
Garden 5
Now take a real deep breath because you are going to need it. Dr. Satish Prabhus garden just might be one of the prettiest sights you will ever see. The magnificent Scarlet Me id land rose draped over the ornate iron entrance gate is worth the trip alone. But lo and behold, there are four hundred more gorgeous roses to see! The Oh mys will be a flyin' as you enjoy this amazing paradise, formerly named the best rose garden in the southern United States by the All America Rose Society. Satish, himself, is the recipient of at least twenty- two national rose awards, and was recently awarded the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award for Exhibiting Excellence. You are sure to leave this garden feeling proud that Columbia is home to such an amazingly beautiful sight.
Garden 6
A pathway stone in this garden reads, As the garden grows, so shall the gardener. Having first been inspired by her parents from Charleston, this homeowner has, indeed, grown into quite the wise gardener. She decided long ago that she was not going to cry over dead grass, hence her designing mantra: Where I cant grow grass I grow a garden. Although the challenges of gardening on a natural spring and battling wildlife such as invasive deer were looming ones, this gardener confesses that where there's a problem, there's a garden. So amid the pools, fountains, and many wandering paths, admire the natural plantings of iris, hydrangeas, countless native shrubs, and daylilies. And you think you've seen daylilies.
Garden 7
Look for the greenest grass east of the Mississippi, a Frank Lloyd Wright-like home, and immaculate flowing beds of vibrant spring color. If you're lucky, you'll find the Fields residence wedged between Wildewood's sprawling golf course and one of its many gorgeous lakes. Having owned the home thirteen years, this couple began gardening the day they moved in and has yet to cease tidying up since. There are so many mesmerizing views in this garden you may even forget to watch for stray golf balls. Don't dare miss the pond-inspired pool surrounded by numerous sculptures, which are almost as witty as the homeowner herself. This garden will not only inspire you to clean out and spruce up your own, but it will also provide new meaning to the term curb appeal.
Garden 8
A metal sculpture of a girl with a butterfly net beckons you into this certified Backyard Habitat and English style garden. Climbing fig covering the brick Colonial home gives it an old feel, a gardening tip picked up while on vacation in jolly old England. Duck through the rose and jasmine-covered archway into the backyard and explore the different garden rooms, all of which are havens for bees, birds, and butterflies. Don't miss the clever composting area, where bunnies live in a homemade hutch above a compost pile. An old saying states, Every garden has a story to tell. Well, this well-known garden, as well as the gardener herself, is brimming with charming tales, personal anecdotes, and unique garden wit.
Garden 9
In September of 2005 the backyard of this lovely home was completely wooded. Just six months ago the amazing transformation from wooded forest to designer landscape began. Because the family has four young children, they yearned for both kid friendly play spaces as well as landscaped borders. The end result is an astounding, expansive green space that will tempt you to book a birthday party as you leave. Surrounding the yard are lush swooping beds anchored by sixty Leyland Cypress trees. The most memorable feature of this outdoor wonderland still awaits you. Even though the temperature is quite warm, you'll want to cozy right up to the massive stone fireplace covered by a custom-made pergola. You may want to bring your marshmallows!
Garden 10
Spend some time in this intimate garden sanctuary and you'll have a hard time deciding which is more precious, the homeowners or the garden. The garden began taking shape five years ago when the head gardener, an avid golfer, started digging in the dirt as a break from hitting golf balls. The plants didn't seem to hook or slice like the golf balls did, so gardening became his passion. The result is a masterfully planned symmetrical courtyard garden with boxwood-lined brick paths the likes of which you might find in old Charleston. The most endearing aspect of this quaint sanctuary is the statue of the kneeling little girl named Meredith. Given to the homeowner by her father on the day of her birth seventy-three years ago, it still bears its original coat of paint.
Garden 11
These creative homeowners have taken outdoor entertaining to a new level. Upon entering the backyard through a side gate marked by flanking gargoyles, you will immediately find yourself in a private, pool side outdoor kitchen. Think you're impressed now? Make your way up to the pool house, where you may choose to play a game of pool or you may opt to take a dip in the swimming pool. The sound of the trickling waterfall sets a perfect tone for you to peruse the various plantings and sculptures in the beds surrounding the property. Don't forget to greet the pool-shooting frog dancing among the unbelievable fortress of towering cypress trees. Be real nice and smile a lot maybe this couple will invite you back.
Garden 12
Please join us for our grand finale, a culminating Garden Tea Party in an oh-so-breathtaking outdoor living haven. What a way to complete such an inspiring day shop at the plant sale, garden market, art show, or just take a seat and pretend you're in entertainment heaven. Enjoy the shady pool side living room and dining area, and at least try to contain yourself as you discover the kitchen, bar, and state-of-the-art grilling area. Marvel at the privacy created by the surrounding walls, which are draped in Clematis armandii and provide a stunning backdrop for magnolias, loquats, and red Japanese maples. Spend enough time in this families cloister and you'll be inquiring about Spring Break rates before you leave.