News
Festival of Gardens: May 14th & 16th
As a highlight of Columbia Green's 25th anniversary year, the 2009 Festival of Gardens will showcase beautiful residential landscapes in an historic Columbia neighborhood as well as in one of the city's newest areas. Tours will be held on Thursday May 14th and Saturday May 16th.
Forest Hills Historic District, located in the heart of downtown Columbia, is one of only a few neighborhoods in Columbia listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1925, noted landscape architect, planner and conservationist Harlan P. Kelsey was hired to design Columbia's newest suburb located on the western half or "high hills" area. On a contemporary list of landscape architects across the country, Kelsey's name is often listed alongside his contemporaries, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and John Nolen, in recognition of his naturalistic landscape design. The Tanglewood Neighborhood development, nestled among some of Columbia's oldest neighborhoods, appeared primarily in the 1990s and showcases beautiful large traditional brick homes with lush designer landscape architecture.
The May Festival will feature 12 residential gardens with tours running from 9:30am-3:30pm both days. The event will also feature a tea party each day from 2:00-5:00pm at the last home on the tour. As with past Festivals, Master Gardeners will be available at each garden to answer questions about gardening and specific plant characteristics.
Advance ticket prices for the two-day event are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Prices the day of event will be $35 for members and $45 for non-members.
Proceeds from this event, as well as funds from Columbia Green's grant programs, corporate donations and sponsorships provide the needed funding to enhance Columbia's landscape and environmental benefit. Founded on 1984, Columbia Green is a non-profit volunteer driven organization that promotes horticulture and conservation to beautify the Greater Columbia Metropolitan area.
