The Beaufort Garden Club’s 21st annual Garden-a-Day event takes place the week of June 8th-12th. Every day, rain or shine, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. you can take a leisurely stroll through lovely private gardens. Each year, Certified Master Gardener members of the Low Country Master Gardener Association will be on hand to help identify plants and answer questions. This is one of those perfect moments to contact old friends, family, moved-away old neighbors you haven’t seen in ages and make a day, or two, or three out of it. There is no charge to visit any of the gardens.
Each garden has been planned, planted and cared for by the lady of the house. These passionate gardeners appear to have been all over the map, searching out the rare and exotic in the southern states. And what they couldn’t find in plant form, they found in seed catalogs and grew themselves. It has become the social event kicking off summer in Beaufort.
Monday features two gardens. The garden on Prince St. boasts a perennial garden bordering a croquet pitch. Beside the guest house, a collection of Plumeria softens the landscape. Also, a 200 year old Cedar and a 100 year old Pecan tree shade an area consisting of ferns, Azaleas, Tea Olives and Hydrangeas.
On the corner of Washington St. and Carteret you’ll find an ivy covered brick wall surrounding many exquisite antique Camellia bushes. Sit on one of the benches overlooking a reflection pool to enjoy a quiet moment during your tour. You will also see many antique garden treasures at this location.
Tuesday’s garden is in Walling Grove Plantation on the Coosaw River. The home owner describes herself as “a person who loves to play in soil.” Many Oaks along with Camellias, Gardenias and Hydrangeas fill the landscape.
Wednesday places the tour in the Royal Pines area where this lovely garden features a Koi pond revered for both its beauty and tranquility. The garden is ever expanding as the owners experiment with local vegetation.
Saint Helena Island is the location for Thursday’s garden tour. The owners, originally from Cambodia, cleared the land, which “looked like a jungle,” by themselves. They have multiple specific garden areas: a fragrant garden, butterfly garden, shady area plantings, succulents, vegetables/herb space, and a Coleus area.
Friday features “the Castle” on Craven St. View a magnificent historic house on the Beaufort River in The Point. Towering Oaks along with a rope swing bring thoughts of southern belles and hooped skirts. The garden has been refurbished and has a formal look. It is surrounded by a living Jasmine fence and also features a former outdoor kitchen converted into a cozy garden space.
For more information go to www.beaufortgardenclub.com.
