Beautiful gardens showcased in Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk on St. Simons Island

I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day.  ~F. Frankfort Moore,  A Garden of Peace

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"

Among life's greatest treasures are the discovery and enjoyment of a beautiful garden. Whether you're a hands-on, get-down-and-dirty participant or simply a casual observer there are few among us who don't appreciate a lovingly created and tended garden.

Hence the popularity of the Cassina Garden Club's annual Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Weekend. This year's celebration – the fifth – takes place May 7 and 8. As in previous years, the highlight of the event will be the garden walk, which will feature seven gardens on St. Simons Island and Sea Island. 

Gardens on the walk were selected to show the horticultural and ecological diversity found on in the Golden Isles. Locations range from ocean to marsh and river to lagoon, growing conditions from bright sun to dappled shade, and designs from elegant and formal to tiny, secret spaces. Each offers an extensive palette of ideas and inspiration for southern gardeners. 

Docents will be on hand at each garden to point out unique features, rare specimens, unusual plant materials and garden art. To enhance the experience, some gardens will feature live music performances or local artists painting plein air. 

The weekend also will include a Garden Market, located under the grand live oaks of Gascoigne Bluff. More than 25 vendors from throughout the southeast will offer beautiful plants, fairy houses, pots, gardening tools, food and many other items. The juried photography exhibition, located in the tabby cabins, features the art of regional photographers, professional and amateur.

The Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk is presented by Ace Garden Center on St. Simons Island. The Garden Market is presented by SunTrust Bank. Proceeds from the event benefit the restoration and preservation of Cassina's early 19th-century tabby slave cabins and various local charities. 

Hours for the Garden Walk are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and from 1:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday. Please note that patrons must take a shuttle from the tabby cabins to visits Stops 1 to 3 on Sea Island. Advance tickets for the event may be purchased online at www.cassinagardenclub.org, or at ticket outlets in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island. Tickets also may be purchased the day of the event at the tabby houses on Gascoigne Bluff.

Hours for the Garden Market are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. Admission to the Market is free.

For information about the Tabby and Tillandsia Garden weekend, please visit the Cassina Garden Club website. Be sure to check the website for special packages at area hotels.

Photos courtesy of Harlan Hambright, H2O Creative.
Garden quotes courtesy of quotegarden.com