Savannah’s Secret Gardens

My husband and I just celebrated “milestone” birthdays. I won’t tell you which milestone but let’s just say the number puts us definitely into the senior category! Rather than commiserate, we decided to commemorate the occasion with a trip to Savannah to enjoy the historic district and the natural beauty of this coastal area.

The historic district of Savannah encompasses 21 beautiful park squares, filled with benches, statuary, Spanish moss-draped trees and classic southern plants. The streets in the district are lined with charming colonial town houses, most with hidden walled gardens.

Dan and I walked these streets for hours, and I shamelessly peeked through the iron gates to view the secret gardens tucked inside the aged brick walls.

These small formal gardens look beautiful, even in January. Boxwood hedges give structure against brick walls partially covered in creeping fig or ivy. The spaces are filled with blooming camellias, azaleas, palms, ferns and ground covers. Urns are filled with evergreens. Garden statues add interest.

We can create this classic southern style in our own gardens. For inspiration, take a field trip to Savannah in the spring when The Garden Club of Savannah has a tour of 8 walled gardens in the historic district north of Gwinnett Street. The self-guided tour takes place on April 23 and 24, 2010. Tickets are $45. For more information, go to: http://gcofsavnogstour.org/page/1r5cn/Tour_Info.html