It’s Showtime

John and Monia Summers: 25 Turret Shell Lane, Hilton Head Plantation

The architecturally interesting front courtyard features a Doug Corkern designed pool and deck complex with waterfalls, water lilies and lotus. The left hand pool traces the footprint of an early tabby dwelling with coping of actual tabby. The right hand pool is home to several large koi whose offspring cavort on the left side. There is much to see around the corner, all lush and tropical, culminating in the spectacular view.

Corliss and Jim Zampino: 28 Flagship Lane, Hilton Head Plantation

This expansive property features many varied nooks and crannies. Note pocket gardens, small xeriscape garden, miniature putting green and multiple plantings of flowers, ground covers, trees and shrubs, enlivened by unusual objets d’art comique. There is more to see than immediately discerned, so take time to peek about. A majestic range of live oaks frames a 180 degree view at the rear.

Sandy’s Garden: 2 Bayley Point Lane, Hilton Head Plantation

Sandy’s garden is so expansive and flowing that it is difficult to tell where it begins and ends. It is all flowers and bloom attractive to birds, butterflies and people and includes things that do not grow here, i.e. hosta, pachysandra and acanthus. The garden is totally self made and constructed by Sandy, a New York transfer of 21/2 years. The children’s playground garden is unprecedented while the cactus mound, constructed rocks and all, exclusively by owner, intrigues.

Mark and Renee Woodruff: 5 Sail Stock Point, Windmill Harbour

Two massive oaks frame the entrance to the expansive flower-filled front and a rose-lined stone path leads past a sculpture of a child reading. Passing a massive wisteria and citrus tree in bloom, one enters through vine bedecked trellis into a circular herb garden. The long view to Jarvis Creek is veiled by trees while a bird sanctuary to the left is refuge to large wading birds.

Ruth Anne and Clemens Andes: 90 Toppin Drive, Moss Creek

A perfect Williamsburg type garden overflows with bloom and charm. Individual touches such as the “spirit house” at the house wall corner and a stone incised with the Chinese characters for “long life” represent the owners’ residence in Hong Kong and London. A nicely scaled and formal garden space features all elements elegantly arranged along with enough color and lushness to satisfy any gardener’s desire.

Bert and Lynne Einloth: 37 Inverness Drive, Colleton River

The unique English Arts and Crafts architecture of the house forms a strong first impression, inviting you into a vast walled courtyard bursting with color. Stroll amidst blooms in the ground and large containers to enjoy many special garden touches. To the rear, past an herb garden and walls of color, is an oasis of calm with wrap around verandas, ceiling fans, a long water view and an unusual mini-swimming pool which creates its own waves.

Laurie Shay: 93 Westbury Park Way

Behind a charming cottage, past “Mr. Lincoln” climbing rose, is a creatively patterned and structured garden, only two years old, replete with shrubs, dwarf conifers, annuals, perennials, groundcovers, a birch tree and rocks for extra interest. A stone filled dry stream aesthetically handles drainage. Beyond a picket fence enclosing a flourishing vegetable/herb garden in raised beds, rise two bluebird houses, one occupied. Eclectic best describes this garden.

Stiles Harper: 36 Oyster Street, Bluffton

Stiles is known for his rare and beautiful orchid collection assembled from around the world and it is truly astonishing, but there is much more to see and some of it will surprise first time visitors while amusing all. This is gardening on the grand scale and a taste of what life is like on the May River. It is living and vibrant history and if you encounter Stiles you will have even more fun.