An expansive front lawn, coastal plantings, and a wrap-around drive invite you to this low-country classic home. Note the unique sculpture under the elevated front entry – an homage to the family’s Bland Farm business (the largest grower, packer, and shipper of sweet onions in the United States). Entering the backyard, you will marvel at the secluded feel encompassing sprawling marsh views. The home’s screened porch and grilling deck overlook spacious entertainment areas. The center of the yard is anchored by a sun-filled pool, surrounded by generous pavers, pale-pink cushioned loungers with coordinating accessories, and date palms. Outside the pool area, palmetto palms, live oaks, and muhly grass define the yard. You will want to grab your clubs to enjoy the putting green to the left and then sit and relax around the fire pit just beyond. On the right beyond a tree with a bed of ginger lilies, camellias, hydrangeas, and cast-iron plants is a delightful, pink “dollhouse” that will have you smiling and wishing you were young again. Beyond the entertainment areas, the lawn, live oaks, palmetto palms, and muhly grass invite you to stroll to the bridge and dock on Dunbar Creek. You will agree this garden is luxury coastal living at its finest. 

Affectionately known by neighbors as “the compound,” this estate garden is a showstopper! The border walkway is lined with a variety of ferns, jasmine, African iris, cast-iron plants, camellia, long-leaf pines, and water oaks. The moment you enter through the quaint side gate, the scope of the garden areas will take your breath away. The impressive guest house with Croton window boxes and potted citrus and succulents is adjacent to the paved-lined pool area. To your right, the path with coleus, begonias, and boxwood ends with wild banana plants and leads you to the main house. Its brick terrace is shaded by a magnificent live oak, urns are filled with bromeliads and trailing Hoyas, and it is surrounded by boxwoods that highlight a variety of caladiums, philodendrons, ferns, and roses – an ideal spot for lemonade and conversation. As you meander along the path, note the environmentally conscious design. To the right of the main house, a bed of golden-yellow cosmos attracts bees and butterflies and plays host to a birdhouse for nesting Purple Martins who feed on thousands of insects each day. As you continue along the path, a maritime forest of saw palmetto, sago palm, live oaks, Spanish moss, rhododendron, and gardenia shield the view of pool equipment. Hidden from view at the back of the yard is a rope swing and an amusing “barn” that houses garden and court gear. The clay tennis court is surrounded by an evergreen hedge with a purple clematis-covered arbor, welcoming players to a match. At the back of the tennis court, a homey “clubhouse” is perfect for lounging in front of the brick fireplace in a leather chair. After meandering, the thoughtfully executed landscape design will leave you feeling like you just visited a comfortable country estate. 

As you approach this brick ranch, you are immediately aware that these home gardeners have a gift for using landscaping to surround you with comfort and privacy. The front lawn and beds of begonia, ginger lilies, daylilies, and azaleas guide you to the backyard’s left-side entrance. Here, the ligustrum shrubs draw you to the pool which is dotted with pots and plantings of blue daze hibiscus, Cana lilies, African iris, and miniature date palm. Anchoring the pool area is a gorgeous purple tibouchina. An herb garden nests perfectly under a bird feeder. The pool’s path and yard borders are comprosed of flowers including blue daze, vermillion, firecracker plants, and vinca against a background of evergreen. A brick fire pit and wrought-iron seating add to that touch of home. Beyond, are three raised vegetable beds. Don’t overlook the middle bed! What you might think is zucchini is actually luffa (loofah). Luffa sponges do not come from the sea but from vegetable gardens. They are usable, edible, and compostable -- and pollinators love their bright yellow flowers. Outside the beds is a beautiful red Penta shrub. Behind the vegetable garden, the owners make use of non-invasive bamboo as their side yard screening. You will imagine yourself enjoying this much-loved backyard from the home’s year-round sun porch.

A garden can be a joyous and bright place – and this home gardener knows how to allow nature to express happiness. The left side path opens to a lovely backyard cottage garden, filled with unexpected treasures. As you stroll along the garden path that encircles the lawn, note the various fruit trees, including figs, sago palms, white shell ginger plants, and other native plantings along the path’s border. Our home gardener loves the randomness of Mother Nature in addition to the thoughtful use of plantings: “Where the seed lands, it grows.” At the back of the yard is a delightful, screened studio/summer kitchen. Continue your stroll and enjoy the agapanthus, monkey paw, and blue ageratum. The path continues past a koi pond surrounded by shading plants and Areca palms. (Note the large oak tree stump that is now home to a fig tree.) The garden’s camellias and white shell ginger lily hail from a niece’s great-great-grandmother’s home on the Isle of Hope. The vegetable garden trellis and the home’s screened porch are lined with climbing Confederate jasmine. The adorable white picket fence protects the vegetable garden’s four raised beds featuring watercress, avocado, artichoke, and asparagus. You will feel and appreciate the peace and serenity this cottage garden offers. 

As you approach the garden, you are met with soothing sounds of water cascading into a pristine pool. You will immediately sense the Mediterranean tranquility that highlights this manicured, immaculate oasis. The pool area is dotted with lounge chairs and large, blue urns that complement the blues of the pool. Hibiscus, chartreuse ornamental sweet potato vine, and seasonal flowers bring the urns to life. The yard is surrounded by lush shrub borders and Areca palms. The back of the lawn is anchored by Ti Plant, variegated shell ginger, and a date palm. The covered terrace contains comfortable seating for enjoying the garden pool, fireplace, and outdoor television. The home’s screened porch kitchen provides a bug-free opportunity to view and soak in the entire vista. You will walk away wanting a vacation that includes the calm atmosphere of a European getaway.

Prepare to be WOWed…Welcome to Villa de Suenos! A vacation in Spain inspired the original owners to build this unique manor house, complete with a home stable for “Armondo” who accompanied the couple home from their travels. The Moorish-Spanish influence is immediately evident as you enter through the villa’s gated entrance. Note the terracotta roof tiles and the repeated use of arches, old-world ironwork, jasmine and fig vines, olive trees, and palms to emphasize the motif throughout the grounds. You will immediately be drawn to the home by the porte-cochere’s massive three-tiered chandelier and wood cathedral ceiling; however, before ascending the split-stair entrance to the above courtyard, take time to appreciate the garden vignettes lining the drive the current owners have included to enhance the villa’s welcoming ambiance.

The gated entrance opens to an expansive crushed stone and brick drive. To your left is an exquisite antique birdcage, originally used to house the owners’ finches, now filled with a variety of seasonal plantings. To your right, the drive is bordered by an herb garden area that flows to mixed seasonal flowers, evergreens and eucalyptus, and to a hydrangea garden that leads to the corner garden of azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas anchored by two Japanese maples, an old oak tree, and a sand palm. Fig vines cover the wall and are found throughout the home’s landscaping. The home’s front facade is lined with ligustrum topiaries that enhance brick edged arches. To the right of the villa is a side courtyard area that was originally part of the lower-level stable that the current owners have converted to entertainment and guest bedroom areas. Be sure to walk toward the large wood gate (that opens to Gould’s Inlet parking area) and peek through the small iron gate on your left to the owner’s “orchid graveyard.” Look for orchids finding surprising new lives, including growing on tree trunks.

Back at the porte-cochere, a fountain honoring Armondo welcomes you to the split staircase leading up to the home’s main-level central courtyard. As you crest the stairs, be prepared for the breathtaking view of Gould’s Inlet and beyond. The current owners have lovingly enhanced the courtyard’s aesthetic. A vignette of evergreen shrubs, potted olive tree, and a date palm greet you at the opening of the expansive brick courtyard’s entrance. The courtyard is bordered by the stately home on the left where arched entrances are divided by a vignette of olive trees and seasonal flowers. To the right, an arched walkway along the upper level of the former stable leads to a large outdoor entertainment space with wood ceiling and iron chandelier, mirroring the porte-cochere. A long infinity pool and hot tub center the courtyard, leading your eye to magnificent inlet vista.

Take time to roam the estate’s tiered landscaped areas. To the right of the pool is a bed of the homeowners’ favorite sunflowers and coneflowers bordering a staircase leading down to the first level of the tiered yard: a putting green with evergreen hedge every golf enthusiast will admire. Note how the flow from the infinity pool creates a waterfall for the golfers. The putting green leads to a side yard sitting area surrounded by mondo grass with a vintage garden statue. The beach level tier includes the “orchid graveyard,” holly and fig bushes, mixed native plantings, and lawn to the Gould Inlet’s rock seawall.

Enjoy your last stop on the Cassina Garden Walk Tour as guests of the Cassina Garden Club! Now in its Fifth Edition, proceeds from the sale of our cookbook, Coastal Cookery, are used exclusively for the preservation, maintenance, and beautification of the Historic Tabby Slave Cabins and grounds (for sale onsite in the product tent), along with proceeds from the annual Garden Walk and Christmas Bake Sale.

From 2022-2023, the grounds at the Tabby Cabins underwent an extensive restructuring. Standing at the fence entrance, you can appreciate the “Garden Rooms” design: To your right is the expanded Butterfly Garden Room with native milkweed and native flowers that host a myriad of butterflies, including Monarchs. In front of you is the Historical Garden Quadrant Room, carefully researched with several community collaborators and a list of native plants documented by Willam Bartram in the 1700s. It is divided to represent four island historic eras: Native American (1700s); American Revolutionary War (1770-1790); Plantation (1830-1865); and Lumber Days and Beyond (1900-present day).  To your left is the Contemplative Room. Note the wooden benches here and behind the cabins. They were created using the second largest red cedar in the country damaged in a storm (still standing to the right of the cabins).

From 3:00-5:00, join us at The Garden Party to celebrate a job well done! Bring a beach chair and enjoy snacks, beer, and wine, and share your favorite Garden Walk experiences. (Donations are appreciated.)