This post is picture intensive, but light on wording…so enjoy! I’ve been traveling a good bit this summer, so I’m sharing some pics from one of those trips. This post has something in it for everyone…gardening, a tablescape and even an historic home tour!
How many of you gardeners out there have heard of Park Seed? Yep, I see all those heads nodding! If you garden, you know Park Seed. Did you know they also own Wayside Gardens and recently purchased Jackson and Perkins? I didn’t know this until a few weekends ago when I visited Greenwood, SC with a friend, for a huge Festival of Flowers. Park Seed is located in Greenwood and opens up their gates for tours during this event.
Before we head into Park Seed, take a look at this “flower bed” that was out on one of the main roads through Greenwood.
This is truly a flower bed, if I ever saw one! 😉
Ok, let’s go check out Park Seed…
Here’s one of the areas where they give you a sampling of the many, many things they grow and sell…
I didn’t take a lot of pics because it was 180 degrees outside this day!
The humidity was 150%. Ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration…but only a slight one. If you glance back two photos up, you’ll see a lady using an umbrella. I did, too. It’s the only time in my life I’ve carried an umbrella when it wasn’t raining! The heat was brutal.
Last pic for Park Seed…now let’s go on the garden tour!
Enjoy…
Love the pond in this home’s backyard. Perfect size for a small yard.
Every garden needs a little whimsy…something that’s absolutely going to make you smile each time you pass by.
Here’s that tablescape I promised…
Simple and perfect for a backyard gathering…
A little romance in the garden with some beautiful statuary…
Love that they included a sweet place to sit and just soak it all in.
Have you ever seen a hydrangea this color of purple? I gasped when I saw it! Unfortunately, the owner didn’t know the name of it.
Another one in the same yard…
Lovely view…
These guys look right at home here along the water’s edge.
Look how this dragonfly is sort of camouflaged! You can see right through part of his wings! Does anyone know the name of this little bug? I just managed to get this pic before he flew off. Update: We think he’s a Common Whitetail Male.
A more formal garden…
Historic Home Tour
Now you know I can’t go to a new town without searching out the historic homes! Here’s a little sampling…look at those darling shutters with the cute tree cutout design. I would love to add two more dormers to this house, but it is adorable, as is.
Another cute one…love the swooping design of the roof. I’m sure there’s a “technical” name for that design. 🙂
Another house with the same style roof. Notice how the front screened door mimics the peak of the roof. Love that!
Love the red door and the cute side porch…and look, their magnolia is in bloom!
More beautiful historic homes from my trip…
I think it’s a rule…if you have a huge front porch, you must hang big Boston Ferns in all the openings…love it! I love yellow houses…they are my faves.
I saved this house for last. It looks like it came right out of a fairy tale…There was an old lady who lived in a shoe. 🙂 Doesn’t it have sort of the shoe shape with the left side being the tall part and the right side being the toe part. Or, do I just have an overactive imagination? Click on the pic to enlarge the photo further. The garden is wonderful, too! If this house is this adorable on the outside, can you just imagine what the inside must be like!
Thanks for coming along on my weekend trip to Greenwood! This was my idea of the perfect day…getting to tour amazing gardens and a sidewalk tour of some beautiful historic homes. The day even included a cute garden tablescape.
In the next week or so, I’ll share all the amazing topiaries we saw spread throughout the down-town area. Here are two pics to wet your appetite. Here’s the baby elephant…wait to you see MOM!
Yep, that’s a steering wheel…you’re gonna love the Jeep it’s in! Promise to share the rest of the pics real soon…just too many for this post. Update: Here’s the tour: Beautiful Topiaries from the Festival of Flowers
Wow! So many beautiful flowers!
Great tour, thanks, Susan!
Wow!! Beautiful pictures!! The gardens and homes are simply gorgeous. I love the white home and agree it could use two more dormers and the second blue house and yellow house are my favorites also. Thanks so much for sharing.
Toni
Loving those purple hydrangeas! I've only ever seen the blue ones! Thanks for sharing!
Susan, thanks for sharing the tour. Your first photos give a whole new meaning to "flower bed". What a fun, whimsical idea! Congratulations on placing in the top ten!
Such gorgeous flowers and the homes are so beautiful. That "garden bed" is just so cute, I love it. I bet the jeep is to die for too. Great tour. Hugs, Marty
The flowers were worth the heat of the day. They were beautiful. The homes were great. I feel like I was on the trip with you. Great pictures!
Hi Susan! Oh, what gorgeous flowers! Must be like heaven, but without the heat! We've had it here too and I just don't go outside! Love your photos! Pop over to my blog and enter my giveaway. I've made a special little pillow!
Be a sweetie,
shelia 🙂
Yep! Ya gotta love the good old south and all it has to offer. Thanks for the ride, it was great and I can't wait to see more, Char
Everything is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Traci
What a beautiful tour of both homes and gardens and tablescapes.
Somedays only allow a visit to only a few blogs where others allow you to visit longer. So on one of those few blog days, I think you covered everything I like to see in one post.
Well done.
Becky
Susan, you tease, you! You left us wanting more after seeing that steering wheel and the baby! LOL!
Loved your tour. That was a lot of fun, both the gardens and the homes. Thanks for sharing with us.
Happy Outdoor Wednesday! I'm looking forward to tomorrow, too, because I finally got a tablescape together for Tablescape Thursday/Foodie Friday! YEA! 🙂
XO,
Sheila 🙂
P.S. I loved the bed!!! 🙂
What magnificient gardens! I also love the bed of flowers!
Blessings,
Sandra
Thank goodness for digital cameras Susan. I don't imagine we would get to see all these fabulous pictures otherwise.
I too have a garden bed but it is a little less fancy and not nearly as abundant in blooms. It hasn't been the best year. Time to fertilize the heck out of it.
Oh Susan!
I loved everything, all of the gardens are just beautiful. That bed is so romantic. I could smell the petunias as I looked. I think I loved the stone rabbit nestled into the flower beds most of all. He was just so magical. Thanks for sharing Greenwood. I would love to come back and visit again. Country Hugs, Sherry
So much fun! Enjoyed what you shared with us out here in blogland.
A multitude of Blessings to you,
~D~
What an amazing tour, Susan. That bed literally is a flower bed. LOL! Love the charming houses and the fabulous gardens…Christine
Love it all! What a great flower "bed". 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tirp.
Glenda
Wow, you have an abundance of photos! Great, Your blog gave me so many different ideas…. I love the "flower bed". I wish now that I would have taken photos of some of the beatuifully decorated houses I saw for the 4th of July…
What a lovely tour of gardens and homes. I enjoy seeing what others have done with flowers, shrubs, and topiaries since I am not much of a gardener. And who could resist the beauty and whimsy that you captured in your pictures? Thanks for letting us see it through your eyes.
🙂 Sue
What a beautiful place and that is so cute of a flower bed!
That is a common dragonfly, spotted winged skimmer. I caught on my camera too last summer. It is beautiful up close, isn't it?
I am so like you!! i hate when its 180 degrees! taking pictures require it to be at the hottest 110 🙂
Love the captures.
TTFN~~Claudia ♥
Lovely pictures. I have bought from Park Seed for over 30 years. Glad to see that that are doing well enough to buy other companys.
Willow
I really enjoyed the lovely tour. What gorgeous homes and flowers.
Congrats on doing so well in the Blog contest! 🙂
Hey Susan,
your post is amazing. I love the houses. You are a little window to the united states for me… thanks for sharing. greetings anja
Awesome pictures Susan! I'm lovin' the flower bed! Okay, did you say the folks in the yellow house have moved out – cuz I'm ready to move in! ☺ Diane
I wish my parents would do a bed of flowers on the farm…my garden is too small to handle something like that!
Hi Susan, You do the BEST home tours — great comments!
Congrats on the #8 finish! Next year, Susan's #1, OK everyone?
Now I want a flower BED — surely I could find a rusty old twin somewhere and create a "guest room" in a quiet corner of the garden!
P.S. I did my first Outdoor Wed. post! THANK YOU for all your support!
Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements
Love the tour, Susan. The flowers are so beautiful. The bed was so whimsicaly and pretty. Those homes were so lovely! Can't wait to see that Jeep!
Thanks for sharing your weekend with us.
Tina
Beautiful Tour the flowers are just gorgeous. I love the bed of flowers now that is very creative! Thanks so much for the tour
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl..Snatch JOY!
Wonderful tour Susan. The gardens are amazing, love the white bench in the "forest glade". And that last house is just precious! Thanks for the mini vacation. Kathy
Hi Susan,
What a beautiful tour o the gardens not to mention the old homes, the flower bed was adorable,what a unique idea. I enjoy touring old homes so many memories stored in them, and these look as though they have been well taken care of. Thank you for sharing, and am looking for more of your trip.
Sue
I didn't know that about Park Seed either — interesting.
Lovely garden tour — wonderful gardens!
And I love house tours — sometimes when we visit a new town and find the old section we drive through looking at old houses.
Thank you for taking me along on your tour. The gardens are beautiful. I will take the blue house.
I love the flower bed! ha ha!
What great photographs! Love the "flowerbed"! I love to drive around and look at cottages with character. Also the hydrangea that color was so different!
~Patti
The pictures are awesome! Love the homes and the flowers.
I don't know if this works everywhere but I have a hydrangea that is naturally pink/blue. If I fertlize it with a few handfuls of Epson salt (water well afterwards and do not get on the leaves) in the late fall and early spring it produces the same purple blooms as the ones in your post. The color of the blooms depend more on the soil than anything else.
What beautiful pictures. Loved the flower bed.
Beautiful photos, Susan! I'd love to take this tour.
What a lovely place to go garden touring! Thank you for taking me along with you Susan…
Hugs,
Penny
These are beautiful! The flower bed was so cool!
Jane
Great post Susan, Greenville is a beautiful town. Seeing all the beautiful plantings reminded me of all the plants I was able to grow while living in S.C.
Tropicals are my favorite and they grew well in the Charleston area.
See you Thursday.
Sandy
Gorgeous, just love that flower bed!
I love it all. I have an antique iron and brass bed in my garage. I wonder what my husband would say if I suggested we place it in our woods and fill it will flowers. 😉
What beautiful gardens, and look at all those wonderful old homes. Thank you
Susan, What incredible photos-thanks for sharing with us. You have a wonderful eye and style-I love seeing all of your ideas and loves.
what a beautiful post you did today, love it
Awesome garden pics. TY for sharing. My way to start the day.
tTFN ~Marydon
It was so nice to take this tour and not experience the heat! I love that first flower bed. How cute! And the purple hydrangeas are spectacular.
Kathy b
* Beauuuutious, Susan! And, CONGRATS on placing sooo close to the top! That's ALOT of competition, and we're all so proud of you and BNOTP! Love n' hugs, Linda *
Enjoyed your post Susan. That test garden is amazing.
BTW, I found a book that you may be interested in, Private Gardens of Georgia. Both of the homes of the owners of Boxwood are also feataured in it. It's a beautiful book.
Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook
Susan, The flowers are gorgeous here and the homes are beautiful, but that BED blew me away! Nancy
The whole tour was just lovely – thankyou so uch for sharing. I can't wait until next week!
How fun! Thank you for taking us with you on this tour. I adore the flower bed…too cute! Blessings to you!
Oh, what fun that must have been! Thanks so much for all the eye of the beautiful flowers and houses. That flower "bed" is way cool!
Congratulations! 8th is not to shabby. 🙂
Glenda
Every frame is spectacular. I enjoyed each of them. The gardens were especially lovely and I didn't know that Park Seed was on it's way to becoming a monopoly. So I had a feast for my eye and learned something as well. have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
I dearly love that FLOWER BED! Excellent advertising, I say! Your post is awesome; you should've won. Happy OW.
All the pictures are wonderful, Susan, but the bed of flowers is awesome!
Barb
Gosh, what an amazing tour, the flower bed is stunning, the gardens and garden art so gorgeous, what a lovely day you had, happy OW, Kathy.
Wow…can't wait for the rest of the photos…
Susan!
I likey!!! Great tour, loved the gardens, the tablescape is not near as good as yours but I loved those charming homes. Thanks for taking us "out of town"!
Blessings…
Yet more exquisite eye candy!
Brenda
A charming town, indeed.
The houses are great and other than the weather I would have loved going to the seed co.
Great photos.
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Susan….thanks for the trip down memory lane! I grew up in Greenwood and boy does this make me homesick! It's such a beautiful place, and your pictures were so lovely! Can't wait to see your next post about it! 🙂
Thanks for the tour. I spied some blue Fostoria glasses in the tablescape that are from the same grouping I used for my 4th of July table.
Gorgeous! Yes, I was nodding my head to Park, Wayside Garden and J&P. Used all of them and was very happy! Thanks for the tour!
Christi
Darn it! Now I have to find a bed to put in my yard like that!
I love Greenwood, thanks for bringing us along:)
Susan -I am just in love with the flower "bed"!! The pictures are great. I love the blue house with ferns on the porch–ohhh, I need a front porch! Thanks for sharing your trip and can't wait to see the rest of the jeep 🙂
Some gorgeous photos you have here but I love the park bench by the river under the tree…I could spend all day there chilling out and taking in the view and that flower bed is such a novel idea!
I love the little blue house at the end and yes I would love to see inside, I'm sure it's just as beautiful as outside…thanks for sharing such beautiful images!
Great tour and beautiful flowers. Thanks!
I am so glad I scrolled down from the tablscapes and saw THIS!!!! That last house is SOOOOO adorable! I would just LOVE to see the inside and how they have "her" decorated!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing, this must have been a wonderful day! Hugs, Pinky
What a wonderful weekend you must have had, Susan. I have always loved Park Seeds. How nice for a company like this to have tours!!
Okay… I love the "garden bed". Wouldn't mind having just the bed. Or just the flowers for that matter.
You can keep the heat and humidity away from me!
The tablescape is pretty but you should have tweeked it a bit.
Loved all the homes. Saw your Hometown Home Tour last week and am beginning to think you do this professionally.
Love the topiaries. The jeep reminds me of my old one. It had living things growing and morphing in it before I sold it…
Happy Outdoor Wednesday!! 🙂
xoxo
Janie
Beautiful tour! Thanks Susan. And Congratulations on finishing 8th! You rock! laurie
Wish I could add photos of my garden on your post. You can see some on Google plus under Cora Simpich walks in the garden Album. Also Pinterest boards especially about the 1914 cottage I am helping to restore. Airbnb is also a place where parts of my garden can be seen.