APRIL
April 18-19 SAVANNAH NOGS TOUR OF HIDDEN GARDENS This 33rd annual NOGS (North of Gaston Street) Tour, sponsored by the Garden Club of Savannah, includes eight walled gardens and the award winning Massie School Garden, one of the Garden Club's community projects. Different private gardens are selected each year for excellence of design, historical interest and beauty. Savannah, Ga. 912/961-4805. gcofsavnogstour.org.
April 18-20 DRUID HILLS HOME AND GARDEN TOUR Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic Atlanta neighborhood of Frederick Law Olmstead. The tour will showcase some outstanding area homes and gardens. Hours Fri.-Sat., 10 AM-5 PM; Sun., 1-5 PM. Decatur, Ga. 404/524-TOUR. druidhills.org
April 19-May 11 DECORATORS’ SHOW HOUSE AND GARDENS The Atlanta Symphony Associates has chosen a stunning new home located at 3750 Tuxedo Road as the 38th annual show house which will be decorated by Atlanta’s top interior designers and landscape architects. Proceeds will benefit the Learning Community programs of the ASO. Shuttle service from IBM at 4111 Northside Parkway. Open daily. Atlanta, Ga. 404/733-5000 or 404/733-4935. decoratorsshowhouse.org.
April 25-27 SACRED HEART GARDEN FESTIVAL Historic Sacred Heart Cultural Center in downtown Augusta, Georgia, will be the focus for classic southern gardening during its 17th Annual Garden Festival. Enjoy exhibits, lectures, entertainment, children’s activities and vendors. Tour seven private gardens on both sides of the river, including the historic Summerville area, and in newly developed Hammond’s Ferry in North Augusta and see the finest examples of garden and floral displays created by the best designers in the area. Unique plants are available at the marketplace. Augusta, Ga. 706/826-4700. sacredheartgardenfestival.com.
MAY
May 2-4 TABBY & TILLANDSIA GARDEN WALK Second Annual Garden Walk Weekend celebrates the horticultural beauty of the St. Simons/Sea Island coastal area while offering an opportunity for visitors to explore and enjoy a select and seldom seen group of eight of the Islands most inspiring private gardens. Proceeds from the Tabby & Tillandsia Garden Walk Weekend are placed in a trust for the preservation and maintenance of the tabby cabins and the surrounding grounds. Sea Island and St. Simons Island, Ga. 912/638-2412. cassinagardenclub.org.
May 3-4 SANDY SPRINGS SOCIETY GARDEN TOUR Five fabulous gardens in Sandy Springs will be open for touring on Sat. from 10 AM-5 PM and Sun. from noon-5 PM. Proceeds will benefit charitable organizations in Sandy Springs. Gardens included are at 4615 and 4688 Northside Dr., 1123 Garmon Dr., 652 Londonberry Dr. and 405 Ferry Landing. 404/372-9126. www.sandysprings.org.
May 4-6 MACON GARDENS, MANSIONS AND MOONLIGHT Discover the lush beauty and stately elegance of historic Macon as you stroll through enchanting secret gardens, exquisite historic homes and quiet garden paths at twilight during this special Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight event. Shop unique garden vendors or attend a seminar at the Free Garden Market. Macon, Ga. 478/742-8155. maconga.org.
May 10-11 GARDENS FOR CONNOISSEURS TOUR Visit ten private gardens and view great design and planting ideas from Atlanta’s most talented gardeners and landscape architects. A Mother’s Day tradition sponsored by the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Hours 10 AM-5 PM each day. Tickets $30, or $20 in advance. 404/876-5859. atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
May 13 PEACHTREE BATTLE HOME AND GARDEN TOUR 10 AM-2 PM. Join Peachtree Battle Friends for the annual Peachtree Battle Home and Garden Tour. Patrons will have the pleasure of touring four beautiful homes and gardens in the Peachtree Battle neighborhood. Benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Atlanta, Ga. 404/785-7338. www.choa.org.
May 16-18 DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER DREAM GARDENS TOUR An eclectic selection of five beautiful gardens, ranging in size from patio to estate size, in the Dunwoody area, will be open for touring at the visitors’ leisure. Children four and older may picnic in the woods while parents attend the Dream Gardens Tour on Friday or Saturday. Pack a sack lunch and water for your child, who will climb to our forest picnic area, hike through the wetlands, play games and make nature crafts. Space is limited - call early to reserve a spot. 770/394-3322. dunwoodynature.org.
May 17 ARTFUL GARDEN TOUR Atlanta homeowners will open their gardens to visitors for the fourth annual tour to benefit the High Museum of Art. Featuring homes in the Druid Hills, Inman Park, Loring Heights and Virginia Highlands neighborhoods, the tour encompasses seven gardens in total. Conservation is a prominent theme in this year’s tour. European- and Asian-style gardens exemplify how one can take drought-tolerant Southern plants and shrubs and still create an artistic and relaxing environment in which to live. 10 AM-5 PM. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door; $18 for groups of ten or more. Tickets can be purchased online at www.high.org/gardentour.