Philip Simmons Memorial Garden
Anson Street at Menotti
The Garden Club of Charleston has been actively involved in the maintenance of the Philip Simmons Memorial Garden, also known as The Heart Garden, since 2014. The garden is located behind Saint John's Reformed Episcopal Church on Anson Street.
The Double Heart Gates, designed by Philip Simmons, are directly across the Street from the Buist Academy playground. The Garden was installed in 1997 as permanent piece in the Spoleto Nature/Human Exhibit. Mr. Simmons and topiary artist Pearl Fryer collaborated on the design and installation of the project. In 2012, TGCC member Susan Epstein contacted fellow member, Judy Klutz, to see if the garden club would consider taking over care of the garden. Betty Floyd was the incoming president and took it on as her project with Judy Klutz as chair. Through the years The Philip Simmons Foundation and St. John's attempted to maintain The Garden and then invited the Garden Club to assist. Mr. Fryer revisited and shared his vision in 2014. In 2017, TGCC member, Beverly Gumb stepped up as co-chair of this special garden.
In 2022 with help from President Joan McDonald, we were able to work with Mr. Fryer's intern, Mike Gibson. During Mr. Gibson's 3 visits he helped our crew better understand the art and technique of topiary design. These visits led to the production of a wonderful segment on "Making it Grow" which aired in December. The segment, a gem of oral history, can be viewed on SCETV and is an excellent history of the Garden.
TGCC’s Philips Simmons Garden crew works all year on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. We are challenged by lack of irrigation, power, and the usual pitfalls of a space that is always open. We are honored to work in this Garden and like the term Heritage Garden.
As Catherine McGuinn shared, "this garden is an art gallery in many ways. It serves the dual purpose of honoring the culture of this historic black neighborhood church, and two men who are artists and are giants in South Carolina History."
The Garden Club of Charleston members Beverly Gumb and Judy Klutz have worked diligently for many years along with club volunteers to ensure this gem of a garden continues to thrive in our beloved city.
🌿The Garden Club of Charleston’s Philip Simmons Garden Committee meets the third Tuesday of each month, year-round (excluding December and weather permitting) at 8:30 in the morning to maintain the garden. 🌿
