Palmetto Dunes Hilton Head

Plantation entrances still seduce passers-by

It seems that Hilton Head Island has embraced the concept of the annual contest. Throughout the year, scheduled events celebrating things ranging from barbecue to seafood are held. Such events mostly feature food and are staged outdoors.

Right in step then is the eighth annual Island Beautification Association's contest to choose the plantation entrance with the best-looking planted garden fronting William Hilton Parkway.

Seven members, including myself, riding hip to elbow in a large van recently proceeded up and down the roadway. With frequent stops we judged the nine entrance landscapes on their visual impact from a moving vehicle. This makes up 60 percent of the overall score. Impact criteria include design, color, texture, harmony and contrast. Landscape material chosen by plantation entrance designers makes up 40 percent of the overall score. Contest judges gave high marks to all for the maintenance and condition of the gardens.

It was a close contest. All agreed that the entrance plantings grow more beautiful each year. And the winner, with a score of 95 percent, is Palmetto Dunes. The plantation has that mix of sun-loving dwarf duranta, croton, pentas and hibiscus married just right with the softer colors of geraniums and angelonia, while the green of "Pringles" dwarf podocarpus gives out a welcome cooling effect. The association will present a framed certificate of commendation to Palmetto Dunes at a ceremony in June.

There were many new and exciting plants used in the gardens that were attention-getters. Palmetto Hall has made use of big-leaf begonias and white pentas with compact gaura, three plants high on the list of gardeners seeking the "latest." It was here that judge Suzy Baldwin exclaimed, "Look, it's a native coral bean!"

It was great to see that scarlet spike and find that not all of the surrounding native plant material had been cleared away.

"Huge impact with yellow marigolds and croton at Wexford; it just pops," judge Doris Lindner said.

Island Beautification Association chairman Steve Tennant called attention to the seldom-used "Oyster" plant in the Wexford Plantation garden. Tradescantia is also called "Moses-in-the-Cradle"; its striking sword-shaped leaves are green above, deep purple beneath. It's a tough plant that can take high heat and humidity.

When viewing the overall entrances and exits at Hilton Head and Indigo Run plantations, the judges agreed that if considering the overview -- and they do not -- these gardens would certainly be in the running for their sky-high visual impact. Carol Toti suggested that visitors to Sea Pines not miss the garden on the other side of the gate. It's another "wow" for the multi-colored mix of dwarf hibiscus with enormous flowers.

Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center Tops in Hilton Head in New Rankings ...

Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center Tops in Hilton Head in New Rankings from Tennis Resorts Online

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Visitors to Hilton Head “love” Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center, at least according to the 2011 world rankings from Tennis Resorts Online. The oceanfront resort was the only resort in Hilton Head ranked in the top 5 for instruction, junior programs and children’s programs and in the top 10 for overall resorts.

The website compiles rankings by visitors to resorts across the globe about their tennis facilities to create the annual report.

Visitors gave high marks to the Center for its juniors and children’s programs, ranking it third in the world for Best Overall Children’s programs and fourth in the world for Best Junior Tennis programs. The resort recently completed a shortening of the courts for players 10 and younger per new regulations from the U.S. Tennis Association and was the first in Hilton Head to do so.

Additionally, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort was No. 2 in the world for Best Instruction and Programs and ranked 8th in the world for Top Tennis Resorts.

The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center features 23 clay courts and two Nova ProBounce courts, eight lighted for night play. The staff, all tennis professionals and aficionados, leads a wide range of weekly programs including clinics, drill sessions and daily round robin tournaments. From March to October, the tennis center adds a weekly exhibition, happy hour and free demonstration day. The Tennis Center is also home to a Tennis Pro Shop, featuring the latest equipment, apparel and accessories by Nike, Prince, Wilson, Head, Fila, Bolle and K Swiss.

About Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a 2,000+ acre vacation community ideally located in the middle of Hilton Head Island, S.C. bounded by three miles of prime Atlantic Ocean beach on one side and a beautiful sheltered Intracoastal Waterway marina on the other. The resort features three world-class golf courses, an award-winning tennis center, an 11 mile inland salt-water lagoon system for kayaking and fishing, the impressive Mediterranean-style Shelter Cove Harbour deep-water marina with shopping and dining, and an outdoor adventure center for bike rentals, canoes, kayaks, fishing and much more. The marina is also home to a wide variety of charters including nature cruises, dolphin tours, sport crabbing and fishing. For information about activities or reservations, please call 877-567-6513 or visit A recognized leader in the design, management and operation of fine resorts and communities across the Southeast, Greenwood Communities and Resorts excels at creating gracious, contemporary living environments that enrich the lives of owners and guests. Based in Greenwood, S.C., Greenwood Communities and Resorts proudly celebrates 31 years of developing properties which offer truly unique lifestyle opportunities. Each Greenwood property has been strategically designed to maximize the area’s natural beauty while steadfastly incorporating the principles of intelligent, sustainable land planning. From the rural charm of The Reserve at Lake Keowee in upstate South Carolina to the luxury beachfront resort setting at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, Greenwood’s properties are as unique as the residents who enjoy them. For more information, please call 843-785-1106 or visit http://www.greenwoodcr.com online.

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