4 Flower Gardens in South Carolina

South Carolina was one of the United States' original 13 colonies. Some of its flower gardens trace their history back centuries to these early days, and each dazzles the eyes with a profusion of colors that exemplify the state's natural beauty. All of the gardens are open year-round but host the most colorful displays in the spring and summer. Dress lightly in the summer, since South Carolina's summer heat can be humid.

Hatcher Garden & Woodland Reserve

The Hatcher Garden & Woodland Reserve first opened in 1969 in one of Spartanburg's many abandoned cotton fields. The founders, Harold and Josephine Hatcher, gave their life savings to reclaim the overgrown cotton field--cotton farming ruined the soil and left it covered in weeds--and turn it into the lush public landscape that it is now, planting over 10,000 flowers, trees and shrubs on their own.

Discover several thematic spaces in the garden, such as a conifer garden and a butterfly garden. Flowers can be found throughout the area, from the perennial beds and medicinal plant garden near the Upper Pond, to the shady woodland garden on the eastern edge of the area.

Admission is free, as of March 2010. The gardens are approximately 2 miles outside of the center of downtown Spartanburg, and are just a mile from the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport.

Hatcher Garden & Woodland Reserve
820 John B. White Sr. Blvd.
Spartanburg, SC 29304
864-574-7724
hatchergarden.org

South Carolina Botanical Garden

Find the South Carolina Botanical Garden on the grounds of Clemson University. Expect to spend several hours here, with miles of nature trails and paved walkways taking you through 295 acres of flower gardens, lush forests and open fields. Example areas of interest include a bog garden, a wildflower meadow often frequented by butterflies, a hydrangea garden, and an American Hosta Society-certified display garden.

Look for several historic buildings nestled in the gardens. The Hanover House was built in 1716 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hunt Cabin is a Civil War-era log cabin originally built in Seneca but was bought by the Clemson University Class of 1915 for $35 to save it from being demolished. It was moved into the gardens in 1955. Both are open for tours.

Admission is free, and entrance to the on-site Fran Hanson Discovery Center and art galleries is also free, as of March 2010. The gardens are approximately four miles from the Oconee County Regional Airport and a little over two hours' driving northeast of Atlanta, Georgia.

South Carolina Botanical Garden
Clemson University
150 Discovery Lane
Clemson, SC 29634-0174
864-656-3405
clemson.edu/public/scbg

Swan Lake Iris Gardens

Swan Lake Iris Gardens was once a private fishing lake whose owner, Hamilton Bland, had a penchant for the Japanese iris flower. The wealthy businessman sent for advice from horticulturists from around North America to help establish his hobby garden. It was given to the city of Sumter in 1938 after Bland died and now hosts 100+ acres of Japanese irises, plus additional floral plantings including azaleas, day lilies and camellias.

Visit during May through June to see the thousands of iris plants in all their glory. As its name suggests, dozens of swans dot the landscape; the park says it's the only public U.S. park to house all eight swan species. Bring crackers or bread to feed the swans and the other on-site waterfowl, such as mallard ducks and Canada geese, but practice caution when visiting in the early spring as they are often territorial during this mating time.

Admission is free, as of March 2010. The gardens are approximately 2 miles from downtown Sumter and 8 miles from Sumter Municipal Airport.

Swan Lake Iris Gardens
822 W. Liberty St.
Sumter, SC 29150
803-436-2640
sumter-sc.com/VisitingUs/SwanLake.aspx

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Experience a fusion of Charleston's history and vibrant flower gardens at the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, which bills itself as America's oldest public gardens with an establishment date of 1676. It was the winner of the 2010 Heritage Tourism Award from the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation for the plantation's exhibits on slave cabins.

Flowers like azaleas--the organization is planning on building North America's most comprehensive collection of these flowers--and daffodils bloom all year, but visitors in the spring will be greeted with the plantation's most colorful displays. Some of the flower plantings have been in existence for over three centuries. Highlights include one of America's largest collections of ancient camellias, most which cannot be found anywhere else, and a swamp garden with alligators.

Keep an eye out for slave cabins on the grounds. The cabins are open for tours and have been restored with furniture and vegetable gardens. Each cabin houses exhibits detailing important dates in the United States' trek toward equality, including the Civil War and the Reconstruction period, both which hit South Carolina hard.

General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 through 12, and free for children ages 5 and under, as of March 2010. This gives you access to the flower gardens. Attractions like the slavery exhibits cost extra. The gardens are approximately 25 minutes' driving from both downtown Charleston and the Charleston AFB/International Airport.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
3550 Ashley River Rd.
Charleston, SC 29414
800-367-3517
magnoliaplantation.com