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Located on the bluffs of Black Creek, Kalmia Gardens is on the site of the early 19th-century plantation of Capt. E. Hart for whom Hartsville is named. Walking trails allow visitors to explore a blackwater swamp, laurel thickets and pine, oak and holly upland. Planting of azaleas, camellias and other ornamentals enhance the natural beauty created by the variety of native plants found in the garden. An AHS Daylily Display Garden. An on-site gift shop is open Tu-F 843-857-4295. The Joslin Education Center is available for school groups by calling 843-383-8348.
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 Hartsville |
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This world-famous plantation has been associated with the Drayton family since its founding in 1676. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it includes the country's oldest garden (c.1680), and a Reconstruction-era plantation manor with a famous collection of antiques. The garden features the Barbados Tropical Garden, a nature train tour, a petting zoo, wildlife observation tower, nature trails, wildlife art gallery, an 18th-century herb garden, a Biblical garden, horticultural maze and antebellum cabin. The Audubon Swamp Garden offers 60 acres of the primeval beauty of blackwater cypress and tupelo swamp, traversed by bridges, boardwalks and dikes. A 45-minute nature boat tour takes visitors through ancient rice fields.
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 Charleston |
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An active Trappist monastery that welcomes both men and women retreatants. Daily visitors are welcome. The former plantation home of Henry Laurens, Congressional Constitutional president, and later to publisher and philanthropist Henry R. Luce and his wife, Clare Boothe Luce, the beautifully landscaped grounds overlook the Cooper River.
Clare Luce commissioned famous landscape architect Loutrell Briggs to create Mepkins Gardens. In 1988, the gardens were renovated through the efforts of Nancy Bryan Luce, wife of Henry Luce III, and for whom the gardens are named.
Mepkin Abbey is offering a tour of Nativity sets from around the world the week before and the week of Thanksgiving, with some 30 to 50 different sets. The week after Thanksgiving is open for motorcoaches, with tours being offered at 10am and 1:30pm. Call to reserve a tour.
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 Moncks Corner |
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An 18th-century rice plantation and National Historic Landmark comprising America’s oldest landscaped Gardens, the Middleton Place House Museum and the Plantation Stableyards. The Gardens reflect the elegant symmetry of 17th century European design. Guided tours of the House Museum interpret the Middletons’ vital role in American history. In the Plantation Stableyards, craftspeople including a blacksmith, potter, carpenter and weaver, recreate the activities of a self-sustaining Low Country plantation. The Middleton Place Restaurant serves lunch daily from 11am-3pm to visitors of the property; dinner is served to the public Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Garden Market and Nursery offers rare Middleton Camellia Japonicas and Middleton Oak seedlings, annuals, perennials, herbs, as well as gardening accessories, plantation crafted wares, specialty foods, and picnic lunches. The Museum Shop features books of regional interest, artwork, specialty foods, jewelry and more.
Middleton Place was the home of Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress, and his son, Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. The gardens were begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton and restored by Middleton descendants. These gardens contain the oldest camellias in the new world, planted in 1786 by French botanist Andre Michaux. The Middleton Oak, whose age is estimated at nearly 1000 years, the rice mill and pond, the butterfly lakes and the tomb of Arthur Middleton are on the property.
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Charleston |
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Park Seed has been providing vegetable seeds and perennial seeds for the American garden since 1868. The Park Seed trial gardens of this venerable seed supplier, whose catalogs and products go the world around, are at their most brilliant from June through August. Don't miss the annual Park Seed Flower Day each year in June, when the gardens are in full bloom. Park Seed's garden trial tours and Garden Center have been completely refurbished .
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 Greenwood |
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Riverbanks is home to more than 2,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of the nation's most beautiful and inspiring botanical gardens. The lush 170-acre site features dynamic natural habitat exhibits, scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks and significant historic landmarks. For more than 30 years, Riverbanks has provided individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world's wildlife and wild places. Twice awarded the Governor's Cup for South Carolina's Most Outstanding Tourist Attraction, Riverbanks is the premier family choice for education and recreation in the Southeast. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden not only serves to protect rare and endangered wildlife and wild places, but also is caretaker to a number of Civil War era historic sites located within the Zoo on both sides of the river including: Saluda Factory Interpretive Center, Covered Bridge Abutments, Camp Sorghum, Saluda Factory Historic District and Sherman's Rock.
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 Columbia |
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Designated the official state botanical garden in 1992, this 295-acre public garden features a unique collection of nature-based sculptures, each one incorporating living plant material. The garden is located at the northwestern end of the S.C. National Heritage Corridor adjacent to Clemson University's east campus.
The Fran Hanson Discovery Center is the visitor center for the garden. Rotating exhibits highlight South Carolina artists along with a permanent collection by South Carolina native Elizabeth Belser Fuller and provides visitors with local and regional information. The garden also is home to the Bob Campbell Geology Museum and the Hanover House, a French Huguenot c. 1716 historic home. There are several "niche gardens" on the grounds, including a butterfly garden, award-winning hosta collection, a wild flower meadow, extensive holly and camellia collections and a 70-acre arboretum.
The Garden Gift Shop is located inside the Discovery Center and features gift items crafted by regional artists. Organized tours are available for a nominal fee.
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 Clemson |
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The Butterfly Garden inspires rejuvenation with vibrant perennials, annuals, vines, bubbling fountains and butterflies. The Springfield Prayer Garden is filled with all-white flowers and emerald-green foliage, providing a sanctuary for peace and tranquility.
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 Springfield |
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The black waters of Swan Lake form a setting for Iris Gardens. The lake is dotted with colorful islands, wildlife is abundant andit is the only public park in the US to feature all eight swan species. The 150-acre garden also is home to some of the nation's most intensive plantings of Japanese iris, which bloom yearly from mid to late May through the beginning of June. The garden also boasts many other floral attractions, including colorful camellias, azaleas, day lilies, and Japanese magnolias. A Braille Trail enables the sight-impaired to enjoy the scents and sensations of the gardens. The annual Sumter Iris Festival is celebrated on Memorial Day weekend.
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 Sumter |
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This large clapboard mansion was built by Ladson Gibbes and his wife, the former Maris Drayton, to enjoy the more healthful climate of the foothills. The house and farm were later enlarged by subsequent owners, Dr. O.R. Broyles, James Latta, Robert Adger for his daughter Clarissa and her husband O.A. Bowen, William Warren and his wife the former Sarah Adger, and Francis Pelzer. The 10-acre site also includes the original well house and a 1790 two-story brick structure which was operated as a Tavern by the Samuel Gassaway family. The house is fully restored and furnished with antebellum antiques many of which belonged to the original families. Ashtabula is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a site on the SC National Heritage Corridor. The Pendleton Historic Foundation stages an annual Christmas historical reenactment at Ashtabula on the first weekend in December. Special school tours are offered tailored to the grade level.
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 Pendleton |
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