The South is a region known for beautiful showplace gardens, and none are more beautiful—and showy—than those of Magnolia Plantation on the Ashley River near Charleston, South Carolina. With some sections dating back 325 years, they are the oldest unrestored gardens in the United States.
At their best in spring when ablaze with colorful camellias and azaleas, the gardens are an example of the Romantic Garden, a concept which came to the American South from Europe. Tour operators and their garden-loving clients are in for a landscape designed to impress, with features ranging from a cypress lake where century-old trees line the banks to a replica of London’s Hampton Court Palace maze.
Yet, don’t think these gardens are manicured and mowed—this is a nature lover’s paradise. Your group is just as likely to spot a gator as a gardenia, and turtles are more prevalent than crepe myrtles.
The plantation house might not be as ornate as some, but the interior is equally beautiful and can be seen on a 30-minute tour, although some visitors opt for the 45-minute From Slavery to Freedom: The Magnolia Cabin Project Tour.
For more information, visit magnoliaplantation.com or email Sharon Newton.
Top photo: Boardwalk through the swamp gardens at Magnolia Plantation
Photo by Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
