Everything is coming up roses at one of the most beautiful destinations in the Lowcountry
Springtime on the South Carolina coast means more than the warm sunshine, salty ocean breeze, and soft sand between your toes. On the Palmetto State’s Hammock Coast, an area located between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, it also means the most spectacular seasonal blooms are on full display at Brookgreen Gardens.
Founded in 1931, Brookgreen Gardens is a 9,127-acre property nestled between Murrells Inlet, the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” and Pawleys Island, a three-mile-long barrier island. The historic estate is home to the largest collection of American figurative sculptures in the country, wildlife preserve, zoo, and the crown jewel of the property: one of the country’s most premier botanical gardens.
The botanical gardens is broken into four specific sections, each with their own unique appeal but all with stunning beauty. Live Oak Allée is where you’ll find oak trees that date back 250 years. These oak trees were planted in the early 1700s at a time when the property was being utilized as four rice plantations. There’s also the Butterfly Garden, which has four wings and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that lead into the Huntington Sculpture Garden. Then there’s the Brenda W. Rosen Carolina Terrace Garden, which features a plethora of perennials, roses, shrubs, and trees. Lastly, there’s the Palmetto Garden. Named as a nod to the state tree, the section houses beautiful Sabal palmettos and the ever-popular Fountain of the Muses Garden, which displays the sculpture of the same name.
In addition to the many sculptures that can be found while perusing throughout the gardens, the 2,000-strong collection of sculptures by 430 artists can also be found in a variety of indoor galleries and exhibits, along with other smaller pieces such as paintings and etchings.
For those seeking more than a picturesque backdrop of beautiful blooms or even world-renowned sculptures, be sure to check out the thousands of acres in Brookgreen’s Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve, which features not only many native plants and animals to the South Carolina Lowcountry but also the property’s historic rice plantations. Between March and November, visitors can check out the property via pontoon boats on the Creek Excursion or via bus on the Trekker Excursion.
The gardens is blooming year-round, but there’s something truly special about it in the spring. Plan your trip now or learn more at www.brookgreen.org.
All photos courtesy of Visit Myrtle Beach
