Glorious Grand Strand Gardens
by Diane Goldberg

If your love of nature extends beyond the surf and sand, South Carolina's gardens are a nice change of pace. The Palmetto State has a lengthy legacy of garden excellence. In fact, the first English settlers found flower gardening a rewarding pastime. At the turn of the century, the 1900 Baedeker Guide counted Charleston's Magnolia Gardens among the three "must-see" attractions for foreign visitors.

Do you long to leave the beach crowds behind you and find your own private bit of Eden? If so, Brookgreen Gardens beckons. Brookgreen Gardens is an oasis of peace in the midst of the madding crowd. Located on Highway 17 just south of Murrells Inlet, Brookgreen Gardens spans the territory of four former rice plantations. The vast expanse of the gardens insures that every visitor will find a quiet corner, a place of refuge.

Developed by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in the 1930s, the extensive grounds shelter over 550 pieces of America's best 19th and 20th century sculpture. Displaying the works of Ms. Huntington, Fredric Remington, Daniel Chester French and others, this distinct American treasure has an Italian feel in places. Of particular interest to visitors boasting a childlike sense of wonder are the numerous animal pieces that range in size from mythic proportions to minuscule.

Brookgreen Gardens is landscaped to employ over 2,000 species of plants as an effective foil for the resident works of art. The many mature oaks shade large portions of the area providing a pleasant respite from the beach sun. Brookgreen is open daily from 9:30 until 5:30 and selected areas are available as sites for weddings. Call 843-237-4218 for further information.

From the Old World formality of Brookgreen Gardens, you can quickly reach nature run rampant across Highway 17 at Huntington Beach State Park. The entire range of ecological conditions comprising the South Carolina coastal environment is yours to explore at Huntington Beach. In addition to the pristine beach, the park offers a freshwater lagoon and saltmarsh. Boardwalks extend into both the lagoon and saltmarsh for wildlife viewing.

Huntington Beach State Park is an excellent site for bird watchers. It is also the home of Atalaya, the winter home and studio of sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington. The park has 184 campsites and four picnic shelters available for rental.

A mere 80 miles down the coast gets you to historic Charleston, home of the famous Magnolia Gardens. Just 10 miles past US 17 on SC Scenic Hwy. 61, you'll find the ultimate garden experience on this side of the Atlantic. Magnolia Gardens includes several separate areas that are all worth the visit.

Drayton Hall Plantation has been in the Drayton family since Thomas Drayton arrived from Barbados in 1671. Drayton Hall is the heart of Magnolia Gardens. They've had plenty of time to plant. Around 1680, the Draytons started the first garden in American planned for year-round color. The garden is intact. The plantation house dates from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era and is open for tours.

In addition to the plantation area, history buffs enjoy an 18th century herb garden, a topiary garden and a maze. The Barbados Tropical Gardens is a lush riot of color in contrast to the muted tones of the herb garden. The Barbados Garden and a 125-acre waterfowl refuge are also part of Magnolia Gardens.

The most recent addition to Magnolia Gardens is the Audubon Swamp Garden. With bridges and boardwalks to take you through the swamp, you have a rare view of a primeval paradise full of flowers, ferns and blackwater cypress. For more information about Magnolia Gardens, call 1-800-367-3517.

Next door to Drayton Hall, Middletown Place has the distinction of housing America's oldest formal gardens. Laid out in the English style with adaptations suitable for the Carolina climate, it took 100 men more than 10 years to plant the more than 5,000 plants. The Middletown Place gardens date back to 1740.

Between beach sunsets and glorious gardens, you'll find a perfect spot for romance or relaxation along South Carolina's Grand Strand.

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