Discover South Carolina’s colorful outdoors this Spring

With temperatures ranging from the 70’s to 80’s, Spring is an ideal time to discover South Carolina’s colorful outdoors. With the pink, white and red hues of the Dogwoods, bright and bushy Azaleas and Yellow Jessamine’s dotting the landscape, the Palmetto state’s gorgeous gardens and parks are things of awe. Here are some highlights:

Gardens:

  • Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet): Covering more than 9,000 acres, Brookgreen was the first public sculpture garden built in the U.S. The garden was opened to the public in 1931 by its founders Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. This National Historic Landmark is home to more than 2,000 works created by more than 450 artists. At Brookgreen Gardens, you can experience the serenity of nature and art all in one place.
  • Swan Lake Iris Gardens (Sumter): Swan Lake Iris Gardens is home to some of the nation’s most intensive plantings of Japanese iris which bloom yearly in mid to late May and last until the beginning of June. The garden also boasts of colorful camelias, azaleas, day lilies, and Japanese magnolias. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is also the only park in the United States to feature all eight swan species. The beautiful lake is dotted with colorful islands, and wildlife is abundant.
  • Mepkin Abbey (Moncks Corner): An active Trappist monastery and former plantation, the Abbey has beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking the Cooper River, offering daily guided tours and retreats. They’re also known for cultivating shiitake and oyster mushrooms to help pay for the abbey’s upkeep and operation and have a special garden volunteer program.

Parks:

  • Congaree National Park (30 minutes from Columbia, SC): Often thought of as the best time to visit this hidden gem National Park, Spring brings warm temperatures comfortable for hiking along the trails blooming with old growth forest that includes Loblolly pines, Sweetgum, Cyprus and Tupelo trees.
  • Hickory Knob State Park and Resort (McCormick, SC): Located in a serene and remote location in South Carolina’s midlands, golfers will enjoy an 18-hole championship golf course in the midst of gorgeous, green rolling hills and lakeside views.
  • Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site (Bluffton, SC): Take some time to learn a bit more about American and South Carolina history at this well preserved plantation home, while taking in the scent of the blooming 200 year old magnolia trees located in the mansion’s gardens.

Media Contact
Brie Logue, Tourism Public Relations Manager, [email protected]
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