Mother Nature's Flex: Five Springtime Gardens You Don't Want to Miss
“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden.”
Ruth Stout
Spring in our little corner of the world gifts us with vibrant greens, whites, pinks, and yellows in exchange for enduring the pollen that continues to blanket every available surface.
Yet, it’s a small price to pay when the azaleas and tulips pop, bringing a renewed sense of hope and perspective.
There’s no better place to experience spring in its fullness than one of the many gardens in the list we’ve compiled below.
Please enjoy learning something new, and use it to fuel your seasonal explorations.
Writer + Photography: Jen Charles, Native Greenville Girl
Kilgore Lewis House Gardens
Greenville, SC
The Kilgore-Lewis House is a hidden gem, tucked away and almost out of sight as you zoom by on Academy Street in downtown Greenville.
Built in 1838 and relocated to its present location in 1974, the Kilgore-Lewis House garden is whimsical and inviting. Lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and a picture-perfect white bridge make for a fairy tale setting.
The property features a restored spring that dates back to 1765, and the garden is certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, so make sure to look out for birds, squirrels, and other inhabitants.
If you are into history, make sure to take a guided tour of the house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
South Carolina Botanical Garden
Highway 76 & Pearman Boulevard at Clemson University
Located in Clemson Tiger territory is 295 acres of brilliant hydrangeas, camellias, hostas, and magnolias, just waiting to be explored. To meander through South Carolina Botanical Garden’s trails is to retreat into a wondrous world of natural beauty.
The intoxicating scent of blooming flowers greets you upon arrival. One of the first areas you will come across is the Caboose Garden, adorned with bright yellow flowers that pop against the bold red. As you continue along the path, a charming bridge leads you over Heritage Pond.
Those with children, and quite possibly everyone else, will want to check out the whimsical Children’s Garden. There’s a garden devoted to the beloved Peter Rabbit, a magical butterfly garden, an aquatic garden, and so much more to explore.
The Natural Heritage Garden showcases South Carolina’s incredibly diverse and unique ecosystem. Discover carnivorous plants, 5,000-year-old shell rings, and pocosin as you explore the state’s many habitats, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast.
Whether you want to learn about plants, birdwatch, discover nature-based sculptures, or just get some fresh air, you will not be disappointed. The South Carolina Botanical Garden is the perfect day trip. Did we mention it’s free and open from dusk until dawn 365 days a year? It’s a must-see!
Rock Quarry Garden
Greenville, SC
The Rock Quarry Garden is straight out of a fairy tale. It’s a magical, secluded sanctuary full of gorgeous azaleas and hydrangeas blooming along a babbling creek.
The expertly manicured garden offers green space to relax and read a book or catch up with friends. Spring is the perfect time to pack a picnic and enjoy the mild weather.
The colors are unreal, making this little garden one of Greenville’s most beautiful places to visit.
Riverbanks Botanical Gardens
Columbia, SC
Are you visiting the Riverbanks Zoo? Make sure to add the Botanical Gardens to your list. One can easily overlook it when enthralled with the giraffes, kangaroos, and rhinos, but the gardens are worth the trip on their own.
The gardens are beguiling and diverse; one could spend hours exploring. Take, for example, the Walled Garden; it’s quite the showstopper. Welcome to 34,000-square-feet of lush, sweet little garden nooks and crannies. It’s a spectacular maze of blooming flowers, unique plants, and enchanting water features.
When you are ready to step out of the direct sun, head to the Shade Garden and hang out with the plants that thrive in cooler air.
The list of stunning garden displays continues, with the Asian Garden, Bog Garden, and Collection Garden. The Old Rose Garden is a favorite, with Noisettes releasing their sweet scent as you meander through it.
The Botanical Gardens are exquisite; make sure to add it to your list of springtime must-dos.
Biltmore Estate
Asheville, NC
The Biltmore House itself is magnificent, but the gardens in spring? A blooming masterpiece.
A stroll through the property’s many paths will awaken your senses. The Walled Garden features thousands of gorgeous daffodils, tulips, and lilac. Flowering magnolia and cherry trees exude the unmistakable aroma of sweet, fresh spring.
The Azalea Garden is a magnificent display of colorful blooms. Dogwoods and Virginia Bluebells greet you with delicate, colorful flowers.
The Biltmore Bloom Report, updated weekly, informs you of the glorious flowers you can expect to see during your visit.
After you have taken in Biltmore’s historic gardens, consider taking a bike ride. The estate offers over 20 miles of biking trails that weave through meadows, taking you alongside the lovely French Broad River. Bring your own bike or rent one ahead of time from Biltmore’s Bike Barn.
Can’t you just feel the warm spring air on your face as you pedal through stunning scenery? We certainly can…
Falls Park
Downtown Greenville, SC
Falls Park is on countless best-of lists and has earned numerous awards for a good reason. It’s a truly spectacular urban oasis situated in the heart of charming downtown Greenville, and you’ve probably been there. It’s the type of place that we can visit time and time again.
The dreamy landscape draws us in, begging us to throw down a picnic blanket and soak in the sun. Spring is exceptionally beautiful in the park, with hundreds of colorful blooms, including daylilies, roses, daisies, and sweetspire. Deep green ivy climbs up an enchanting stone bridge, and ducks splash around in the Reedy River.
Take in the falls from Liberty Bridge, check out the Medusa Tree, or just sit on a bench and people-watch.
And a bonus, the awe-inspiring, beautifully designed Cancer Survivor’s Park is steps away. Like spring, visiting this park brings a sense of hope.
The beauty of spring is certainly concentrated in these carefully planned and tended gardens, but there’s plenty of natural art on display all around you.
Take a walk in your neighborhood and notice the new, fresh leaves and blooms that continue to appear. It will do wonders for your mental health.
Make it a priority to enjoy all that nature has to offer this spring.