Magnolia Gardens: Charleston’s foremost treasure and my favorite and most frequently visited place to experience the beauty of Nature in every season in Daydreaming on the Porch
- Nov. 21, 2022, 11:31 p.m.
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- Public
Garden experts all over the world agree that Charleston, South Carolina’s greatest treasure, foremost of even its historical and architectural attractions, is Magnolia Gardens
AAA Motorist, 1983
I have seen gardens, many gardens in England, France and Italy… but no horticulture that I have seen devised by mortal man approaches the unearthly enchantment of the azaleas at Magnolia Gardens.
Lady Baltimore Magazine, 1906
I specialize in gardens, and freely assert that none in the world is so beautiful as [Magnolia Gardens]… Nothing…so gracious, so lovely, wistful, so richly colored… It is a kind of Paradise… a miraculously enchanted wilderness… it is.
Century Magazine. John Galsworthy, 1921.
It is true, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Charleston’s Magnolia Gardens are otherworldly in their beauty. Indeed, I have said to myself on many occasions that I have indeed found a corner of Paradise, or what I would envision it to be like.
This past Spring the gardens seemed to be more astonishingly beautiful than I ever recall, particularly the azaleas, which I extensively photographed on several visits in March and April.
One wants to come up close to the azaleas and behold their special but fleeting loveliness. If you do come up close, it’s best to do so when the petals are backlit by the sun, for then you can see what look like hundreds of little crystals reflecting the light.
It’s in knowing how fragile and short-lived the blooming period is that makes this annual spectacle of Nature such a longed-for gift during the winter months.
It’s hard to believe it is mid Autumn and winter is approaching. But the gardens are beautiful any time of year. On many occasions all year round, I head out to Magnolia to relax and wander the paths amid the tranquil beauty of the shrubs, flowers and small lakes. Right now the magnificent camellias are blooming all around the oldest sections of the garden, and will be through February and into March. They love cold weather.
Here is a selection of some of my favorite photos from Magnolia taken during recent visits:
Most recent, November 18, 2022
https://www.flickr.com/gp/camas/5zBi6t839U
Older photos:
April 2013
https://www.flickr.com/gp/camas/74ww5n3V28
March 20, 2013
https://www.flickr.com/gp/camas/0jrz70fr8c
Last updated November 22, 2022
music & dogs & wine ⋅ November 21, 2022
I just love your photos so much! What kind of camera do you use?
Oswego music & dogs & wine ⋅ November 22, 2022
That’s so nice of you. I use an iPhone 13+ Pro Max exclusively now. Just as good as my former fancy expensive cameras.
music & dogs & wine Oswego ⋅ November 23, 2022
Holy moly! I really thought you had a super fancy camera! I'm still on the 12, big difference in the quality of photos!
Deleted user ⋅ November 21, 2022
Wow! Truly gorgeous!
Oswego Deleted user ⋅ November 22, 2022
Much appreciated. I love going out there and do so pretty often. It’s very calming in this mad, rush-about world.
Deleted user Oswego ⋅ November 27, 2022
You would enjoy the National Arboretum in D.C. and the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland Oregon.
Oswego Deleted user ⋅ November 27, 2022
I went to the the National Arboretum back in 1979 when my sister lived in DC. Fantastic, magical place. You can imagine how much I loved it there! I remember like yesterday the tall, massive old trees, oaks, especially. Thanks for reminding me of it. I’d love to go there again.
ConnieK ⋅ November 21, 2022
Love that white bridge. Did you post the 2013 album before? I think I remember seeing that 3rd shot of the tree with its tangle of naked limbs before. So much movement!
Oswego ConnieK ⋅ November 22, 2022
That white bridge is an iconic symbol of the garden, probably he most photographed bridge in the world. Not exaggerating.🥹
I don’t believe I’ve posted the 2013 album before, but it’s possible.
Jinn ⋅ November 22, 2022
I wish I lived close to a garden anything like that .:-)
Oswego Jinn ⋅ November 22, 2022
I count my blessings. It one of he main reasons I love this area so much. I go to those gardens so often, all year long, that I really don’t know what I’d do if I moved and couldn’t visit and take pictures there. I have an annual membership.
Kristi1971 ⋅ November 28, 2022
One of my favorite places! The last time I went was around 2008 or 2009. I think the girls would enjoy such a beautiful place, too! I must put that down as a place to take them. :)
Oswego Kristi1971 ⋅ November 28, 2022
You would all love to see it. The best time to go is early to late March when the azaleas are in bloom and the temperatures are cool and perfect for walking.☺️