Brookgreen Gardens
A Stunning Combo of Foliage and Art from the Sea to the River
For eight decades and counting Brookgreen Gardens has been one of America's premier horticultural and sculptural powerhouses
Brookgreen Gardens between Myrtle Beach and Charleston SC provides lush landscapes from the seacoast the fertile fields of the Intercoastal waterway. Foliage is not the only aspect of this horticultural wonder.
The garden is also host to world-class sculpture thanks to its original owners Archer and Anna Huntington.
As the Depression tightened its grip on America, by 1932, the Huntingtons had turned four former rice plantations from the Atlantic to the Waccamaw River into a tourist attraction. A sculptor of international renowned Anna incorporated her own, and other master sculptures, throughout the spread butterfly wing garden layout of her design.
“Diana”, the Roman goddess of the hunt, greets most visitors from water filled fountain reflecting the abounding greenery. The pathways beckon for deeper exploration. Swedish sculptor Carl Milles’ piece “Fountain for the Muses” remains playful and prominent whether surrounded by a bloom of summer flowers or set against the gold color of winter’s reed grasses.
Perhaps the most striking of all the gardens houses some of the facility’s oldest items – the Live Oak Allee. Here towering trees, older than the USA itself, form a canopy of serenity. Sit on a bench underneath one of them, and listen as the wind whistles across its leathery bark and through the gray green Spanish moss strewn across the trees.
For the kid in everyone – a stroll through the Children’s Garden proves whimsical and enjoyable. Look for the giant pig with an equally large porcine sense of humor.
Artwork peeks out in unusual areas and is often accompanied with poetic plaques first established by Archer Huntington. At present over 1200 pieces, by close to 300 artists, past and present greats are displayed throughout Brookgreen.
Anna Huntington frequently used live animals as models so the tradition continues with the Zoo at the Gardens. Most residents are in their native environs like alligators, river otters and birds of prey. More domesticated animals are also included.
The Lowcountry Trail is only one-quarter mile in length, and yet bridges modern visitors to when the land was worked by slaves. Here four life-sized stainless steel sculptures of the Plantation Owner, the Overseer and a Male and Female Slave document the daily life and daily struggle that coexisted here for decades.
So much occurs daily at Brookgreen seeing it all and taking in a few of the free-guided tours is impossible. Luckily, the admission ticket is good for seven consecutive days.
Upon arrival be sure to stop by the visitor’s center and see what is blooming. Also make time for the thought provoking welcome video “Gray Oaks of Mystery.”
Brookgreen Gardens is a definite inclusion to a South Carolina lowcountry itinerary.
For more information: www.brookgreen.org
