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Historic Charleston, South Carolina is known for their beautiful old homes and equally beautiful old gardens. I live not far from Charleston and when I visit there...I am enthralled by all of the gardens in the downtown area , between the Battery and White Points park and the Market. There are hundreds of gardens that go for blocks and blocks and many are seen from the sidewalk or fronts of these homes. I have written a few guides to show a few glimpses of these , and this one is about the long narrow gardens that run down the sides of many of these homes. Land is at a premium here, and so the homeowner's use whatever they have left in front, side and back of their homes to develop and maintain their gardens. The ones I show here are mainly down the sides of the houses, and where the popular term ," Charleston garden ", which means in many people's minds, the long narrow ones with accent brick paths, clipped hedges and topiary, and lush flowers and vines.
This one has a paved brick pathway and calladiums, ferns , flowers and bushes down the side.
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Here was one , near the Battery area of a long planter with calladiums and begonias. They also typically have hedges and trees trained to go up the sides of the homes.
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Very common to see the long red brick pathways and the edges red brick gardens here.
Again the red clay brick driveway , the edging and rose bushes in front of the side porch which is really their front porch here in Charleston.
Lovely side view with brick walkway , ivy growing up the sides and ironwork to the far right.
When you walk down the streets you can look down the sides of the homes and almost always see a view similar to this, they utilize every bit of space they can to decorate with flowers, palms , and ivy.
Homeowners did a marvelous job of trailing ivy up the stair banister, espaliered tress against the wall , the decorative tall hollys, plus flowers...I believe it is marigolds. Also notice the slate and the brick drive.
Here you see a larger home and side garden , which they consider their front yard as many of the old homes have just some steps on a stoop with railing... and no porch or yard in the front. Some do, some have small front gardens and side gardens, but I am showing you the typical layout of most homes there. I hope you are able to go to Charleston yourself one day and see some of these for yourself.
Good luck in your garden sightings,
Gina
Guide created: 08/19/09 (updated 09/23/09)
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