Charleston’s foremost treasure

 "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 free and gracious, so lovely, wistful, so richly colored… It is a kind of Paradise… a miraculously enchanted wilderness… it is otherworldly.."

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 found a corner of Paradise, or what I would envision it to be.  

This spring the gardens seemed to be more astonishingly beautiful that 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.   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 that Spring is leaving us now as June approaches.   Just a few more weeks of this magical season.   I will head out to the gardens in just a little while to relax and wander the paths amid the tranquil beauty of the shrubs, flowers and small lakes.

Here is a selection of some of my favorite photos from Magnolia from this spring:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/camas/sets/72157629817900458/