This South Carolina Locale Is The Only Public Garden In The U.S. That’s Home To All Seven Species Of Swans
South Carolina is home to a number of gorgeous must-see gardens. There’s a topiary garden, a swamp garden, several botanical gardens, and many more. But there’s only one garden where you’ll find all seven species of swans. In fact, it’s the only garden in the entire country where this is true.
You'll find it in Sumter, at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, which features a picturesque black water lake.
Begun as a private fishing retreat for a local businessman in 1927, what eventually became Swan Lake Iris Gardens was populated by thousands of iris plants by accident. Anyone who's planted irises before knows the plants grow from a bulb.
Well, the local businessman was landscaping his home in the late 1920s, which was near to some swamp land (now the gardens), when he had thousands of iris bulbs planted in his yard.
Come spring, the iris bulbs didn't bloom. So he had the landscapers dig up the bulbs and throw them in the swamp. The next spring, the bulbs bloomed in full glory (in the swamp land). And the rest is history. To this day, each May, Swan Lake Iris Gardens has thousands of iris blooms that last until early June.
But Swan Lake Iris Gardens is known for more than just the annual iris bloom. It's also home to a ballet of swans. Seven different species, in fact.
The spectacle of seeing them all in one place attracts thousands of visitors to the garden each year. There's just something about the dainty feathered creatures that inspires peaceful notions in people.
Photographers love capturing award-worthy shots of individuals and pairs of the swans.
The Swan Lake Gardens Loop Trail is a wonderful way to experience a well-traveled pathway around the gardens. It follows the perimeter of the lake and doles out striking views of the gardens, the lake, the annual iris blooms, and of course...
The seven beautiful species of swans that live here.
Be sure to bring a camera device at full power. You'll be surprised at how many photos you'll take as well as how tame they are.
In 2020, Trip Advisor awarded Swan Lake Iris Gardens the annual Traveler's Choice Award. The gardens maintain a consistent 4.5 stars among Trip Advisor review ratings and currently rank at 4.7 stars among Google user reviews.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing crisis caused by the pandemic, the City of Sumter has elected to cancel the 2021 Iris Festival at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. We look forward to its return in 2022!
The gardens are open year-round from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. Admission is free. Learn more about Swan Lake Iris Gardens right here.
Editor’s note: There seems to be a dispute over how many species of swan still remain in the world. The City of Sumter website reports it at eight. However, various Internet sources report six and seven.
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Address: Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150, USA
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
