You’d Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In South Carolina Is Hiding In This Garden
From a beautiful secret waterfall to an enchanting firefly phenomenon to a natural bridge in one of our state parks, we have some truly incredible natural wonders in this state. Some of them seem like miracles of nature and leave us with a great sense of awe. We found just this type of natural wonder in South Carolina hidden away in a gorgeous garden.
Covering 295 acres, The South Carolina Botanical Garden is located on Discovery Lane and is a favorite Clemson attraction for some. It's easy to see why with its breathtaking array of landscapes.
Those who have never visited, though, likely do not realize the hidden gem natural wonder tucked away not-so-subtly in one of its many incredible gardens, the Natural Heritage Garden. This beautiful space allows guests to experience the biodiversity of South Carolina that intrigued early explorers. Pictured here are the venus flytrap and sundew plants, which are some of the rarest plants in the world.
The sundew is a carnivorous plant like the venus flytrap. Its tiny leaves have small hairs that secrete a sticky substance that looks like dew in the morning sun (hence, its name!), luring unsuspecting insects. The leaves of the plant curl over the prey after it's stuck in the goo and cover it in digestive enzymes.
And while many are much more familiar with the venus flytrap in general, its lovely blooms are more often overlooked. In 2018, however, they drew attention in an article published in The American Naturalist that answered a long-held question about the plant that intrigued even Charles Darwin in the 1860s.
Although some pollinators do get trapped, in general overall, because pollinators fly and prey walk to reach the plant, the pollinators are rarely trapped, as the flower is elevated high above the leaves.
There are lots of trails and pathways that meander throughout the whole South Carolina Botanical Garden, and there are so many delightful experiences along the way.
Blooming below Hunt Cabin on the forest edge of the gardens, you'll enjoy this charmer, a lesser-known vine with bell-shaped flowers that's native to southeastern North America, the Clematis Glaucophylla, also called the white leaf leather flower.
Hello there, little Blue Jay! You can expect to see plenty of birds, especially during certain times of year and moreso around the pond areas than others.
There's also such a special children's garden, which will take you right back to childhood via the classic Peter Rabbit story, one of the best-selling children's books of all time.
If you have children who love the outdoors, check out the popular Junior Naturalist Program, which added a session for older children, 12-14 year-olds, during the spring of 2022. This program allows them to explore the secrets of nature with experienced naturalists while discovering the wonders and beauty of the Garden.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is truly a treasure for people of all ages, and one of the best things about it in addition to its beauty is that admission is free!
Did you know we have this incredible natural wonder in South Carolina? Have you ever visited the Natural Heritage Garden? Share your thoughts and experience with us in the comments section below!
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Address: South Carolina Botanical Garden, 150 Discovery Ln, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
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South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
