You'd Never Know One Of The Most Incredible Natural Wonders In South Carolina Is Hiding In This Garden
By AnneMarie|Updated on April 02, 2024(Originally published March 23, 2023)
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AnneMarie
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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.
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. If you are up for some adventuring to more wonderful hidden gems then take a look at one of the best botanical gardens in South Carolina
Covering 295 acres, The South Carolina Botanical Garden is located on Discovery Lane and is a favorite Clemson attraction for some. Some would go as far as to say this is one of the best gardens in South Carolina. We would agree with them and it's easy to see why with its breathtaking array of landscapes.
Can't you just picture yourself wandering through the various paths and examining these flowers? There are many walkways and places to explore in this lush and glorious garden. We love the splashes of color you can find all over this garden from the flowers to the plants. There is no shortage of pretty scenery to enjoy.
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 Eastern Bluebird! You can expect to see plenty of birds, especially during certain times of year, and more 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.
There are also all sorts of other fun places for children and adults alike to explore as you wander through the garden.
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 and has continued to offer these same opportunities. 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 experiences with us in the comments section below!
If you just love finding hidden treasures all throughout South Carolina then we have one more treat for you. Have you ever heard of Whitewater Falls? This is the one of the biggest waterfall in South Carolina and it actually spans from North Carolina to South Carolina. Check out this OnlyInYourState video to learn more.
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Gardens In South Carolina
Chris Dodge|April 02, 2024
What are some of the best gardens in South Carolina?
Here are some of my favorite gardens in South Carolina:
