Friday, September 7, 2012

The Side Yard Garden Takes Front And Center In Historic Charleston



The Charleston garden: 
walled, lots of wrought iron, bricks 
and an abundance of luxuriant green plants.


 I want in.


Charleston, South Carolina is a historic city on the southeast coast of the United States that was established in the late 1600's. It has great looking architecture and a subtropical climate that plants love. The region sits low on the coast. Winters are mild but rainstorms and hurricanes can be severe.   


Slaves were sold here and the Civil War (1861 to 1865) started here.
Before the war, the wealthy owned rice plantations and the slaves
who did the work on those plantations. 
They built beautiful mansions and socialized in the city.
And the gardens are gorgeous.


What might strike you right away is that there is rarely a front yard here; 
it is all about the side yard in Charleston.


That's probably because most houses here are built in a rectangular shape with the entrance typically on the side of the house. If there is also a front door, it was likely added later.


A side yard in my neck of the woods is usually a gardening afterthought
or it is used as a storage area for supplies or trash bins.
But the side yard is to low country Charleston gardens like shrimp and grits are to its cuisine.


Essential, and so very elegant.


And while there are some famous gardens to visit in the area, 
such as Middleton Place, it seems like this whole city is one elaborate garden.


I could spend hours walking this city to see home after home, 
just to appreciate the garden style that is Charleston.


I love the frequent use of black accents on shutters, iron work and pots
to set off the green plants. In early summer the abundant crape myrtle trees
are in bloom and they impress me to no end.


And just when I think I've seen my favorite


I walk past another and fall in love.


And one of my all time favorites is the Calhoun Mansion garden
at 16 Meeting Street. I even love the sound of that address.


Another prominent feature of the Charleston garden is the window planter.


A mini Charleston garden


complete with wrought iron


and black accents


everywhere you look.


It's like icing on the cake.


Well, actually, on the house.

This is GardenEnvy.  



Copyright 2012 by jayro. All rights reserved.