Charleston has many charms, evident as soon as you set foot in the Holy City. A stroll around the historic downtown is a feast for the eyes, with photo ops galore.
One of the things Charleston does exceptionally well is create and tend gardens. She’s famous for them. Whether they’re carefully curated next to a historic home, spilling out onto the street in voluminous window boxes, or adorning the grounds of Lowcountry plantations, gorgeous gardens here in abundance.
From a famous festival to a very special new event, area plantations and a favorite garden shop, here’s a quick guide to exploring gardens while staying here in a Charleston beach house.
Downtown Peninsula & The Charleston Festival…
By foot:
Of course the historic Charleston peninsula is ground zero for world-class gardens. You can see a bunch just by walking down the historic streets, especially those located South of Broad. While some of the gardens are nestled behind the homes, you can see a lot by peering through the garden gates… and the window boxes out front along the street are truly world class. How they’re able to get them so lush through all the seasons is a wonder.
By carriage:
Taking a horse-drawn carriage ride is a great way to cover more ground and see a lot, in a supremely fun way. Here’s an insider tip: when you’re boarding your carriage in Charleston, be sure to meet your driver/guide and mention what interests you. Charleston’s tour guides are fantastic, well versed in countless areas, and have an uncanny knack for tailoring the tour to your subject matter.
By festival:
The best way to get “behind the iron gates” and into the very best private gardens, is during the city’s beloved Festival of Houses & Gardens, recently renamed “The Charleston Festival.” It’s been taking place each spring for almost 80 years, capably run by the Historic Charleston Foundation. Look for their “Glorious Gardens” tours on some of the most charming streets in town, like Meeting, Tradd, Wentworth, Legare, Broad and South Battery. Read more at their website or our Events page.
Magnolia & Boone Hall
Lowcountry plantations are famous for their gardens. There are several to choose from, but I’ll mention two favorites.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is located west of the Ashley River, on the other side of the peninsula (at 3550 Ashley River Road in Charleston). It dates back to 1676 and is Charleston’s most visited plantation.
Open to the public since 1870, Magnolia has the oldest public gardens in America. These Romantic-style gardens, site of the famous white bridge, are stunning and worth visiting all throughout the year. They host great events like the Butterfly Bash (a celebration of butterflies, bumblebees, pollinators and wildflowers) and the popular Ladybug Release each August. Take the boardwalk through the Audubon Swamp Garden and its cypress-tupelo swamp. And Magnolia’s massive collection of camellias is one of the best, if not THE best, on the planet.
Closer to your Isle of Palms luxury vacation rental is Boone Hall Plantation, located over the IOP Connector in Mount Pleasant. Boone Hall boasts one of the most beautiful entrances of all - the famous oak allée of majestic live oak trees, seen in many films and productions like “The Notebook” and “North and South.” In fact, the Boone Hall mansion is Allie’s family’s summer home in “The Notebook.” Next to the home are lovely landscaped gardens, and the grounds of Boone Hall are ideal for exploring. It’s also a working farm with a fun farm store and seasonal U-pick options, like strawberries and sunflowers.
A brand new garden event: Bloom Charleston!
There’s an exciting new garden and design festival coming up this fall, sponsored by the Charleston Parks Conservancy. It looks to become an annual event. Bloom Charleston’s tagline for this year is: “Celebrate the Unveiling of Charleston’s First Idea Garden.” They’ve got a fancy Friday garden party gala planned (complete with the Charleston Symphony), some major league talent coming into town, and a family-friendly festival all day Saturday.
Here are the details:
The location: Colonial Lake downtown, encircled by its lovingly landscaped gardens;
Dates: Friday and Saturday, October 17th - 18th, 2025;
Gardening and design luminaries like Idea Garden designer Molly Hendry, author/designer Ryan McEnaney, Miranda Crowell (Garden Editor at Better Homes & Gardens), Michael Perry and Lucy the Flower Hunter;
Friday night: Opening Night Garden Party - an all-inclusive celebration with chef-curated Lowcountry menu, live performances by the Charleston Symphony, special floral installations and a rare plant auction;
Saturday: 9:30-4:30, a free public celebration day, with ribbon cutting, expert talks, docent-led garden tours, author book signings, Plants from Your Parks Plant Sale, Children’s Pavilion with hands-on activities, live music, art demonstrations, and interactive workshops.
Read more about it at Bloom Charleston.
Plus a favorite local plant shop…
If you’re here in one of our Isle of Palms beach rentals and would like to take home something from the Lowcountry to plant in your own garden, we know just the place. Abide-a-While Garden Center and Boutique has been owned by the same wonderful local family since 1957. Located on Hwy 17 in Mount Pleasant, it’s a plant-lover’s paradise, filled with healthy flora of all kinds, creative ideas, and very kind and helpful staff. Even if you don’t buy anything, just meandering through Abide-a-While is good for the soul.
So while you’re here staying in a Charleston beach house, be sure to experience one of this area’s greatest treasures… its glorious gardens.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger