PICKENS COUNTY — In what appears to have been the blink of an eye Spring has sprung and the world around us is ready to burst into bloom with beauty and warmer days ahead.
If you enjoy being outside, especially as the seasons begin to change and spring is preparing to unleash its bounty upon us, now is the time to begin your visits to the SC Botanical Garden located at Clemson University.
The Botanical Garden is one of the hidden treasures located in Pickens County and is a free adventure for singles and families alike, much as it was this past weekend with visitors galore.
And more than just the two-legged kind of visitors as well.
Nature also came out to take a peek and begin the seasonal run toward summer as lizards, birds, snakes, turtles, people, and pets soaked up the sun and the refreshing stillness of waterfalls and breezes, along with the earliest of blooms throughout the garden, highlighting various ecosystems and plants from around the world.
With spring just beginning to unfold, the garden is coming to life in shifts as the early bloomers have begun to share their resplendent colors with the rest of the world. As the weeks pass, various plants will continue to do so in shifts as their prime seasons come closer.
As the plants, trees, and flowers unfurl their foliage one group at a time, the garden will burst to life in no time, and catching each as it progresses begins now.
According to its website, the South Carolina Botanical Garden is home to an official American Hosta Society Display Garden, a 70-acre arboretum, miles of nature trails and streams, a butterfly garden, wildflower meadow and many specialty gardens.
The Garden is also home to more than 300 varieties of camellias, as well as an extensive collection of hollies, hydrangeas, magnolias and native plants.
As with most things, the early bird gets the worm, and seeing the progression of the garden firsthand is an experience no money can buy.
As a matter of fact, it won’t. This is a seasonal experience all can enjoy for the cost of the drive as there is no admission charge. It opens at dawn and closes at dusk.
The Botanical Garden is located on 295 acres at 150 Discovery Lane in Clemson. Call 864-656-3405 for more information or visit www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/ for more information.