Brookgreen Gardens

While at Myrtle Beach a couple weeks ago, we visited Brookgreen Gardens on two different days. Since one ticket is good for seven days, we thought we'd go back and see what we missed on the first visit. We still didn't see everything because the entire property is 9100 acres. The gardens alone are massive. They provide a shuttle to the various parts of the estate. When we first arrived on both days it was raining. After a brief shopping spree in the gift shop, the rain stopped and we headed out into the gardens.


Pledge Allegiance sculpture in bronze by Glenna Goodacre 


 Brookgreen Gardens was formed from four different plantations that produced rice during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Those plantations were The Oaks, Brookgreen, Springfield and Laurel Hill. "In 1931 Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington established Brookgreen Gardens as a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting."

Mrs. Huntington was a sculptor and many of these amazing sculptures were created by her. There are many from other sculptors as well. I have never seen so many sculptures in one location. In fact, there are over 1400 by 350 artists. It is the largest collection in the country. Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historical Landmark, and is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

I have so many photos of the amazing sculptures and beautiful gardens I had a difficult time choosing only a few. With some of these, I'm including a photo of the plaque under it so you can read about it.


There is also lots of wildlife here. This Canadian goose was one of four lounging about and grooming in the gardens near a pond. They seemed very docile, though I didn't try to pet them. LOL

I love Spanish moss dripping from old oaks, and I loved this view over the pond.








Diana of the Chase, by Anna Hyatt Huntington


I am a huge fan of waterlilies! :)

 Jaguar by Anna Hyatt Huntington
Click on the above photo to enlarge it so you can read it. It is entitled Pumas. (In most cases the  v is a u.) There were many of these types of poems and quotes throughout the gardens.

Live Oak Allee Garden was one of my favorites. These massive oaks are 300 years old and were planted in the 1700s when this was a rice plantation.
 I hope you enjoyed this visit to Brookgreen Gardens. I'll try to share more photos next time since I've only shown you a small portion of the photos I took.

Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com


10 comments:

Gerri Bowen said...

Just lovely, Vonda!

Carol Burnside aka Annie Rayburn said...

Enjoyed the pics, but I think the last one is my fav too. It's almost as if it's taken in an alternate world where fairies might play.

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...

Wonderful photos, Vonda! I adore Spanish moss shrouded oaks too. I'll have to stop by Brookgreen Gardens the next time I travel south. :)

Pat McDermott said...

I am always impressed by your photographic eye, Vonda. What a lovely collection of gardens and sculptures! Very nice.

Lyn Horner said...

Gorgeous pics! I love the pink water lilies. Thanks for sharing.

Vonda Sinclair said...

Gerri, thanks!

Carol, Yes, I love that place with all the huge old trees. I could sit there for hours.

Dawn, I hope you get to visit it! I love their deal of 7 days of visits on one ticket. We only used two of the days, but I could easily see spending 3 or 4 exploring the place. We didn't get to see everything we wanted.

Pat, thanks so much! I LOVE taking photos. :) Especially in beautiful places.

Lyn, I thought those lilies were gorgeous too. The color is amazing.

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

I have this 'thing' about the moss. I drive Carla crazy wanting photos of it. She actually took one and sent it to me and I framed it. Her son things I am his wacky grandma because I like the stuff as he calls it. It's wild and drippy and beautiful to me. BUT my favorite photo is the man on the bench reading the paper. It really touches something in me. Like I keep telling you, you have a magic touch, or magic eye, whatever you want to call your talent for taking photos. They are outstanding.

Vanessa Holland said...

Terrific pictures. What a beautiful place! I love the Spanish moss, too, and those sculptures are really cool.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos! Thanks for taking me with you. =)

I loved the Jaguar sculpture. I can see my niece trying to hug it. (lol)

Vonda Sinclair said...

Paisley, I also love Spanish Moss! I wish I could grow it here. It's so wispy and creates a magical atmosphere. I'm glad you like the photo of the man reading the newspaper. Thanks for the nice things you said! I am a photo nut. LOL! I love taking them.

Thanks Vanessa! I thought you would like the huge trees with the Spanish moss. They're amazing. There are so many fantastic sculptures here it's difficult to look at them all.

Thanks Casey! Yes, the Jaguar sculpture is fascinating. There is another one in the same area. I'll try to post it next time.