05/25/2024 to 06/01/2024
Explore some of Charleston's most exquisite private gardens, on the two Saturdays of Spoleto.
The Garden Conservancy and the Charleston Horticultural Society are teaming up to open some of the Holy City’s finest gardens to the public, during the two weekends of Spoleto.
One of the gardens, a Parterre garden designed by Ben Lenhardt at his 1743 Charleston home, was recently named to Veranda Magazine’s list of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
Garden tours are self-guided, and they last from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. each day. You must purchase tickets in advance. Here's how organizers describe it... "Walls of entwined ivy, dazzling blooms, and sun-dappled fern fronds abound in Charleston’s botanical sanctuaries.... Each Saturday tour features seven different private gardens, promising two full days of exploration and beauty in these artfully cultivated spaces. Purchase tickets for both weekends to see all 14 gardens."
Exact dates and details for 2024 haven't been announced yet, so stay tuned. But here was the lineup for 2023:
Saturday, May 27th
- George Locke House Garden
- Kohne-Leslie House Garden
- Garden at George Mathews House
- Mary Smith House Garden
- Garden of Benjamin Phillips House
- Garden at Charles Elliott House
- Garden at Timothy Ford House
Saturday, June 3rd
- Branford-Horry House Garden
- Garden at James Petigrew Law Office
- Garden at Capers-Motte House
- William Gatewood House Garden
- Garden at John Fullerton House
- Garden at James Brown House
- Garden at John Ravenel House