Orangeburg Botanical Gardens

  We packed some food and left our campsite for a drive to the Edisto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg for lunch.  The azaleas and cherries were in full bloom and the weather spring-wonderful. 

  

Where Union and Confederate soldiers met in combat in 1865, in 1921 azaleas were planted among the majestic old cypress trees.  

I found this old vintage post card of almost the same scene I photographed, made shortly after the azaleas were planted.  You can see how they have grown since 1921.  They are now taller than me and form one continuous bush all around the park. 

  

Part of the park remains a Tupelo and cypress wetlands accessible by boardwalk trails.

  

  There are 175 acres total, with cherry trees, azaleas, dogwoods, native plant areas along the river, and a rose garden (that wasn’t in bloom yet).  

Cherries, azaleas, and yellow jessamine, the South Carolina state flower

Irises, redbuds, and every shade of green one could imagine

The scent of cherry blossoms warmed by the sun followed us everywhere. 

Bob enjoyed having lunch “out”, too.

“Look, guys!  I got my very own pine cone!”