Sunday, June 29, 2014

A Detour



Rose in bloom at Edisto Memorial Gardens
One of the many varieties of roses on display at Edisto Memorial Gardens

Earlier this month while driving to Columbia to spend the afternoon browsing in unfamiliar libraries and give an evening poetry reading, I detoured off I-26, heading south on US Highway 301 to visit Edisto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg, South Carolina. High levels of contrast in lighting (not ideal for photography) accompanied my impromptu midday visit, but at least I was present. For many years, I'd planned to stop by, but never seemed to manage to get there. 


Edisto Memorial Gardens
Wander down the boardwalk

My first visit to Edisto Memorial Gardens occurred in the spring of 1979. We were traveling up US 301 on our way from South Georgia to Union Grove, North Carolina. Azaleas might have been flowering but I don't recall seeing them. I just remember wanting to return when the roses were in bloom. 

"Heart O' Gold" rose at Edisto Memorial Gardens
"Heart O' Gold" grandiflora rose

"Pink Promise" rose at Edisto Memorial Gardens
"Pink Promise"hybrid tea rose

"Carefree Delight" roses at Edisto Memorial Gardens
"Carefree Delight" shrub rose
When I saw the exit sign on June 11 of this year, it occurred to me that the time was right. Roses would be blooming. What I didn't realize was that I'd get to see not only a large selection of roses, but a wide variety of daylilies, as well.


Edisto Memorial Gardens


Daylily growing at Edisto Memorial Gardens
Unidentified daylily
"Pretty Blue Eye" daylily
"Pretty Blue Eye" daylily
Edisto Memorial Gardens
Stroll past daylily beds and dangling Spanish moss and head to a romantic bench

For more information about Edisto Memorial Gardens, visit: http://www.orangeburg.sc.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=70


Rose beds at Edisto Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg, South Carolina
Sit back and enjoy the gardens