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| 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.
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| 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.
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| "Heart O' Gold" grandiflora rose |
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| "Pink Promise"hybrid tea rose |
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| "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.
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| Unidentified daylily |
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| "Pretty Blue Eye" daylily |
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| 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
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| Sit back and enjoy the gardens |
