South Carolina is home to a number of gardens worthy of a day trip. But one of them, in particular, stands out above the rest. In this magical garden, you’ll find some positively enchanting sights. Take a look:
Sumter’s Swan Lake Iris Gardens could be taken straight from the pages of a fairy tale.
TripAdvisor/JonLugoff_SC
Facebook/Sumter Iris Festival The garden encompasses 150 acres of gorgeous blooms, breathtaking scenery and engaging permanent residents. You’ll enjoy wandering down the pathways and taking in the bright, cheery colors. But flowers aren’t all you’ll find here.
The park itself is the only place in America where you can see all eight species of swans.
Facebook/Sumter Iris Festival
Google Maps/Sung ho Choi And they’re not to be missed if they have anything to say about it. They fill the lakes, their habitats, and they even walk among the visitors, from time to time.
The gardens and lake offer up more than a mile of walking paths.
TripAdvisor/Luca T
TripAdvisor/Luca T Each segment has plenty of eye candy. The gardens were created back in 1927, when a wealthy businessman created a private fishing lake for himself.
On another part of the property, he built himself a house and then planted thousands of iris bulbs in the yard. But they didn’t grow, so he had them all pulled up and thrown into the swamp next to his fishing lake.
TripAdvisor/Luca T
Facebook/Sumter Iris Festival And the next spring… they all bloomed in spectacular fashion. And that’s how the Iris Gardens were created — by accident!
Today, the gardens are spectacular with a variety of plants and flowers.
TripAdvisor/CaliAdvice
TripAdvisor/management And the signature black water lake is astounding. You can easily spend at least half a day exploring and appreciating the beauty found at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
The perfect time to make a visit is in the spring. Each Memorial Day Weekend, the Sumter Iris Festival celebrates the new blooming season, and it is a gorgeous display.
Facebook/Swan Lake Iris Gardens
TripAdvisor/management The festival begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday. It showcases arts and crafts, flowers (for sale) and concerts. Find out more info about the festival on their Facebook page.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens is open to the public and features free admission.
TripAdvisor/management The hours are 7:30 a.m. to dusk. (Hours vary during the Iris Festival.) You’ll find Swan Lake Iris Gardens at 822 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.
Have you walked through this amazing garden? We’d love to know!
TripAdvisor/JonLugoff_SC
Facebook/Sumter Iris Festival
The garden encompasses 150 acres of gorgeous blooms, breathtaking scenery and engaging permanent residents. You’ll enjoy wandering down the pathways and taking in the bright, cheery colors. But flowers aren’t all you’ll find here.
Google Maps/Sung ho Choi
And they’re not to be missed if they have anything to say about it. They fill the lakes, their habitats, and they even walk among the visitors, from time to time.
TripAdvisor/Luca T
Each segment has plenty of eye candy. The gardens were created back in 1927, when a wealthy businessman created a private fishing lake for himself.
And the next spring… they all bloomed in spectacular fashion. And that’s how the Iris Gardens were created — by accident!
TripAdvisor/CaliAdvice
TripAdvisor/management
And the signature black water lake is astounding. You can easily spend at least half a day exploring and appreciating the beauty found at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
Facebook/Swan Lake Iris Gardens
The festival begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday. It showcases arts and crafts, flowers (for sale) and concerts. Find out more info about the festival on their Facebook page.
The hours are 7:30 a.m. to dusk. (Hours vary during the Iris Festival.) You’ll find Swan Lake Iris Gardens at 822 W. Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.
For more fun (and FREE) outdoor activities in South Carolina, check out this list of 15 attractions!
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