Magnolia Gardens

July specials

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:06:00 +0000

July and August are Family fun months at Magnolia. We are offering programs and specials for families looking for economical outings. Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina residents can take advantage of our admission specials. A Family (up to 6 people) can get admission to the Gardens, The Audubon Swamp garden, as well as choose a guided tour for the group, all for $50. The normal cost for this package would be $174. We also have classes in gardening, archaeology and will be presenting nature programs. Free popcorn and snowcones for the kids. These special rates and events are for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in July and August. Come to visit us. Loads of Fun awaits!

Our New Cabin Tour

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:02:00 +0000

If you have not been on our new tour "From slavery to Freedom" you should come. It tell of the history of African-Americans from slavery to the civil rights movement of the 60's. So much of the African American culture has been "absorbed" into our culture today, I found it fascinating to understand where my favorite foods and music actually came from. The AP has done a story on the project that has went nation-wide. So much of America's most beautiful gardens here at Magnolia can be traced to people that lived in these cabins over the decades. DJ and Preston give a great interpretation of the life of African Americans here at Magnolia, giving it a unique history. I am personally proud to play a small role in the preservation efforts here at Magnolia.

June Garden Walks

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, I will personally be giving garden walks each day at 1:30. I want to help our guest understand the Romantic garden design.
These walks will be free with garden admission, and no reservation is required. We will meet at the garden entrance near the house. I hope to see you there. Come learn about America's last Romantic garden, and why this garden style is so important.

Rare Native azalea Cuttings

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:19:00 +0000

Just got back from touring Alabama. I have collected cuttings from many rare native azalea and hybrid crosses. Many thanks to Tom Corley and Robert Greenleaf for opening up their private gardens to allow me to take cuttings. Thanks to Dr. Smitherman for allowing me to take cuttings of his hybrids. Auburn University has one of the best collections of these plants I have seen. I hope they realize what they have.
These plants will make a great addition to our collection here at Magnolia.

The Magnolias are Blooming

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:50:00 +0000

As I was walking through the gardens this morning I noticed the first Magnolia blooms had opened. I enjoy the large, fragrant blooms. We have thousands of hydrangeas scattered around the gardens that are just starting to bloom. I love early summer, especially being America's last Romantic-style garden. As one walks around the garden, you can stumble into a young couple saying their vows and beginning their life together. What could be better than being married in such a beautiful and historic place. It renews one's soul to see futures merge with the past.

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:09:00 +0000

What A Great Trip

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:09:00 +0000

I spent the first part of the week at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Ga. If you have never visited Callaway, you are missing a treat. The Native Azaleas are in bloom now and are truly beautiful. I spent Monday with Hank Bruno and Ernest Koone looking at the many species of Native Azaleas. I especially enjoyed listening to the two of them debate where Fred Galle obtained the different varieties. How lucky one must be to have worked with Mr. Galle! I returned with thousands of cuttings for Magnolia. I will be returning in 2 weeks to get the next batch as they become ready, and to pick up Dr. Smitherman's hybrids. As a horticulturist one soon realizes that what he does is for the next fellow. The work we do today is to give beauty to Magnolia for generations to come. I hope I never decide a garden's "value" in regards to my own , short existence.

Native Azalea collection

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:54:00 +0000

I will be traveling through Georgia and Alabama this next week collecting rare native azalea cuttings. These will later be added to our rapidly growing collection here at Magnolia. Thanks to Maarten van der Giessen in Mobile, We now have the collection of Dr. Aromi's Hybrids. Very soon we will have a collection of Dr. Smitherman's hybrids. He is a hybridizer in Auburn Alabama. Ernest Koone III from Pine Mountain is helping us design our native azalea garden, and I am meeting him and Hank Bruno, The Director at Callaway Gardens this week.
I will post an updated blog when I return.
Tom

Summer at Magnolia

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:05:00 +0000

If you are planning your trip to Charleston, stop in to see the romantic gardens here at Magnolia. There is a great breeze off the Ashley River. Plenty of ponds scattered through-out the gardens. The hydrangeas will be blooming soon as well as the Magnolia Grandiflora, The tree our plantation is named after. We have planted over 6000 annuals and perennials over the last month, with another 8000 to go. Come, visit and renew your soul-if only for a short time.

Azaleas are here

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Just to let everyone know, The azaleas will peak over the next 2 weeks. This is Magnolia's time to shine. I may not have time to blog for a while, I am busy making sure the thousands of visitor's are having a great time.
See you in the gardens.
Tom

Beautiful Gardens

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:26:00 +0000

The weather has really been great this week. The azaleas are really opening fast. I think it is still about 2 weeks until they peak, but right now the camellias are still in bloom, so you can see both. Mary Ann,our Floriculturist (and also my lovely wife) is busy planting about 5000 six inch pots of flowers around the plantation. Painted daisies, lantana,cone flowers, begonias and many other annuals will soon be gracing the gardens. This summer we start planting several thousand ferns in the Audubon Swamp Garden. It is my intent to have the largest collection of ferns anywhere. The Coastal Carolina Boy Scouts are busy getting the trails ready. By all accounts, this is going to be an exciting year.

The Azaleas Are Coming

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:30:00 +0000

I was walking the gardens today and I noticed the early azaleas are starting to bloom. The camellias are still beautiful. The peach trees are showing color. All this means spring is almost here. Spring is my favorite time of the year. This is when Winter's hands of leather turn "velvet" to the touch. There is nothing in the world more beautiful than a romantic garden in springtime. As I walk around the gardens here, I really believe if God created anywhere more beautiful, He would have kept it for himself.I hope you have time to visit us as all of nature is full of spring excitement.Young leaves unfurl, sap rises and souls are renewed.All of the world gets another shot at life.

The best is yet to come

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:28:00 +0000

If you have stayed home and think you have missed most of The Winter Garden Festival-Think again. The camellias are still beautiful. This week-end is going to be the best thus far. Florence Crowder is one of our speakers. Florence has been traveling France, looking for ancient camellia varieties for "The Great Gardens of America Preservation Alliance". The Alliance is dedicated to preserving the older varieties of azaleas and camellias for the future. Florence found 20 ancient camellia varieties that have not "seen" The United States before. She will be talking about her trip, and hopefully, future excursions she has planned.
Dr. Patrick Hegwood will be speaking on "The Camellias of Burden Center, LSU..Burden Center, under Dr. Hegwood, recently moved an entire collection of historic camellias to the station to preserve them. He will talk on the Vi Stone camellia collection and the work they have done preserving them.
The Burden Center, along with Magnolia Gardens and The Norfolk Botanical Gardens , will be the primary propagation areas for the camellias and azaleas for the Alliance. The plants will then be sent around the country to other Alliance members to insure their protection.
LSU has a rich history of preserving camellias.
We are fortunate to have these 2 great camellia preservationist to be with us this week-end.
This will be one of the best festival week-ends thus far.

Too Much Going on to Miss

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Our Winter Garden festival is in full swing now. Do not miss out on it. I was just up at The Carriage House where the Charleston Artist Guild has on display " The Girl With The Gold Earring". The paintings are beautiful! I am glad I do not have to pick the best. It would be impossible. If you are out, be sure to visit the exhibit. Also, in the art gallery in the gift shop, you can see the artists paintings of " The Winter Garden". Truly, We have some of the greatest talent here in Charleston.

Be sure to join our lectures this week-end. This is our "Green" week-end. Cliff Ruth, North Carolina Extension agent, is doing a program on " Rainwater Gardens"
at 1:00.
At 2:00 Amanda Stone is talking on" Sustainable Landscaping". Amanda is also a North Carolina Extension Agent.
Free garden walks each day at 1:00. You can learn about camellias and America's last "Romantic" style garden.
Like I said, too much to miss.

Congrads to Tillman

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:42:00 +0000

I want to congratulate Miss Tillman, a very intelligent young lady. I know how smart she is because she chose to do her project for school on camellias. I am sure she will get an "A" if her teacher is a camellia lover.
Good luck Tillman!
Thanks for letting Magnolia be a part of your project.
Let us know if we can be of help in the future.

More Wintergarden Fun

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:37:00 +0000

What a wonderful start to our Wintergarden Festival! The blooms at the mall were beautiful. Hats off to the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society for another great job. Hulyn Smith, a great camellia grower in Valdosta, Ga. has donated over 50 Retics and rare camellias to Magnolia. These plants, most of which are over 6' tall, will be going into "The Brenda and Miles Beach Reticulata and Hybrid Garden." Our camellia collection here continues to grow faster than I expected.
This next week-end will be a blast. David Parks, from Camellia Forest Nursery, will be talking about unusual plants for your garden. I have been to David's nursery. He has some really strange stuff. Also, Jim Thornton will talk on " Selecting and Growing Azaleas". We wanted to do this talk early enough for you to purchase azaleas and enjoy them in your own garden. Too many times we buy azaleas in bloom and really do not get to enjoy them for a full year.
Remember, I am giving garden walks every day at 1:00. Learn about camellias and America's last "Romantic Style Garden." Wednesdays, Miles Beach is giving a talk at 11:00 on the history of camellias at Magnolia.
Hope to see you soon.

The camellia people are here

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Welcome to all the camellia people . Magnolia is hosting the judge's reception for The Coastal Carolina Camellia Show this week-end. We will be flooded with camellia experts from around the country. Mark Crawford will be teaching classes today on growing camellia in containers, and Bob Black will be talking about other plants for the garden. If you have a question on camellias, this would be a good week-end to come out. I am personally doing a guided tour through the gardens every afternoon at 1:00 starting today.
Join us at The Citadel Mall tomorrow after lunch to enjoy the camellia show. Many blooms of different varieties will be on display.
See yall there.
Tom

What is blooming?

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:18:00 +0000

We have a large number of annual and perennial flowers blooming around the gardens in addition to the camellias. Unfortunatly, we have had several nights that the temps fell below 27 degrees. An open bloom is damaged at that temp. and it usually takes about 3 days to recover. We should be in bloom again by Sunday. The orchids and yellow camellias in the conservatory are beautiful now. Do not Forget, the new tours of our African American Cabin project begin in March.

Yellow is the color of the month

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:33:00 +0000

One of the main aspects of a Romantic Garden is the element of surprise.We have a great one for you. The first 2 yellow camellias are blooming at Magnolia. Yes--- Yellow. Thanks to David Parks at Camellia Forest Nursery in Chapel Hill, NC., and Bobby Green in Fairhope Alabama, We have a collection of yellow camellias. Some are inside the conservatory, Others are planted in the gardens around the conservatory. Several more species of yellow camellias are in the greenhouses and will be ready to plant this fall. If you come to visit us, be sure to look for these rare plants, and also visit the main camellia collection inside the gardens. We have the largest collection of ancient and historic camellias in the nation. As a member of "The Great Gardens of America Preservation Alliance" Magnolia is a major depository for ancient camellia varieties collected from around the world. Magnolia, along with LSU's Burden Center, has 20 varieties we have received from France that have never been in The U.S. before!
Hope to see you soon,
Tom

Pardon our improvements

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Lots of work going on at Magnolia. We are getting our new entrance ready for a spring opening. Once completed you will follow the new road into the parking lot. You can then purchase your entrance tickets and tours once parked. This should cut out the traffic back-up we now have. Also there will be information kiosks about all the tours and special events to help you choose the ones your family will enjoy. We are restoring the Romantic Gardens back to the way they were in the mid 1800's when The Reverend John Drayton began designing them for his homesick bride.Many new plants of the oldest varieties of azaleas and camellias are being planted.All of this to help with the Reverand Drayton's vision "To create an earthly paradise..."
Hope you can visit soon,
Tom

Winter Fun and Romance

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:28:00 +0000

The winter season is here. Few people realize that Charleston was historically a winter destination for gardeners. We have thousands of camellias in bloom now until spring. Many rare varieties can be seen here and nowhere else. The new camellia garden is hidden, so you must look for it. It is called "The New Garden" because it was planted in early 1900's - new for a garden started in the 1600's.
Come enjoy the winter season and all the history and romance That America's last Romantic style garden has to offer.
Tom

Blog start up

camelliaman@msn.com (Tom) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:42:00 +0000

Thanks for waiting. My new blog is up and running. check back for updates.