It has fixed coordinates like every other city. You may locate it on a map, as it has appeared for the past 343 years. But Charleston truly exists somewhere else entirely; it is a city nestled in a garden that abides in the hearts and minds of those who visit.

Lulled by perfumed air and a languid pace, Charleston is ensconced in an unexpectedly seductive setting. The city gazes at the Atlantic Ocean amid a saltmarsh palate rich in straw-ruffled and cerulean hues. Church bells and cheerful sea island accents compose a timeless score. A heady aroma of secret gardens swirls amid briny sea breezes. Locals lovingly call it the Lowcountry, an idyllic place that etches its imprint on visitors.

From March 20 – April 19, the doors to many of Charleston’s museum-quality dwellings will open to the public thanks to the Historic Charleston Foundation’s 67th Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens. Peak at private caches of heirloom silver and meander through carefully cultivated boxwoods during these docent-led tours that invite guests into some of the nation’s most intriguing private residences. {learn more}

 

In celebration of the first day of spring—hurrah!—we are sharing some of our favorite green scenes. Want to see more? Follow us on Instagram for a daily snapshot of Charleston’s beauty. {click here}