Garden Etiquette

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Visitation Guidelines

Please review the following visitation guidelines & etiquette prior to your visit to Historic Columbia's gardens.

For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors at Historic Columbia's gardens, please be considerate and help us maintain the beauty and tranquility by observing the following:

DO

Immerse yourself. You may gently touch, feel, and smell the plants, if you like. Posted signage will identify the plants in this garden. For more information on each plant, visit our Garden Database.
Take photos. Historic Columbia welcomes commercial and/or private photography at our historic properties. For hours and guidelines, visit our Photoshoot Policies.
Pack a picnic. Bring a picnic and enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. You're welcome to sit and relax on the benches provided, or bring a blanket or chair of your own. Outside alcohol is prohibited.
Bring your pet(s). Your leashed furry friends are welcome! Please pick up after your pet to keep our properties clean.
Protect your belongings. Please keep personal belongings with you at all times. Historic Columbia is not responsible for loss or theft of personal property.

DON'T

Stray from paths. We invite you to explore the gardens, but please walk on the garden paths only. Stepping into the beds can damage or even kill small and very rare plants. Please stay on pathways and mowed lawn areas.
Leave trash behind. Please do not litter. Historic Columbia's gardens are a resource for our community. Thank you for helping us take care of them.
Engage in dangerous play. For your safety, please do not climb trees or garden structures or play or stand in the fountains.
Smoke or vape. Historic Columbia is a smoke-free campus. Please do not use any forms of tobacco.
Take plant cuttings. Please leave flowers and plants for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, plant labels, etc. These plants are part of Historic Columbia's living collection.

OTHER GUIDELINES

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
No soliciting.
No loud music.
Shirt and shoes required.

The rights of other visitors to enjoy Historic Columbia's gardens must always be respected. HC reserves the right to ask a visitor to leave for inappropriate or offensive behavior. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

See what's in bloom with

HC's Garden Database

With detailed information about every plant in all six of our historic properties, this database represents a wide swath of the diverse flora native to South Carolina. Our horticulture experts use this tool to track how our plants are doing, and you can use it to learn which plants are in bloom during each season.

Explore Our Gardens