Some gardens end the moment they are created, inert snapshots to be preserved by careful pruning, shearing and mowing. This is not one of them. Passionate gardeners propel the garden ever forward with plant driven designs and creativity. Like new brush strokes on a canvas or revisions to a script, plants are added, bed lines shifted and landscapes reimagined. Even imperfections are nurtured and enhanced, for true garden magic lies in the unexpected. There are new discoveries to be made every season, as this is a garden that evolves, changes and inspires. This is a gardener’s garden.
Growing Conditions
Moore Farms Botanical Garden is situated in the inner coastal plain of South Carolina. This geographical region is characterized by flat topography, a long growing season and some of the best agricultural soils in the state. The landscape was once dominated by long leaf pines and the associated savannas and flatwoods, but only a few scattered pockets of this remarkable habitat now remain.
The garden is bordered by many ditches, indicating a high water table. Excavating to a depth greater than 36 inches usually results in a muddy hole of standing water. When it rains, puddles can last for days. Every garden has its own growing challenges to overcome, and this one is ours.
We experience extreme temperatures during both the hottest and coldest times of year. Temperatures regularly exceed 100F in the summer, with high humidity. Winters generally stay near 32F at night, with occasional dips into the teens. Extreme freezes have been known to drop into the single digits, though this is rare. The annual average rainfall is 48 inches and we are located in the USDA plant hardiness zone 8a.