From March into April, more than 100,000 azaleas blaze throughout the formal landscaped gardens of this National Historic Landmark. Presiding over an expanse of the Ashley River, these 65 acres stay as loyal as possible to their pre-Revolutionary War beginnings, and thanks to the devotion of one horticulturist, that will soon be more true than ever.
The Latest:
The thing about historic gardens is that what’s newest and most exciting often centers on what’s oldest and most revered. At Middleton, vice president of horticulture Sidney Frazier—who has spent nearly 50 years tending the magnificent green space—is finding success with cloning the Reine des Fleurs (Queen of Flowers). He says he won’t rest (or retire) until he has four of these camellias growing in their original places at each corner of the main parterre.
Three of the 1786 plants were lost to age and disease in the last part of the 20th century. For years, Frazier experimented with methods for replicating the single remaining Queen, and he finally prevailed with a cloning technique called “air-layering.” He’s now returned one Reine to the parterre, and this spring, he’ll find out if his newest attempt is a triumph. If it is, he’ll fill the third corner this fall.
Frazier is also working to clone the 900- to 1,000-year-old Middleton Oak. He hasn’t succeeded yet, but he has been growing the tree’s progeny from seed for decades. On September 20, as part of Middleton Place Foundation’s 50th anniversary, a public dedication ceremony will honor a tree that Frazier propagated from the Middleton Oak back in 1997. Now 26 feet tall, it stands to the north of its parent, helping to protect that ancient treasure from the elements.
The Backstory:
In 1741, Henry Middleton, a president of the Continental Congress, began creating his formal gardens in the classical style then popular among the aristocrats of Europe and England.
Henry’s son, Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, struck up a friendship with botanist André Michaux. The Frenchman is believed to have given Arthur four camellias that were planted in 1786. Referred to by the Middletons as the Reine des Fleurs, these may have been the very first camellias grown outdoors in America. One survives to this day.
After the Civil War, the gardens were left to their own devices for almost 60 years, until Heningham Smith, the wife of Middleton descendant J.J. Pringle Smith, spearheaded their restoration. In 1940, the Garden Club of America proclaimed that Middleton Place boasted the “most important and interesting garden in America.” It began welcoming tourists a decade later.
Plan a Visit:
You could spend hours taking in the gardens of Middleton Place. Begin with a stroll along the grand parterre, which leads to sculpted terraces that descend to twin lakes reaching toward the river in the shape of butterfly wings. The drama, as well as the perfect order and balance, continues through manicured allées and garden rooms that are at their most brilliant during azalea season. The garden is also known for its collection of some 10,000 camellias, which Governor Henry Middleton began planting in the early 1800s after inheriting the property from his father, Arthur.
A house museum and stable yards help convey what life was like for the earliest generations of Middletons, as well as the people they enslaved. Visitors will also find a restaurant, cafe, and nursery.
New Tour!
The “Rice & Riverside Tour” ($25 per person) takes guests for a carriage or golf cart ride along the banks of a 19th-century rice field. A guide explains how the Middletons grew the lucrative crop here, using the skills and knowledge of enslaved Africans and African Americans. Call in advance to inquire about availability.
Upcoming Events:
Through May 29
Garden Strolls & Wine Tasting
This springtime series invites visitors to explore the gardens in the evening light, while sampling wines and enjoying light hors d’oeuvres. Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $40-$35; $35-$30 advance online.
May 11
Family Day
Bring the kids for this festive event that’s part of the Middleton Place Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration. The whole family can play games and join in hands-on activities in the stable yards. A food truck will be on-site, with beer and wine available for purchase. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free with admission.
The Details:
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Rd.
Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$32-$28; $15 ages 14 & over with student ID; $10 ages six-13;
free for ages five & under
(843) 556-6020, middletonplace.org
Web Extra: Tour the gardens with Sidney Frazier and see what’s blooming this month.
