Riverbanks Zoo & Botanic Gardens

BY SKEETER

 No, not a new critter in my GEORGIA GARDENS but an adorable Kola Bear instead. The Saint and I took a day to enjoy one of our favorite day getaways. The nearby "Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens" over the Savannah River in Columbia, SC. Tina once accompanied us to this wonderful place. Click Here to see that winter posting.

 Tina talked last week about her Baptisias and after seeing her photos, (Click Here to see) I do believe this to be Baptisias as well. What do you think Tina? These were standing tall and proud.

 I love curvy brick walkways. Wish I could afford to turn all my pathways in my gardens into brick.

 We have had such beautiful weather this spring that most of the rose bushes in the Rose Garden were already finished with their first blooming cycle. But this bush was giving us a real show with Viola's below.

This is one of my favorite views of the garden. I just love water in a garden.

 I looked high and low for tags but could not positively ID this plant. I believe it to be Larkspur.  

 It along with Globe Allium were the blooming beauties during this visit. I do not recall us ever being at the garden in May.

 I enjoy going to the same gardens during different times of the year. They seem so new with different things blooming. I have yet to visit during the heat of summer. Not sure I would enjoy that as I do not like the humidity of summer. Maybe one day I will endure the heat to check out the summer gardens.

 I could not get enough of these two bloomers together! They surrounded the entire garden and I loved the purples together. This garden is in the process of massive upgrades along with the Zoo! Not sure where the funding is coming from but so happy to see it thriving when so many times nature and animals are put on the bottom of the list due to funding.

The reason this is one of my favorite places is Animals and Gardens! My two favorite things together!

We are excited about the expansions and plan to get back to the RIVERBANKS ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Two Garden Bloggers and a Saint Visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens

On a recent visit to Columbia South Carolina I was able to hook up with my good friend and fellow blogger for a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. Her husband, the Saint, also joined us for a day of visiting some neat animals and even neater plants. A word about my friend, Skeeter, before we go further. I don't think I mention to her enough how much I enjoy blogging because she is an partner on this blog who really helps to motivate me. We have worked so darn well together for more than five years now with no end in sight. That says a lot! Many blogs that have more than one partner are commercial or professional blogs. This blog is neither. Skeeter and I simply enjoy sharing our little pieces of garden heaven (at least to us) and we do our sharing together so well that we complement each other and always have. Many of you don't know she and I met through this blog and over the years the friendship has developed to the point we know each other pretty well. I have to say she is a very special friend whom I enjoy spending time with, talking with, blogging with, and not the least, touring gardens with! Thank you Skeeter!!

Okay, on to the gardens. I consider the camellia the quintessential winter plant. Many think of hellebores as the quintessential winter plant; mainly because they bloom at the end of the winter IMHO. No other plant (that I am aware of) will be blooming at both the beginning AND the end of the winter besides the camellia-for me that makes it THE quintessential winter plant. Camelias were in bloom everywhere we looked at Riverbanks. There were some awesome camellia blooms such as the white one pictured above.

The holiday spirit was in its full effect as well. This welcoming wreath with its red bow greeted visitors to the garden.

Fall and winter plants such as kale, pansies, and chard livened up the garden beds.

I am not sure what kind of palms these were but I think they are in the windmill family of palms. I love love love both palms and yuccas for their architectural qualities. They really bring so much to the winter garden that no garden should be without one or the other. And believe it or not palms can be quite hardy. I grow one here in my Zone 7A garden.

More winter color.

Paperbush, aka Edgeworthia chrysantha was a big presence at Riverbanks. The little white buds hang off from the bare cinnamon colored branches like Christmas ornaments. They are absolutely delightful! When they bloom the yellow and white bloom perfumes the air around it and really livens up the winter garden. Here, the curators of Riverbanks have used Paperbush in the large blue containers.

Finally, my traveling companion sans the Saint (he was close by I am sure)....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden