The wrought iron gates of Charleston are as varied as the wonderfully ornate houses they belong to.
Here are some more of my favorites.
I am happy to peek through the lovely gates of Charleston.
I found my favorite little yard today. I hated to leave it it felt like I belonged there. It will get its own post.
FLOWER
I spent today sitting on the beach of the Isle of Palms in South Carolina. I did see sea gulls, pelicans and porpoises.
I watched children digging in sand and throwing water on each other.
But the thing that kept getting my attention were butterflies.
Not a few. Dozens and dozens of Monarchs. Flying solo or in pairs. All headed in the same direction. One or two flew by every minute or two. We kept pointing them out to each other.
Do you how hard it is to get a photo of a butterfly riding the wind on the shore of the ocean?
I tried over and over. Photo bursts and all. I got several far away photos but only one definitive shot. My phone seems to have changed the marking as it increased the resolution.
Mr. Flower and I marvelled at the migration that everyone else ignored. I have never seen so many Monarchs on one day in my life.
This is the part of today I will remember.
Sitting on a beach witnessing the Monarch miracle migration.
FLOWER
I have been amazed by many architectural wonders here in Charleston. There are towers, balconies, rounded piazzas, decorative doors and windows of all shapes and sizes.
The thing that stopped me in my tracks was the spiral, cantilevered, three-storied staircase in the Nathaniel Russell House.
I had to stop my audio tour several times just to examine it from all angles.
There was a place cut out underneath so the innards could be seen.
This house was built in 1808 and restored to as near its original condition as is possible. The flying stairs are an engineering marvel.
FLOWER
I have seen Tractor Seat plants in many shady spots here in Charleston. Their big green leaves resemble a vintage tractor seat. Their proper name is Farfugium japonicum.
The leaves can get over a foot across if given enough consistent moisture. Their normal range is Zones 7-10.
There is a hybrid ‘Green Tractor’ that survives in Zone 4. I will be looking for this one to put against the house on the mountain.
Another great attribute besides being ectremely deer resistant is it has big yellow clusters of blooms in late summer and fall.
I will be looking for a Green Tractor Seat when I get back on the mountain.
FLOWER lovin’ some Charleston
The leaves look like canna leaves, but the flowers are much smaller than other cannas.
The seed pods are spiky green balls that will darken. Its nickname is Indian Shot. That is because the ripened seeds look like buck shot.
I am not familiar with this hybrid. I read it is an invasive species in warm, moist regions. I guess I should not purloin a pod while I am in Charleston. Sigh.
FLOWER
My favorite plant of the day is this Orange Pagoda flower in the garden of the Nathaniel Russell House in Charleston, South Carolina. I have never seen this Clereodendrum paniculatum before. I had to ask the hostesses of the house its name.
It large florescences were swaying in the breeze. The pagoda-shaped flower heads are atleast a foot tall. These plants are scattered throughout the entrance garden.
This is the most opulent mansion we have toured thus far.
FLOWER
Many of the properties in the city of Charleston have walls around the entire property with ornate gates.
I enjoy looking at the designs of wrought iron. Here are some of my favorite ones.
I loved this music lyre design most of all.
FLOW
The brick mansion of Joseph Manigault was designed by his brother Gabriel. It has perfect balance inside and out.
Many features are rounded. One side of the house has semicircular porches and the other has rounded towers.
Pieces of furniture are round. One round gold mirror is a fisheye.
The brickwork goes in circles.
Even the gatehouse is round!
I loved this house so much I may have to circle back and return for a round two tour.
FLOW
We visited the Aiken-Rhett house in Charleston, South Carolina today. I have been to this lovely city many times, but have never toured this treasure. My blogger friend Ted Jennings of TPJ Photography recommended that I go there because of its uniqueness. (Thanks Ted.) I was thrilled by the authenticity of this house, dependency buildings, workyard and stables. It is owned by the Charleston Foundation and first opened for tours in 1995.
The house was built in 1820 and modified in 1835 and again in 1854. It has been “frozen in time” since then. The audio tour mentions the names some of the enslaved people who worked there and described the fate of some of their decendents. This is an important part of the history of Charleston that should be included.
The slave quarters were on the floor above the kitchen and laundry. Families shared seperate rooms with very little ventilation because all windows opened onto the workyard.
I have toured many Charleston houses but gained real insight from seeing the deteroration and wear from years of use and damage from Hurricane Hugo. Seeing a preserved mansion forces the visitors to appreciate how much work is required to restore houses like the Manigault house which will be in my next post.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the Aiken-Rhett Complex.
This house was amazing. The audio tour included some great historic details that I want to follow up on later.
FLOWER
