In my opinion there is nothing more beautiful in the spring than the lowcountry of South Carolina. All of a sudden the gloom of winter disappears and the vibrant colors of spring arrive.

There are two places in Charleston, South Carolina that are a must for any azalea lovers bucket list. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Middleton Place are two places that everyone needs to visit at least once in their life during the peak season for azalea blooms. You will feel as if you have been transported into a fairy tale, or I prefer to refer to it as Heaven on Earth.

I usually always stop by Magnolia first due to the fact that they open at 8am. I always like to get into places as soon as they open so I can get ahead of the crowds and not have to be in anybody’s way while I am taking my pictures. It seems as if a lot of photographers share the same idea since almost anyone you pass by has a camera on a tripod or a couple of cameras around their necks.

You can certainly see why Magnolia has been loved by many for centuries during the spring. The azaleas are popping with color, the bees are buzzing, and it seems as if everyone just slows down to take their time and enjoy the gardens. Shades of red, pink, fuchsia, and white greet you at every turn. I personally live for the azaleas to bloom each year because the make me happy.

After I finish at Magnolia, I always stop at Middleton Place. Middleton was always on my list of places to visit at least once in my life, but after I visited once, I fell in love, so I invested in the membership there as well. While Magnolia is left to grow as God intended, Middleton is well landscaped in precise detail.

As you take a stroll alongside the Ashley River, you can take in the beauty of the lowcountry. Azaleas and camellias are blooming on one side of the path, and birds and alligators are in the water on the other side of the path. It makes you feel as if everything is coming back to life.

A hill of azaleas is planted against an old pond. The first time I ever saw them in bloom is something I will remember for the rest of my life. A wall of beautiful, vibrant, colorful blooms greeted me when I first laid my eyes on them. On this visit, the azaleas weren’t quite ready, but I was satisfied with what I did get to see. You never know what you are going to see during the blooming season, because each year is different, but just enjoy what you do get to see.

The good thing about Magnolia and Middleton is the fact that they are only minutes apart while driving. While they are so close in proximity, they are two entirely different experiences. I don’t have a preference for one over the other, but I find both of them fascinating. I hope to be able to visit every year for as long as I live.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is open daily. You can visit yourself and see these beautiful azaleas at 3550 Ashley River Road in Charleston, South Carolina. Middleton Place is also open daily and you can see all it has to offer at 4300 Ashley River Road in Charleston, South Carolina.

Published by travelingthesoutheast

My name is Donna. At an early age I had a love for photography. There was nothing more fun than taking film to a store and then having to wait several days to get the photographs back, sometimes only to find out that none of the pictures turned out the way I wanted them to. Quite a few years ago digital came out, and the rest is history. I can always be found with a camera around my neck, on my arm, or in my hand. I have always had a love for telling stories and sharing them with others. My imagination has always been a little on the wild side. About ten years ago, I decided one day that I wanted to start traveling, and I have never looked back. There is nothing in the world that I enjoy more than traveling and taking photographs. View all posts by travelingthesoutheast