The not for profit American Horticultural Society offers one of a kind garden experiences all over the United States on its online auction site, and proceeds support AHS educational programs. This week we are highlighting one auction item a day selected from hundreds of options. For the full list visit http://www.ahs.org/online-auction.
For the golf enthusiasts who travel to South Carolina in the winter, this one’s for you. Visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina with Botanical Garden Director Andy Cabe. Your visit for up to four include a personal tour of the Riverbanks Botanical Garden with Garden Director Andy Cabe, lunch with Andy at one of Riverbank’s on-site eateries, and of course admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
Located on the west bank of the Saluda River and connected by bridge to the renowned Riverbanks Zoo, the Riverbanks Botanical Garden features scenic river views, spectacular valley overlooks, and themed gardens. The Walled Garden, the horticultural jewel of the Botanical Garden, opened to the public in 1995 and is filled with scents, colors, and textures of plants from all over the world. Riverbanks’ Old Rose Garden features 120 varieties of roses, including one of the largest public collections of Noisette roses in the world. Known for their sweet perfume and repeat bloom, the Noisettes originated in Charleston, South Carolina, so hold a special place in regional history. In addition to its botanical collections and natural beauty, the Garden site has significant historical value as the location of one of South Carolina’s first water-powered textile mills. (Depending on interests, a tour of the Riverbanks Zoo may also be included as part of this experience.)
Andy Cabe, Botanical Garden Director at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, is a Columbia native and a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. Andy has been with Riverbanks for over 15 years. He enjoys working with all types of plants, but bulbs are one of his true passions. One of Andy’s current projects is the development of a new, 3-acre, interactive children’s garden which is slated to open in late 2015.
Best times to visit: while anytime is a good time to visit Riverbanks, March, April, and May are peak months. Garden enthusiasts might want to avoid spring break which is usually the busiest time of year when crowds are at their peak. Conditions/Limitations for this item: tour to be arranged at a mutually agreeable time subject to host’s availability by October 31, 2016.
