More memories from Charleston, SC

I was told that Charleston is known as the city of churches.  That may be so and I visited quite a few.  To me, though, Charleston will be the city of gardens.

The streets are gardens.

I was introduced to the Crepe (or Crape) Myrtle tree,

They have wonderful bark.

Can you see the jasmine enrobing the lamp post? This is Church Street.  There is lots of crepe myrtle here.

On this covered sidewalk, a geranium red door is flanked by potted palms.

I'd like to replicate this arrangement at my city flat in Newcastle.  If the others leaseholders object, I shall redirect the idea into an outfit of beige and black linen, geranium lippy and nail polish, topped off with palm green accessories.  See, inspiration comes from the oddest places!

Foliage overflowed onto the pavements from many window boxes.

These cityscapes do not grow on trees (ha ha).  It takes work and community commitment to look this good.  I would like the citizens of the Charleston Historic District to know how much the visitor enjoys their efforts.  Heck, even the cars and houses match!

The trees grow moss jackets. Moss cascades like mermaid hair through branches on streets, in gardens and public parks.

Peeking through Charelston's many iron work gates I imagined what lay behind.

  In some cases I was invited to visit, to sit a while

and enjoy 

Some of the museum houses stand in exquisite gardens.  My favourite was a bun topiary garden at the Calhoun House.  The Tiffany stencilling inside the mansion was a joy to behold. The tiled doorway was magnificent, but the bun garden excited me most.

I have been propogating English Box for years in the hope of making a garden like this or at least a cloud hedge.  I am growing Hebe for the same purpose. There is something about bun shapes and hummocks of foliage that appeals to me.  Mine have been growing five years now and they are not yet ten inches tall. I shall need an arresting sculpture as a focal point when my garden is complete.

               

I could admire those buns all day!

On a wholly different level of sculpture I thought this was fab. Seen at The Mountains To The Sea Gallery. Isn't there such a joy about it?

Meanwhile...back at the Calhoun House. Water was glittering in Italianate fountains and falling into turquoise pools. 

This one brought Hockney's L.A. Paintings to mind.

Sometimes the colour of Charleston does not come from nature but from paintwork. This terraced row reminded of Britain. Colour vibrates from the wall of this preserved urban plantation.  Look at the stonework painted here. I wish British houses incorporated piazzas into their architecture...along with roof gardens. �

Rainbow Row is famous for it's pastel hued homes.

Even the gum studded wooden poles staning sentry at the market place had a certain picturesque quality, gross, but photogenic.

Tired yet?  It is around 100 degrees hot.  We'll stop for coffe at Kudu.  Lovely coffee and cakes and another garden to enjoy them in. I frequented the East Bay Meeting House too which has good salads.

At the start of this post I mentioned churches.  I will leave you with a photo of the stencilling at St Michaels. The stencil and glass work were the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany.  George Washington and Prince Charles had sat in the pew next to mine (no, not together!).  My friend Judi discussed London with the clergy and I listened to the singers rehearsing for the service.  All in all, a good day in Charleston. I hope that you enjoyed it too. Close the gate behind you.

Helen.

Calhoun Mansion ariel photo and stencil shot from www.calhounmansion.net   

Comments

[Di Overton]

What amazing pictures you have taken my dear. I am knee deep in builders here but hope to meet with you very soon, put the coffee on