Garden at Charles Elliott House

The large garden at the Charles Elliott House was recently designed by prominent Charleston landscape architect Sheila Wertimer to be complementary to this eighteenth-century house built in 1764 . At the same time, contemporary designs were incorporated in this garden to accommodate the needs of a young family.

A massive old live oak tree provides shade for the brick-walled motor entrance court with its large bed of holly ferns and 'Little Gem' espaliered magnolias. A circular topped iron fence leads to the first garden room with its bluestone terrace overlooking a potted herb garden surrounding a grass carpet anchored with Dahoon hollies in each corner. On either side of brick walkways are matching elm alle s underplanted with miscanthus.

In spring a magnificent Peggy Martin climbing rose covers the wooden pergola which leads from the herb garden to the next garden room-a grass circle surrounded by white and pink azaleas and white African iris in the foreground. The large arena provides space for children's games and sports, as well as entertaining. A live oak recently died and the father suggested converting the bold structure into a large sculpture as well as future climbing challenges for the children. Sixteen mature magnolias screen the neighbor to the south while sasanquas, pittosporums, and viburnums produce different textures and shades of green as you approach the newly compatibly designed pool house.

The last garden is a tropical paradise surrounding an infinity pool. Here are sculptural sago palms on the pool deck while a winding path with various "stepable" plants take you past varied ferns, including Australian tree ferns, creeping perennials, mahonias, iris, palms and papyrus.

This garden is a delight for visitors as well as the family.

Open Days 2023: Saturday, May 27
Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.