Situated on a two-acre site at the Clemson University Sandhill Research and Education Center in northeast Columbia, eleven demonstration theme gardens inspire, educate and motivate the public to garden with children at home and in the community. Each theme garden offers imaginative contexts for playing among plants while demonstrating earth friendly practices.
Mr. McGregor's Garden
Imagine sharing a cup of chamomile tea with Peter Rabbit. Plant a row of lettuces to share with the Flopsy bunnies. Water the window boxes brimming with flowers on McGregor's tool shed.
Growing Healthy
Getting children to eat their fruits and veggies is easy when their hands grow the produce. Sample fresh blueberries and figs. Crawl beneath the cool muscadine grape arbor. Hide inside a bamboo pole teepee covered in edible vines. Do touch the chocolate mint and lemon basil among the many herbs for seasoning.
The Butterfly Garden
Follow the stepping stones among the nectar and host plants, basking rocks, and puddling pubs to observe the behaviors of butterflies. Wait for wings to emerge from a chrysalis. Find evidence of all stages of the life cycle of these flying flowers. The metal sculpture of a youngster with a butterfly net reminds visitors to chase their dreams.
Alphabet Fence
Chant the alphabet in annuals and perennials along a free-standing white picket fence. Watch one flower wake up and another fall asleep. Measure your height against the foxglove or hot poker plants. Pet the wooly lamb's ear.
Pooh's Corner
Join Pooh and his pals in pollinating flowers. Build castles in the sand with Kanga and Roo. Peek down Rabbit's hole. Search for the bee tree.
The Reading Garden
Enclosed in evergreen walls, a carpet of grass and sky ceiling, bring your favorite books to read or "read" the natural surroundings and sounds brought by the breeze.
Mesozoic Memories
Ride a terrible lizard or lazy tortoise among plants from the age of dinosaurs. Tiptoe through a dinosaur graveyard. Listen to the dinosaurs still alive in the garden.
Three Bears Homestead
Bear-pawed stepping stones lead to the vine covered house of this topiary trio. What has Baby Bear loaded in his wheelbarrow today? Join Papa Bear at the fishing hole. Call the family to picnic with the dinner bell. Check the mailbox for the latest delivery. Where is Mama Bear?
Carolina Fence
A collage of cultural and natural history artifacts make for a unique portrait of the state. The state rock, wildflower, flower, butterfly, insect and bird are featured among native plants growing along a split rail fence.
Old McDonald's Farm
Historic crops of South Carolina grow here: peaches, watermelon, peanuts, soybeans, corn. A grist-mill stepping stone is the entrance to a cedar farmhouse exhibiting photographs of early agriculture in the state. Pet the friendly pig in the pathway.
The Bird Garden
View native and migratory birds attracted to the plantings for food, shelter and nesting. Watch birds from a bird nest bench or peer out from Big Bird's house. Grow your own bird house gourds and sunflower seed heads.
The Carolina Children's Garden is maintained by master gardeners. The garden is free and open to the public seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. until dusk. Picnic table and portable toilets are available. Bring your own drinking water.
