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SC Botanical Garden

A Garden For Life

Vision

The South Carolina Botanical Garden will be a regionally recognized demonstration site for best practices in horticulture and conservation through excellence in natural resource stewardship, horticultural practices in the built environment and visitor engagement.

Mission

To serve as a holistically managed landscape fostering a healthy ecosystem and experience for the public; while serving as an interdisciplinary resource focusing on teaching, research and outreach that advances awareness and understanding of our plants, animals and our culture.

mother and daughter holding plants at a plant sale
oconee bells
young people walking a dog on a garden path
pollinator on a flower

Our Commitment

The SCBG is committed to providing world-class educational outreach and opportunities through public classes, engagement with Clemson University classes, and interpretation of exhibits and special events.

As a holistic garden, we strive to provide an excellent example to the public of resource-wise, healthy landscapes that foster diversity. We are committed to providing a center for learning and promoting our southeastern native plants, as well as those plants that provide valuable ecosystem services and are well-adapted and resource-wise in our managed landscapes. We are committed to controlling and reducing the negative impact of invasive species in our ecosystem.

Everything we do at the SCBG eventually ends up being about the lasting impact every one of us has on the world around us forever. We live the legacy we leave. All aspects of our work are centered on the importance of making responsible choices and the interconnection of man and the rest of the world. 

Affiliations

Clemson Experimental Forest sign

Clemson Experimental Forest

The Clemson Experimental Forest's 17,500 acres are dedicated to education, research and demonstration in order to better understand and manage forest resources for the benefit of society. These essential resources include clean air, clean water, pleasing aesthetic qualities, abundant wildlife, protection of species and habitat diversity, recreation opportunities, along with commodity products from the forest.

Experimental Forest
Museum curator holding an animal skull in the  Bob Campbell Geology Museum

Bob Campbell Geology Museum

The Bob Campbell Geology Museum (BCGM) houses a collection of more than 10,000 minerals, rocks and fossils from locations in South Carolina and across the globe. The BCGM features a wide variety of geological and paleontological exhibits and is an invaluable resource for science students, teachers, researchers, and anybody interested in exploring Earth history.

Geology Museum
male and female swallowtail butterflies landing on bright flowers

Home & Garden Information Center

The Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) provides research-based information on landscaping, gardening, plant health, household pests, food safety & preservation, and nutrition, physical activity & health. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (except university holidays) to help you with your horticulture and food questions. 1-888-656-9988 (SC residents only)

HGIC
Dixies looking at plant collections from the Clemson University Herbarium

Clemson University Herbarium

An herbarium — a collection of dried, pressed and documented plant specimens — is an important research tool that can contribute to work in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Conservation and other fields. The Clemson Herbarium is one of the largest collections in the state and serves as a more or less permanent documentation of the flora of South Carolina.

Herbarium
palms and succulents at the south carolina botanical garden

DISCOVER SOUTH CAROLINA GARDENS

The Discover South Carolina Gardens alliance was created to foster interest in, promote the arts and practices for, grow awareness of, and develop education toward gardening—both horticultural and agricultural—in the State of South Carolina. We further wish to increase the visibility of our gardens for residents and visitors across the state of South Carolina to increase tour opportunities. We will actively share in promoting the historic, aesthetic, and cultural value of the collection of these treasured sites. Visit one of our Gardens today!

Discover South Carolina Gardens Website

HISTORIC HOMES

The South Carolina Botanical Garden houses two unique, historic properties: The Hanover House and the Hunt Cabin. The "Hanover House" was reconstructed on the Clemson University campus in 1941. The restored Hunt Cabin was built around 1826 by Charles Hunt Jr. Mr. Hunt married Martha Dalton in 1825. As a wedding present, Martha's father, Solomon Dalton, gave Charles 2,300 acres of land.

Learn More About These Historic Homes
the Hanover house on the grounds of the south carolina botanical garden
South Carolina Botanical Garden
South Carolina Botanical Garden | 150 Discovery Lane Clemson, SC 29634