South Battery Garden Delight

About

This mid-19th century colonial revival house, with recent piazza additions, is surrounded on three sides with gardens designed in 2020 by noted Charleston landscape architect Sheila Wertimer.

You are greeted by an allée of eight dahoon hollies in boxwood-edged beds with seasonal plants. A large live oak tree provides shade over a bevy of holly ferns. The first floor piazza provides an inviting space for entertaining and viewing of the gardens. Descending from the piazza to the rear pool garden one passes through an allée again of Washingtonia palms underplanted with Farfugium ‘Giganteum,’ African iris, and ferns.

Travertine marble surrounds the pool with shrub borders of Podocarpus, boxwoods interspersed with purple Agapanthus and potted lemon, lime and mandarin orange trees holding court among the chaise lounges. On a lower brick level an old pittosporum hovers over a classical fountain and a grass carpet.

An adjoining family terrace with corner potted sasanquas overlooks the pool and sunny vistas. The husband’s favorite spot is the “Little Garden,” a hidden spot adjacent to the pool terrace, with table and chairs for enjoying meals or a drink any time. Palms, podocarpus, sasanquas, azaleas and ferns encase this lovely garden.

2026 Open Day Date: Saturday, May 30

Open Day Hours: 10–3

A la carte (invididual) tickets to this garden can be purchased below. To purchase tickets to all six participating gardens, please visit the Charleston Historic District Open Day page.

Please note: Garden Conservancy membership credits cannot be used for this event.