Bloom Charleston welcomes residents and visitors alike to experience the unveiling of the Idea Garden at Colonial Lake, inspiring talks from a slate of internationally renowned speakers, immersive horticultural experiences, and lively programming designed to inspire gardeners through beautiful public gardens and parks.
Friday, October 17 – Opening Night Garden Party | $275
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Lake, 46-54 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29401
An exclusive evening in the new Idea Garden with live music, floral installations, open bar, and hors d’oeuvres, plus the chance to meet Bloom Charleston’s featured speakers.
Saturday, October 18 – Bloom Charleston | Free
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Colonial Lake, 46-54 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29401
A free, family-friendly celebration of parks and gardens with engaging activities, speakers, and hands-on experiences for all ages. This event is free and open to the public.
Bloom Talks & Demonstrations:
Threading the Needle: Transforming site constraints into design strategies - Molly Hendry
From Garden to Vase: A floral design masterclass for gardeners - Joan McDonald
From Cottage Gardens to Charming Interiors: How to bring English style to a Southern home - Miranda Crowell & Lucy Hunter
Gardening for Life: Cultivating biodiversity & pollinators - Stephen Eich
Musical Interlude: A performance by Charleston Symphony’s Brass Quintet - Charleston Symphony
Weird and Wacky Plants: Mr. Plant Geek’s guide to the unexpected - Mr. Plant Geek
Do's and Don't's Of Gardening in the Lowcountry - Catherine McGuinn
Art in Action: A Live Topiary Demonstration - Mike Gibson
Additional Event Highlights:
The grand unveiling of the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s Idea Garden at Colonial Lake
Presentations and demonstrations from internationally renowned garden designers and influencers
Docent-led garden inspiration stations where you can learn all about how to recreate these beautiful spaces
Plants from Your Parks Plant Sale, inspired by the Idea Garden and other iconic Charleston parks
Buxton Book Garden Bookstore, featuring author signings and book selections from our panel of speakers
Shop the Home & Garden Pop-Up by Elizabeth Stuart for a curated collection inspired by Elizabeth’s travels around the world
Live music, art demonstrations, pop-up workshops and family-friendly activities in the garden throughout this exciting day
Be sure to follow along on social media @bloomcharlestonsc to learn about exciting festival and idea garden updates, our panel of speakers, opening night ticket sales and much more!
