South Carolina is home to a number of gorgeous must-see gardens. There’s a topiary garden, a swamp garden, several botanical gardens, and many more. But there’s only one garden where you’ll find all seven species of swans: Swan Lake Iris Gardens. In fact, it’s the only garden in the entire country where this is true.

You'll find this incredible swan park in S.C. in Sumter, featuring a picturesque black water lake.
Google Maps/scott wilson
Begun as a private fishing retreat for a local businessman in 1927, what eventually became Swan Lake Iris Gardens was populated by thousands of iris plants by accident. Anyone who's planted irises before knows the plants grow from a bulb.
Well, the local businessman was landscaping his home in the late 1920s, which was near to some swamp land (now the gardens), when he had thousands of iris bulbs planted in his yard.
AnneMarie/OIYS
Come spring, the iris bulbs didn't bloom. So he had the landscapers dig up the bulbs and throw them in the swamp. The next spring, the bulbs bloomed in full glory (in the swamp land). And the rest is history. To this day, each May, Swan Lake Iris Gardens has thousands of iris blooms that last until early June.
But Swan Lake Iris Gardens is known for more than just the annual iris bloom. It's also home to a ballet of swans. Seven different species, in fact.
Flickr/Alyson Hurt
The spectacle of seeing them all in one place attracts thousands of visitors to the garden each year. There's just something about the dainty feathered creatures that inspires peaceful notions in people.
Photographers love capturing award-worthy shots of individuals and pairs of the swans.
TripAdvisor/Elizabeth M
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
Ed Reschke / Stockybyte Collection via Getty Images

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The gardens encompass 120 acres in the heart of Sumter.
TripAdvisor/TrifoTravels
The Swan Lake Gardens Loop Trail is a wonderful way to experience a well-traveled pathway around the gardens. It follows the perimeter of the lake and doles out striking views of the gardens, the lake, the annual iris blooms, and of course...
The seven beautiful species of swans that live here.
AnneMarie/OIYS
Flickr/Alyson Hurt
Be sure to bring a camera device at full power. You'll be surprised at how many Swan Lake Iris Gardens photos you'll take as well as how tame they are.
Another gorgeous sight along the trail is the "Recovery" sculpture created by world-renowned wildlife artist Grainger McKoy. Representing the wing of a pintail duck in flight, this position is considered the weakest in bird flight, but, as McKoy explains, "in the artist’s eye is the position with the most beauty and grace. All of us are in recovery somewhere in our lives, as is our environment, of which Swan Lake is a unique part.”
AnneMarie/OIYS
In 2020, Trip Advisor awarded Swan Lake Iris Gardens the annual Traveler's Choice Award. The gardens maintain a consistent 4.5 stars among Trip Advisor review ratings and currently rank at 4.7 stars among Google user reviews.
Flickr/Alyson Hurt

 

The gardens are open year-round from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. Admission is free. There are several annual events held within the gardens, including Earth Day, an Easter Egg Hunt, Iris Festival at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Taste at the Gardens (which is the opening ceremony for the Iris Festival, and the Fantasy of Lights at Christmas. I personally have visited the gardens during the Iris Festival one year, which was a lot of fun, as well as to see the lights at Christmas. It’s a really nice drive-through display and the largest free Christmas lights display in the state.

Learn more about Swan Lake Iris Gardens at its page on the Sumter, S.C. website.

Editor’s note: There seems to be a dispute over how many species of swan still remain in the world. The City of Sumter website reports it at eight. However, various Internet sources report six and seven.

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Swan Lake Iris Gardens & Related Info

AnneMarie | February 23, 2024

What is South Carolina known for?

South Carolina is most known for its:

  • Beaches – Especially Myrtle Beach, which draws over 19 million visitors each year. However, both Kiawah Island and Hilton Head Island are popular beach destinations as well.
  • Warm weather – Enough said.
  • Charleston – For 11 years up to 2023, this beautiful historic city has been named favorite city in America by Travel + Leisure readers.

 

Read more of what South Carolina is known for!

What are the most beautiful places in South Carolina?

The state of South Carolina has countless beautiful places to visit. Just a few we think you should check out include:

  • The Angel Oak in Johns Island - One of the oldest living trees in North America
  • Kiawah Island
  • The Harbour Town Lighthouse in Hilton Head Island
  • Magnolia Plantation in Charleston – The oldest public gardens in America
  • Yellow Branch Falls in Oconee

 

Discover more of the most beautiful places in South Carolina.

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Featured Addresses
Swan Lake Iris Gardens, 822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150, USA