Step back in time on the grounds of USC

Crepe myrtles oversee the Memorial Rose Garden The landscape of USC has undergone numerous transformations in its 200 year history. Five Horseshoe Gardens were added during a major renovation and restoration of the quadrangle of the 1970s.

Today, one can step back in time on a walking tour of the gardens on the Horseshoe, the original campus of USC. The landscape created has an 1890s appearance rather than an antebellum one. Most gardens were placed adjacent or behind the Federal- style buildings. Bricks and trees are the foundation of the entire Horseshoe. Brick walkways become brick walls enclosing gardens. Each garden affords a place for pleasure, utility, contemplation and study.

At the Memorial Rose Garden surrounding Lieber College (c.1836) brick walls shelter roses and create a private place for reflection amid a bustling campus. The sunlit garden was funded by the Columbia Garden Club and honors deceased members. Pineapple sculptures atop brick columns represent Southern hospitality.

The President's House (c.1810) contains a public shade garden in front and a private enclosed garden in the rear. Raised brick flower beds were created so each resident family could select seasonal plantings like the impatiens and begonias currently in bloom. The gated rear garden is designed to accommodate large parties under a canopy of ancient crepe myrtles.

Gently flowing water in three dish fountain in Caroliniana Garden The serene Sundial Garden east of Rutledge College (c.1805) has exterior walls of live oak and dogwoods around interior walls of boxwood. Five benches arranged in a pentagon- shape encircle a sundial. Omicron Delta Kappa and two biology professors, Dr. Pat DeCoursey and Dr. John Herr contributed funds to dedicate the garden to DeCoursey's husband and son.

The gardens on either side of McCutchen house (c.1913) are seen from the Horseshoe via a low wrought iron fence in the front. Crepe myrtles are the dominant tree and twin sabal palmettos flank the front staircase. Understory shrubs providing color and textural interest include nandina, cleyera, camellias, acuba, loropetalum, loquat and fatsia. An outdoor café is used in connection with programs at the School of Hotels, Restaurant and Tourism Management housed at McCutcheon. Lunch buffets are served from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Tuesday through Friday by culinary arts trainees.

Electric blue salvia in Caroliniana Garden Caroliniana Garden behind the South Caroliniana Library is a garden for large receptions or individual reading. A three- dish fountain gently splashing water in the background is dedicated to "the Caroliniana Patriots who fought in the American Revolution." Mrs. Edmund Taylor, former president of the South Caroliniana Society, secured funds for the garden. Foundation flora include magnolias, nandina, azaleas, Japanese maple, hollies and camellias. Raised brick beds display transient seasonal plants such as cleome, coreopsis, salvia, coneflower, and lantana. Three relics displayed in the garden are a cannon ball from the Civil War, part of a column intended for the state capitol, and portions of decorative Greek columns now used as planters.

Cannon ball and capitol column add interest in the Caroliniana Garden The gardens are free and open daily. A guide to the historic horseshoe buildings and gardens is available at the Visitors Center of McKissick Museum.

The Sundial Garden The sabal palmetto greets visitors at the McCutchen House The outdoor café at the McCutchen House