Swan Lake - Iris Gardens - Sumter, SC - Treasure of Irises and Swans

Swan Lake - Iris Gardens dates back to 1927, which is when Hamilton Carr Bland, a local businessman, removed many plants from his residence and had them sent to a 30 acre area nearby. Bland had imported a large number of flowers from the Far East. Many of these flowers were irises and had failed to bloom properly at his home. The next season, these transplanted bulbs blossomed. In 1938, A.T. Heath, Sr. deeded 120 acres to the City of Sumter with the obligation that Bland continued to develop the area. In 1949, Bland also deeded his acreage to Sumter. In 1994 and 1998, two other families contributed property as well.

Local lore maintains that there are over four million irises on the property, including the Japanese "Hanashobu'' or Iris Kaempferi, which is the most cultivated iris in Japanese gardens. These irises flower in reddish-purple hues and blossom late in the season. There are many other varieties of plant life, such as azaleas, camellias, and Japanese magnolias. Japanese magnolias are native to China and blossom in the early spring. The tree population is diverse and includes oak and cypress.

Bland also imported a large number of swans to the area, and several visitors and residents have contributed to the gardens by donating birds. Currently, the Swan Lake - Iris Gardens is the only public park in the United States to have eight species of swans. The swan species are the Royal White Mutes, the Black Necks, the Coscorobas, the Whoopers, the Black Australians, the Whistlers, the Bewicks, and the Trumpeters.

The Black Australian swan's is native to Australia, and they were first discovered in 1790. These were the first fowl that Bland imported and have been in the area the longest. They have black feathers and a red bill. These swans are generally the most social of the swans. The Bewick swan is a subspecies of the Tundra swan and cousin species of the Whistler swan. They are native to Northern Russia but have migrated to Japan and the British Isles. The Bewick swans were donated in 1997 by the Yuasa-Exide Corporation.

The Gardens are located off of US 763 at 822 West Liberty Street in Sumter, South Carolina. The Gardens are open every day, including holidays, from 7:30am until dusk. Admission is free to all. The City of Sumter estimates that the Gardens attract more than 250,000 visitors per year. The Gardens have been featured in both Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens. Group tours are available and require reservations. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Anyone interested in making a reservation or in obtaining additional information can contact the Visitors Center at 803-436-2640.

There are several walking paths for visitors to enjoy, including the Bland Path. All the areas of the Gardens are wheelchair accessible. The Gardens also features the Cypress Boardwalk, which extends 1,000 feet into the swamp.Additionally, there are many picnic tables, a playground, and a gazebo that is popular for weddings. In 2002, the Heath Pavilion opened. The Pavilion seats 200 people. The Visitor Center is available, by reservation, for conferences and accommodates 125 people.

During Memorial Day weekend, the Gardens hosts the Iris Festival. The Festival is an annual celebration that incorporates crafts, children's activities, music, and food. The Festival has been held since 1941 and is one of Sumter's biggest events. Iris plants are available for sale at the Festival.