Hello! I'm planning a trip to Charleston this spring and hope to be there at the peak of spring flowers. I realize that each year is a little different depending on the weather, but I'd be interested in advice about when to book the trip. The following weeks are possibilities: March 16, March 30, or April 13. Thank you!

I think you would find abundant flowers on any of those three dates, but I will defer to the locals who can suggest the best time to visit. Since the gardens are the focus of your trip I highly recommend you read "Mrs Whaley's Charleston Gardens". It is a most entertaining look at Charleston society and the tradition of their gardens. Have a lovely time.

TTT

I was there last spring (2008) beginning on March 13th. The house and garden tours (which last several weeks) were just starting. If you google it there is a website about the tours. Obviously they hold the tours during peak flowering season. The azalas were in full bloom, I remember that.

Here is the link to my photos of that trip, you can see for yourself what was blooming: http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/char...ah_staugustine

If you have any hint of allergies, be sure to start taking your medication a couple of weeks before the trip.

Glorious flowers mean lots and lots of pollen. Worth it, but you will need to be prepared.

We were in Savannah a few years ago mid-April (essentially same climate). The flowering bushes (azaleas, etc) were done as were many bulb flowers (tulips, etc) and it was a little early for other flowers. Still beautiful, though. I would go for March 30.

Middle to late March will be the peak for azealas the most prominent flowers, but there will be something blooming from February (bulbs) right up to the fall. The one hazzard about trying to forecast the blooms is about once a decade we have a late frost that can be as late as mid April.

Thanks so much everyone for your advice!

Just saw this post. I think Gail is pretty close for an "average" year. We lived in Savannah for 4 years and the average for peak was thought to be the 3rd week in March there. Charleston is a week to 10 days after that

I also believe 30 March is best. By all means, visit Middleton Plantation (sensational) and walk the half mile through thousands of azaleas to Middleton Inn, the best piece of modern architecture in all of SC, IMO.