The College of Charleston was included in a Lawn Starter list of the 10 best-landscaped colleges on the east coast on July 28, 2014. The College’s supervisor of grounds, Paty Cowden, lists her five favorite places to see the campus’ landscaping and enjoy nature.
RELATED: Check out the full list here
1. The corner of Green Way and College Way
“That’s one of my favorite spots on campus is,” Cowden said. “We keep that spot full of color.”
2. 57 Coming St.
The Psychology office buildings sits next to a narrow garden packed with native plants. “This was one of John Davis’, the former head of the Grounds Department, designs,” Cowden said.
3. The President’s House (6 Glebe St.)
Cowden loves the plant diversity at this location. “I love the two fountains and the wide variety of plants here,” she said.
4. 5 College Way
This newly landscaped part of campus features hardscaping, or built components of the landscaping (like sidewalks) to emphasize the plant life. “The hardscaping is beautiful and there are several native plant species included at 5 College way,” Cowden explained.
5. Stern Center Gardens
“I love to sit by the fish pond at Stern Center Gardens” Cowden said. “It is always peaceful and the fish and turtles come right up to you begging for food.”
Cowden, who landscapes in Charleston’s unpredictable climate, also offers some tips for those interested in tackling a landscaping project of their own. “With any new landscaping you need to evaluate the conditions; how much sun or shade the area gets, what type of soil you have, what the area is predominately used for, and so on,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to try new varieties of plants, but do your research first.”
The Lawn Starter article included the College along with Yale University, Harvard University, Duke University, the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia, among others.
