An Escape to Tranquillity
Sometimes I just need to find a peaceful space to relax and regroup. We all do. Last Tuesday I found just that at Mepkin Abbey in Monks Corner where I attended a native plant lecture and tour of the gardens. I had been there twice before and had forgotten how peaceful it is out there in the middle of nowhere. Friar Guerric who is spearheading the native plant project was a wealth of information. After listening to him, it just made sense that we should work towards growing what really wants to be here for the beauty and sustaining the native wildlife. Plants like Swamp Sunflower, White Sweetgrass, Blue Mist, Golden Aster and Blue Lobelia are just some of the plants that need to flourish here. I walked away from the presentation knowing that I wanted to plant some of these varieties in my own garden and continue the Southern tradition.
The Abbey was founded in 1949 on donated land on the Cooper River. It is maintained, farmed and operated by the Trappist Monks. The grounds are open from 9:00 – 4:30 everyday and you can do a self guided tour or group tour twice daily. For information the website is http://www.mepkinabbey.org.