Friday, October 17 – Saturday, October 18, 2025
The Charleston Parks Conservancy announces a new fall festival, Bloom Charleston, to celebrate the unveiling of Charleston’s first Idea Garden at Colonial Lake with an exciting panel of international speakers, immersive horticultural experiences and engaging inspiration stations, a plant and garden book sale, art activations, and more. Taking place October 17–18, 2025, this two-day celebration will spotlight the art of garden design alongside bold, forward-thinking innovation. The festival’s centerpiece will be the unveiling of the Idea Garden at Colonial Lake—three acres of beautiful, newly restored public gardens set within a historic public park that are designed to inspire and empower anyone who wants to create beautiful and sustainable gardens of their own.
Details
October 17—Opening Night Garden Party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ($275)
- Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy for the Opening Night Garden Party, the official launch of Bloom Charleston—a new garden and design festival celebrating beauty, sustainability, and public space. Held at Colonial Lake this elegant evening marks the debut of the Idea Garden, a concept created by the Conservancy to inspire gardeners to transform climate challenges into sustainable, beautiful landscapes.
- Guests will be among the first to explore the newly completed Idea Garden while enjoying an immersive experience featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages, elevated décor and lounge areas, and remarkable floral installations. The evening will include a live performance by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Ensemble, a celebratory champagne toast, open bar, and passed hors d’oeuvres.
- The event also offers the unique opportunity to meet several of Bloom Charleston’s featured speakers, including Molly Hendry, designer of the 2025 Idea Garden; Lucy the Flower Hunter, renowned floral and garden artist; Miranda Crowell, Garden Editor at Better Homes & Gardens; and Michael Perry, internationally known as Mr. Plant Geek.
- Proceeds benefit the Conservancy’s work to care for and connect people to Charleston’s 26 parks, gardens, and trails through horticulture, education, and public programming.
October 18—Bloom Charleston from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Free)
- Join us for a full day of inspiring talks on gardening, design, cutting-edge plants and more. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and partners, these speaker sessions are free to attend. We encourage you to RSVP to help us plan accordingly and ensure the best experience for all guests.
- Bloom Talks & Demonstrations:
- Threading the Needle: Transforming site constraints into design strategies – Molly Hendry
- From Garden to Vase: A floral design masterclass for gardeners – Joan McDonald
- From Cottage Gardens to Charming Interiors: How to bring English style to a Southern home – Miranda Crowell & Lucy Hunter
- Gardening for Life: Cultivating biodiversity & pollinators – Stephen Eich
- Musical Interlude: A performance by Charleston Symphony’s Brass Quintet – Charleston Symphony
- Weird and Wacky Plants: Mr. Plant Geek’s guide to the unexpected – Mr. Plant Geek
- Do’s and Don’t’s Of Gardening in the Lowcountry – Catherine McGuinn
- Art in Action: A Live Topiary Demonstration – Mike Gibson
Become a Sponsor
Want to showcase your business to a highly engaged, sought-after audience? Sponsor this event and boost your brand visibility while supporting the Charleston Parks Conservancy’s mission to enhance our city’s green spaces.
Please reach out to Emily Topham, etopham@charlestonparksconservancy.org for details.
About Charleston Parks Conservancy
The Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the people of Charleston to connect with their parks and create stunning public places and a strong community. The Conservancy secures 90% of the funding required to maintain 26 parks, gardens and trails across the city through private and corporate donations, while the City of Charleston covers 10% of costs. The Conservancy team provides year-round park care, with a focus on strategic seasonal plantings, major park revitalizations, and sustainable maintenance. In 2024 alone, the organization planted over 46,000 plants and 1,000 trees, donated two tons of fresh produce and 1,200 fresh flower bouquets grown in its parks and gardens, and advocated for the vital role of parks in urban life. Through 180 hours annually of free programming including popular events like the Teddy Bear Picnic, the Conservancy cultivates vibrant, welcoming green spaces that serve as hubs for recreation, relaxation, and community connection.
