Hatcher Garden and autumn storms

Severe weather including a tornado left a trail of destruction across the Upstate last week, with a commercial area of Spartanburg County bearing the brunt of damage. Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve was also hard hit, and on our recent visit there were still multiple trails closed.

“The tornado of 10/23/2017 devastated the Hatcher Garden forest, covering paths with broken limbs and uprooted trees. Volunteers are desperately needed to help remove the debris. Please help if possible!”

In some places uprooted trees had completely pulled up the trail and irrigation pipes, while in others they had torn branches and crushed plants on their way down. However volunteers and staff have been hard at work, and the Gardens are open to the public.

On our visit I was reminded that Hatcher Garden is truly a place for all seasons. While cooler temperatures mean there aren't as many flowers blooming, the camellias are flowering and the leaves are beginning to change color. We saw a multitude of butterflies, and the mosquitoes that breed in the ponds during the summer were thankfully absent.

 
You can read more about the history of Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve in my post Summer in Hatcher Garden. They can also be found on facebook at Hatcher Garden and on their website. 

Gulf Fritillary butterfly