Author: Sue Watts

A Backyard Encounter with the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

A quiet spring afternoon led to a surprising backyard encounter with a yellow-bellied sapsucker. Follow along as Sue Watts shares observations of its unique feeding habits, its seasonal migration, and the minor impact these woodpeckers have on trees in the South Carolina Botanical Garden.

Why (Re)plant Native Oaks?

Native oaks support wildlife, control erosion, and help landscapes recover after storms. Learn how replanting these trees can restore our environment.

Spring Programs at the South Carolina Botanical Garden

The South Carolina Botanical Garden on Clemson’s campus offers diverse educational experiences for all ages. Discover programs like the Native Plant Certificate, classes on native bees and spring wildflowers, and nature journaling. Families can enjoy Tot Tales, Junior Naturalists, and more. Embrace growth and learning this year with the SCBG!

American Pokeweed

American pokeweed is a striking, yet toxic, native plant found in gardens, fields, and roadsides. Despite its potential dangers, it has been valued for its berries, which provide food for birds and its historical use in dye and medicine. While pokeweed’s young shoots are consumed in southern dishes like poke sallet, caution is required due to its toxicity. Learn more about this fascinating plant’s role in nature and culture.

Bug Hotel

We recently created a “bug hotel” in the South Carolina Botanical Garden. This is a fun project you can do too! But why? The short answer is that insects and other arthropods are under intense...

Great Golden Sand Digger Wasp

Many people respond negatively to wasps, but not every wasp is to be feared or eliminated. As a gardener, the presence of the great golden sand digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) should be celebrated....

Meeting a Mydas Fly

Conducting summer camps at the South Carolina Botanical Garden affords much more time to explore the grounds and make new discoveries alongside the young participants. On the Tuesday of our first...

Pollinator Visitors to Stokesia

If you’re looking for a beautiful native plant that attracts a variety of pollinators, Stokes’ Aster (Stokesia laevis) is a good choice. I spent an hour in the Perennial border in the...

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