The South Carolina Botanical Garden: A Living Story for Our Community
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a free, welcoming space where nature, community, and life’s milestones come together in a setting treasured by generations.
Author: Sue Watts
A Dew Drop Spider (Argyrodes sp.) in the Web: A Tiny Spider With a Big Story
Meet the dew drop spider—tiny, silver, and full of surprises. Learn how to identify it and explore its unique behavior in larger spider webs.
Southern Flannel Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis): Identification, Habitat & Safety Tips
Learn why you should never touch the Southern Flannel Caterpillar and what to do if you’re stung by this deceptively furry insect.
Gardening for Native Bees: Creating Safe Habitats in Your Backyard
Support native bees by leaving stems, bare soil, and planting native flowers. Simple gardening choices can create safe backyard habitats for these essential pollinators.
Two-Spotted Scoliid Wasp: A Gentle and Valuable Garden Visitor
Learn how two-spotted scoliid wasps help control Japanese beetles while pollinating flowers—valuable, gentle allies in your lawn and garden.
Make a Nocturnal or Moon Garden
Design a moon garden filled with night-blooming native plants, glowing blooms, and habitat for evening pollinators and fireflies.
Red vs. White Mulberry (Morus rubra vs. Morus alba) in South Carolina
South Carolina’s landscapes host two very different mulberries. Discover how to spot the native red mulberry versus the introduced white mulberry, why colonists planted the latter for silk, how Indigenous communities and wildlife rely on these trees, and what you can do to protect native genetics.
Indian Pink: A Stunning Hummingbird-Attracting Plant with Medicinal History
Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) is a vibrant, hummingbird-friendly perennial with historical medicinal uses. This plant, known for its striking red and yellow flowers, was once used by Native Americans to treat intestinal worms. Learn how to grow it in your garden and explore its fascinating past.
Creating a Native Shade Garden in South Carolina
Shade gardens offer a cool, restful retreat in the Southern landscape. Discover native ferns, wildflowers, and shrubs that bring texture, color, and biodiversity to your garden year-round.
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!