Birds in the Landscape
As a gardener, one of my main goals is to develop a landscape that provides a safe habitat for birds (and other wildlife). I have added plants to provide food and shelter and have been gratified by...
Author: Sue Watts
Lyreleaf Sage
It’s now late April, and I am enjoying these breath-taking vistas of Lyreleaf sage (Salvia lyrate) in the Arboretum of the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG). This native perennial has put on an...
An Ecology of Spring Wildflowers
Spring wildflowers are garden stars in the wooded area of South Carolina Botanical Garden’s Natural Heritage Trail from February to May. The spring herbaceous layer is exceptionally diverse in...
Trout Lilies
Every walk in the woods is a treasure hunt as spring ephemerals begin to break through the soil surface. I am almost positive that this trout lily was not up yesterday, but today it is in full...
A Fascinating Discovery
Nature is always intriguing, often beautiful, but occasionally it is rather creepy and somewhat gruesome. We found this little insect body under a tree on the Natural Heritage Trail at the South...
Upcoming Gardening Programs at the SCBG
At the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG), we have always viewed gardening as a fantastic vehicle for teaching. We do this with programs like the new in-person afterschool program: The Green...
Celebrate the Trees That Make Your World Better
Arbor Day is an opportunity to celebrate the trees that make your world better! While National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, the first Friday in December (December 3, 2021) is South...
Leave the Leaves for the Fireflies
In the hot summer months, do you love sitting outside watching the fireflies (or lightning bugs) flash in the landscape? If you do, then there is something important you need to know related to fall...
Native Plants for Wildlife: Resources for Home Gardeners
Over the past few decades, support for planting natives in our gardens has grown exponentially. Experienced gardeners know that planting “the right plant in the right place” makes the upkeep of that...
Ravenel’s Swamp Rattlesnake Master
I just love this plant! I think it’s the color and texture that I find so attractive. The silvery-grey, spiky foliage contrasts with rounded bright blue flower heads. Wherever it is in the...
Gardening for Warblers
Fall bird migration is in full swing in South Carolina. As our temperatures cool and the days get shorter, many birds start preparing to move south. Many warblers pass through the South Carolina...
Spiderwebs
At this time of year, I start seeing spiders and spider webs more frequently. I might leave my house and walk through a web or see a web glistening in the sunlight as I drive to work. Although they...