South Carolina Native Magnolias
At the beginning of the week, I noticed our native magnolias flowering profusely. First, the evergreen southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora), which line the entrance to the South Carolina...
Category: In the Garden
Lizard’s Tail
Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus) is a perennial native to Eastern and Southeastern North America. Don’t you just love that common name, lizard’s tail? The scientific name, Saurus cernnus, is derived...
What Is It? Wednesday – Parasitic Wasp Cocoon
This is the cocoon of a parasitic wasp (Microplitis plutellae) that attacks and kills diamondback moth larvae. This wasp will lay an egg inside the caterpillar, where the wasp larva feeds before...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- May 15, 2023
Statewide Tony Keinath – Extension Vegetable Pathologist The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group (EVCWG) is a national effort to improve the detection and management of virus diseases on all...
Got Unwanted Volunteer Trees Growing in The Landscape? Here Are Some Tips and Tools
For small seedlings that have stems too small to grab with your hand, try using a pair of channel-lock pliers. They are adjustable, so you can grab a long section of stem with the teeth. Use gentle...
Sweet on Virginia Sweetspire
I must be selective in the kinds of shrubs and trees I add to my landscape. Very simply: I don’t have the room. Like the village matchmaker, Yente, in Fiddler on the Roof, I match the plant with my...
What Is It? Wednesday – Poison Ivy
This is poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). This is a plant that everyone should be able to identify. Around 85% of people are allergic to poison ivy, though sensitivity varies greatly. Poison ivy...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report – May 8, 2023
Statewide Tony Keinath – Extension Vegetable Pathologist Check out this recent article from Dr. Keinath, published by Growing Produce: Recognize and Manage Fungicide Resistance in Your Vegetable...
What’s Eating You?
Perhaps as you’ve strolled through your garden lately, you’ve looked at a plant and thought, “What’s eating you?” It can be tricky to discern what is doing the munching when the muncher is nowhere...
Hummingbird Favorite: Salvia
Like most South Carolina nature lovers, I look forward to the return of Ruby-throated hummingbirds every spring. I enjoy seeing them in my garden, visiting flower after flower chirping along the...
What Is It – Wednesday? Curly Dock
This is curly dock (Rumex crispus). Curly dock is a perennial weed that thrives in wet conditions but is also quite tolerant of drought. It is commonly found in the row middles in strawberry fields,...
SC Fruit and Vegetable Field Report- May 1, 2023
Statewide Tom Bilbo report, Check out the updated Strawberry IPM Guide, now available on the Southern Region Small Fruits Consortium website. If you are a brassica grower, please help us by taking...