This collection features some of Barbara’s favorite photos from the HGIC Photo Blog over the years and serves as her final photo blog before retirement. From vibrant blooms and thriving gardens to fascinating insects and beautiful landscapes, these images capture many of the natural wonders she has shared throughout her career. As Barbara begins this new chapter, we invite you to enjoy this look back and celebrate her many years of contributions to HGIC.
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After much thought, I have decided to retire from HGIC. Serving the people of South Carolina and helping them solve their horticultural challenges has been the highlight of my more than 50 years in the horticulture profession.
While this decision is bittersweet, it feels like the right time. I am excited to devote more attention to my own garden at Crooked Trail Farm. Thank you for the privilege of being part of your gardening journey and for making my job so rewarding. Julia Nichols, ©2026 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Weeping Rostrinucula (Rostrinucula dependens) and Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Vernal Witch Hazel (Hamemalis vernalis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.) on Goldenrod (Soldiago species)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Delores Edwards Camellia (Camellia x 'Delores Edwards') and Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) with a Digger Bee (Anthophora sp.) and a Bee Fly (Family Bombyliidae)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) resting in a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies (Papillio glaucus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Orange Mountain Dandelion (Agoseris aurantiaca)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Katydid (Family Tettigoniidae) shedding its old exoskeleton
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Boxelder Maple Samaras (Acer negundo)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Red Lotus Hybrid Magnolia (Magnolia yuyuanensis x insignis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Spike Winterhazel (Corylopsis spicata) and Carolina Red Wasp (Polistes carolina)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Immature Chinese Praying Mantid (Tenodera sinensis) on White Swan Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan')
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Scarlet Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana) and Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos )
Barbara H. Smith, ©2019 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Allium (Allium sp.)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Pinky Winky Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky Winky') with Eastern Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilio glaucus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Pink Darwin Hybrid Tulip (Tulipa x darwin)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
American Basketflower (Centaurea americana) and Bengal Tiger Canna Foliage (Canna x generalis 'Bengal Tiger')
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Pilot Peak in the Absaroka Range in Wyoming
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Japanese Maple Seedling (Acer palmatum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Heirloom Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Green Lynx Spider ( Peucetia viridans) and Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) and Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Oleander seeds
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
DD Blanchard Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora 'DD Blanchard') and Honey Bees (Apis sp.)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Anchor Predatory Stink Bug (Stiretrus anchorago) on Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2026 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Don's Variegated Native Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum 'Don's Variegated')
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Bigleaf Magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Cigar Cuphea (Cuphea ignea)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2026 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Cattleya Orchid (Cattleya sp.)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Molting
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Pink Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus exaltatus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) and Honey Bee (Apis sp.)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Bat Face Cuphea (Cuphea llavea)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) on Chives (Allium tuberosum)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2026 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Monarch Egg and Caterpillars (Danaus plexippus)
Barbara H. Smith, ©2016 HGIC, Clemson Extension -
Emmett's Pumpkin Full Moon Japanese Maple (Acer japonicum 'Emmett's Pumpkin Full Moon')
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson Extension
