Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a beautiful native wildflower that is an excellent source of pollen and nectar for beneficial pollinating insects. The genus name Asclepias is derived from the...
Tag: Blogs
Meet Your Stormwater Pond
Hi, there. I am your neighborhood stormwater pond. You might call me by a different name, maybe lagoon, lake, or fishing pond, but chances are if you live in a community with a pond, it’s me, your...
May Week 4 Garden Photos
The beauty and diversity of Japanese Maples. Crimson Queen (Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Crimson Queen') Barbara H. Smith, ©2020 HGIC, Clemson University Peaches and Cream (Acer palmatum 'Peaches...
Formosan Termites Take Flight in SC
In parts of South Carolina, Formosan termite swarms have been higher than they have been in recent years. What’s the story? There are eight species of termites in South Carolina. Four species are...
Strawberry Lemon Upside Down Cake
Looking for a refreshing strawberry dessert? This one takes the cake! I’ve used this recipe for strawberry lemon upside down cake for years, altering it along the way with more strawberries and...
Dragonflies
Did you know the beautiful dragonflies you see flying around rivers, ponds, and lakes spend most of their lives underwater?! Their lifecycle begins as adult females dip their abdomens onto the...
Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans and Pretzels
Strawberry season is one of my favorite times of the year. I always look forward to the sweet taste of locally grown strawberries. There are so many ways we can use these strawberries in recipes –...
Weeds for the Bees
Are you frustrated because there are dandelions and other weeds in your lawn? Did you know that dandelion flowers provide one of the first springtime sources of pollen for bees, butterflies, and...
A Few More Cool Tools to Add to Your Garden Toolbox
If you are anything like me, you are constantly adding to your gardening toolbox. Below are a few tools that I cannot live without in my gardening adventures. The best news is that for $40, you can...
Salad
When you hear the word salad, what comes to mind? Leafy greens? Chicken? Potatoes? I recently had someone tell me that a salad wasn’t “really” a salad unless it had lettuce in it. From the Merriam...
May Week 2 Garden Photos
What’s blooming at the South Carolina Botanical Garden This Week. The garden is open from 9 am until sunset. Only the trails and outdoor exhibits are open for visitors. The bathrooms, picnic...
Insects Feed Baby Birds
As a backyard bird enthusiast, I find watching the bluebird’s life cycle unfold in my yard to be fascinating. Each year, I anxiously await bluebird nesting season and feel a sense of accomplishment...