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The American lawn has long been characterized with neatly trimmed grass, green as can be. Countless Saturdays have been spent mowing the lawn, whacking weeds and manicuring yards to perfection. Recently, there’s been a push to return lawns and yards to their natural state by swapping the Bermuda grasses we’ve grown used to with native plants.
These plants are flowers, grasses and other flora that are naturally found in the Charleston area. These plants are designed to withstand the Lowcountry’s hot and humid landscape, even thriving in the salty air. The South Carolina Wildlife Federation notes that native plants require less watering and help manage rainwater runoff thanks to root systems that are compatible with the Lowcountry’s soil and fickle weather.
+25 Photos: Native Plants in the Lowcountry Native plants attract bees, butterflies and other animals Though a uniform lawn or planting fast-growing trees like the Bradford pear can be alluring, opting for native plants in your yard can create a lush habitat. One buzzing with bees and bustling with birds, an enticing environment for wildlife. Milkweed is native to South Carolina and attracts butterflies, namely the regal Monarch, which is known for its burnt orange wings.
The butterfly’s population has seen a rapid decline in recent decades, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The black-eyed Susan is a native perennial that boasts vibrant yellow petals and a dark center. The flower requires little attention and offers seeds for birds and nectar for bees and butterflies. Today's Top Headlines Story continues below Charleston firm pays $22M for Festival Centre, signs entertainment venue as anchor A ship was abandoned near Johns Island.
Now, the Coast Guard is coming to clean up its mess. Filling the void: Spartanburg's WestGate Mall renews effort to sell vacant spaces Major drug trafficking corridor runs through Aiken County, S.C.
Attorney General says Long-awaited fix for traffic woes at US 17, Main Road moves closer to reality. Price has ballooned. Clemson offense achieves liftoff in pummeling of App State She was found dead in a Lowcountry motel.
A year later, a family keeps fighting for Sara Beth. Clemson football announces death of former player Charleston County sends unpopular Johns Island road plan back to the drawing board ESPN College GameDay returning to Columbia Ditch the sugar-water filled hummingbird feeders that need to be frequently cleaned and maintained. Instead, consider planting cardinal flowers to attract hummingbirds to your yard.
The sweet nectar and striking red petals of the cardinal flower are attractive for hummingbirds. Stay cool, Charleston. Here's how to keep your outdoor spaces comfortable in summer.
Ferns, like the Christmas fern, Royal fern and Southern Lady fern, provide shelter for amphibian friends, such as toads, frogs and salamanders. These creatures play critical roles in the ecosystem, serving as natural insect control (i.e.
they feast on pesky mosquitoes that swarm in muggy summer evenings). There are plenty of places to pick up native plants in the Charleston area, from annual events to nurseries open year-round. Where to buy native plants The Charleston Horticultural Society has hosted Plantasia , a market for gardeners and plant lovers of all ages, for over two decades.
Held in the springtime, the market is free to attend and includes several native plant species for sale. While you’re there, stop by for some advice from expert horticulturalists and experienced gardeners. Roots and Shoots Nursery located on Wapoo Road in West Ashley specializes in native plants and Southern fruits.
Customers can grab deer-resistant plants and salt-tolerant plants as well as all the tools needed to plant them. Roots and Shoots also offers workshops and classes on native gardening. The South Carolina Native Plant Society hosts markets and plant sales in the spring and fall throughout the state.
The SCNPS Lowcountry Chapter has a Native Plant Grant Program that awards up to $750 each spring and fall to organizations, community groups or schools interested in working with native plants in any capacity, like planting native plants or removing exotic species. Reach Anna Sharpe at 843-806-6790..
