Today’s Forecast

🌸 Grow big, grow home

Native blooms in South Carolina

Also called coral honeysuckle, don’t confuse this native plant with invasive bush honeysuckle. | Photo by Wikimedia Commons

You love local food, music, business, and art — so while you’re planning your garden this spring, why not choose local plants, too?

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Plus, they’re more visually diverse than, say, lawn grass.

Consider planting some South Carolina flora this spring. We’ll get you started.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Water needs: Moist, Dry
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: March-November

Growing tips: Black-eyed susan can become aggressive without competition, so consider planting it alongside other plants on this list.

Attracts: Birds, butterflies (Bordered Patch + Gorgone Checkerspot)

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: March-May; may bloom again in early fall and December

Growing tips: Make sure your soil is never completely dry. Use elastic stretch ties and prune Jessamine early in its blooming season to train and maintain your desired shape.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies (Spicebush Swallowtail)

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: March-June

Growing tips: Rich soil and structural assistance will help this vine climb to its full potential — up to 20 feet.

Attracts: Quail, purple finch, goldfinch, hermit thrush, and American robin

Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Water needs: Moist
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: April-July

Growing tips: Sow indigo in late fall or spring — but the historic South Carolina sprig is a labor of love, and won’t flower for up to three years.

Attracts: Native bumble bees

Wild Red Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Water needs: Moist, dry
Light needs: Shade, part-shade
Bloom time: February-July

Growing tips: Plant columbine in thin, well-drained soil to ensure a long lifespan. This flower struggles in heat, so plant in the shade before temperatures climb in spring.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths, finches, and buntings

Events

Thursday, April 6

America’s First Museum: 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving and Educating | Thursday, Apr. 6-Sunday, June 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston | $6-$12 | Commemorate two and a half centuries since The Charleston Museum’s founding during this year-long exhibit.
Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep Fried South Book Signing | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cracker Barrel, 1370 N. Main St., Summerville | Free | Meet Southern humorist and best-selling author Jane Herlong as she signs her newest book.

Friday, April 7

IOP Easter Egg Hunt | Friday, Apr. 7 | 2 p.m. | Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms | Free | Bring your little ones out for this egg hunt featuring jump castles, snow cones, face painting, and the Easter Bunny.

Sunday, April 9

Second Sunday on King Street | Sunday, Apr. 9 | 12-5 p.m. | King Street, Charleston | Free | Stroll, eat, and shop along Charleston’s main corridor between Queen and Calhoun streets at this dog-friendly event.

Calendar events here

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News Notes

Coming Soon

There’s a new farmers market coming to Charleston. St. John’s Farmers Market on Johns Island is slated to begin on April 19 and run every Wednesday through October 25 at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Apply to be a vendor.

Development

Mount Pleasant Town Council approved more than $800,400 in funding to improve the intersection at Highway 17 and Venning Road. The improvements, which include removal of medians and wider left turn lanes, may take up to a year to complete. (WCSC)
In case you missed it, former NBA coach Wesley Horne announced The Block, a $6.4 million multiuse sports facility coming to North Charleston. The 20,000-sqft complex will host invitational volleyball and basketball tournaments, with a focus on youth training. (Charleston Business Journal)

Travel

Spirit Airlines flew into Charleston International Airport for the first time yesterday, launching daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale and Philadelphia. Nonstop service to Las Vegas starts September 7. The inaugural landing included a $10,000 donation to Fisher House. (WCIV)

Arts

The New York-based Mellon Foundation committed $500,000 to the International African American Museum over three years to support film and media experiences. This grant brings the foundation’s total contribution to $2 million since 2017. (Holy City Sinner)

Pets

The Charleston Animal Society will waive dog adoption fees through Monday, April 19 in response to high capacity. The shelter is hoping to get 50 dogs adopted. Pets will come spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. (Holy City Sinner)

Community

This Saturday, April 8, the IRS will offer appointment-free tax assistance at 4400 Leeds Ave. in North Charleston. Just bring the proper documentation, and if you can’t make it this Saturday, you can still make an appointment before tax day. (WCSC)
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded $48,010 to Dorchester County Fire Rescue, part of $71 million donated to public safety organizations nationally. The money will go toward ventilation fans.

Cause

The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network’s annual Dolphin Week begins Monday, April 17. Sign up for events like sunset beach yoga and Drinks for Dolphins at Palmetto Brewery to help support local dolphin populations.

Eat

Have you ever wondered what a health professional would order at your favorite restaurant? See six local physicians’ and specialists’ go-to orders at local Charleston restaurants.*

Featured Deal

The annual Egg My Yard is back, and the dogs and cats of Dorchester Paws have been filling 10,000+ eggs with candy ready to hide. Place an order to get an Easter basket filled with goodies, and mention CHSTODAY at checkout for a special addition. Orders must be made by Friday, April 7.*

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Arts

Do you have a way with words?

A stack of books on a wooden porch swing.

Spring is the season of inspiration. | Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

April is National Poetry Month, and you have until this Saturday, April 8, to show your work in the Berkeley County Library System Poetry Contest. Submit a poem for a chance to win $50, to get your work out there, or just for a glow of pride.

Winners are invited to participate in Moncks Corner Library’s Open Mic Night on Friday, April 21 — but all attendees are welcome to take the stage.

Or, if you’re not a Berkeley County resident: Why not join one of Free Verse’s monthly Poetry Open Mics? This month’s will be at the Public Works Art Center on Friday, April 14.

However you celebrate, make April your month to dust off old manuscripts, find your voice, and engage with Charleston’s local poetry scene.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

Here are a few honorable mentions for South Carolina blooms: crested iris, heartleaf foamflower, aster, and azalea. Native flowers are naturally heterogeneous — i.e., the more the merrier to brighten up garden.

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