With September right around the corner, we’re approaching the best time to plant wildflowers in SC .
Even Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is getting in on the buzz with an initiative called Planting with a Purpose , which encourages the community to incorporate pollinator habitats into their everyday landscaping.
Here are some native plants to 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)
Also called coral honeysuckle, don’t confuse this native plant with invasive bush honeysuckle. | Photo by Wikimedia Commons
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.
Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths, finches, and buntings