Wisteria can be easy to spot because it resembles hanging grapes. | Photo by COLAtoday team

It all started with a curious email:

Hello COLAtoday team,

Recently, I’ve noticed lots of purple flowers blooming all over the city. Are they wisteria? Just wanted to know if you have any local knowledge to share!

All the best,
Reader Ellie B.

We decided to extend this question to our other readers and see if you wanted to join the conversation — and boy, did y’all share some answers, thoughts, and links.

“Wisteria is a non-native plant to SC. It was introduced in the US from China in the early 1900s. While it looks glorious in bloom, it is an invasive plant that can take over trees, fences, other shrubs, and generally your whole yard if you are not careful.” — Reader Sara W.

Wisteria Columbia, SC — Wisteria hanging out in the back of City Editor Sam’s yard. | Photo by COLAtoday team

“Chinese wisteria, the kind we see most often around here is from China. Another common wisteria is from Japan. Both can escape, choke out native plants and disrupt our normal plant and animal communities.” — Reader Jerman T.

“Pretty as it is, it is an aggressive invasive plant. It grows very fast, crowds and shades out native plants.” — Reader Lynn Y.

Wisteria taking over Columbia, SC — The wisteria plant taking over a tree in West Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Several readers prompted us to check out The SC Native Plant Society for its vast knowledge of — you guessed it — native plants.

Reader Lynn Y. is a board member of the SC Native Plant Society Midlands Chapter and shared about the native plant sale happening on April 15. The sale is a great place to chat with locals who are familiar with native species and can highlight some for you to take home.

There is a native Wisteria — Wisteria frutescens — that you can ask for by name at nurseries. It is less aggressive, has a smaller flower, and is a host plant for native moths and butterflies.

Click the button below to see the SCNPS’s calendar of events.

LIVE AND PLANT LOCAL

EVENTS

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Friday, March 17

Food Truck Fridays | Friday, Mar. 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 2300 Bull St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Food Truck Fridays feature delicious food as a way to highlight various types of cuisines, which can be enjoyed in our city while connecting with each other over great food.
2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament — First Round | Friday, Mar. 17 | 11:30 a.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $20-$30 | Watch the Gamecocks Women’s Basketball team take on Norfolk State in the 2 p.m. game, and South Florida take on Marquette in the 11:30 a.m. game.
City of Columbia Popcorn & Lemonade Sale | Friday, Mar. 17 | 12-2 p.m. | Payment/Customer Care Center, 3000 Harden St., Columbia | Price of purchase | The City of Columbia is hosting a fundraiser for the upcoming Heart Walk that will take place at Segra Park on Saturday, March 25.
Oyster Roast on the River | Friday, Mar. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Stone River, 121 Alexander Rd., West Columbia | $60 | All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Big Red Barn Retreat’s programs and services for Veterans, Active-Duty service members, First Responders, and their families.

Saturday, March 18

St. Pat’s in Five Points Columbia | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Five Points on Saluda Avenue, 747 Saluda Ave., Columbia | Whether you want to enjoy the parade, jam to live music, or get your kids in on the fun, there’s something for everyone at St. Pat’s in Five Points.
Columbia City Ballet’s Company Auditions | Saturday, Mar. 18 | 11 a.m. | Columbia City Ballet, 1545 Main St., Columbia | Free | Columbia City Ballet is looking for dancers of all skill levels.

Sunday, March 19

2023 Spring Arts Crafts Market Extravaganza | Saturday, Mar. 18-Sunday, Mar. 19 | Times vary | South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia | Free | Over 150 crafters and vendors from all over the Midlands will showcase their talents and creations.
Paul Taylor Dance Company | Sunday, Mar. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $18-$48 | The Paul Taylor Dance Company will be at the Koger Center for the Arts for one performance only.*
Free Sundays Presented by Still Hopes | Sunday, Mar. 19 | 1-4 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Gardens, 1616 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | Space is limited so guests will be registered on a first come first serve basis.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

FAMILY

EdVenture summer camp registration is now open

Campers and counselors posing for the camera

Camp EdVenture offers children ages 4-10 fun-filled days bursting with educational activities and play.
| Photo provided by EdVenture Children’s Museum

Looking for a hands-on, educational, and fun summer camp to help your child explore their curiosity and thrive?

Camp EdVenture offers a variety of options for kids ages 4-10 that run from June 5 through August 4. Campers are kept busy, happy, and learning from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day (with complimentary early drop-off beginning at 7:30 a.m. and an extended day available).

Camps include:

Cooking Around the World
Welcome to 3D Printing
Artist Adventure
Page to Stage and more*

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION THIS WAY

NEWS NOTES

Weather

73º | Showers | 40% chance of rain

Number

$80 Million. That’s how much Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of SC is investing in relocating and building a new state-of-the-art distribution facility in Lexington County. The new facility, moving to the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park, will support the company’s goal of meeting growing demand. (Central SC)
$241. That’s the real price of a roundtrip ticket from Boston to Barcelona sold this year via Going — a travel membership that alerts you when flight prices drop. Sign up for a free membership or try an Elite membership for free if you’re interested in business and first class tickets, too.*

Sports

USC’s Baseball team travels to Athens, GA to play their first SEC series this season against the Georgia Bulldogs today. The Gamecocks’ current record is 17-1 and they hold a 68-66 series lead over Georgia. See this weekend’s game times + how to watch them here. (Gamecocks Online)

Outdoors

Mark your calendars for April 7-8 for Lexington Medical Center’s 50th annual Governor’s Cup Road Race — a half-marathon, 5K, Main Street Mile, and Kids Main Street Mile. Register here and find more participant information here.

Drink

Peak Drift Brewing will be the official craft beer of the festival and be serving up two of its newest beers — the 16oz Golden Ale + NEIPA and the 12oz Hefeweizen and Raspberry Cobbler. The brewery encourages Soda Citizens to keep an eye out for its float in the parade and the new Peak Drift Moment Wall.

Festival

As reader Joey B. kindly reminded us, The 11th annual Tartan Day South Highland Games and Celtic Festival is coming soon to West Columbia. The festival will take place March 30-April 2 to honor Celtic culture and heritage in the Midlands. The event is held to benefit The River Alliance.

Plan Ahead

During the Bassmasters Elite Series, happening April 20-23, don’t miss Kristian Bush of Sugarland’s concert. Sing along with the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Grammy Award winner at his free concert that will take place at 1 p.m. on April 22.

Wellness

Let’s take a deep breath, COLA. While breathing might seem simple, it’s more complex than we realize. Learn about regulated breathing techniques that can enhance health and well-being from Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian, MUSC Health researcher and certified yoga therapist. Namaste. 🧘 *

Eat

Five words: Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast. Bookmark the recipe and thank us later.*

Finance

A cash back card so good, even the experts had to have it. (Hint: Features include up to 5% cash back, a big sign-up bonus, and no annual fee.) See what it is.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

EVENTS

Today is St. Patrick’s Day 🍀

St. Pat’s in Five Points | photo via @stpatsinfivepoints

Observed to honor the death of St. Patrick, the annual holiday is celebrated globally and often features traditional dishes, parades, and dancing.

Join in locally by dropping by these three local spots this weekend.

1️⃣ Liberty Tap Room is hosting a Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Crawl event, happening today and tomorrow. Check out nine perks that come with your $9 ticket like free drinks, an after-party, and waived cover charges.

2️⃣ The Lake Carolina Farmer’s Market is highlighting a St. Patrick’s Day event happening at MJ’s Grill this weekend. Enjoy a lineup of green beers, food specials, and live music.

3️⃣ DYK O’Hara’s Public House is ranked as one of the nation’s best Irish pubs? Try the Lexington restaurant for yourself.

Bonus — Today is the last day to grab tickets to the annual St. Pat’s in Five Points Festival for $25. They will be $30 tomorrow at the gate.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: Fun Fact — An easy way to identify types of wisteria is by the way the vine wraps. Chinese and American species twine counterclockwise while Japanese wisteria twine clockwise.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Help us choose Cola’s best fest, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

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