A meadow of wildflowers growing alongside the runway at Green Sea Airport (S79)
Take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer. Native plants and seeds are so much better than the imported varieties.
This past weekend was a busy yet enjoyable new experience for me. I attended a native plant sale in Conway, SC, and joined the local chapter of the SC Native Plant Society (SCNPS). This chapter has been in existence for less than a year. However, it’s already a big hit around here.
Lots of folks attended the plant sale, and from the looks of the full carts being pulled along from one stall to the next, many plants were sold. It’s wonderful to see so many taking an interest in and planting native plants.
  Conway is no longer a sleepy little city on the Waccamaw River. They have constructed a beautiful boardwalk along the river that draws attention to the native vegetation growing along the route. It was a lovely stroll, topping off my morning visiting the plant sale and a farmer’s market. It’s really cool that the event coincided with Halloween. I had to extend my walk around town to take in all the decorations. Some creative soul decked out the main drag with some unique embellishments. |  I’m excited about learning new stuff from the other members of SCNPS. There is so much I don’t know, and this is a fabulous way to stuff my brain with valuable knowledge that I can also share with you all.  |
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Highlighting the second part of my weekend, I found some “new-to-me” wildflowers! Making my walk even better, the unusually cool temps kept the mosquitos at bay. Heavenly.
My Sunday morning trek through the fields and around a neighboring grass airstrip introduced me to some Maryland Golden Asters (Chrysopsis mariana) and a couple of new bonesets – tall boneset (Eupatorium altissimum) and hyssopleaf thoroughwort (E. hyssopifolium). They’re all pollinator magnets and add lovely color to the meadows surrounding the airport runway.
My Sunday morning trek through the fields and around a neighboring grass airstrip introduced me to some Maryland Golden Asters (Chrysopsis mariana) and a couple of new bonesets – tall boneset (Eupatorium altissimum) and hyssopleaf thoroughwort (E. hyssopifolium). They’re all pollinator magnets and add lovely color to the meadows surrounding the airport runway.
 Maryland Golden Aster Throughout my walk, I couldn’t help noticing some plants beginning to seed out and couldn’t resist the temptation. I wound up with a heaping handful of goodies. This time of year, I hardly ever return home empty-handed. Along with the shedding flowerheads, I found a ripe persimmon and a fallen southern magnolia seed pod. |  Hyssopleaf thoroughwort  |
Generally, I only remove a few seeds from a flower, shrub, or tree, never the entire cluster. But the bright red seeds were in the path of the mower, so I brought the whole thing home and propped the cone next to my garden gnome. I’m hoping to witness the birds and animals feeding on the magnolia seeds.
If you haven’t taken advantage of it yet, go outside for a walk. Try to clear your mind and absorb all the beauty, peace, and tranquility nature has to offer. I bet you’ll return home with a big smile on your face. I know I do, and I’m sure you will, too.
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Finally, after waiting all summer, my swamp sunflower (H. angustifolius) and frost aster (S. pilosum) are blooming. It's officially autumn at my house!
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