It's a trap
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS BOG GARDEN
Did you know the Venus flytrap is a plant native to South Carolina? See many of those famous local plants along with sundew and several species of pitcher plants in the Coastal Discovery Museum’s Carnivorous Plant Bog Garden. The Lowcountry is home to different groups of plants that have independently evolved carnivorous habits. Each of the plants in this garden traps insects with a unique method. The garden is located behind the Discovery Lab, near the Oyster Alley Boardwalk.
Fighting Garden Mascots
Mascots are meant to enhance the fan experience at sporting events, but not all mascots are created equal. Here are four inspired by fruits and vegetables.
ARTIE THE FIGHTING ARTICHOKE Scottsdale Community College The Skinny: A protest vote by students in 1972 intended to embarrass school administrators but those leaders flipped the script by embracing the moniker. Both sides now love the happy-golucky green guy with the smart-aleck grin. THE FIGHTING PICKLE North Carolina School of the Arts The Skinny: Although UNCSA has no officially sanctioned athletic teams, students are very proud of their pickled cucumber mascot. Three undergraduates came up with the idea in 1972, along with the slogan, “Sling ‘Em By The Warts!” CAYENNE University of Louisiana at Lafayette The Skinny: This spicy mascot was created using an out-of-the-box method. Instead of being a physical representation of Ragin' Cajuns, like most mascots, Cayenne is the embodiment of the Ragin' Cajun spirit of Acadiana. That’s hot! SPLIT The Savannah Bananas The Skinny: Savannah may not be known for its banana production, but its yellow mascot is certainly a-peeling (sorry, we had to). Best of all, the Bananas’ biggest rival in the Coastal Plain League are the Macon Bacon.
Hidden gem
XERISCAPE GARDEN
This small garden features a beautiful water fountain, a wooden bridge and many indigenous and wild plants. It is a beautiful place for lunch or to stop and read about the flora and fauna found on Hilton Head Island. It isn’t well marked so it can be tricky to find. It is located in front of the entrance to Wexford Plantation, next to Town Hall.
Mellow yellow
Pretty & pink
Chuck and Diane Merrick’s beautiful daffodil field, located at 48 Pinckney Colony Road in Okatie, is the Lowcountry’s first sign that spring is on its way. The beautiful yellow flowers usually bloom from late January to early March and cost 25 cents per stem. It’s a great backdrop for family photoshoots.
Find 131 varieties of camellia plants on display in this colorful garden at the Coastal Discovery Museum. All plants are identified with labels and photos of their blooms. Some varieties on display were even created in the Lowcountry. The garden was added to the American Camellia Society’s Trail in 2016.
UPICK DAFFODIL FARM
CAMELLIA GARDEN
OTHER GREAT GARDENS
If you’re looking for a great excuse for a road trip, these nearby gardens are in peak bloom. Magnolia Plantation And Gardens (Charleston) Cypress Gardens (Moncks Corner) Brookgreen Gardens (Murrells Inlet) Moore Farms Botanical Garden (Lake City) Audubon Swamp Garden (Charleston) Kalmia Gardens (Hartsville) Edisto Memorial Gardens (Orangeburg) Swan Lake Iris Gardens (Sumter) Vereen Memorial Gardens (Little River) South Carolina Botanical Garden (Clemson) Hatcher Garden (Spartanburg) The Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden (Bishopville) Riverbanks Botanical Garden (West Columbia)
Yard Work Music
May in the Lowcountry means it’s time to clean off the grill, get a new beach parking pass and find your favorite swimsuit. It’s also time to tame your pesky yard and garden. Here are a dozen great tracks to help get you through your lawn mowing, digging, planting and pruning adventures. Find this and other LOCAL Life playlists by searching for locallifetunes on Spotify. “Love Grows” — Edison Lighthouse “Flowers on the Wall” — The Statler Brothers “Wicked Garden” — Stone Temple Pilots “Build Me Up Buttercup” — The Foundations “Truly Madly Deeply” — Savage Garden “Flowers in Your Hair” — The Lumineers “Plant Life” — Owl City “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” — Poison “Gardening at Night” — R.E.M. “Dead Flowers” — The Rolling Stones “My Wave” — Soundgarden “No Diggity” — Blackstreet MAY 2019 + LocalLifeSC.com
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