The Simpsonville Garden Club will kick off its new season with an ambitious focus on native plants. This shift towards native species is a pivotal step in restoring wildlife habitats that have been displaced, fragmented, or destroyed due to population and industrial growth in Simpsonville. 

Native plants offer numerous benefits to both the ecosystem and gardeners alike. They require less water and maintenance once established, provide habitat and food for local wildlife, and contribute to the overall health of our environment by supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Author Robin Kimmerer so eloquently says, “to be native to a place we must learn to speak its language.” This holds true even in the gardens of Simpsonville. You must learn the language of planting in red clay, surviving the summer heat and humidity, and fending off unwanted Japanese beetles.

It only takes a little space to create a wildlife habitat. If you are wondering what one looks like, then visit the certified Carolina Fence Garden at Heritage Park. The garden is located at the entrance to the mini replica steam engine. SGC installed the fence garden following the guidelines determined by the SC wildlife federation. The Carolina Fence Garden presents a natural and cultural history of SC and simultaneously functions as a wildlife habitat. 

In the garden you will find symbols that proudly represent our state history and culture. The split rail fence was commonly used in the late 1800s for fencing livestock. The state flower, Yellow Jessamine, is a vine that grows on the fence and is one of the first plants to bloom yellow, fragrant flowers in early spring. Blue granite is the state rock and serves as a place for butterflies to bask in the sun. The bird house is for Carolina Wrens, the state bird that is comfortable being around the busy walkway to the train station. As you pass by the garden, you can learn the language of the native plants or at least their names from the plant labels. We hope that the garden inspires and sparks an interest in native plants. 

To learn more about what is growing in your backyard and tips on creating your own wildlife habitat, come join us on August 13 at 12:30pm at the Simpsonville Rotary Hall, 205 N. Maple Street.●