by the sudden flush of flowers! I love it with black-eyed
Susans (Rudbeckia sp.) and native grasses, such as sweetgrass.
Avoid planting tropical milkweed (A. curassavica) as it has
negative effects on migrating monarch populations. Read
up on the issue of tropical versus native milkweeds at http://
monarchjointventure.org.”
Kim: “As a nature enthusiast and avid gardener, nothing
brings me more joy in the home landscape then observing
the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. Gardeners play an
active role, as planting milkweed is an essential ingredient
in this process. The lowcountry is part of the awe-inspiring
monarch migration. In the fall, one may observe groups of
hundreds of monarchs resting together on a groundsel tree or
other coastal shrub, as they travel south. Fall bloomers, such
as goldenrod, provide nectar sources and milkweed provides
both nectar and a host larval plant.
Where to Grow Saw Palmetto
Sun: Plant in full sun to shade
Origin: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas
Cold Hardiness Zones: 6-10
In the garden: Plant en masse to create an evergreen
ground cover or used as a specimen planting.
Irrigation: Irrigate until established in residential
landscapes, no additional irrigation needed.
Soil: Tolerant of a wide range of soil types including
moist garden soils and shady dry sites.
Wildlife: Supports a wide range of pollinators and
animal species.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Saw Palmetto is a low growing evergreen shrub that is both
salt and drought tolerant. One of four native palms found
in South Carolina, its habitat includes maritime forests and
coastal dunes. It is native to only seven southeastern coastal
states including South Carolina. This “keystone” native plant
has been used for centuries by nearly every group of humans
to move through the southeastern U.S. for food, fiber, and
implements. Pollinators flock to its flowers and animals
including raccoon, possum, turtles, wild turkey, and deer use
it for cover and consume its nutritious fruit.
Amy: “Saw palmetto is a fascinating plant with a long
ethnobotanical history. Pest free, slow growing, and adaptable,
it gives a Lowcountry feel to nearly any landscape.”
Kim: “I like to use saw palmetto to provide contrast in
landscape design. The distinct lines and triangular shapes
offset the soft flow of sweetgrass and native perennials,
providing year-round interest and tone. When grouped, the
dense cover will create a space that requires minimal weeding.”
Photos by Kim Counts Morganello
Native, Naturalized and Invasive Species
Native: A species that was growing in the region before European settlement; this plant may have been introduced by forces of
nature, animals or even humans but is capable of living and reproducing on its own (Mellichamp, 2014).
Naturalized: Plants that are thoroughly established, yet not native, and have not caused extensive damage or spread. In South
Carolina, examples include crape myrtle and camellia species (Porcher and Rayner, 2001).
Invasive: Plants that have been introduced to an area and have established a breeding population, which spreads to the extent
that agriculture or native plant communities are damaged. Examples include kudzu, Chinese privet, Chinese tallow, Japanese
honeysuckle and multiflora rose (Bodner, 2009).
Exerpt from Clemson Extension SC Waterways Fact Sheet “An Introduction to Native Plants for SC Landscapes”
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/water/resources_stormwater/intro_native_plants.html
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