A newly published guide includes a list of plants currently growing in Richland County's pollinator demonstration garden at Pinewood Lake Park.The guide was designed to help residents choose plants that are suitable for our area and provide food and shelter for pollinating insects, birds, and other wildlife. 

The guide includes each plant’s common and botanical name. Additionally, the guide indicates whether the plant is native to the region. In general, native plants are better for pollinators as they are better-adapted to the local climate, growing seasons, and soils; but there are some non-natives like the Mexican sunflower that attract pollinators and are known to still do well in the region. The guide also indicates if each plant is an annual, biennial, or perennial. Annual plants complete their life cycle in one year, biennial plants in two years, and perennial plants’ life cycles last for three years or longer. Plants are organized in the guide based on when they bloom: spring, summer, or fall. An ideal pollinator habitat includes plants that bloom in each season to ensure pollinators will have food and shelter year-round. 

Pollinators face many challenges in the modern world, including habitat loss, disease, parasites, and pollution.  But, there are many things we can do to help pollinators! Adding native, pollinator-friendly plants to the landscape to provide pollen and nectar, reducing the use of pesticides, and leaving areas for native grasses and shrubs to grow are all conservation practices that will help support pollinator survival. 

The pollinator demonstration garden is located at Pinewood Lake Park, which is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Richland County’s #WatchAndLearn video series features videos from the pollinator demonstration garden with more tips on creating pollinator habitats. The series is available on the demonstration garden website and on Richland County’s YouTube page. The pollinator demonstration garden was made possible through an Urban Agriculture Conservation grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts with support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners. In South Carolina, Conservation District boundaries conform to County boundaries. The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use and care of natural resources for long-term sustainability.

Contact

Richland Soil and Water Conservation District
2020 Hampton Street, Room 3063A
Columbia, SC 29204
Phone (803) 576-2080
Fax (803) 576-2088
E-mail soilandwater@richlandcountysc.gov 
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd