Wildflowers in South Carolina

South Carolina, with its diverse arrray of habitats stretching from the Appalachians to the Atlantic, is home to more than 3,100 species of plants, including more than 680 species of wildflowers.

Beginning almost immediately with European colonization, some of the most famous botanists in U.S. history including John Lawson, Mark Catesby, William Bartram, Thomas Walter and Andre Michaux have explored the state's rich flora.

You'll find wildflowers blooming along forested paths and planted in gardens and landscapes throughout the state. Heliotrope and Common Toadflax can be spotted along roadsides and fields. Trillium, Bloodroot and Windflower brightly bloom in forests.

The Carolina Jessamine, the official state flower, with it's glossy, evergreen foliage and bright, deliciously fragrant flowers, is a characteristic feature of moist Southern lowlands and is often planted to cover banks, fences and trellises.

One of South Carolina's earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell, can be seen blooming in mid-march at Devils fork State Park.

The Belser trail at the beautiful South Carolina Botanical Gardens of Clemson University features many species of native woodland wildflowers, bog plants and ferns growing in a natural setting.

Take a wildflower hike into Landsford Canal State Park in South Carolina’s Olde English District.  Famous for its rocky shoals spider lilies, Landsford Park is also home to the Cardinal Flower, Jack-in-the-pulpit, crane-fly orchid, spicebush, spiderwort, Solomon’s seal, fire pink, and yellow passion flower.

2008 Programs

April 19 - Spring Wildflower Walk

April 12 - April's Array

Wildflower Sites

South Carolina Native Plant Society