DATE:     10/17/02
CONTACT:  Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604
EDITOR:   Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876;sbeding@Clemson.edu

Look to native plants -- they toughed-out 
a hot, dry summer and survived. 
                                
                        By Bob Polomski
           Clemson Extension Consumer Horticulturist
               State Master Gardener Coordinator
                       Patrick McMillan,
    Curator, Herbarium at Clemson University.   
 
	CLEMSON -- This summer's drought may have taken its toll on 
your landscape plants; but fall is not the time to throw in the towel. 
It is the best time to replace those plants you may have lost this 
summer. 
	Think about introducing some tried-and-true plants into your 
landscape. They are durable, drought-tolerant and beautiful. In fact, 
as you drive along the secondary roads of South Carolina, you'll find 
them thriving along our roadsides. These neglected native plants 
toughed-out a hot, dry summer and survived. 
 	The Mountains and Piedmont are beautiful with purple and 
lavender flowers of asters-- Curtis' aster (Aster retroflexus), late 
purple (Aster patens), and wavy leaf (Aster undulatus.  Across our 
state you'll find the yellow, brightly colored flowers of goldenrods 
(Solidago spp.), which is often accused of causing hay fever, but the 
wind-pollinated ragweed is the culprit. 
	Other yellow flowers include tickseed or beggar's ticks and 
naked stem sunflower, (Helianthus atrorubens). The spectacular display 
of whites and purples could be boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), 
joe-pyeweed (Eupatorium fistulosum)and New York
ironweed, (Vernonia noveboracensis). Because of their height, these 
plants would be a suitable backdrop for a flower border.
	Our roadsides wouldn't be complete without our native grasses 
and their fluffy plumes of flowers and shimmering leaves.  Some 
attractive native grasses include little and big bluestems, 
(Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii), Plumegrass, 
(Saccharum spp.) and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), the official 
state grass of South Carolina.
	These roadside plants thrive with neglect, but will appreciate 
a gardener's touch in the landscape.  Remember-- don't dig them up from 
the side of the road.  Look for them and their more refined cousins in 
nurseries and garden centers.
	For more information about growing native plants in your 
landscape, visit the SC Native Plant Society web site at
http://cufp.clemson.edu/scnativeplants.

           ******************************************
     If you have gardening questions, search our website at
www.clemson.edu/psamedia or write to PSA Media Relations, A-101 Poole
Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129.
                              END