Lowcountry Field Trip: Invasive Removal Workday at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

What a better way to wrap up Native Plant Week than to join us for an invasive removal workday! This is the South Carolina Native Plant Society's second invasive removal workday this year, and we are grateful for this opportunity to serve our native plant communities at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. We will be joined by Director of Horticulture Jim Martin to get an update on their new plans to install a mostly native landscape within the formal garden area. 

Magnolia in many ways represents Ground Zero for invasive plant species introductions. The property was actively farmed as early as the 1670s and has been managed as a public garden since 1871. Weaving between old rice fields and rows of our oldest camellias are the usual suspects: popcorn tree, privets, and a number of other legacies of the horticultural trade here in the lowcountry. Join us Sunday, October 19th from 9am to noon for an invasive removal workday. We will discuss removal strategies, learn to distinguish between invasive plants and their native look-alikes, and get to work using mechanical removal techniques. 

Some tools will be provided, but it's a good idea to bring your own pair of gloves, wear long pants and sleeves, and plenty of water to drink. A shovel, weed wrench, or loppers would all be welcome! If you'd like to pack a bagged lunch or order something from the Peacock Cafe, we will have the opportunity to lunch break at the picnic tables and explore the property after the work day. Also note that invasive plant removal using mechanical techniques can be quite trying; however, there will be tasks suited to all levels of exertion and ease, including removing and bagging invasive seeds for safe disposal, dragging vegetative debris into a pile, and working as a team using a weed wrench or shovel to uproot these invasives where they stand! Our tour of the property afterwards takes place on light terrain. Expect to travel approximately 2 miles on foot with lots of stops to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Contact SCNPS Programs Chair Rebecca Fanning if you have any questions regarding this event at lowcountry.fieldtrips@scnps.org or (843) 996-8450.