Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County Logo

Navigation

  • Online Services

    Online Services

    Save time with our convenient online services.

    Find out more
    • Online Payments
    • Family Court Calendar
    • Business Service Center
    • GIS & Mapping
    • Online Data Services
    • Locate a Lost Pet
    • Inmate Inquiry
    • Voters and Districts
    • Vehicle, Real Estate, Business & Personal Tax
    • Property Value & Tax Estimate
    • Assessor Mailing Address Change
    • Assessor Legal Residence Application
    • Estate Inquiry
    • Homestead Exemption Application
    • Marriage License Inquiry
    • Marriage License Application
    • Watch County Council Live
    • Agricultural Real Property Application
    • Business Personal Property Return
    • General Session Motion Rosters
    • Family Court Payment Inquiry
    • Public Court Records Search
    • Common Pleas Court Roster
    • Master In Equity Court Rosters
    • Summary Court Dockets
    • Hazardous Material Registration
  • Residents

    Residents

    Find services, schools, and safety information.

    Find out more
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Vector Control
      • Mosquitoes
      • Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
      • Beekeeper Information
    • Housing
      • Home Ownership Assistance
      • Homeowner Rehabilitation
    • Information for Residents
      • Local Hospitals
      • Schools
      • Getting Around Richland County
      • Automobile Registration & Driver's License
      • Pet Licenses
      • Voter Registration
      • Jury Duty
      • Solid Waste & Recycling
      • Local Utility Providers
    • Emergency Preparedness
  • Businesses

    Businesses

    Competitive tax incentives make Richland County a great place to do business.

    Find out more
    • Doing Business with Richland County
      • Accounts Payable Information
    • Running a Business
      • Hospitality Tax Information
        • Taxable Items
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Forms
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
      • About Us
      • Solicitations
      • Announcements
      • Vendors
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government

    Government

    Access a complete listing of Richland County departments, committees, and courts.

    Find out more
    • Advisory Councils
      • Central Midlands Council of Governments
      • Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control
      • Richland County Neighborhood Council
      • Solid Waste Advisory Council
      • Community Relations Council
    • Boards
      • Board of Assessment Appeals
      • Building Board of Adjustment and Appeal
      • Business Service Center Appeals Board
      • Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)
      • Historic Columbia Foundation
      • Library Board of Trustees
      • Performing Arts Center Board
      • Richland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
      • River Alliance Board
      • The Township Auditorium
      • Elections and Voter Registration Board
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2013
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2012
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2011
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes, & Actions - Prior Years
    • County Council
      • Clerk of Council
      • News
      • County Council Districts
      • County Council Members
        • Gretchen Barron
        • Jason Branham
        • Cheryl English
        • Paul Livingston
          • Paul Livingston Bio Part II
        • Jesica Mackey
        • Yvonne McBride
          • Yvonne McBride Bio Part II
        • Chakisse Newton
        • Derrek Pugh
        • Allison Terracio
        • Overture Walker
        • Don Weaver
      • Strategic Plan
      • Motions Search
      • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
    • Courts and Judicial System
      • Clerk of Court
        • General Sessions
        • Jury Information
        • Clerk of Court Staff
        • Common Pleas
      • Family Court
      • Magistrates
        • Magistrates Court Forms
      • Master-in-Equity
      • Probate Court
        • Amy McCulloch, Probate Judge
        • Probate Court Divisions
          • Estate Division
          • Guardian & Conservatorship
          • Records Division
          • Marriage License
          • Commitment
        • Filing Fees
        • History
        • Workshops
        • Probate Terms
        • Probate Contacts
        • Forms
      • Public Defender
      • Solicitor
    • Departments
      • Department Directory
      • Animal Care
        • Facts
          • About
          • Info
          • Disaster
        • FAQ
        • Licensing
        • Links
        • Cat Diversion
        • View
      • Budget and Grants Management
        • Annual Budget Reports
          • Current Fiscal Year Reports
          • Prior Fiscal Years Reports
        • ARPA Grants Applications
      • Building Codes & Inspections
        • Plans Review
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Contacts
      • Business Operations
        • Central Services
        • Finance
          • Accounts Payable Check Register
          • Reporting
          • ACFR Reports
          • Financial Transparency Reporting
          • Procurement Card Register
          • Annual Budget Reports
        • GIS & Mapping
        • Human Resources
        • Information Technology
        • Procurement
        • Register of Deeds
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Small Local Business Enterprises
      • Community Development
        • Community Development Programs
          • Homeownership
          • Homeowner Rehabilitation
          • Neighborhood Revitalization
          • Public Improvements
          • Stimulus Projects
        • CDBG Mitigation
        • Community Development News
        • Housing & Urban Development
          • Fair Housing
      • Conservation
        • Soil & Water Conservation District
          • About
          • Natural Resources Conservation
          • Youth Education
          • Join Us
          • Conservation District News
          • Board Meetings
        • Conservation Commission
        • Pinewood Lake Park
          • Rules
          • Picnic Shelters
          • Fishing and Boating
          • Trails and Fitness
          • Demonstration Garden
          • Park History
          • Natural History
      • Executive
        • Administration
        • Clerk of Council
        • Ombudsman
      • Health & Social Services
      • Government and Community Services
        • About Us
        • Education
        • Business Community
        • Other Community Groups
        • Homeowners Associations
        • Institutes of Higher Education and SC Works
        • Elected Officials and Local Municipalities
      • Grants
        • Accommodations Tax
        • Hospitality Tax
        • Discretionary Grants
          • COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Grants
      • Legislative
        • Legislative Delegation
      • Licensing & Registration
        • Animal Care
        • Business Service Center
          • BSC Online Services
          • Proposed Bag Ordinance
            • More Info for Residents
              • Take the Resident Survey
            • More Info for Businesses
              • Take the Business Survey
            • More Resources
            • Ordinance Timeline
            • Updates from County Council
            • Plastics and Recycling Q & A
        • Marriage License Inquiry
        • Planning & Development
        • Register of Deeds
      • OSBO
        • Services
        • Resources
          • Ordinances
        • Current Contracts
        • Steps
          • Is My Business Eligible?
          • Submit an Application
          • Onsite Visit & Interview
        • Home
          • About Us
          • Workshops & Events
          • News
      • Planning & Development
        • Comprehensive Planning
        • Neighborhood Planning
          • RCNC
          • Grants
          • Master Plans
          • Events
          • Planning Month
        • Sustainability Planning
          • Accomplishments
          • News
          • Publications
          • Resources
          • Sustainability Tour
        • E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
        • Floodplain Management
          • FPBasics
          • DevReview
          • Mapping
          • Prep
          • Property
          • Drainage
          • Info
      • Public Information Office
      • Public Safety
        • Animal Care
        • Coroner
        • Detention Center
        • Emergency Services
        • Richland County Sheriff's Department
        • SC Department of Public Safety
        • SC Law Enforcement Division
        • Victim/Witness Assistance
      • Public Works
        • GIS Public Works
        • Special Services
        • Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport (CUB)
        • Roads & Drainage Maintenance
        • Department Projects
        • Engineering
        • Solid Waste & Recycling
          • Curbside Pick-up
            • Recycling
            • New Account Set-up and Moving
            • Handicapped Service Options
            • Roll Cart Care
            • Household Garbage
            • Yard Waste
            • Bulk and Large Items
            • Evictions and Unwanted Items
            • Household Hazardous Waste
          • Drop-off Facilities
            • Residential and Commercial
            • Accepted Items
            • Drop-off Locations
            • Transporting Loads
            • Illegal Dumping
          • Solid Waste and Recycling Service Areas
        • Stormwater Management
          • Construction
          • Education and Public Involvement
          • Inspections
          • Monitoring
          • Ordinances
          • Capital Improvement Projects
      • Taxes
        • Pay Online
        • Treasurer
          • Tax Payment Options
          • Planned Payments
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • David A. Adams
          • Treasurer News Archive
          • Treasurer News
          • FLC Available Properties
        • Assessor
          • Legal Residence Clarification
          • Agriculture Use Value
          • Classification of Property
          • Example of Appraisal Notice
          • How to Challenge Your Value or Assessment
          • Property Appraised by the SC Department of Revenue
          • Taxes & Fair Assessment
          • School Tax Credit
          • 2014 Reassessment Program
        • Auditor
          • Property
          • Tax Exemptions
        • Hospitality Tax
      • Transportation Penny
        • Projects
        • Reports
        • Public Meetings
        • Archived Reports
      • Utilities
        • Water
          • Water Rates Schedule
          • Water System Consumer Confidence Reports
        • Sewer
          • Industrial Pretreatment Rates Schedule
          • Sanitary Rates Schedule
        • Forms
        • Procurement
        • Learn
        • News
        • About
        • Service Area Map
        • Current Alerts
        • Development
        • Other Utility Providers
        • Billing & Service
          • Establish Service
          • Cancel Service
          • Billing Adjustment
          • Delinquent Accounts
          • Special Power of Attorney
        • Contact Us
      • Voter Registration & Elections
        • About Us
        • Elections
        • Election Results
          • 2017
          • 2018
          • 2019
          • 2020
          • 2021
          • 2022
          • 2023
          • 2024
        • Voter Registration
        • Election Workers
        • Outreach
        • Board of Directors
          • Board Information
            • Board Meeting - Agendas and Minutes
            • Board Meetings - Agendas and Minutes - Prior Years
        • Early & Absentee Voting
    • Ordinances
      • Recently Approved Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
      • Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee
      • Ad Hoc and Short Term Committees
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Administration and Finance Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Animal Care Advisory Committee
      • Development and Services Committee
        • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Discretionary Grant Fund Review Committee
      • Economic Development Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Employee Grievance Committee
      • Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Internal Audit Committee
      • Nulla Bona Committee
      • Rules and Appointments Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Transportation Penny Advisory Committee
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
    • Commissions
      • Airport Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
      • Conservation Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
        • Commission Members
        • Commission News
        • Natural Resources
          • Natural Resource Grants
          • Conservation Easements
          • Richland County Trail Map
          • Projects
        • Historic Preservation
          • Cemeteries
          • Historic Preservation Grants
          • Bailey Bill
          • Historic Site Inventory
          • Architectural Surveys
          • Projects
          • Historical Markers
        • Partners
      • Convention Center Commission
      • East Richland Public Service Commission
      • Music Festival Commission
      • Richland County Recreation Commission
      • Riverbanks Park Commission
      • Elections Commission
      • Planning Commission
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
  • Visitors

    Visitors

    Part rustic natural beauty, part vibrant city scene - Richland County offers something for everyone!

    Find out more
  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA
Menu Search

One-Call Response Center 24 Hours (803) 929-6000

Conservation District News

July Plant of the Month: Blanketflower

by Mary Hannah Lindsay, RSWCD Education Program Assistant

Friday, July 24, 2020

Download .pdf version

The petals of blanketflower resemble an early South Carolina summer sunrise with warm reds and yellows, and its beauty attracts pollinators and humans alike! Blanketflower—the common name for several widlflowers in the genus Gaillardia—blossoms in gardens and in the wild across many regions of North America. Of approximately one dozen species which are native to the U.S., two—G. pulchella and G. aestivalis—are native to SC. These plants thrive in so many regions and climates because of their versatility and tolerance for a wide variety of growing conditions.

The genus Gaillardia was dedicated to French botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau in 1788, and the common name refers to the lore that a meadow of blanketflower resembles the pattern and colors of a blanket woven by Native Americans. The name could also refer to the tendency of the plant and similar wildflowers to “blanket” over meadows and fields. One Native American legend has it that when an excellent weaver passed away, her grave grew over with blanketflower. Medicinally, petals of Gaillardia can be steeped into a tea to treat an upset stomach. The flower itself has been said to symbolize bravery and good luck.

Blanketflower does well in xeriscape (rocky and low-moisture) gardens, but it can tolerate somewhat damp soil. It grows best with full sun exposure, which also ensures the soil will stay dry as the otherwise low maintenance plant can fall victim to root rot, especially during periods of heavy rain. To plant blanketflower, sow the seed shallowly after the danger of frost has passed. Once the seed has germinated, it should take three to four months for the plant to bloom. The plants’ hairy stems grow up to three feet tall and produce showy, daisy-like flowers that have a red to yellow gradient.

Not only will a blanketflower complement any garden space, but it also provides a parade of pollinators. Blanketflower’s large and colorful flowers provide sweet nectar to pollinators like butterflies and bees. Goldfinches will swing by to nibble on the seeds after the flower has been spent, but the flowers can be deadheaded (trimmed) to extend blooms. One species of moth, Schinia masoni, also called the blanketflower moth, uses Gaillardia as a larval host plant. Adult moths use blanketflower to hide from predators, as its unique coloring acts as camouflage. The moth’s yellow head and thorax and red wings blend into the blanketflower blossom, protecting the moth from potential dangers.

Many species of blanketflower traditionally grew across prairie lands in the south- and mid-west, but many of those prairie lands no longer exist. Now, at least one species of Gaillardia is considered a Species of Special Concern in Minnesota after habitat loss has threatened the population. The loss of blanketflower and other prairie flowers devastated the Dakota Skipper butterfly population, which is now considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act. While large-scale prairie restoration is a long game, blanketflower populations can be supported (and, indeed, thrive) in home gardens. There are two popular garden species of Gaillardia: G. aristata (western, perennial) and G. pulchella (eastern, annual), both of which grow in Richland County’s USDA Hardiness Zone 8.

Blanketflower is one of the wildflower seed varieties offered through the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District’s Seed Sanctuary program that provides free seed to the public. To learn more about the program, visit www.richlandcountysc.gov/rswcd. 

References: University of Texas, USDA, Missouri Botanical Garden, Minnesota Native Plant Society, U.S. Forest Service, Gardenia

Download .pdf version

# # #

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@rcgov.us
Facebook www.facebook.com/rswcd


Message sent.
Name:
Email:
Subject:
Message:
x

Have a question or concern?

Contact the Ombudsman
One-Call Response Center

  • Call: (803) 929-6000
  • Email: ombudsman
  Search

Government

  • Advisory Councils
  • Boards
  • County Council
  • Courts and Judicial System
  • Departments
    • Department Directory
    • Animal Care
    • Budget and Grants Management
    • Building Codes & Inspections
    • Business Operations
    • Community Development
    • Conservation
      • Soil & Water Conservation District
        • About
        • Natural Resources Conservation
        • Youth Education
        • Join Us
        • Conservation District News
        • Board Meetings
      • Conservation Commission
      • Pinewood Lake Park
    • Executive
    • Health & Social Services
    • Government and Community Services
    • Grants
    • Legislative
    • Licensing & Registration
    • OSBO
    • Planning & Development
    • Public Information Office
    • Public Safety
    • Public Works
    • Taxes
    • Transportation Penny
    • Utilities
    • Voter Registration & Elections
  • Ordinances
  • Elected Offices
  • County ADA Compliance
  • Committees
  • Commissions

Find My District

Stay on top of issues affecting your area. District hearings, school closings, voting locations and more!

Get Started
Emergency Preparedness
Captcha
  • Home
    • About Richland County
    • Careers
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • FOIA
  • Residents
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Vector Control
    • Housing
    • Information for Residents
    • Emergency Preparedness
  • Businesses
    • Doing Business with Richland County
    • Running a Business
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government
    • Advisory Councils
    • Boards
    • County Council
    • Courts and Judicial System
    • Departments
    • Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
    • Commissions
  • Visitors

Richland County
South Carolina

Mailing Address
2020 Hampton Street
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29201

Physical Address
2020 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29204

One-Call Response Center
24 Hours (803) 929-6000

ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov

More Information

  • Richland County ADA Compliance
  • Title VI Public Participation Plan
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Follow us

Follow @RichlandSC

© Richland County, S.C. | Website by Cyberwoven