As autumn takes hold in Manning, a special invitation is extended to lovers of gardening, nature, and community. The Manning Council of Garden Clubs is inviting fellow nature lovers to “Go Native” on Oct. 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Weldon Auditorium in Manning, SC.
I had a chance to meet with one of the “Go Native” speakers, local nature enthusiast, Glenn Quattlebaum about his love for native plants. After Mr. Quattlebaum parked his truck in my front yard, it was clear that I was in the company of someone with a genuine passion for all things natural and a wealth of knowledge. Just walking to my screened porch with him, I got a crash course on native plants.
Growing up in Manning with woods all around, young Mr. Quattlebaum was a free spirit, embracing nature with open arms. “I used to get up in the morning. I wore cut off blue jeans every day, never wore shoes except we’d go to church on Sunday. And I’d go uptown to the grocery store and I’d go barefoot because that’s what I always did,” Mr. Quattlebaum fondly remembered his childhood days. Influenced by his ag-teacher grandfather, he developed a deep-seated love for the local landscapes. Mr. Quattlebaum noted, “My grandfather would take me around the yard when I would go to his house and he’d tell me the scientific names of everything.”
Mr. Quattlebaum’s wisdom isn’t confined to plants alone; his understanding extends to the vibrant ecosystem that relies on the local flora. “I’ve got some trees that probably should be cut down... but dead trees are important too. And so I leave ‘em,” he said, emphasizing the role even dead trees play in sustaining wildlife. His garden, a manifestation of his love for ‘wild stuff’, attracts a flurry of birds fighting for berries, “the blueberries, blue birds and all these looking for the berries all the time.”
The knowledge Mr. Quattlebaum possesses is not just inherited but meticulously built over years, even going as far as creating a gallery documenting around “300 species and really fairly unusual plants” native to Clarendon county. With a biology background and experiences rich with varied wildlife, including fostering a special fondness for snakes, Mr. Quattlebaum’s approach to native plants is grounded yet expansive.
He embraces diversity in his garden and a practical approach to incorporating native plants, encouraging others to “grow what you like”, not sticking strictly to native varieties but fostering a habitat where local pollinators, bugs, and birds can thrive.
Collaborating with Daniel Payne, the founder of Beaufort Nature Scapes, who shares Mr. Quattlebaum’s passion for native plants, this pair will provide valuable insights into utilizing native plants in your yard on October 18. Mr. Quattlebaum’s collaboration with Mr. Payne, the “smartest plant guy that there is around”, promises to be a rich repository of knowledge, with both bringing a formidable understanding of native plants to the event. As they prepare to take center stage at the Weldon Auditorium, they share a vision of nurturing gardens that are not just visually appealing but also a haven for local fauna, a place where life thrives, a place as welcoming to birds and wildlife as it is to people.
The event promises to be more than just a learning session, but an opportunity to meet others in the community with a shared passion for nature. You will also have a chance to win a door prize in a free drawing, and light refreshments will be served to keep you energized. Plus, if you’re inspired to start your own native plant garden, you’ll find native plants available for sale along with essential gardening supplies.
“I’m not a purist... You don’t have to be snooty about it. You need to grow what you like,” Mr. Quattlebaum asserted, encouraging a harmonious blend of preferences and native choices in one’s garden, reflecting a philosophy of harmony and acceptance.
As our conversation wrapped up, Mr. Quattlebaum’s rich stories reverberated, leaving me anticipating the event, a day to honor the local spirit of Manning and Clarendon County, a region home to a plethora of plants not found elsewhere, standing uniquely on the edge of the coastal plane “between the Pee Dee and the low country and between the coastal plains and the Piedmont,” as Mr. Quattlebaum points out.
With a heart grounded in Manning’s rich natural heritage, Mr. Quattlebaum left me with words that beautifully encapsulate his philosophy, “I just love nature. How can you not love plants, bugs, and birds... Squirrels? Maybe not. Although... ” Mr. Quattlebaum said with a twinkle in his eye, “they’re pretty good with gravy on.”
