Spartanburg: Where Plants and People Coexist (Mostly)

another day, another plant. or rather, another thousand plants. that’s what happens when you’re a botanist in the south, i guess. everything grows, and everything needs to be cataloged. i landed in spartanburg a few weeks ago, and the first thing i noticed? the trees. they’re everywhere, and they’re telling stories.

i just peered out the window and it’s that kind of damp, cool air that clings to your clothes and skin, right around 8 degrees, with humidity making everything feel like it’s breathing. hope you brought your waterproof boots, because the ground is soggy but the plants are loving it. the high pressure? it’s like the atmosphere is holding its breath, and the leaves are glossy and vibrant.

spartanburg’s got this vibe, you know? like it’s trying too hard to be a city but the plants keep taking over. i spent a whole day at the hatcher garden, and honestly, it’s a hidden gem. the way they’ve arranged the native plants with the non-native ones? chaotic but beautiful. found a fern there that’s supposed to be extinct in the wild - or at least that’s what the sign said. then i heard from a gardener that it’s actually a common variety but they rebranded it for tourists. who knows?

a local i met over coffee warned me that the city’s oldest oak tree is actually a collection of three trees fused together, but no one’s sure how it happened. sounded like a tall tale, but i checked and it’s true. it’s massive, and the way the trunks twist together? it’s like they’re holding hands.

the people here? they’re plant people. the kind who will stop you on the street to ask if you’ve seen the rare orchid blooming behind the old library. i went looking, and it’s gone. maybe it was a one-time thing? if you get tired of the greenery, greenville and charleston are just a short drive away, each with their own botanical oddities. but honestly? spartanburg’s got its own charm. the downtown area has these little pockets of wildflowers popping up between the concrete cracks.


at the farmers market, i found a vendor selling native wildflowers - black-eyed susans and coneflowers. bought a bunch and planted them in my little balcony garden. they’re already attracting bees, which is great because the bee population here is struggling. or so i heard from a beekeeper who was there selling honey. said the city’s been spraying for mosquitoes and it’s killing the bees. sounded legit, but i don’t know.


last weekend, i went hiking at croft state park. the trails are well-marked, and the forest is dense with pine and oak. found a patch of moss that was glowing green in the low light. and i saw a deer, which was cool. the park is only a few minutes from downtown, so it’s perfect for a quick escape. just be sure to bring bug spray - the mosquitoes are out in force when the humidity is high.


spartanburg used to be all farmland, and then they built the city. but the farmers left a lot of old fruit trees, and now they’re growing wild. i found an apple tree in the middle of a parking lot, and it had the sweetest apples. took a few samples for my collection. the locals just walk by without noticing, but for a botanist? it’s treasure.


ate at this place called the herb corner, which uses local herbs in all their dishes. had a salad with dandelion greens and purslane, which were foraged from a nearby field. tasted fresh and earthy. the chef told me he’s trying to bring back native plants in the local cuisine. said it’s healthier and more sustainable. the restaurant is on main street, and it’s worth a visit if you’re into that kinda thing. you can check out their menu on yelp.


for more about the local flora, the spartanburg county parks are a must. they’ve got trails that wind through forests of pine and oak, and they’re not too crowded. and if you’re looking to learn, the spartanburg community college horticulture program offers some great courses. i sat in on a class and learned how to propagate hydrangeas - turns out you need acidic soil, which we’ve got in spartanburg. oh, and don’t miss the spartanburg farmers market on saturdays. the vendors are friendly, and the produce is fresh. i bought a bunch of heirloom tomatoes and chatted with a guy who’s been growing them for 40 years. he told me the secret is talking to your plants. weird, but i tried it and my basil is doing better than ever.


so yeah, it’s a little damp, a little chaotic, but the plants? they’re thriving. and that’s a botanist’s dream. i’m already thinking about extending my stay. maybe i’ll find that orchid.