It all started with a curious email:

Hello COLAtoday team,

Recently, I’ve noticed lots of purple flowers blooming all over the city. Are they wisteria? Just wanted to know if you have any local knowledge to share!

All the best,
Reader Ellie B.

We decided to extend this question to our other readers and see if you wanted to join the conversation — and boy, did y'all share some answers, thoughts, and links.

"Wisteria is a non-native plant to SC. It was introduced in the US from China in the early 1900s. While it looks glorious in bloom, it is an invasive plant that can take over trees, fences, other shrubs, and generally your whole yard if you are not careful." — Reader Sara W.

Wisteria hanging out in the back of City Editor Sam's yard. | Photo by COLAtoday team

"Chinese wisteria, the kind we see most often around here is from China. Another common wisteria is from Japan. Both can escape, choke out native plants, and disrupt our normal plant and animal communities." — Reader Jerman T.

"Pretty as it is, it is an aggressive, invasive plant. It grows very fast, crowds and shades out native plants." — Reader Lynn Y.

The wisteria plant taking over a tree in West Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Columbia's Wisteria story

If you've seen pops of purple in Soda City, you'll know that wisteria is in bloom. The varieties you see in Columbia are usually Wisteria floribunda or Wisteria sinensis — plants native to Japan and China that were believed to be introduced to SC in the late 1800s.

These vines are both beautiful and invasive. Generally, the stunning blooms only last a few weeks, but the vines also produce thick roots that can kill other plants, particularly native SC plants. Over time, the root growth can damage garden structures, roads, or sidewalks.

There is a Wisteria — Wisteria frutescens — that's native to SC. You can find it at nurseries, and it's less aggressive. It produces smaller flowers and is a host plant for native moths and butterflies.

If you want to learn more about native plants, COLAtoday readers have recommended the SC Native Plant Society for its vast knowledge of native plants. The Midlands Chapter is hosting a native plant sale Saturday, April 12, where you can chat with locals who are familiar with native species and can highlight which will do well in SC's natural climate.

Click here to see the SCNPS's calendar of events.