This year, autumn can best be described as "quirky."  The normal warm and cool temperature swings have been anything but normal and it has been wet, very wet. The weeds are winning the race and as I write this yet another storm is approaching and with each gust of wind my house is bombarded by acorns.

Folk medicine and herbal teas have always fascinated me, so when I was asked recently to do a program for the Hilton Head Herb Society I got out my pocket guides and clippers. Our yards and gardens are veritable pharmacopoeia and whether a plant is grown intentionally or branded a “pesky weed” we are very lucky to have so much regional diversity of plants. Many of them are useful on their own for teas, salves, cordials, and others attract birds and insect pollinators. Here are a few of the locals.