Cities in SC that stay green for most of the winter? (Columbia: to live, pine)

[MarieScottStudios]

We are thinking of relocating to SC next year, and Greenville is currently at the top of our list. Our main reason to relocate is to find a nicer climate than we have in Wisconsin. Are there any cities that have a longer growing season than Greenville, yet aren't terribly humid in the summer? (We realize that all of SC is humid in the summer, and are fine with this, so I just mean relatively speaking.)

I am an artist who paints landscapes, so I'm really looking to find a part of your state that stays green for the majority of the year. We would prefer to live near a large city, but would consider a small town.

We are visiting Greenville after Christmas to explore, but are open to checking out other areas as well if you have any suggestions.

Thank you for your advice.

[Frankie117]

The Upstate of SC (which includes Greenville) has trees that turn colors in November, and they stay bare until April or so.

Areas like Columbia, Aiken, Florence (Basically the Sandhills and on towards the coast..) all have pine trees that are green year-round.

[waccamatt]

I'll expand on what Frankie said; the percentage of deciduous trees is higher the further inland you get in South Carolina. For instance, in parts of the Columbia area, evergreens (Pines) are widespread, while in other parts of town we have mostly hardwoods. Along the coast the growing season is slightly longer so the hardwoods don't lose their leaves until December and there are also more Palm Trees. Good luck on your search.

[MarieScottStudios]

Thanks for the info on the trees. Do any areas have grass during the winter, or does that pretty much turn brown too when the leaves fall off the trees?

[mpaquette]

Originally Posted by MarieScottStudios

Thanks for the info on the trees. Do any areas have grass during the winter, or does that pretty much turn brown too when the leaves fall off the trees?

Generally speaking, you will mostly find warm season grasses like centipede and bermuda. Warm season grasses turn brown once the night time temps start getting below 40 degrees. Some people over-seed their lawns with rye grass in the fall. This makes for a green lawn throughout the winter.

[waccamatt]

The grass is usually brown from November or December until March at my house. I still have a little green in my Bermuda right now.