The Kohlbacher garden, Dallas. The gardens are divided into two types. First, the street side wildflower bed, the front and backyard gardens are an eclectic mix of items from Oklahoma gardens, what has been discovered in small out of the way nurseries, and other assorted plants, native and non-native. These gardens make no claim to being native plant gardens, although they have often used natives in the mix. Tall bearded irises are common in the front yard gardens and phacelia should also be in bloom there. The forest gardens are all native, and cover a bowl shaped area of about 3⁄4 of an acre at the headwaters of a small stream. Building the subdivision badly disrupted the natural water flow of the stream. The existing forest was killed off around the edges during development and is re-growing in pine and tulip poplar, while the central portion was undisturbed. It is a typical deciduous forest with an understory of native azaleas. Photos courtesy of Monika Schmid.

Martin and Gerda Taylor garden, Doraville. The development of the Taylor's garden has been in progress for over 20 years and is forever changing. It is primarily a shade garden with sunny locations along the edges and front. The gardens surround the home on 1/3 acre and serve as an excellent example of how a wide variety of plants and habitats can thrive in an urban environment. Over 200 varieties of plants are present including an abundance of camellias, azaleas, ferns and hostas. About half of the plants are native to Georgia. The garden features several small rock and bog gardens, a three-tiered terrace and a collection of interesting potted euphorbias native to Africa. Except for a few trees, all plantings and the landscape design were done by the Taylors. Photos courtesy of Martin Taylor.

EcoAddendum Garden, Decatur. In 2001, a small group of concerned gardeners and climbers rescued more than 77 species of plants (with landowner permission) from a large tract of land in southwest Fulton County just prior to its being cleared for development. Thus, the EcoAddendum grass roots effort was born. EcoAddendum became a non-profit corporation in October 2008. This is a garden with a mission. Plants in the specimen beds throughout the back yard are being propagated for reintroduction into forests and urban areas in the Georgia Piedmont region. The EcoAddendum garden has examples of several Georgia piedmont plant communities ranging from wetland to upland forest. Photos courtesy of Monika Schmid.

Heritage Park Trail, Mableton. The Heritage Park Trail project has been a GNPS undertaking for about six years. A mature hardwood forest in west Cobb County near the Silver Comet Trail holds the ruins of a historic mill and is owned by the Cobb County Park Department. The section of trail that our Society maintains begins at the trail entrance and goes to the wetlands boardwalk. Photos courtesy of Monika Schmid.

McFarlane Nature Park, East Cobb County. McFarlane Nature Park is an 11.5 acre passive green space. When Florence McFarlane died in 1990, she willed her land to the community with the intent that it would be maintained as a nature park for the community. In 1992, the Cobb Land Trust was organized and holds the title to the property. The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County started on the project in 1995 with a small native plant garden around the old pump house. In addition to the garden around the pump house, the Master Gardeners have developed native plant areas around the old barn where the pig sty once was and under a large oak tree. They have also renovated the 250’ long sun border that runs along the driveway into the park. Restoration work (privet removal) on a new area of the woods was started in the fall. Many plants are labeled. McFarlane Nature Park is open every day during daylight hours. Photos courtesy of Mary McGaughy.