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July 2023 — Volume XXIX, Number 4 — Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
Save the Dates! The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is coming August 18-19
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen-science project created by the University of Georgia. This project is designed for everyone to participate and make a difference for pollinator conservation. It is also a fantastic opportunity to observe firsthand the many native plant-pollinator relationships and to educate people about the importance of native plants. GNPS members have been participating in the Census since the project’s inception in 2019. Anyone can participate in the Census as an individual. Many GNPS chapters are facilitating community counting events during the Census as well — check out the chapter updates below for more information on those events. Learn more about the Census, how to participate, and a variety of resources for identifying pollinators at ggapc.org or on their Facebook page.
Plant Spotlight
Trumpet Creeper: Romping on Roadsides Now
Blooming on roadsides now is trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), a native vine that gets most of its love from the wildlife that use it. The bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers are popular with hummingbirds, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and bees. In addition the plant has extrafloral nectaries, which are special nectar-producing glands independent of the flower; these glands support ants, flies, and small bees. It is also a larval host plant to several Lepidoptera (moths), including the trumpet vine sphinx moth. Dense foliage provides cover and nesting habitat for birds.
Trumpet creeper is a dense, vigorous, multi-stemmed, deciduous, woody vine in the Bignoniaceae family. It is related to the spring-blooming crossvine (Bignonia capreolata). The pinnately compound leaves of trumpet creeper are up to 12 inches long, with as many as 7-11 leaflets and a single terminal leaflet. The leaflets have coarsely serrate margins and there are no tendrils on this vine. Trumpet creeper attaches itself to structures/trees and climbs by aerial rootlets.
Vines must be grown on sturdy structures because mature plants, with stems up to 40 feet long, produce considerable weight. It blooms on new growth, so early spring pruning will not affect the flowering. Trumpet vine is also commonly known as cow-itch vine because some people experience skin redness and itching after coming in contact with the leaves.
Statewide Volunteer Opportunities
Graphic Design for Statewide Resources
GNPS is ramping up its outreach and programs, and along with that, resources to complement and enhance the work. We are looking for help with sign design, templates, and updating our style guide to reflect our refreshed logo. If you are interested in lending your time and talent, please contact Executive Director Nikki Belmonte, at nbelmonte@gnps.org.
State Advocacy Committee
Are you passionate about seeing native plants flourish across Georgia? Put your passions to work with the GNPS State Advocacy committee. An initial meeting will be held later this summer. The purpose of this committee is to identify and evaluate opportunities to advocate for the use of native plants across Georgia as well as develop campaigns and partnerships that move our mission forward. Interested volunteers should contact Executive Director Nikki Belmonte, at nbelmonte@gnps.org.
Chapter Updates
Athens-East Piedmont
New Community Partnerships and Projects
We have formed a partnership with the Athens-Clarke County Office of Sustainability to assist with restoration plantings and invasive plant control on county properties in exchange for having a free meeting location every other month. We will also help maintain the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Dunson Native Flora Garden. It is an exceptional public resource for teaching about native woodland plants from all over the state, including some rare species.
Our first plant rescue project is in the works. We are looking for additional volunteers to be trained as facilitators as we anticipate having an active program as rapid development continues in our area.
Save the Date: Invasive Plants Workshop, September 30
Stay tuned for details on our one-day workshop on invasive plants presented in partnership with Athens-Clarke County Office of Sustainability, Athens-Clarke County Extension, and the UGA Bugwood Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Management.
Monthly Meeting: Using Rare Native Plants in the Garden, July 9
Join us on Sunday, July 9 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens to hear featured speaker Mincy Moffet, Biologist for the Georgia Ecological Services section of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and also a chapter member. He will discuss the opportunities and concerns about using rare native plants in our gardens and how we can help support rare plant populations.
Monthly Meeting: Creating Sustainable Landscapes, August 9
Join us on Wednesday, August 9 from 6:00–7:30 PM at Sandy Creek Nature Center for featured speaker Hall Roberts, owner-operator of Royal Landscape & Design, LLC and also a chapter member. He will present a program about how to create sustainable, ecologically focused landscapes.
Our monthly meetings provide feature presentations during the second week of each month. Meeting days alternate between Wednesday evenings in even months and Sunday afternoons in odd months.
Coastal Plain
Native Sedges Workshop, August 19–20
In collaboration with Georgia Botanical Society, the Coastal Plain Chapter is offering a 2-day workshop on native sedges on August 19–20 at Gaskins Forest Education Center in Alapaha. The workshop will be led by Dr. Richard Carter of Valdosta State University, who teaches Botany and Plant Systematics and is the VSU Herbarium Curator. He has published An Introduction to the Sedges of Georgia. The first day of the workshop will be classroom-based starting at 10 a.m., and the second day will be field-based starting at 9 a.m. Richard will provide downloadable online resources (classroom presentations) to people who have registered before the event. The class is free. To register and for more information, contact Heather Brasell at heather.brasell@gmail.com.
Location: Gaskins Forest Education Center, 3359 Moore Sawmill Rd, Alapaha, Georgia.
Time: Saturday August 19, starting at 10 a.m.; Sunday August 20, starting at 9 a.m.
Bring: Wetland footwear (essential for field trip), water, food, bug spray and hat.
A First — Joint program between GNPS and Florida Native Plant Society!
On Wednesday, June 21, Coastal Plains Chapter past president, Heather Brasell, was featured in a panel discussion on “Top 12 Native Plants for Gardening.” This livestreamed Florida Native Plant Society “After Hours” program was the first collaborative program between the FNPS and GNPS. GNPS State Board Chair Ellen Honeycutt, FNPS President Mark Katelli, and Coastal Plains Chapter President Mary Alice Applegate were also panelists, sharing notes about favorite plants found in both Georgia and Florida. For those who missed the live program, you can access it on the FNPS YouTube link. A downloadable resource of most of the plants discussed is on the GNPS website.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census in the Coastal Plain, August 18–19
We will have a planning session with library staff on July 8 at 9 a.m. to plan future workdays to install a native plant garden. Contact Linda Bratcher at Linda.bratcher@gnps.org if interested in assisting.
Tentative dates for wildflower hikes in Oaky Woods are Thursdays, July 13, August 10, and September 14. Turkey hunting season has ended, which has restricted vehicular access. We plan to meet at the kiosk and bike to the Grand Prairie. Even though it is the only planned stop, we still will not see all of the prairie’s 200 acres. Plan on being at Oaky Woods for about four hours, so bring water for the bike trip and some for when we return to the vehicles. Contact Greg Lewis with questions about this event.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census in Intown Atlanta, August 19
The Intown Atlanta chapter will be facilitating this citizen-science project on Saturday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. If you'd like to volunteer to help by distributing census forms, helping with the count, and promoting GNPS at the venue, please contact Baker Owens at rbakerowens@gmail.com.
Intown Members Receive Recognition by Park Pride
Two members recently received Park Pride Inspiration Awards. Valerie Boss has been recognized for her work at Ira B. Melton Park in North Decatur. Hear what Valerie has to say about the park. Marti Breen, who serves on the communications committee and is co-chair of the restoration committee, has been recognized for her work in attracting more volunteers to Herbert Taylor Park in Atlanta. Hear more from Marti here.
Intown Atlanta Chapter Receives $1,000 Award
The award was earned for exceptional participation in the Historic Druid Hills Home and Garden Tour. Volunteers had the opportunity to extol the benefits of native gardens to hundreds of visitors by serving as house managers and docents. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this outreach so successful. Member Becca Raciborski was instrumental in adding the native plant component to the tour this year.
Virginia Dupre's back yard, one of the native gardens featured on the tour.
Intown Chapter Forming an Advocacy Committee
Thanks to the leadership of new chairperson Kathleen Holliday, a preliminary meeting was held on June 15 to identify co-chairs to lead the following subcommittees to begin inspiring change in the following advocacy areas:
City & County Governments
Homeowners' Associations
Real Estate Developers (Commercial and Residential)
Nurseries and Landscapers
If you are interested in assisting, please email intown@gnps.org.
We are pleased to report that The Intown Atlanta chapter now has over 400 members!
North Georgia Mountains
July Field Trip
The July field trip is tentatively scheduled for Sky Valley on the second Saturday. This will be in place of the chapter’s monthly meeting. More information, including details on parking, will be announced soon.
Future Presentations will be Recorded!
We are excited to begin recording and posting presentations given at our monthly meetings. We have been working out the process and anticipate that our next presentation will be recorded and available for viewing.
Explore the broad palette of native perennials that bring color, texture, and visual interest to the autumn garden. Register for this free webinar here.
Old Rucker Farm Native Plant Habitat Workdays, July 22 and August 27 at 9 a.m.
Join us for a workday at the habitat on the farm! We’ll be weeding and mulching the garden. If you plan on attending, please sign up at the link provided for each event above.
Help us Grow Educational Programming in North Metro Atlanta
With more than 300 members in North Metro Atlanta, the education committee is looking to expand its program offerings. To effectively accomplish this, we are looking for volunteers with a desire to share their talents. Knowledgeable speakers, event planners, committee organizers, savvy marketers, proud gardeners, worker bees, town socialites, born leaders, business owners, educators, lifelong learners, and more… please help us grow! If you want to bring more native plant education to your neighborhood, your town, your county, please send us an email.
West Georgia
Dragonfly Presentation, August 5
The chapter’s August 5th meeting will feature a presentation on “Dragonflies 101” by naturalist Rose Guerra. Rose will discuss the dragonfly life cycle, describe some common dragonfly species, and explain how to attract dragonflies to your garden. The meeting will be held at the Carroll County Agricultural Center in Carrollton. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a reception, followed by the presentation at 7:00 p.m. For more details, see the calendar event.
Buffalo Creek Trails Update
Fifty native azalea bushes have been planted along the new Wedding Ring Loop Trail at the chapter’s restoration site, Buffalo Creek Trails in Carrollton. This project required many volunteer hours to clear the ground, plant the bushes, and keep them watered until established. A wonderful group of employees from Southwire participated in two of our work sessions and were a tremendous help in getting these plants into the ground. We expect a terrific color display along this trail next spring. Our work sessions are every Tuesday morning, weather permitting.
“The Nest,” which is a designated bird sanctuary area within the Trails tract, now boasts a whimsical bird sculpture by local artist Joel Johnston. The Nest also features numerous trees and bushes that are especially popular with birds due to their berry production, such as chokeberry, beautyberry, serviceberry, and more.
Chapter stewardship of Buffalo Creek Trails continues with new plantings and the addition of a sculpture from local artist Joel Johnson.
For more information on chapter restoration activities, please visit our Facebook page.
Fall Plant Sale, September 16
The chapter’s Fall Plant Sale will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 16 at the Agricultural Center in Carrollton. The West Georgia Chapter and half a dozen nurseries will all have native plants for sale, including wildflowers, shrubs, ground covers, ferns, vines, and trees. The chapter and most of our vendors accept credit cards, so no need to worry about running out of cash. The sale will be held under cover in the Ag Center’s barn, rain or shine.
Endangered Species Exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
An art exhibit, Imperiled Beauty, will be at the Atlanta Botanical Garden from August 12 to December 3. The exhibit by Laura C. Martin, GNPS member, author and botanical artist, showcases the eighteen federally endangered species native to Georgia. Nearly 20% of Georgia’s native plants are threatened or endangered. This exhibit consists of watercolor paintings of each endangered plant along with information about why it is vulnerable and possible ways to help.
Georgia Native Plant Society PO Box 422085 Atlanta, GA 30342 (770) 343-6000 Unsubscribe
