Education and awareness is a main purpose of highlighting a Plant of the Year. Help us spread the word about this awesome native plant by wearing it! Get your Plant of the Year shirt to wear to the spring plant sales. Browse our online store for a variety of styles and colors. Each design has both 100% cotton and 60/40 cotton poly blends available - click on “size and fabric info” on each product’s page for the specific details.
Help us with the next Plant of the Year process! The Plant of the Year committee is seeking additional volunteers to assist in the nomination process. Volunteering will involve reviewing nominations via email in September and attending one or two virtual meetings per year. If you’re interested, please contact Nikki Belmonte.
Remembering Leslie Edwards
GNPS and other environmental organizations lost a dear friend and tireless advocate for native plants when Leslie Edwards passed away on December 27, 2024. Leslie had been a member for many years, and she first served on the GNPS State Board of Directors in 2015, returning to the board in 2019-2020. During her time on the board, she shared her passion for teaching people about native plants by acting as the Director of Education.
As noted by Birds Georgia, Leslie was also an avid birder, and she contributed a chapter to the Georgia Breeding Bird Atlas. She also served as President of the Georgia Botanical Society. Her finest legacy may be a book familiar to many members, The Natural Communities of Georgia, for which she was the lead author. With the book no longer in print, Leslie had begun making much of its content freely available online at naturalcommunitiesofgeorgia.com. All native plant advocates will find it to be a treasure of information.
Leslie wished to have no memorial service. Her husband Jay suggested a donation to Georgia Native Plant Society, Birds Georgia, or Trees Atlanta, or the American Cancer Society. To honor Leslie and acknowledge how broadly she inspired people across the state, GNPS will host an annual summer lecture in her name. We will provide information each year about the opportunity to support scholarships in her name as part of registration for that event.
For the full article, which includes remembrances from GNPS members, click on the button below.
Weeping form of yaupon holly (photo by E. Honeycutt).
Evergreen plants are much appreciated and people often ask for native evergreen shrub recommendations. One of the most popular ones for landscaping is Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). No matter where you are in the state you can find this native being used in landscapes: sometimes as a dwarf foundation-type shrub, or as a large shrub, or as a weeping form that grows much like a small tree.
This plant’s native range, however, is the Coastal Plain, so plants in the Piedmont and other northern ecoregions are out of range. Perhaps if we’d given it another 5000 years, it might have worked its way northward thanks to the birds. It is a prolific spreader – I just found a seedling next to my mailbox (I’m in the Piedmont) and I’m not even sure where there is a fruiting adult.
Yaupon holly fruits (photo by E. Honeycutt).
Like all hollies, flowers are borne on separate male and female plants (so plan to get more than one). If properly pollinated by bees, the small female flowers turn into shiny red fruits. If you’re not sure which sex you have, check the flowers in spring: female flowers have a raised green ovary in the center while male flowers have a circle of pollen-tipped stamens in the center. You might need a hand lens or magnifying glass to see.
Left: Female holly flowers (on Ilex verticillata, photo by E. Honeycutt). Right: Male flowers of Ilex vomitoria, from Atlas of Florida Plants).
Yaupon holly is widely known for being a source of caffeine, and you can find Yaupon tea for sale. If you’re looking to purchase Yaupon holly, be sure to check the scientific name. There is a Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) that looks similar and is often stocked in big box stores. If you find a plant that you’re not sure about, first check leaf arrangement: the similar looking boxwood (Buxus) has opposite leaf arrangement while hollies are alternate. Next, check the leaves: Ilex vomitoria has leaves that are toothed to the base while the exotic Ilex crenata has fewer teeth.
Statewide Opportunities
Stone Mountain Propagation Project is Hoppin'! Come Volunteer.
As spring approaches, work at the GNPS Stone Mountain Propagation Project (SMPP) is intensifying. Volunteering at SMPP gives people an opportunity to learn about native plants through hands-on experience while actively supporting GNPS projects. Volunteers also help improve and maintain the Cox Nature Garden and other areas of the park. Volunteer work days occur weekly, alternating between Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (check the GNPS calendar for dates). To get on the email list for SMPP updates, contact smpp_admin@gnps.org.
State House Supports Native Plant Month
The State House passed a bill this week to designate April as Native Plant Month in Georgia. If also passed by the State Senate and signed by the governor, the bill, sponsored by Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs), will make the designation permanent and not require an annual proclamation (as has been used in the past). We applaud the House for passing this bill and look forward to celebrating in April.
The bill to change the state flower from the invasive Cherokee rose to the native Sweetbay magnolia (House Bill 145 – also sponsored by Rep. Silcox) is still pending before the House Special Rules Committee. We continue to encourage and need members from all parts of the state to reach out to your state representative and senator to ask them to support the state flower change this year.
Certificate in Native Plants Scholarships
Georgia Native Plant Society is proud to partner with the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to sponsor two scholarships for the Certificate in Native Plants program. The Certificate in Native Plants includes a comprehensive series of courses in the identification, propagation and conservation of Georgia’s native plants and the ecosystems that support them, with an emphasis on participatory learning. Read more here for program and application details.
Florida Native Plant Society Conference Scholarship
Registration is open for Florida Native Plant Society’s 2025 Conference on April 3-6 in Gainesville, FL. GNPS is proud to offer a scholarship to cover one full conference registration for in-person participation for a student, professional or GNPS volunteer from Georgia. Click here to view the scholarship application. The application deadline is Thursday, March 6.
Cullowhee Native Plant Conference and Scholarships
Comment on the 2025 Draft State Wildlife Action Plan
Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is being updated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and your feedback is welcome. The purpose of this statewide strategy is to guide conservation efforts for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and their habitats for the next ten years (2025-2035), before these animals and plants become rarer and more costly to conserve and restore. Read this post about how to see portions of the draft SWAP specifically focused on plants. Comments must be provided between by March 21, 2025, either through the survey below or via email to WCScomments@dnr.ga.gov.
Chapter Updates
Athens-East Piedmont
Growing a Native Meadow/Prairie, March 9
Learn how to cultivate a native wildflower meadow, large or small, to attract pollinating insects and other wildlife with Karin Hicks of Southern Meadows. Whether you are converting a lawn or starting from bare soil Karin will explain the different ways to establish and maintain this critical habitat. This program will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens (780 Timothy Road, Athens) on Sunday, March 9 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Field Trip: Little Mulberry Park, Gwinnett County, March 22
Join us on Saturday, March 22 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for a hike at Little Mulberry Park (3855 Fence Road, Auburn) through a high quality Piedmont forest with, hopefully, some early blooming spring wildflowers. The hike will be about 2 miles with moderate difficulty due to some steep grades. Registration will be required; stay tuned for registration details through the chapter newsletter and chapter Facebook group. Questions may be directed to Connie Gray.
Prescribed Fire: A Critical Tool for Plant Diversity, April 9
Buck Marchinton, Wildlife Biologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, will share how prescribed fire is used to manage lands and what the benefits are for native plants and animals. This program will be held at Sandy Creek Nature Center (205 Old Commerce Road, Athens) on Wednesday, April 9 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Field Trip: Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Madison County, April 27
Join us to explore the lovely trails of Watson Mill Bridge State Park (650 Watson Mill Road, Comer) on Saturday, April 27 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The park is situated along the South Fork River and is home to a historic covered bridge as well as many quality natural habitats. Trails should be mostly easy. The group will also meet with park staff to discuss how the Athens-East Piedmont Chapter can help enhance their native plant education programs. Registration will be required; stay tuned for registration details through the chapter newsletter and chapter Facebook group. Questions may be directed to Connie Gray.
Augusta’s River Region
Educational Presentation at Laverlea Preserve, March 13
Join other members of the Augusta’s River Region Chapter educational evening at Laverlea Preserve in Columbia County on March 13 (time TBA). This will be an effort to educate local officials and businesses about the potential of this site.
Heggie’s Rock Hike, March 22
Join us for a guided hike at Heggie’s Rock Preserve in Columbia County. Stay tuned for details through the chapter’s email and chapter Facebook group.
Learn & Burn at the McDuffie Public Fishing Area, April 30
Attend this public session with members of Augusta’s River Region Chapter with the intention of assisting park staff in future restoration efforts on the grounds of McDuffie Public Fishing Area in Dearing, a Georgia Department of Natural Resources facility.
Registration for the South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium is open! The symposium will be held on Wednesday, March 19 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton. The event is co-sponsored by the Coastal Plain Chapter and the Camellia District of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Educational presentations include:
Creating a Beautiful Landscape while Conserving Natural Resources
Ferns of South Georgia
Connect to Protect: A Call to Action from a Conservation Botanist
Feathers & Flora.
Native plants will be for sale starting at 8:30 a.m. Registration costs $50 for regular admission and $25 for student admission; both fees include lunch. Please register at www.sgnpws.org.
At the end of the symposium, the Coastal Plain Chapter will have their annual spring chapter meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Spring Educational Events…with Plant Sales!
Find the Coastal Plain Chapter tabling, presenting and selling plants at these spring events across the region:
Coastal WildScapes Symposium and Plant Sale - March 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Day in the Woods - Saturday April 12 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Kolomoki Mounds State Park – April 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Includes a presentation on native plants followed by a plant sale.
Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail Symposium Plant Sale– May 2 from 8:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
iNaturalist Workshop at Gaskins Forest Education Center, May 3-4.
Propagation Workshop at Gaskins Forest Education Center, May 11.
Coastal Plain Chapter Garden Grants Awarded
The Coastal Plain Chapter awards grants to area projects that educate students and adults of all ages about the ecological importance of native plant species and pollinators in our landscapes. Current recipients include:
Kolomoki State Park in Blakely for revitalization of a pollinator garden.
Chehaw Park in Albany for expansion of the existing educational garden.
Fringed Campion
National Seed Lab Tour and Talk, March 8
Join us on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 p.m. for a tour of the National Seed Lab in Dry Branch. Enjoy a presentation by forester Tia Tyler, a guided tour of the lab, and a self-guided tour of the on-site museum. Registration is required; click here to register.
StoryWalk Opening at the Native Plant Garden at Amerson River Park, April 5
Celebrate the opening of the StoryWalk at the Native Plant Garden at Amerson River Park in Macon on April 5 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with children's crafts and activities. The StoryWalk will feature The Garden Next Door by Collin Pine and illustrated by Tiffany Everett, made possible by a generous grant from Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC. The StoryWalk will remain up through the end of April for all families to enjoy together.
Tree Walk and Talk at the Georgia Forestry Commission, April 12
Enjoy a walk with forester Seth Hawkins and learn tree maintenance, light pruning, and tree risk assessment. A self-guided tour of the on-site museum is available. The program will take place at the Georgia Forestry Commission (5645 Riggins Mill Rd, Dry Branch) on Saturday, April 12 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Registration is required; click here to register.
Upcoming Garden Workdays
Give us a hand at one of our spring workdays;
March 16 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Old City Cemetery in downtown Macon.
March 23 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Amerson River Park in Macon.
April 19 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Amerson River Park in Macon.
Eco-Friendly AND Delicious: Edible Native Plants to Add to Your Garden, March 8
Want to learn about native plants that not only provide food and habitat for beneficial wildlife, but are also safe and tasty for you to eat? Join us at Metropolitan Library in Atlanta where Andrea Greco will share her knowledge about selected native species that are both edible for people and appropriate for our gardens. Register now!
Spring Wildflower Walks, April 5
Join us for a guided stroll through Woodlands Garden, an 8-acre woodland sanctuary in Decatur, where native wildflowers and deciduous azaleas put on a spectacular show in the spring. This event will be co-hosted with Trees Atlanta and Woodlands Garden. Register or join the waitlist for either the morning time slot at 10:00 am or the afternoon time slot at 1:00 pm.
Spring Plant Swap at W.D. Thomson Park, April 26
Save the date! We will be hosting our ever-popular spring plant swap at W. D. Thomson Park, an Intown Atlanta Chapter GNPS Restoration Site. Participants will be able to swap up to 10 plants. If you have extra, please bring more to share with others just starting out. If you don’t have plants to share yet, come anyway – we will have extra so nobody will leave empty-handed!
Maritime
Promoting Native Plant Gardening, March 8
Join us for our chapter meeting featuring Vice Chair, Marc Strickland, presenting “Introduction to Georgia Native Plants: Promoting Native Plant Gardening.” We will also hear from Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens volunteer, Maurice Middleberg, about opportunities to help in the Native Plant Trail at the Gardens. This meeting will take place in the Frank Williams Classroom at the Gardens.
Closing Reception: Lisa Watson’s Native Plant Gallery Exhibit, March 8
Join other Maritime Chapter members at the closing reception of Lisa Watson's native plant gallery exhibit, “Surroundings: Daydreaming in the Chaos.” The exhibit is open now until Saturday, March 8, on which date there will be a closing reception from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
The exhibit is located at Savannah Ceramic Supply LLC, 415 Bonaventure Rd., Thunderbolt.
Maritime Chapter at Coastal Wildscapes Spring Sale, April 5
Find the Maritime Chapter tabling and promoting the new chapter at the Coastal Wildscapes plant sale at the Ashantilly Center in Darien on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Chapter member-owned "All the Buzz" will be one of the native nurseries selling plants!!
North Georgia Mountains
Chapter Meeting, March 8
Join us at the Blairsville Public Library on Saturday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. for a presentation on bees by Becky Griffin of the UGA Cooperative Extension.
North Metro Atlanta
Trout Lily Creek Loop Trail Hike, March 9
Join National Park Service Naturalist Jerry Hightower on Sunday, March 9 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. for one of the most scenic walks in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Enjoy the beautiful forest, grand vistas of Thornton and Devil’s Race Course Shoals, and the dramatic palisades created by the Brevard Fault. *This event is full, but you can join the waitlist by emailing northmetroatlanta@gnps.org.
North Metro Atlanta Spring Plant Sale, April 12
In partnership with the North Fulton Master Gardeners, we will be hosting our annual plant sale at Wills Park in Alpharetta on Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for a list of plants in April.
Heritage Park Workdays
Habitat restoration work continues at Heritage Park in central Cobb County with tasks including invasive removal, native plantings and garden maintenance. Learn more below:
Join us for a workday at the habitat on the farm! We will be weeding and mulching the garden. If you plan on attending, please sign up with the following links:
The West Georgia Chapter’s Spring Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. is a huge event involving multiple nurseries and growers, all together under one roof. Shoppers can choose from a wide variety of native wildflowers, ground covers, trees, shrubs, and vines, including some that are seldom sold commercially. Each booth is run by an independent vendor, and customers must pay for any plants they are purchasing from that vendor before leaving the booth. Most vendors accept credit cards. After purchasing, plants can be left in the supervised holding area while you continue to shop. Carts are not provided, but shoppers are welcome to bring their own. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. sharp, and only vendors and workers will be allowed into the Ag Center prior to that time. Please join us for this exciting event that will kick-start your garden for the new growing season!
Thank You to our Organizational Members & Sponsors
