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May 2024 — Volume XXX, Number 3 — Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
GNPS Receives Organization Award
Birds Georgia honored Georgia Native Plant Society with its inaugural Organization Award, recognizing the hard work and years of dedication to the success of birds. The award was presented at the Georgia BirdFest Summit at the Classic Center in Athens on April 20th. Connie Gray of the Athens-East Piedmont Chapter accepted the award on our behalf, in between tabling the event and selling native plants of course! We are incredibly honored to be recognized by one of Georgia’s top conservation organizations and look forward to many more years of partnership.
Jared Teutsch, Birds Georgia Executive Director, and Connie Gray of GNPS.
Plant Spotlight: Kalmia latifolia
Ellen Honeycutt
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is blooming now in its range. Despite the common name of this large native shrub, the natural range extends south of the North Georgia Mountains into the Coastal Plain. I have enjoyed seeing it in the mountains, in the parks near me in Roswell, and at FDR State Park in Harris County. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to rescue some small ones on a GNPS rescue and now I have it in my own landscape where the blooms are just opening as I write this.
BONAP distribution map of Kalmia latifolia in Georgia and surrounding area.
If you’re out hiking, look for it near streams and on sloped areas near streams. In the mountains, it is often side by side with native species of evergreen Rhododendron. In Roswell, you can find it at Roswell Mill and the Vickery Creek Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area where it is mixed with Rhododendron minus.
Riverside mountain laurel in northwest Atlanta (photo by Tom Wilson).
Mountain laurel flowers have an interesting pollination strategy: the stamens are initially tucked into little depressions around the center of the flower, held in place by tension. When a pollinator lands on the flower, a stamen is released from the tension, showering the pollinator with pollen that the pollinator will take to the next flower. If you’d like to see that in action, here is a video on YouTube. Research shows that bees are the primary pollinators.
Flower with arrow pointing at tucked stamen.
This shrub is especially popular for being evergreen but its large natural size means that folks with smaller properties may not want to use it. Breeding programs in the northeastern US have identified smaller forms and propagated them as cultivars that reflect their size: ‘Elf’ and ‘Minuet,’ for example. In these particular cultivars, the flower form and leaves have not been affected so they still support our native pollinators.
The genus is named after Swedish botanist Peter Kalm (1716-1779) who botanized in parts of eastern North America from 1747 to 1751.
Invasive Species Management (Part 3): Using Herbicides
Heather Brasell
It is important that we understand how herbicides fit into our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolkit of methods for managing invasive plants and how we can use herbicides responsibly and appropriately as part of good land management practices.
Weed Wrangle volunteers use cut-stump method to apply herbicide to small woody plants.
As a forest manager involved with environmental education, I hear a broad spectrum of people’s views. On one end of the spectrum, people who reflexively cross their arms and “just say no” to any use of herbicides. On the other end are people who want to apply herbicide to any inconvenient plant in their vicinity. However, most people are somewhere in between these extremes.
Thank you to everyone who voiced their support for Senate Bill 518 during the 2024 legislative session (January 1- March 31). Unfortunately the bill did not reach the Senate floor in time. We received bipartisan support and positive feedback, so the Advocacy Committee will use this year to prepare for the 2025 legislative session. Click here to read more about our efforts to change the state flower.
Statewide Opportunities
Tabling Volunteers Needed for GNPS Table in Cartersville, June 29
GNPS has been invited to table at the Georgia Master Gardeners’ Open Day at the Rose Lawn Museum Demonstration Garden on Saturday, June 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kelley Hanada, the nursery manager for the Stone Mountain Propagation Project, will provide a propagation demo and needs volunteers to talk to event visitors about GNPS and answer questions about native plants. We are looking for one volunteer to join Kelley for set up/morning shift (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) and another volunteer for the afternoon/break down shift (12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.). Please contact Nikki Belmonte, if you’re interested, at nbelmonte@gnps.org.
Volunteer at the GNPS Stone Mountain Propagation Project
Did you know that GNPS has a site inside Stone Mountain Park that carries out the mission to promote stewardship and conservation of native plants and their habitats? The Stone Mountain Propagation Project (SMPP) is volunteer-led and could use more GNPS members to support this growing work. SMPP's approach has broadened with the goal to produce as many plants suitable for habitat restoration needs. This includes trying to grow several different types of grasses, by the thousands, in plug size and 10-15 different flowering pollinator plants. SMPP still accepts rescued plants and will continue to propagate native plants not readily found at nurseries.
SMPP volunteers have diverse backgrounds, including experience with gardening or knowledge of native plants, that gets shared at work days on a weekly basis. If you are interested in joining SMPP's efforts or would like to stay up to date on their progress, please contact SMPP_Admin@GNPS.org to be added to the mailing list. A list of work days can be found here.
Grants and Scholarships Committee Volunteers
The GNPS State Grants and Scholarships Committee is looking for a couple new volunteers from the east Piedmont area (Athens, Augusta areas) and west Georgia to review and evaluate applications for the Jeane Reeves Research Award and the State Botanical Garden Certificate in Native Plants Scholarship. Generally this committee meets twice annually to determine awards and plan for the following year. If you are interested in contributing your time, please contact Nikki Belmonte at nbelmonte@gnps.org.
Help Shape the Future: 2025 State Board Positions
Have you ever considered bringing your perspective and experience to the GNPS State Board of Directors? As the organization continues to increase mission-critical activities and transition to staff-led operations, we are looking for individuals to lend their time and talent towards the grand vision of growing a better landscape in Georgia. The GNPS State Governance committee is starting its recruitment process for 3-year board member positions beginning on January 1, 2025. Critically, we are looking for our next Treasurer, who will provide general oversight and analysis of the Society’s finances (not day-to-day bookkeeping). We are also focused on adding more diverse voices to the Board, specifically people representing BIPOC communities, east and west Georgia communities and the landscaping/green industry. If you are interested and want to learn more, please contact Governance committee co-chairs, Chadd Reynolds (chadd.reynolds@gnps.org) or Lori Conway (lori.conway@gnps.org).
Chapter Updates
Athens-East Piedmont
Spring Plant Sale, May 4
The Athens-East Piedmont Chapter is holding its first ever plant sale on Saturday, May 4 at Sunrise Nursery from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The sale will take the place of our regular May chapter meeting. The nursery is located at 550 Athens Road in Winterville. Hope to see you there!
Save the Date - Guided Hike May 19
Join us for a guided hike at Hard Labor State Park. Times and details will be posted after our plant sale.
Chapter Meeting, June 12
Join us on Wednesday, June 12 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center to discuss upcoming plans for our chapter as we process the success (we hope!) of our first plant sale. In addition, we will hold a Gardening Swap for all who have equipment, books, etc. to share with others. Native seeds will also be welcome.
Augusta's River Region
Meet the New Board Officers, May 2
The next chapter meeting will be Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia County Library, Study Room B, in Evans. This is a great chance to meet the new board president, Sarah Osborn, and vice president, Anthony Simmons, as well as returning board members Mary Caddell and Cathy Minor. Upcoming programming such as partner hikes and weed wrangle events will be discussed - please join us with your program ideas.
Follow our chapter on Facebook for the latest activities.
Coastal Plain
Upcoming Plant Sales in May
The Coastal Plain Chapter’s next plant sale will be at the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Symposium on May 3 in Plains. Then on May 24 the chapter has been invited to sell plants at the Okefenokee Heritage Center Folk Festival in Waycross. Hope to see you there!
Field Identification of Plants, May 18
Dr Jason Scott, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, will be conducting a Field Plant Identification class on May 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This event will take participants through site visits to new locations, as well as covering the process of identifying plant species and categorizing them to better understand the type of habitats the site represents. We will explore diagnostic features of a wide range of flowering plants to help identify plants in the field. Participants will meet at Room 108, Yow Building, ABAC, Moore Highway in Tifton. The class is a collaboration between the Coastal Plain Chapter and the Botanical Society of Georgia. Registration and questions: Heather Brasell heather.brasell@gmail.com.
National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year, Heather Brasell
Heather Brasell, Coastal Plain Chapter education committee chair, was recognized as the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year by the American Forest Foundation in March. The award was presented to her in Vancouver, WA at the 2024 AFF National Leadership Conference.
From left, Angela Wells, Rita Hight (CEO American Forest Foundation), and Heather Brasell.
GNPS members are invited to Becca Gay's North Highlands home for a tour on Saturday, May 11 at 4:30 p.m. Meet the plants, discuss challenges and successes, and exchange ideas. Space is limited, so please click here to register.
Wesleyan Market Native Plant Sale, June 8
Join us on Saturday, June 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a summer plant sale at the Wesleyan Market in Macon.
The Intown Atlanta Chapter has launched a YouTube channel! Our first video features the spring portion of A Year of Native Gardening in Atlanta, a presentation made by Intown board member, Laura Qadri, and Michael Hudgins of Woods Keeper to a packed audience in January at the Tucker-Reid library. Watch it here. Please help spread the word about native habitats - Like, share, and subscribe!
Ormewood Park Makers Festival, May 18
Come visit our booth at the Ormewood Park Makers Festival on Saturday, May 18 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for a full day of native plant fun. We will be giving away free native plants (while supplies last), educating visitors about the benefits of native plants and presenting a native plant workshop open to non-members. During the festival, Intown Atlanta board member Jeremiah Woods will lead a 1-2 hour native garden tour at a private residence beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The workshop will include
a garden tour,
a guide to choosing, procuring, and caring for native plants,
tips on non-native invasive species identification and removal, and
You’re invited to the third annual Intown Atlanta GNPS Native Garden Tour on Saturday, June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Register for this day of self-guided tours and get inspired about adding native plants to your yard or patio. The five gardens are located near Atlanta’s Southside and Westside BeltLine Trails. Visit each garden in any order during the event and learn from the homeowner or primary gardener and GNPS volunteers who will be on site to answer questions. This is a rain or shine event.
This tour has sold out the last two years, so get your tickets early and invite your friends and family! Volunteers and children under 16 attend free. Purchase tickets through this link.
The garden tour is Intown Atlanta’s major annual fundraising event. Ticket sales support our educational, restoration, and advocacy activities focused on inspiring Atlanta to grow and preserve native plants. We also warmly invite you to make an additional donation to our chapter when you register for the tour. Your support makes our all-volunteer-led work possible!
Interested in volunteering for the event? Volunteers will be asked to work four-hour shifts at one of the gardens and can attend the rest of the tour for free. If interested, email Lauren Owens at lauren.owens@gnps.org.
Learn about Pollinator Gardens with UGA's Becky Griffin, June 22
Becky Griffin helps school and community gardeners succeed! This includes organizing school garden teacher training with county agents, assisting schools with STE(A)M goals, and creating resources for starting and sustaining successful gardens. Becky is a Georgia Certified Beekeeper and is the coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, happening this year on August 23-24. She is also part of UGA's Native Plants and Beneficial Insect Working Group. Join us on Saturday, June 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to learn about pollinator gardens with us. The program will be held at Elsewhere Brewing Greenhouse Taproom (West Midtown), 950 West Marietta St., Atlanta. Register Here to attend.
Members Making a Difference
Intown Atlanta Chapter member Pat Reynolds is a 2024 recipient of a Park Pride’s Inspiration Award or her work at Zonolite Park and Orme Park and has been instrumental in making the Intown chapter’s first two plant swaps successful. Read more about Pat’s contributions on the Park Pride Inspiration Awards webpage.
North Georgia Mountains
Connect to Protect Pollinator Gardens, Saturday, May 11
Join our May 11 meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Union County Public Library in Blairsville to learn about the purpose and design of Connect to Protect pollinator gardens from Leslie Mapes.
Soil Presentation, Saturday, June 8
Join our June 8 meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Haralson Civic Center for a presentation on soil by Jason Wheatley.
Check Out Our Native Plant Gardens!
We are increasing awareness of the beauty of native plants with the two local gardens. The Beasley Knob Native Plant Garden is looking great! A new fence has been installed by the U.S. Forest Service, and more plants were installed during a recent workday. Plants were provided by the State Botanical Garden in Athens. We also invite you to check out Meeks Park in Blairsville where we hosted a recent work day.
Save the Date and Prep Your Plants for Saturday, June 1
The North Georgia Mountains Chapter will be selling plants at the Union County Farmers Market in Blairsville on opening day!
North Metro Atlanta
Pollinator’s Paradise, Saturday, May 4
Want to turn your garden into a pollinators paradise? Join us on Saturday, May 4 at 10:00 a.m with Ellen Honeycutt, the current Chair of the State Board of GNPS, as she shows us the importance of focusing on pollinators and how we can create a welcoming environment for them. We will be selling plants (perennials only) before and after the talk. The program will be held at Lost Corner Preserve (7300 Brandon Mill Rd NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328). Click here to register.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Essential Habitat Elements of a Rewilded Yard, Saturday, June 1
Join us on June 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Laura Markson, a backyard naturalist from the non-profit Nurture Native Nature as she explores ways to heal our yards’ ecosystem. Laura will share the daily joy and wonder of experiencing nature in her own rewilded yard. She will explain the basic ways we can increase biodiversity and offer safe wildlife habitat no matter what the size of our outdoor space. Considerations when adding basic elements such as water sources and native plants, and tips for doing no harm will be offered. Wherever you are in your journey of creating a welcoming place for wildlife, Laura will inspire you to make at least one change in your own yard and include resources to get you started. The program will be held at the Sewell Mill Library (2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068). Registration is not required.
Old Rucker Farm Native Plant Habitat Workdays
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:
Habitat restoration work continues at Heritage Park in central Cobb County with tasks including invasive removal, native plantings and garden maintenance. Learn more about each workday at these links:
At Central Elementary School in Carrollton, students can watch a colony of honeybees working behind plexiglass in the school’s new “bee house.” But the school’s surroundings were short on flowers, and the West Georgia Chapter was asked to help. Chapter volunteers brought a selection of plants to the school and taught classes on pollination and native plants. The kids were then tasked with researching the plants’ size, color and bloom time in order to plan the garden. Chapter volunteers will be assisting with the actual planting once the school’s raised beds are ready.
The West Georgia Chapter will also be working with children as part of Camp Dirty Knees. This 3-day program, held every June by the Carroll County Master Gardeners, is designed to teach children about gardening. This year’s camp theme is “Go Native, Grow Native.” Chapter volunteers will teach a class on the importance of native plants, take the kids on a tour of the Buffalo Creek Trail (the chapter’s restoration site), and give each child a native plant to take home for their own garden.
Next Chapter Meeting, June 18
The chapter’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center in Carrollton. There will be a reception with refreshments at 6:30 p.m., followed by an educational presentation at 7:00 (speaker to be announced) and door prizes.
POY Shirts - Tank Tops Now Available
Help us spread the word about this awesome native plant by wearing it! Just added - tank tops for summertime! 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.
