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September 2024 — Volume XXX, Number 5 — Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
Congratulations to our 2024 Jeane Reeves Research Grant Recipients!
The Grants and Scholarships Committee was happy to award three Jeane Reeves Research Grants this year. This grant program honors pioneering GNPS member, Jeane Reeves, whose passion for conserving native plants inspired many people during her lifetime. Award recipients will summarize their findings in an article next year once their work is complete. We are very excited to support these projects and have you - the membership - to thank for your continuing support of the Georgia Native Plant Society. Please read on to learn about the people and projects supported this year.
Hannah Brown, Georgia Southern University
Investigating Trends in Bumble Bee (Bombus) Foraging Patterns in Response to Climate Change in Georgia's Coastal Plain Region
This project will look at the types and composition of plant pollen collected by bumblebees to inform the conservation of both native plants and bees by improving our ability to recognize habitats that can sustain these plant-pollinator mutualisms and attempt to forecast the likely effects of climate change.
Tiana George, University of Georgia
Clonal Propagation of Native Plant Species Beneficial to Pollinator Habitats and Restoration Sites that are Difficult or Slow to Grow from Seed
This project will provide the basis of a protocol for the clonal propagation of two highly beneficial native species to Georgia’s natural and urban ecosystems, Lespedeza virginica (slender bush clover) and Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. John’s wort).
Clayton W. Hale, University of Georgia
Understanding the Drivers Behind Trillium Persistens Population Declines
This research will begin to disentangle the effects of fire encroachment and the loss of overstory Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock) decline on Trillium persistens (persistent trillium) populations, identifying which subpopulations are most at risk of extirpation to inform prioritization of conservation resources.
Plant Spotlight: Ironweed
Ellen Honeycutt
Giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea). Photo by E. Honeycutt.
Fall is a great time if you like purple. We have purple blazingstars (Liatris spp.) and purple asters (Eurybia and Symphyotrichum spp.), but one of the showiest is ironweed (Vernonia spp.). The more common species – Vernonia gigantea and Vernonia noveboracensis – are found throughout the state; their thick, tall stems (up to 10 feet!) rise tall from damp roadside ditches, in bottomlands, in pastures, and along streambanks. Deep purple blooms are arrayed on large, branched clusters at the top of the stem. As a member of the Asteraceae family, small florets are arranged on heads. Depending on species, each flowerhead has 12-65 tubular purple florets.
According to the Flora of the Southeastern United States, there are 21 species and varieties in Georgia. While all species have purple flowers and alternately arranged leaves, there are some differences such as bloom time, overall height, the size of the leaves, and the number of florets. Ecoregion conditions have also helped determine what habitats the different species prefer.
New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis). Photo by E. Honeycutt.
Some of the Coastal Plain species like sandy, well-draining conditions, and their common names can reflect their habitat: flatwoods ironweed (Vernonia acaulis), sandhill ironweed (Vernonia angustifolia), Georgia ironweed (Vernonia × georgiana) – considered a natural hybrid of the previous two – and pretty ironweed (Vernonia pulchella). You’ll find these species blooming earlier in the year, as early as June and extending into August.
One species in North Georgia, Tennessee ironweed (Vernonia flaccidifolia), spans three ecoregions: Piedmont, Cumberland Plateau, and Ridge & Valley. Appalachian ironweed (Vernonia glauca) is found in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge ecoregions. These two species also bloom in late June and into September.
Sandhill ironweed (Vernonia angustifolia). Photo by E. Honeycutt.
Two later-blooming species are found throughout Georgia and are the ones you are more likely to find for sale or get through plant swaps: giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) and New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis). Some of the characteristics of New York ironweed to distinguish it from giant ironweed include being slightly taller (10 feet vs. 7 feet), having twice as many florets (up to 65 per flowerhead, compared to up to 30 for giant), and having needle-like tips on the bracts that hold the flowerhead.
Longtail skipper on ironweed. Photo by E. Honeycutt
In general, ironweeds are great for the native garden, providing abundant nectar for pollinators and serving as one of the host plants for the American Lady butterfly. Their seeds are food for songbirds and the stems are used by native stem-nesting bees. The two more common species need good moisture and plenty of room to grow so place them where they can delight you and pollinators both. Mix them with bright flowers like goldenrod (Solidago) and yellow crownbeard (Verbesina) for a colorful combination that will make your garden a late-summer pollinator destination.
Let’s Change the State Flower to a Native!
The GNPS Advocacy Committee has been working on a multi-pronged approach to gain support for changing the state flower to a native species. Through work accomplished last year, GNPS learned that most legislators are in favor of changing the state flower from the exotic Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) to the native Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). In fact, we already have two sponsors for the 2025 legislative session, Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville) and Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs). In addition, the Georgia Cherokee Community Alliance, Birds Georgia and the Georgia Invasive Species Council have joined GNPS in support of the campaign.
How can you get involved? Please call your state senator and representative to let them know that you support a change to the state flower. You can refer to our info sheet for specific information about the campaign. If you aren’t sure who your legislators are, click find your legislator. The most impactful way to reach out to your legislator is by phone or in person. Handwritten letters are also a great way to communicate. Emails are the least effective, but we encourage any and all contact so this can be a success. When you do contact your legislator, please let Advocacy co-chair, Michael Cowan, know so we may track our progress..
The Advocacy Committee is also hoping to find a connection to Governor Brian Kemp or the First Lady, Marty Kemp, to strengthen the campaign. If you have any relationships or connections that may be useful in this pursuit, please contact Michael Cowan at michael.cowan@gnps.org.
Statewide Opportunities
Plant of the Year Nominations will open on Monday, October 7
The GNPS Plant of the Year (POY) program recognizes native plants that are of benefit to Georgia’s ecology and wildlife. If you have a favorite native plant that you think others would love, please consider nominating it for our POY 2025. Traits that make a good nominee are: ecological significance, benefits to wildlife, adaptability, beauty, and hardiness. Plants should be easy to grow and propagate, and their native habitat in Georgia should not be limited to only one or two counties. Check out our past winners on the Plant of the Year web page. Nominations will open on Monday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. — stay tuned for more details!
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 in the midst of 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 looking to add more diverse voices to the Board, specifically people representing BIPOC communities and people in 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
Chapter Work Meeting, September 8
Join us on Sunday, September 8 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. to help us form and set directions for chapter committees. All members and potential members are welcome to attend and learn more about how you can get involved with our still relatively new chapter! Attendance does not commit you to any position or responsibility. The committees include:
Communications – newsletters, social media, publicity, outreach, and tabling.
Programs – schedule speakers, field trips, and workshops.
Volunteer management – recruit volunteers for planting projects, outreach and restoration efforts.
Plant Sale – develop plant list, obtain and organize plants and other materials, and create signage.
Restoration projects – obtain site(s), develop plan and work schedules.
Rescue program – find sites, contact owner/developer for permissions, organize and lead rescues. Training required for facilitators.
Propagation – will coordinate with restoration, rescue, and plant sale committees.
Restoration projects and Propagation are new activities for the chapter this year, so they provide an opportunity for some members to have large impact.
The meeting will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, 780 Timothy Road, Athens, GA 30606.
Ranger Guided Field Trips to Arabia Mountain for Daisy Days
Our chapter is joining our friends at the Intown Atlanta Chapter for the option of two different days - Sunday, September 22 and Monday, September 23 – from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – for ranger-guided hikes at DeKalb County’s magnificent Arabia Mountain to see the daisy display (Helianthus porteri). It is free to come, but you MUST register for the event – spaces are limited.
Athens area folks: it is a long drive so we are encouraging everyone to meet up to carpool at 7:30 a.m. on each day at the parking lot of Home Depot on Epps Bridge Parkway. If you plan to carpool, please contact Connie Gray (cpowersgray@gmail.com).
The Sunday trip is full, but you can sign up for the waitlist in case of cancellations. Since spaces are so limited, please make sure you cancel your registration if your plans change.
Augusta’s River Region
Site Visits for Area Property Owners
The chapter has been conducting site visits to assist property owners in identifying invasive and native plants while offering tailored ecological management recommendations. Led by committee chairs, Marlena Bergeron and Marissa Sigl, these visits have already yielded significant discoveries. On one such visit, botanist Benjamin Overlie and ecology professor emerita, Donna Wear, Ph.D., identified a potential population of the rare Ocmulgee skullcap. Contact us at augusta@gnps.org for more information on site visits.
Bird and Plant Walk at Mistletoe State Park, September 7
Join us on Saturday, September 7 with our friends from the Augusta/Aiken Birds Georgia for a couple of hours of ambling in Mistletoe State Park (3725 Mistletoe Rd, Appling, GA). Meet in the Visitors Center parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and bring binoculars if you have them!
Native Grass Workshop, October 19
Save the date for our meeting on October 19 featuring a native grass workshop with Melanie Devore, PhD.
Pollinator Census Success!
The Chapter co-hosted a Great Southeast Pollinator Census event at Reed Creek Park in Martinez with the park staff and the local Master Gardeners. The event included a plant hike along the boardwalks, a presentation on honey and native bees by Professor Donna Wear, and pollinator counting.
Coastal Plain
Annual Fall Meeting, October 26
The Coastal Plain Chapter Annual Fall Meeting will be held Saturday, October 26 at Okefenokee Heritage Center in Waycross from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Speakers for the meeting include:
Tonya McDaniel of Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc Coastal Plains: Building Strong Roots for Native Plants
Nancy Conner of Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission - Roadside Pollinator Areas
Kelley Hanada of Stone Mountain Propagation Project, GNPS - Native Seed: Collection, Storage and Treatment
Project spotlights by chapter members.
Bring your extra seed to share during the seed swap. Check our webpage for registration (www.cpcgnps.org) or contact chapter board chair, Paul Sumner, for more info at paul.sumner@gnps.org.
Upcoming Fall Plant Sales
The chapter will be selling native plants at two upcoming sales:
Coastal WildScapes, Ashantilly Center, Darien on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Water, Wings and Wildlife festival in Albany on September 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tifton Farmers Market in downtown Tifton on October 5.
On August 24, the chapter co-hosted the annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census at Gaskins Forest Educational Center.
Fringed Campion
Georgia Day at the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences
Visit our educational table between 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. on September 7.
“Let’s Talk Dirt” Presentation, October 3
Chapter Native Plant Sale, October 12
Shop our native plant sale at Wesleyan Market at Wesleyan College in Macon on Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Invasive Plant Species and What to Do About Them Presentation
Join us on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:00 p.m. for a presentation by Heather Bowman Cutway at the Bibb County UGA Extension Office, 715 Oglethorpe St, Macon. Registration is required. See our Facebook page for a link to register.
Invasive Removal Event
Join us at Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon on October 19 to remove invasive plants.
Chapter Annual Meeting, November 2
Save the date for our annual meeting. Time and place to be determined.
Check our Facebook page for updates on our programs and events. You can also contact us with any questions at our email: fringedcampion@gnps.org.
Intown Atlanta
Ranger Guided Field Trips to Arabia Mountain for Daisy Days
As mentioned above in the updates for the Athens-East Piedmont Chapter updates, our chapters are coming together for two walks on September 22 and 23, led by the experienced rangers at Arabia Mountain during the daisy (Helianthus porteri) bloom. Registration is almost full, but waitlists will be kept for both walks. Snag one of the last spots or join the waitlist here.
Annual Chapter Meeting, November 9
Save the date for this year's annual chapter meeting on Saturday, November 9 at Agnes Scott College at 11:00 a.m. This year's featured speaker is the always inspiring and informative Trecia Neal. Look out for more details about a special pre-meeting coffee and pastries thank you celebration for chapter volunteers, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Now Accepting Chapter Board Candidate Applications
Are you interested in getting more involved with the Intown Atlanta Chapter? Our chapter has several board seats up for election this year, each of which will serve a three-year term beginning in January. We're looking for candidates with skills ranging from native plant knowledge and enthusiasm, to financial/accounting experience, to volunteer management, among others. Curious to learn more? Please fill out this form by September 10.
North Georgia Mountains
Monarch Butterfly Presentation, September 14
Join us for a presentation by Becky Griffin, coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, on the topic of monarchs at the University of Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center at 10:00 a.m.
Chapter member Jonathan Micancins welcomed guests to his yard for a garden tour and chapter barbeque in July. Photo by T. Romaine.
North Metro Atlanta
Butterfly Experience at the Dunwoody Nature Center
Join us at our table at the Dunwoody Nature Center’s Butterfly Experience on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. We are looking for volunteers to help staff the table and spread the word about native plants and how they benefit butterflies. Volunteers get free access to the butterfly tents. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here. For more information on the event, see Butterfly Experience 2024 – Dunwoody Nature Center.
Gulf fritillary on Eutrochium (Joe Pye weed). Photo by Tom Collins.
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:
Webinar: Seasonal Explorations of Native Plants in the Piedmont Pt. 2
Ever wonder which species start changing color first in Georgia and how you can use color to help identify species? Can you impress your friends by defining marcescence? Join us virtually to learn this and more on the biology of leaf change at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 9 for the second in a quarterly education series presented by Dr. Jonathan Storm, biology professor at the University of South Carolina Upstate and manages the Southern Piedmont Natural History Facebook page that features daily posts focused on the natural history of the Piedmont region of the Carolinas and Georgia. Registration link will be posted on the event page about three weeks before the event.
West Georgia
Fall Plant Sale, September 21
The West Georgia Chapter’s fall plant sale will be held Saturday September 21 from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.at the Carroll County Agricultural Center in Carrollton. In addition to the chapter, at least five nurseries and growers will be on site with a wide variety of native plants for sale.
Native Plant Movie Night, October 15
Join us for a native plant movie night at the Carroll County Agricultural Center, featuring Professor Doug Tallamy’s video, “What’s the Rush?” The reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and will include a popcorn cart with a toppings bar. The chapter’s annual business meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by the video at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free, but we will be accepting donations for Homegrown National Park, Professor Tallamy’s nonprofit that promotes the use of native plants in home landscaping.
Save the Date for Native Plant Design Workshop, November 2
On Saturday, November 2 the Chapter will hold a half-day hands-on native plant design workshop, led by Trecia Neal of Green Gardens Education & Designs and Wild Roots Native Nursery. Watch the GNPS calendar for details and registration instructions.
Carroll EMC Foundation Grant Supports Buffalo Creek Trail
The West Georgia Chapter is pleased to announce that the Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) Foundation has awarded the chapter a 2024 Impact Grant to support improvements at the Buffalo Creek Trail restoration site. The Foundation has been a strong supporter of the chapter’s work at Buffalo Creek, and we are deeply grateful for their support.
In Bloom! 2024 Plant of the Year Shirts
Our Plant of the Year, Blue Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum), is blooming across the state. You’ll be totally in season with your POY shirt! 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.
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