November 2018: Sassafras — Tree of many talents

Jun 29, 2019

Ellen Honeycutt Sassafras in spring and fall. Note the three leaf types: single, two lobes, and three lobes. Do you find common and Latin plant names confusing? Well, Sassafras is easy to remember because it works for both – Sassafras albidum is the Latin name too.... read more

October 2018: Native Asters

Jun 29, 2019

Ellen Honeycutt Like Helianthus, the subject of last month’s Plant Spotlight, our native asters are also members of the composite family, now called the Asteraceae family. Each aster ‘flower’ is really a flowerhead with tiny disk flowers in the center and showy ray... read more

September 2018: Helianthus, late summer standouts

Jun 29, 2019

Ellen Honeycutt Helianthus angustifolius is ideal for a tall October garden backdrop. Sunflowers (Helianthus sp.) are starting to shine on roadsides and in gardens throughout Georgia. This almost uniquely North American genus includes 27 species in Georgia, including... read more

August 2018: Franklinia alatamaha

Jun 29, 2019

Tom Collins (Ellen Honeycutt on vacation) This carpenter bee has found a Franklinia tree that was purchased at a GNPS Plant Sale about five years ago. We often focus on widespread plants that are easy to cultivate, but not this time. Within decades after its discovery... read more

July 2018: Sourwood

Jun 25, 2019

Ellen Honeycutt Nature puts on a glorious floral display in the spring, but she does save a few things for later, and one of the nicest is the summer show put on by sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum). In mid-to-late June, elegant sprays of creamy, bell-like flowers open... read more

June 2018: Meet the Milkworts

Jun 29, 2018

Ellen Honeycutt Photos clockwise from upper left: Polygala curtissii, Polygala polygama, Polygala nana, and Polygala paucifolia. Milkworts are native plants in the Polygalaceae family that are found throughout Georgia and much of the US. Over 20 species are found in... read more