Plant Of The Year
GNPS initiated its Plant of the Year program in 2000. The purpose of this program is to recognize native plants that are underutilized in commercial and residential landscapes or which are vital components of Georgia’s ecology. We are looking beyond beauty, even though this is what often draws us to a special native plant in the first place.
Every fall, GNPS members nominate a plant they feel is deserving of being Plant of the Year for the upcoming year. Besides being native to the state of Georgia and underutilized in landscaping, a good candidate for Plant of the Year will not demand growing conditions that are too difficult for most Georgia gardeners to achieve. A slate of candidates are presented to the GNPS membership to vote on and the winner is showcased in the educational content, plant sales and on a custom-designed shirt.
Plant of The Year
2021 Plant of the Year: Fringetree
This year’s Plant of the Year (POY) is fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). Also known as white fringe tree, old man’s beard, or grancy graybeard, this small flowering tree grows along the east coast from New York to Florida and across the south to Texas. It was...
Plant of the Year 2021: Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
The Georgia Native Plant Society is pleased to announce that our members have selected fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) as Plant of the Year for 2021.
Plant of the Year voting is now open!
POY 2021 voting will take place from November 1st - 30th at midnight. The nominees are: Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Purpletop (Tridens flavus) Turk’s-cap lily (Lilium superbum)...
Nomination #6: Winterberry
Scientific name: Ilex verticillata Common name: Winterberry Family: Aquifoliaceae Plant type: Shrub Ilex verticillata provides excellent winter interest in the garden thanks to a profusion of bright red berries that persist throughout the cold season; hence the common...
Nomination #5: Turk’s-cap lily
Scientific name: Lilium superbum Common name: Turk’s-cap lily Family: Liliaceae Plant type: Perennial In early summer a single Turk’s-cap lily (Lilium superbum) can produce a full bouquet of a dozen or more (up to 40) flowers at a time. Each nodding bloom measures...
