The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society

Who We Are

The Fringed Campion Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society was formed in 2021 by a small group from Middle Georgia who are passionate about the issues of native plant conservation, stewardship, and education. In 2025, our ~125 members hail from all over Middle Georgia, and we are active where our members are! We designed our signature native plant garden at Amerson River Park in Macon, but also have planted and maintain gardens at the Centerville Branch Library, the Old City Cemetery in downtown Macon, and two downtown planters in Milledgeville, and we provide support to the Perry Library Pollinator Project.  We schedule multiple invasive plant removals each year, often in partnership with other groups, in Macon at Amerson River Park and Rose Hill Cemetery, and in Perry at Rotary Centennial Park, but have also tackled privet and eleagnus at the Oconee River Greenway and Selma Erwin trails in Baldwin County. We have partnered with local native plant nurseries — Juniper Creek Natives in Byron and Flat Creek Natives in Perry — to host workshops on topics such as propagation, irrigation, and saving seeds. Fringed Campion members also enjoy group native plant walks along area trails. We hope that you join us at an upcoming activity!

2026-2027 Chapter Board of Directors

  • Andrew Benesh (President) 
  • Julie Savage (Vice President)
  • Jessica Plante (Secretary)
  • Donna Bennett (Treasurer)
  • Lida Hill
  • Michelle Edgar

Bylaws

Members of the Fringed Campion Chapter may view our chapter bylaws here.

Participate

The chapter board of directors meets over Zoom on the second Sunday of each month at 5:00 pm. The meeting is open to all chapter members. Contact fringedcampion@gnps.org for the zoom link.

Chapter committees accept new members at any time of the year.  Let us know your interests and skills, and we can suggest a good fit for you!  Committees include advocacy, communication, education, plant sales, propagation, plant rescue, and more.

Contact

Follow

Join

Click here to start your one year membership with the Georgia Native Plant Society.  When prompted, choose Fringed Campion (Macon) as your Chapter Affiliation.  Selecting autorenew is an effortless way to stay connected with us year after year.

Support

If you are moved to financially support the chapter and our activities, online donations of any amount are gratefully accepted at: https://fringedcampiongnps.square.site/

 

Shop Our Online Store

Official chapter merchandise can now be purchased online! The current selections include t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, notebooks, and more. Each purchase supports the chapter and spreads awareness of Georgia Native Plants. Shop at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/fringed-campion-chapter-gnps/

Chapter News & Events

Amerson River Park Native Plant Garden Work Day: April 8 4-6 PM

Amerson River Park Native Plant Garden Work Day: April 8 4-6 PM

The Fringed Campion Chapter volunteers continue work at the Amerson River Park Native Plant Garden.  Weather permitting, volunteers will meet on April 8 from 4 to 6 pm.

Dress for garden work (long pants, long sleeves, gloves, hat, boots), bring a water bottle and any tools you have to help plant the next round of native plants. Participants must be 12 years or older, and all participants must sign the GNPS waiver of liability before working.

Check the event page in Facebook for any last minute updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/877738293297227

March 19 3-5 PM : Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale

March 19 3-5 PM : Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale

All are welcome to join Fringed Campion Chapter for a Peach County Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale.
The rain last Sunday required us to change the date of the Ramble again!  The new date and time is March 19, 2023 from 3-5 PM.  If you previously signed up for a tour, please sign up for a new time.  And if you have not previously registered, there are still spots available.  
Participants will experience a wide assortment of plant communities on this fall line property in Peach County. See groves of deciduous native azaleas, Rhododendron canescens (Piedmont azalea) and other native plants like American olive, inkberry, sparkleberry, Elliott’s blueberry, cottony golden aster, and more. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site. No dogs, please. No restrooms are on site. Exact location and directions will be included in an email to all registered participants.
Tour groups are limited to 5 and will leave on the hour. Reservations are required; reserve your spot for one of the following tour types using this link: https://forms.gle/q91qVNffyaSoDTuz9
  • Family Tour. One mile walk on wide paths with considerable elevation gain on one steep hill. Visit three native azalea groves, see a mature oak/pine ecosystem and multiple examples of pine forest succession.
  • Grand Tour. Approximately 1.5 miles that adds single-track woodland trails to the Family Tour, but with much steeper ups and downs.
  • Gator Tour. Similar to Family Tour, with Gator rides for those with mobility challenges. Limit 3 per hour.

Native Plants will also be offered for sale.  A list of available plants will be sent to each registered participant before the event. Native azaleas and other native plants will be included in the sale.

See the event on the GNPS Calendar: https://gnps.org/calendar-event/peach-county-azalea-ramble-native-plant-sale/

For the most current information including any changes to date or time of event due to weather or peak native azalea bloom time in Peach County, visit the event page in Facebook: https://fb.me/e/20FrBNSBv

Date/Time Change: Peach County Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale

Date/Time Change: Peach County Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale

All are welcome to join Fringed Campion Chapter for a Peach County Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale.
Due to the early bloom of the native azaleas in Peach County, the date of the Azalea Ramble & Native Plant Sale has changed!  The new date and time is March 12, 2023 from 3-5 PM.  If you previously signed up for a tour, please sign up for a new time.  And if you have not previously registered, there are still spots available.  
Participants will experience a wide assortment of plant communities on this fall line property in Peach County. See groves of deciduous native azaleas, Rhododendron canescens (Piedmont azalea) and other native plants like American olive, inkberry, sparkleberry, Elliott’s blueberry, cottony golden aster, and more. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the site. No dogs, please. No restrooms are on site. Exact location and directions will be included in an email to all registered participants.
Tour groups are limited to 5 and will leave on the hour. Reservations are required; reserve your spot for one of the following tour types using this link: https://forms.gle/q91qVNffyaSoDTuz9
  • Family Tour. One mile walk on wide paths with considerable elevation gain on one steep hill. Visit three native azalea groves, see a mature oak/pine ecosystem and multiple examples of pine forest succession.
  • Grand Tour. Approximately 1.5 miles that adds single-track woodland trails to the Family Tour, but with much steeper ups and downs.
  • Gator Tour. Similar to Family Tour, with Gator rides for those with mobility challenges. Limit 3 per hour.

Native Plants will also be offered for sale.  A list of available plants will be sent to each registered participant before the event. Native azaleas and other native plants will be included in the sale.

See the event on the GNPS Calendar: https://gnps.org/calendar-event/peach-county-azalea-ramble-native-plant-sale/

For the most current information including any changes to date or time of event due to weather or peak native azalea bloom time in Peach County, visit the event page in Facebook: https://fb.me/e/20FrBNSBv

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