To list all of the native plants at McFarlane Park in Marietta would take pages! There are about 15 different planting areas in the 11.5 acres. These include a meadow, bog, woods, fern swale, sun border, hillside, and more. There are many devoted GNPS volunteers who partner with the Master Gardeners of Cobb County to make this garden the native plant jewel it has become. It is also the site of the GNPS spring plant sale. When you are there buying plants in April, you can see the woodland wildflowers. The scorpianweed (Phacelia bipinnatifida), celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), and wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) are a stunning combination. The flowers of various Coreopsis, spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), and wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) look great in summer. And in fall, asters (Symphyotrichum), goldenrod (Solidago), and ironweed (Vernonia) are in full flower. Under the hickories (Carya) and oaks (Quercus) live oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), native azaleas (Rhododendron), and Alabama snow-wreath (Neviusia alabamensis). Whether it is perennials, shrubs or trees, McFarlane Nature Park has something to see any time of year. Congratulations for achieving the Gold Level of Native Plant Habitat Certification!
