The North Georgia Mountains Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society

Our chapter has been actively supporting efforts to encourage the planting of natives in public places.  We have completed two native garden installations and are planning for a third location later this year.  We’re very excited to share pictures of our current projects.

Mineral Bluff Depot – Planted beds are identified with both common and scientific names. Weekly maintenance by chapter members, Teryn and Larry Romaine give visitors at the Ride the Rails public events educational exposure to using native plants in landscapes.

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Meeks Park –  Our beds were planted in Mid-May and are located down the main road into the large parking lot. Our beds are to either side of the opening to park. We are also being asked to plant an island near the Union County Parks and Recreation Building.

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With record attendance at our May chapter meeting, Kathryn Litton presented on how to use native plants for landscaping.  

Kathryn Litton, local landscaper and noted area native expert has created native cultivars and specializes in programs on Native installation for the garden. Litton is well-known in our state and served as the liaison between the Garden Club of Georgia and the State Department of Transportation. Her early experience selling her own natives was not well received initially, so she set about educating homeowners about what they can use in their gardens. Litton has completed several landscaping efforts at public buildings, state and local parks. She brought several plants to show us: amsonia, false blue indigo, dwarf crested iris, lobelia, turtlehead, monarda, boneset, etc. General Supply in Blairsville sells some of the plants she propagates. She is the author of Here Come the Natives booklet available in local bookstores. She answered many questions, offered practical advice, and gave away the plants as door prizes. 

Did you know that Eastern Hemlocks support about 120 species of vertebrates and more than 90 bird species, provide shade to rare and endangered native plants, remove tons of carbon dioxide from the air, and serve to filter pollutants along streambanks?

This beautiful keystone species has been losing its native range for over 50 years due to the proliferation of the wooly adelgid. Donna Shearer, founder of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, has dedicated many years to educating and organizing Georgians to fight the threat and restore dying trees. At the February meeting of the North Georgia Mountains Chapter of GNPS, Shearer gave a fascinating and detailed picture of the state of the hemlock from the tree’s economic impact to effective treatments for hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA).  Attendees received a wealth of information directly from Shearer as well as a gentle nudge to volunteer for the cause.

Save Georgia’s Hemlocks is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. In addition to public education, the organization maintains a website, www.savegeorgiashemlocks.org and a Hemlock Help Line, 706-429-8010. They also have treated seedlings available for adoption.