The GNPS Plant of the Year (POY) program recognizes native plants that are of benefit to Georgia’s ecology and wildlife. If you are a GNPS member and have a native plant that you think is wonderful, why not nominate it for our POY 2020? Besides beauty, some characteristics to consider are adaptability, seasonal interest, fragrance, wildlife sustenance, and ease of propagation. Only current GNPS members can nominate, so make sure your membership is up to date! You can check your membership status by logging in to gnps.org, going to the Membership Portal, and selecting “Manage Membership”, then “Renew or View Membership” from the menu on the right.
POY 2020 nominations will open at 7 pm sharp on October 1, 2019, and continue until six (6) acceptable submissions have been received. Please DO NOT submit before nominations open, as premature submissions will not be accepted. Submissions must include both the common and Latin names for the nominee, as well a reason why it would make a great GNPS Plant of the Year. A sentence will suffice, but feel free to elaborate as much as you’d like. We welcome information, especially regarding ecological significance or benefits to wildlife. Photos are encouraged, but not required.
Send nominations to: PlantOfTheYear2020@gnps.org
Submissions will be confirmed shortly after receipt, so if you don’t get a reply in a few minutes, please try again immediately. Members will be notified by email when submissions close.
All acceptable nominees must be:
- Native to Georgia (you can type USDA after the plant name in a Google search to look up its native distribution);
- Underutilized in gardens and landscapes and/or vital to the GA ecology;
- Adaptable enough to grow in most gardens;
- NOT a previous GNPS Plant of the Year. Previous winners can be found on the on the table below, as well as on the GNPS website.
| Previous GNPS Plants of the Year | ||
| Year | Botanical Name | Common Name |
| 2019 | Lonicera sempervirens | Coral honeysuckle |
| 2018 | Callicarpa americana | American beautyberry |
| 2016 | Spigelia marilandica | Indian pink |
| 2015 | Symphyotrichum georgianum | Georgia aster |
| 2014 | Aesculus pavia | Red Buckeye |
| 2013 | Sassafras albidum | Sassafras |
| 2012 | Sanguinaria canadensis | Bloodroot |
| 2011 | Viburnum acerifolium | Mapleleaf viburnum |
| 2010 | Asclepias tuberosa | Butterfly weed |
| 2009 | Quercus alba | White oak |
| 2008 | Polystichum acrostichoides | Christmas fern |
| 2007 | Itea virginica | Virginia sweetspire |
| 2006 | Lobelia cardinalis | Cardinal flower |
| 2005 | Amelanchier arborea | Downy serviceberry |
| 2004 | Oxydendrum arboreum | Sourwood |
| 2003 | Tiarella cordifolia | Foam flower |
| 2002 | Morella cerifera | Wax myrtle |
| 2001 | Rhododendron canescens | Piedmont azalea |
| 2000 | Hydrangea quercifolia | Oakleaf hydrangea |
POY 2020 online voting will commence on Tues, Oct 22 and end on Mon, Nov. 11, 2019. Members will also be able to vote by paper ballot at our November 12 meeting. Further information will be posted in October, closer to the voting date.