Mountain laurel - Kalmia latifolia 2013 Plant of the Year Welcome

NativeSCAPE
Hydrangea
quercifolia
Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
January 2013
Volume XIX, Number 1
Mountain laurel - Kalmia latifolia
By Ken Gohring
Page 3
Get to know this beautiful evergreen shrub.
President’s Message
2
Plant Rescue News
14
Chapter News
16
Upcoming GNPS Events
19
Membership Renewal
20
2013 Plant of the Year
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum )
Learn more about the “mitten” tree.
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
By Mary Tucker
Newsletter Editor
Ellen Honeycutt
Newsletter staff:
Sharon Parry and Pat
Smith, Proofreaders
NativeSCAPE is published
quarterly by the Georgia
Native Plant Society. A
subscription is included
with membership in the
GNPS.
Copyright 2013 by the
Georgia Native Plant
Society. All rights
reserved. Articles may
not be reprinted without
permission of the
author.
Page 7
Page 9
Deepen your delight in gardening when wildlife learns to visit your welcoming
garden as a result of a few simple steps .
Upcoming GNPS Symposium
Page 18
The 18th GNPS Native Plant Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 16,
2013, at the SMMA Education Annex in Stone Mountain, GA.
2
Georgia Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 422085
Atlanta, GA 30342-2085
www.gnps.org
770-343-6000
GNPS Board of Directors
President
Jacqueline McRae
Vice President
Charles Brown
Secretary
Kimberly Ray
Treasurer
Ron Smith
Members-at-Large:
Carol Brantley
Mary Moore
Carl Tackett
Director of Communications
Ellen Honeycutt
Director of Conservation
Marcia Winchester
Director of Education
Lane Conville-Canney
Director of Membership
Susan Hanson
About your membership in the
Georgia Native Plant Society
Your membership dues and
donations help support our mission
which is:
To promote the stewardship and
conservation of Georgia’s native
plants and their habitats By sponsoring meetings, workshops,
an annual symposium, grants,
scholarships, the native plant rescue
program, and this newsletter utilizing an all-volunteer staff of
dedicated native plant enthusiasts.
We look forward to and appreciate
your continued support.
Membership renewal forms can now
be completed online or by
completing the form on the last
page of this news letter.
NativeSCAPE January 2013
President’s Message
By Jacqueline McRae
The view of 2013 from the president’s perch is spectacular! Until I
began sitting here a year ago it was impossible for me to know just how much
goes on at GNPS every hour of every day. As the year drew to an end, I was
amazed at the amount of work that we do together and do so well. The level
of passion in our members, working to promote our society and to educate as
many people as possible about Georgia native plants, is astounding.
Regardless of why you joined GNPS in the first place, my hope is that
over the course of the year you expanded your horizon and discovered where
you can learn even more. GNPS is always on the lookout for an extra pair of
helping hands, often beyond digging in the dirt. All of our committees would
welcome your help, even if you only have a couple of hours to give. So even
if you’re new on this path and feel like you do not know your plants yet, rest
assured that you do have something you can give as you learn even more.
Phone calls and emails come in all the time with requests from other
groups in our communities who need our support and guidance and from
individuals simply wanting to know more about native plant resources.
People in general are becoming more and more excited about the importance
of the plants native to Georgia and they want to know more. GNPS is asked
to provide people to walk properties and help identify what is growing there.
There are inquiries about where to find and how to obtain natives but the one
question that I love to hear is “How can I help???”!!!!!!
Many of you have realized that before we can actually start to put in
the right plants we first have to remove the wrong ones! Non-native, invasive
plants are a problem all over our state yet Joe the Gardener is only just
finding out exactly what that means to him personally. One of our
committees that desperately needs a hand is the restoration committee. This
committee would like three or four key people to handle all aspects of
restoration - people with plant ID skills for either native and/or non-native
plants, and people with organizational skills to follow up with and report on
the progress of our restoration sites, and others to figure out how GNPS can
help them more as folks get to work.
Thank you to all of you for your service to GNPS and for making all
things possible over the past year and in the years to come. I would like
particularly to thank those who are stepping down from the board for their
hours of service to GNPS and to welcome the new faces who are stepping
up! Thank you for your continued membership in GNPS and for your
commitment as we work hard to promote Georgia’s native plants. So what’s
your native passion going to be for 2013? Let me know when I see you
around!
3
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Mountain laurel—Kalmia latifolia
by Ken Gohring
One of nature's most beautiful plants is the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), an understory
shrub or small tree found naturally from southern Maine to the Florida panhandle and west to
Louisiana in the south and Ohio in the north. Genetically, Kalmia is a member of the Ericaceae
(heath) family, which includes cranberries, blueberries and rhododendron. Kalmia is truly an
American genus, found only in North America from the Arctic south to Cuba. There are seven
recognized species of Kalmia, but perhaps the most outstanding Kalmia is the mountain laurel.
Mountain laurel usually grows as
a shrub up to 10 feet in height with
some specimens growing to 30+ feet. It
is evergreen with elliptic shaped leaves
up to 4 inches long and up to 2 inches
wide with a leathery texture. Its
attractive flowers are usually saucer
shaped, growing up to an inch in
diameter. A variant bloom form found in
the wild in North Carolina features a
division of the petal into five parts,
resulting in a star form. The fruit of the
mountain laurel is a small spherical
capsule that contains hundreds of
seeds. Beneath the ground, mountain
laurels have relatively large root
systems, which grow down to 2 feet as
well as spreading horizontally.
The cultivar 'Shooting Star' with star form bloom.
Photo by Joe Coleman
Kalmia latifolia
Photo by Ken Gohring
Due to its relatively small size,
mountain laurel has never been used
significantly as a commercial wood
product. Its wood is strong with a hard
close grain. Early Native Americans used
the plant's wood to carve utensils and tool
handles. Its use for wooden spoons
resulted in it being called "spoonwood."
The larger roots have burls that can be
used in place of briar for smoking pipes.
An industry for this purpose existed in
western North Carolina and eastern
Tennessee until manmade products
became more available.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Mountain laurel—Kalmia latifolia
Continued from Previous Page
Mountain laurel is an interesting plant in various ways. It is sometimes self-pollinated but
most pollination is by insects. Its saucer shaped blooms, whose coloration ranges from white to
pink, occur in clusters. An unusual feature is the method used to release pollen. As the flower
opens, the bloom's ten stamens are bent in such a way that they are under tension and held in
sacs ringed around the corolla. When an insect visits the blossom, its presence triggers the
release of the stamens, spreading pollen onto the insect and surrounding area. This is illustrated
below.
Note that the bloom on the left
has its stamens held next to the
corolla. The bloom on the right
shows the stamens released, likely
triggered by a visiting insect. The
primary insect that spreads the
pollen is the bumblebee. Other
insects are also involved in
pollinating plants, but the honeybee,
which is a prolific pollinator for many
species, is not significantly involved.
The apparent reason is that the
blooms have a small amount of
nectar and the amount of nectar
varies annually.
Over the years, mountain
Photo by Joe Coleman
laurel has been recognized as a
desirable landscape plant. Early in
colonial times, plants were collected and sent to Europe where they were propagated and
cultivated. One of the early collectors was Peter Kalm, a student of the botanist Linnaeus who
named the genus for Kalm. However, the difficulty of propagating mountain laurel by cuttings
resulted in much of the early propagation with seeds. Many of the selected cultivars occurred as
natural variants. The variations in bloom were characterized by differences in color, markings,
bloom time and form. Additional variation included leaf shape, plant size and plant shape.
Because of these variations, a large number of cultivars have been named. However, at least five
variants are considered botanical forms and have been so recognized. These forms include
plants with narrow leaves (f. angustata), dwarf plant form (f. myrtifolia), oval leaves (f. obtusata),
banded flowers (f. fuscata) and flowers with narrow petals (f. polypetala).
The problem of propagating mountain laurel has been overcome with the widespread
present use of tissue culture methods. With tissue culture, the availability of attractive mountain
laurel selections grew significantly. Mountain laurel cultural requirements are essentially the same
as native azaleas. They can be grown in shade and sun but are best grown in the edges of
wooded areas. The bloom set is best in sunny areas. Many of the forms developed over the
years have smaller, more symmetrical forms than natural plants. The selection and breeding
processes have resulted in many excellent flower forms.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Mountain laurel—Kalmia latifolia
Continued from Previous Page
Many people are interested in propagation. Most mountain laurels are extremely difficult to
propagate with cuttings. Authorities indicate that the best method is the use of plastic tents, used in
the same way as for rhododendrons and azaleas. Mist and fog devices are also used. However,
one must remember that mountain laurel is more difficult than most shrubs and it takes longer for
roots to appear. The length of time is probably the reason that plastic tent methods are superior to
misting systems as they do not require as much attention and are less prone to mechanical failure.
Propagation of mountain laurel with seeds is much easier than with cuttings but does not
result in clones like asexual methods such as cuttings. However, propagation with seeds does hold
the promise that one might have a new cultivar worthy of praise. I have planted mountain laurel
seeds at the same time and in the same flats as rhododendrons and azaleas with good germination
results. Mountain laurel seeds remain viable for up to 20 years if stored dry and cold.
Mountain laurel is found on GNPS plant rescues. Many times the plants are found in large
colonies of plants with relatively large size. The species prefers acidic and relatively dry soils. It
has a reputation of being a difficult plant to transplant. While its root structure is fibrous as opposed
to having a taproot, its slow root growth hampers transplantation. The author has transplanted
plants 2 to 3 feet tall with success as well as numerous small plants. Generally speaking, the
primary difficulty in rescuing mountain laurel is finding smaller plants. Mountain laurel forms thickets
that provide cover for small wildlife. Wild animals consume portions of the plants but it is quite toxic
to humans and domesticated animals. In those areas where honey bees do extract nectar from the
blooms, the bees’ honey causes illness.
The extensive work of Dr. Richard Jaynes of Connecticut has done much to extend the
appreciation and knowledge of mountain laurel. His seminal work, Kalmia, Mountain Laurel and
Related Species, is recognized as an authoritative work. In the book, he discusses the seven
recognized species of Kalmia and the different variations and forms. A list of recognized cultivars
and forms is included. Many of the forms included in the book first appeared as natural variants.
Through extensive selection and cross-fertilization, some 80 plus forms have been named. Since
the publication of the book in 1997, additional forms have been developed and another natural
variant with a new color pattern was found in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina.
All photos of cultivars were taken by GNPS member Joe Coleman in his garden.
Kalmia latifolia ‘Peppermint’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Nancy’
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Mountain laurel—Kalmia latifolia
Continued from Previous Page
Kalmia latifolia ‘Yankee Doodle’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Quinnipiac’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Little Linda’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Bullseye’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Pink Frost’
Kalmia latifolia ‘Elf’
7
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Plant of the Year—Sassafras albidum
By Denise Hartline
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is Georgia Native Plant Society’s Plant of the Year for 2013.
Sassafras is a deciduous tree that grows in every county of Georgia and is widely distributed over
the eastern US. Usually it will be found in open fields, fence rows, rights-of-way, and woodland
edges. Sassafras leaves are 3 to 7 inches long and alternate. Often three types of leaves will occur
on one tree; entire (oval), two-lobed (like mittens, both left and right hand), and three-lobed (like a
fat three-tined fork), earning its common name of Mitten Tree. Kids of all ages enjoy trying to find
all of the leaf types on one tree! As the tree matures, the variation in leaf shape decreases until
only the oval leaves are present. Another characteristic is that all parts of the tree are aromatic.
For untold years, humans have found numerous uses
for sassafras trees. Native Americans and early settlers from
Europe used it to treat a wide spectrum of medical ailments.
Tea was made from the roots; the dried leaves were ground to
flavor foods and are still used today as the filé in filé gumbo.
The bark was used as a dye for yellow and orange hues, and
the wood was used to make barrels, fence posts, and boats.
Oil of sassafras was extracted from the inner bark of the roots
and was widely used and highly regarded as a restorative
tonic. Sassafras oil was used as a flavoring for foods and
beverages, including the original root beer. The oil was added
to medications to improve their taste, as a flavoring in chewing
gum, and as a fragrance in some soaps and perfumes. So
great was the oil’s commercial value in Europe in the 17th and
early 18th centuries that it became a valuable export during
Georgia’s early years. Safrole, one of the constituents of
Photo: Ellen Honeycutt
sassafras oil, was found to be a carcinogen in lab animals in
the 1960s. Today, safrole can be removed from the oil, and
FDA-approved sassafras root extracts are still used to
flavor teas, root beers, and other things.
Photo: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive,
Bugwood.org
Sassafras is dioecious, meaning that it has male
and female parts on separate trees and needs both
sexes in the vicinity, along with pollinators, to produce
fruit. Yellow flowers appear for about one week, April
through May, before leaves emerge. Flowers are a bit
larger and showier on the male tree, and only the female
trees, after pollination by bees and other pollinators,
produce the dark blue fruit, a drupe, on stems that
become scarlet as the fruit ripens. This fruit is high in fat,
so is an important food source for numerous songbirds
in autumn. The female trees usually bear a crop of fruit
every 2 to 3 years.
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Plant of the Year 2012
Continued from previous page
As well as being a nectar source for pollinators, sassafras leaves are the larval food source
for some real flying beauties… the spicebush swallowtail and tiger swallowtail butterflies, and the
spicebush silk moth.
Sassafras is easily grown, tolerant of poor soils, drought
tolerant once established, and is almost deer-proof. It is shade
intolerant and does best in full sun to light shade. Although it
tolerates poor soil, it grows best in rich, acidic, well-drained soil. It
spreads by lateral root suckers to produce a thicket, but the
suckers are easily removed if you prefer an individual tree.
Thickets are useful for screening purposes or for massing to
increase visual impact. Another appropriate situation for a
Photo: Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University,
Bugwood.org
sassafras thicket is when planting on disturbed sites with poor
soil, because after they are established the sassafras will prevent
erosion, support wildlife, and look great. Fall color for Sassafras can range from intense golden
yellow in shadier places to scarlet, orange, and deep reds in sunnier places.
Sassafras grows quickly, up to 3 to 4 feet in height each year for the first ten years if
conditions are optimal. Propagation is accomplished by stratified or overwintered seed and by root
cuttings. Sassafras is difficult to transplant
because of its long taproot and few lateral
roots, but will thrive when purchased in
containers and planted.
Sassafras is in the Lauraceae family
along with redbay (Persea spp.), avocado,
and other plants. Redbay is currently
threatened with extinction from Laurel Wilt
disease, a fungal infection spread by an
introduced pest, the redbay ambrosia beetle.
Perhaps calling attention to this devastating
disease with a better known species like
Sassafras will increase interest and support
for the programs in place to control this pest
and the disease it spreads. One of the ways to
prevent the spread of this pest is by restricting
Photo: The Dow Gardens Archive, Dow Gardens,
the transport of infested wood products,
Bugwood.org
including firewood, wood chips, mulch, and
wood packing materials from known infested
areas. Infested areas are currently in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina along the Atlantic
Coast, and a small area along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi.
In summary, Sassafras is a delightful small to medium-sized tree that is underused in home
landscapes. It offers great benefits to native wildlife as well as to the humans that either have or
plant this wonderful native tree in their yards!
9
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
Text and photos by Mary Tucker
The delight I find in gardening comes only partially from the plants I grow. My gardening life is
greatly enhanced by the creatures that I have encouraged to inhabit my backyard: musical
songbirds, delicate butterflies, shy lizards, and frolicking squirrels. As I have developed my garden
over the years, I’ve been sure to add features that provide a suitable habitat for these desirable
creatures. If you want to increase your gardening joy by welcoming wildlife to your yard, there are a
few simple steps you can take.
First, evaluate both your current landscape and your goals for a
wildlife habitat garden. Also take note of the creatures that already
visit or live on your property. Different plants and conditions will
attract different types of creatures. For instance, butterflies prefer a
sunny location relatively protected from the wind. In contrast,
wooded portions of your property may be attractive to a variety of
birds and mammals, for many trees offer nuts or berries for food
and sheltering branches for protection from predators.
In addition, animals may have different needs during different
times in their lifecycle. In the case of the butterfly, the adult needs
nectar-producing flowers, while the caterpillar requires appropriate
foliage on which to feed. To truly make your backyard a wildlife
habitat, try to accommodate the needs of creatures throughout the
year.
Lonicera sempervirens
Establishing habitat for wildlife can be done on many scales,
and you don’t have to redesign your yard to accomplish it. You can
start with the simple addition of a birdbath or a hummingbird feeder,
or plant a small butterfly garden with an appropriate mix of plants
for adults and caterpillars.
Whether your backyard habitat is large or small, some basic
principles apply. All creatures have the same survival needs: food,
water, cover, and places to raise their young. One last, but less
obvious, need is the sustainability of these four basic elements.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
Continued from Previous Page
FOOD
Many animals are adapted to feed on specific plants (or other animals). If you want to attract a
specific creature, you will need to research its particular needs. The hummingbird, for instance,
feeds largely on nectar-producing flowers, and many of these are tubular in shape, adapted to fit
the bird’s long, narrow bill. In my yard, native plants such as bee balm (Monarda spp.), trumpet
honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), native azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), and cardinal flower
(Lobelia cardinalis) are popular feeding stations for this charming bird.
I like to attract a wide variety of wildlife, so I have incorporated a diverse mixture of plants in my
yard. The property holds a nice mix of naturally occurring trees, such as dogwood (Cornus florida),
tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and pine (Pinus spp.), all
of which are excellent sources of fruits or seeds for wildlife dining. I have added to the yard fruitproducing shrubs, such as chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), blueberry (Vaccinium ashei), and hollies
(Ilex spp.). In spring and summer when birds are feeding their young – and in winter when some
food supplies are scarce – I supplement these natural sources of food with birdseed, suet mix, and
dried fruit.
Butterflies are attracted to a wide range of flowers, and
they especially appreciate those with easily accessed
nectar. Open, flat, daisy-shaped flowers, such as blackeyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) or coneflowers (Echinacea
spp.), are easy for butterflies to land on, and they have
nectaries concentrated in the center of the flower. Plants
with clustered flowers, such as Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium
spp.) and milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), are also favorites
since they provide many nectaries per flower cluster.
A butterfly’s larval food source can
be very specific. For instance,
monarch caterpillars depend on
milkweeds, while black swallowtails
eat plants in the parsley family. Many native trees and grasses also serve as larval food sources.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
Continued from Previous Page
Native plants are typically the best choices because the native wildlife you aim to attract is
adapted to these plants. There is often a complex and interdependent relationship between an
animal and plant species. For instance, the migrating ruby-throat hummingbird gets early nectar
from our native buckeye (Aesculus spp.), and in turn, the bird serves as one of the buckeye’s
primary pollinators.
WATER
Providing wildlife with a clean and reliable source of water
is an essential part of creating a suitable habitat. This water
source does not have to be elaborate to be effective. A
simple shallow dish will suit birds for either drinking or
bathing, though a more elaborate birdbath can double as a
sculptural focal point in the garden. Birding experts
recommend a water depth of no more than two inches.
Remember to provide water year round. During winter
months when water may freeze, remove ice so birds can still
access the water, or use a birdbath heater. Keep your water
source clean by replacing the water frequently, especially
during the heat of summer.
The birds in my yard also have found a rather unconventional source of water. Above my
hummingbird feeder, I hang an “ant moat,” which is a water-filled cup that prevents ants from
crawling down to the sugar water. The smaller birds
quickly discovered this source of water and love to
take a drink from it.
COVER
Cover provides protection both from the elements
and predators, and it is essential if wildlife is to feel
safe and secure on your property. Cover takes many
forms and will differ for the various types of wildlife.
Birds will find safety and shelter in trees or
densely branched shrubs, and they appreciate the
protection and cover that evergreens provide during
the winter. Manmade roosting boxes will serve the
same purpose and may double as nesting sites in
spring.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
Continued from Previous Page
Woodpiles, hollow logs, and rock piles are favored hiding sites of many small mammals and
reptiles. Even leaf litter serves as cover, for many butterflies (in either the adult, egg, or chrysalis
phase) over-winter camouflaged in its midst.
The water in a small pond can provide both protective cover and a permanent home for aquatic
animals, such as frogs and salamanders.
PLACES TO RAISE YOUNG
Wildlife young are raised in every environment from a
vernal pool to a lofty tree branch to an underground burrow.
The more you can learn about an animal’s preference, the
better your chances of attracting that creature.
Birds nest in a wide variety of locations. Some prefer dense
shrubbery, while others build high in treetops. In my yard, a
holly bush planted beside the front door usually hosts either a
robin or cardinal family.
Many birds are cavity nesters and will readily take to a
manmade birdhouse if it is of the right design and located to
suit them. I find that chickadees and titmice are especially
easy to please, and they seem to prefer their homes at the
edge of the woods.
You also can assist with the raising of young by providing nesting materials – sometimes from
unexpected places. I have always kept my cats indoors and away from birds, but after brushing
them, I like to hang their fur in a mesh bag near the birdfeeder. The titmice and chickadees adore
using this soft fluff to line their nests.
A small manmade pond on my property serves as a nursery for
many other fascinating creatures. Frogs make their home there
year round, and I welcome the colorful dragonflies that flit above the
water in summer.
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Welcome Wildlife to Your Garden
Continued from Previous Page
SUSTAINABLE GARDENING PRACTICES
As you establish your wildlife habitat, take care to properly maintain the habitat and protect the
creatures that dwell there. Using environmentally sound gardening practices will positively impact
your own property as well as the environment around you.
These gardening practices include reducing or eliminating the use of chemical pesticides. There
are many native pest predators (such as ladybugs, lacewings and praying mantids) that will assist
you with pest control, and they will be encouraged to live in your yard if you incorporate a rich
diversity of plant material in your landscape.
Pests of a different kind include non-native invasive plants. These can wreak havoc by
overrunning native plants and reducing the diversity of species. Monitor your property for the worst
offenders, such as privet (Ligustrum spp.) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and do
not plant species that can get out of control easily, such as English ivy (Hedera helix).
Using natural resources efficiently will
benefit both your pocketbook and the
environment. For instance, use compost
rather than purchased fertilizers, and
conserve water by mulching, using drip hoses
for irrigation, and practicing xeriscaping
techniques.
Taking these steps to provide habitat for
wildlife will benefit not only the wild creatures
on your property; it will also enrich your life
and deepen your delight in gardening.
Bees on Silphium connatum
Renew your membership!
A by-law change was approved by the membership at the November 2012 meeting; memberships
now expire effective January 31st of each year. If you have not already done so, please renew
your membership. We’d love to have you stay with us as a member in 2013. A strong membership
is essential to helping educate fellow Georgians about the importance and beauty of our native
plants. You can check the status of your membership by creating a login on the website and then
choosing “Account Settings” to see the expiration year of your membership.
14
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Native Plant Rescue News
By Lynn Almand
What a year for rescues...
We had another record breaking year for rescues. Facilitators led and coled SIXTY-SIX rescues and you, our faithful rescuers, saved hundreds and
hundreds of plants. Those plants made their way to your gardens,
restoration projects, our plant sales or wherever you chose to give them a
safe and happy home. I hope they are thriving in their new locations away
from danger. Thank you!
But the excitement doesn't stop there. We added SEVEN new facilitators to our list of leaders, and
seven experienced facilitators agreed to mentor them until they earn their coveted yellow facilitator
badges. Please welcome our 'newbies' and help them get a good start by being on time for the
rescues and following all the necessary and important rules of good rescuing. You know them, as
they are told to you at the beginning of every rescue. I'll bet many of you can recite them!
Trainee
Mentor
Marilyn Bloom
Jeff Barrett
Maureen Donohue
Ellen Honeycutt
Katrina (Trina) Hayes
Marcia Winchester
Karen McCaustland
Dave Saunders
Bobby Todd
Susan Todd
Diana Whitlock
Lisa Betz
Karl Whitlock
Lisa Betz
The facilitator class of 2012
learns about the policies and
procedures of leading a rescue.
Photo: Sheri George
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE January 2013
Native Plant Rescue News
Continued from Previous Page
We've also lost a few names from our facilitator list. Some have retired after more than 10 years,
and some with less tenure decided to use their time and talents in other ways. I can't thank them
enough for all the time, effort and support they have given to me as director, their fellow facilitators,
and you as rescuers. Next time you see them (and it might even be on a rescue), please thank
them for their many years of service. They are: Mary DeHaye, Andy Gailis, Connie Ghosh, Wendell
Hoomes, Karen Lindauer, John Little, and David Zaparanick. Many of you will remember our
beloved Murrel Creekmore, the kind and gentle man who inspired so many of us with his
generosity, kindness, and gentle spirit. Murrel retired in August after 10 years as a facilitator. I'm
sad to report that he passed away in December. Even at the age of 79, he led three rescues and
co-facilitated five in 2012 and was always there with his truck to haul plants and people at many of
the rescue sites in Cherokee and Cobb counties--even after he retired. We will miss our dear
friend.
We don't schedule rescues this month because it is just too cold to rescue plants. Well...I say we
don't, but then you know those facilitators--give them a 'warm' day in January, and they just can't
stay out of the woods. So you just might see a pop-up rescue announcement in your inbox and a
rescue on the website. We'll get back to regular rescues in February in time to see all our lovely
spring ephemerals popping up and the leaf buds beginning to swell in anticipation of spring.
I knew I couldn't get
through writing this
article without
mentioning that
beautiful word that
holds so much hope
and beauty...spring.
Hope to see you on a
rescue in 2013!
Facilitator trainees get
some “field” training
after the classroom
work.
Photo: Sheri George
Remember, never dig native plants on public property, or on private property without the permission of the
owner, and ONLY if the plants will be lost to development. Join a GNPS rescue instead and help us save the
plants legally with other people who love native plants.
16
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Chapter News
By Carol Hight
The West Georgia Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society had a very busy fall. On
September 29, the chapter hosted a workshop at our extension service building featuring Dan Long
of Brushwood Nursery telling the group about vines and climbers. His presentation was a
description of the different vines and climbers and how to use them in the home landscape.
Ken Gohring hosted a session on propagation of native azaleas by both seeds and cuttings.
Also on the agenda was a demonstration showing how to make simple trellises from plant
materials. Several members were on hand with examples of the trellises they have made.
On October 18-20, the West Georgian Chapter participated in the Ag Heritage Days sponsored by
the Carroll County Extension Service. This event brought about 1200 fourth graders to the ag
center to see demonstrations of rural life as it was lived in the olden days. Mike Strickland
presided over the display board which featured fabrics that had been colored with dyes made from
native plants, pictures of many of the plants used for making dyes, and some of the dyes used. He
spent much of each day explaining the process of extracting the dyes from the plants and the
process used to dye the yarn which would then be woven into fabric.
In addition to these two events, the members have been busy with the restoration work on the
Buffalo Creek nature trail in Carrollton. About a quarter of a mile of trail has been cleared of privet
and honeysuckle, and many rescued plants have been planted. Information signs about the native
trees on the trail have been installed on the upper woodland trail. The next phase is clearing the
native azaleas of invasives, marking the walking path along this part of the trail, and adding other
varieties of native azaleas along the trail. This part of the trail will be called Azalea Walk.
To learn more about the West Georgia Chapter and our programs and projects, please visit
www.wgawildflowers.org.
17
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Chapter News
By Mary Moore
The nascent Outer Coastal Plain Chapter of The Georgia Native Plant Society met on November
30th , 2012 in Brunswick, GA and elected Officers and a Board of Directors. The following officers
and directors were elected:
Mary Moore—President
Mike Chapman—Treasurer
Sally Revoile—Secretary
Candace Long Brewer—
Director
Hans McColllum—Director
Gina Strickland, chair of the GNPS Chapter
Committee and former President of the West
Georgia Chapter, gave a presentation at the
meeting on chapter formation. Mike Strickland,
GNPS webmaster, gave a delightful presentation
on butterfly larval food sources.
Paper work and other bureaucratic filing is underway. My hope is that the coastal area will soon be
represented by a full fledged and functional native plant society! Questions, comments or interest in
the new chapter may be mailed to nativeplantsofgeorgia@gmail.com
18
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Upcoming GNPS Symposium
The 18th GNPS Symposium will be on Saturday, February 16, 2013. The event will be held at the
Stone Mountain Memorial Association’s Education Annex in Stone Mountain, GA. We will have an
engaging group of speakers, a choice of activities for the end of the day and as always we will
have lunch included and there will be plants for sale and several other vendors.
Speakers:

Robert Wyatt, “Desert Islands in a Forest Sea: Flora and Vegetation of Granite Outcrops in the
Southeastern United States”

Karen Garland, “Connecting Kids to Gardening”

Johnny Randall, “Fall Color: Where, Why, When and Wow”

Wilf Nicholls, “Georgia Natives for Shady Areas: Some Myths, Realities and Delights”
Activities available at the end of the day for those that want to participate:



Explore granite outcrop with Robert Wyatt
Winter Tree Identification
Explore GNPS’s propagation efforts in Stone Mountain
Registration materials can be found on our website—you can
even register online:
http://gnps.org/shortterm/Symposium_Announcement.php
Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia
19
NativeSCAPE January 2013
Upcoming Events
January Meeting: What’s New at the South Carolina Botanical Garden - Tuesday, January 8,
2013, Patrick McMillan, PhD. Meeting at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Day Hall, 7:30 pm.
GNPS 2013 Symposium - Saturday, February 16, 2013, from 8 am to 4 pm. The event will be held
at the SMMA Education Annex in Stone Mountain, GA. See page 18 for more details.
March Meeting: ABG Rare Plants: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, Jenny Cruse Sanders of the Atlanta
Botanical Garden will talk about the Garden’s rare plant collections from Georgia and their
conservation research. Meeting at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Day Hall, 7:30 pm.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2013 GNPS Annual Spring Plant Sale!
When:
Sale Day: Saturday, April 20, 2013
Set-up Day: Friday, April 19, 2013
Where:
McFarlane Nature Park
280 Farm Road SE
Marietta, GA 30067
Please plan to volunteer and/or shop the plant sale as it is our
major fundraiser of the year …plus volunteering (and shopping) is
a lot of fun!
Field Trip to view pitcher plant bogs in southwest Georgia—Saturday/Sunday, April 27-28,
2013. The trip will include two stops, one in Doerun (Colquitt County) and another which is yet to be
determined. Maureen Donohue will lead the trip which will be offered to both GNPS and Georgia
Botanical Society members. A reservation will be required as space is limited.
Trip members may travel to Moultrie on Saturday, exploring a bog on the way or meet up at Doerun
on Sunday morning. There is no cost except your own travel costs. An overnight stay near Moultrie,
GA will be optional for those that choose to do so.
For more information, email Maureen at macaire75@att.net or watch the website for updates.
Garden Tour Set For Fall in 2013
The GNPS members only Garden Tour for 2013 is scheduled for fall this year.
Please refer to our website for current information on project workdays and times.
Thank you!
20
Georgia Native Plant Society Membership & Renewal
Memberships are effective for one calendar year, beginning January 1st.
Hydrangea
quercifolia
Choose membership level: (Select one)
___Individual/Family ($20)
___Senior, 55 and older ($15)
___Full-Time Student ($15)
___Corporate/Commercial/Educational ($50)
___Lifetime Individual/Family ($250)
Affiliation:
___No Chapter Affiliation
___West Georgia Chapter
___Check here if in addition to my membership renewal, I have included ______ to be distributed as follows:
___Education
___Conservation/Propagation/Restoration
___Jeane Reeves Memorial Grants and
Scholarship Program
___Unrestricted
Total Enclosed: ____________
Check # _______________
Trade Name (if applicable):
_______________________________________________________________________
First Name: ______________________ Middle Initial: ____ Last Name: __________________________________
If Family, list additional names: ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________________________ Work Phone: ____________________________________
Email Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________
(Email address is required if you wish to receive the Listserv and/or Electronic Newsletter.)
___ Check here if you prefer NOT to receive emails from our list server which contain information about meetings,
plant rescues, work parties and other items of interest to the membership.
The full-color newsletter will be sent electronically. If you require a print version, which will be black and white,
check here: ___
Please mail completed renewal form to the following address: GNPS, PO Box 422085, Atlanta, GA 30342-2085