NativeSCAPE Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society

October 2010

Volume XVI, Number 4

President‘s Message 2

Plant Rescue News 14

Chapter News 15

Plant Focus 16

Upcoming GNPS Events 17

Newsletter Editor

Karen Wilkins

Newsletter staff: Sharon Parry, Ellen Honeycutt and Lisa Betz, Proofreaders NativeSCAPE is published quarterly by the Georgia Native Plant Society. A subscription is included with membership in the

GNPS.

Copyright 2010 by the Georgia Native Plant Society. All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission of the

author.

Going with the Flow by Sharon Parry Page 3

If you have a runoff problem in your own garden, I hope you‘ll consider the idea

of ―going with the flow,‖ letting your rescued plants help rescue you!

Fast Growing Trees By Patricia Bowen, Cherokee County Master Gardener Page 5

Since fall is tree planting time, I‘ve compiled a short list of common ―desirable‖

trees, several with which I have experience and a few more.

Membership Renewal Form Page 19

Hydrangea quercifolia

Think Again By Mary Tucker Page 7

The more I have learned about invasive plants, the more concerns I have about

my own gardening habits, and I have even awakened some mornings fretting

about potentially wayward plants that may outgrow the bounds of my garden to

wreak havoc elsewhere in the environment.

What Some Native Plant Enthusiasts will do for Fun By Jane Trentin Page 11

On Sunday, August 29th, 2010, six members of GNPS met at the bottom of

Amicalola Falls for a day of removing invasives. This trip was a follow up to our

January 2010 trip.

(Readers: Note the articles are now clickable on the table of contents, and look for the “little

hydrangea” throughout the newsletter to take you back here at any time.)

The Nature Conservancy Helps Safeguard Land Along Altamaha River Page 13

The newly-acquired parcel stretches for 10 miles adjacent to the Altamaha River.

It contains a variety of critical wildlife habitats...

2

Volunteers are the life blood of every non-profit organization, and GNPS is no exception. I want to thank each of you that volunteers for GNPS - here are just some of the many roles

that our volunteers serve throughout the year:

Members that volunteer at restoration sites like Heritage Park and Buffalo Creek Trail month after month, showing the public how beautiful native plants can be when invasive

plants aren‘t choking them out;

Folks who start seeds and nurture plants at the Stone Mountain Propagation Project;

Facilitators that help our members rescue hundreds (perhaps thousands) of plants each

year;

Plant sale volunteers that help us put those plants in the hands of people all over

Georgia and raise money for GNPS projects and grants;

Folks who plan and execute field trips, workshops, the garden tour, our meetings – and

those who bring refreshments and merchandise and plants to sell at many of these events;

Those who pick up our mail, update our database, pay our bills and set our budget;

Our tireless webmaster, the website committee and our newsletter editor and ―staff‖ – all dedicated to ensuring that our communications are timely, educational and as helpful as

possible;

And the many folks that interface with the public for Restoration questions, Grant

applications, Membership queries, and requests for information about native plants.

Thank you all so very much for what you do for the Society. GNPS could not do it without you. There is always room for more help – we could accomplish even more and reach more people. Opportunities are available for all ranges of experience and all amounts of spare time. Plus, helping can be such a great way to learn more about native plants and meet more people. You can find contacts for our committees and board members on the web –

look under the ―About Us‖ link.

If you can‘t help at this time, we understand. Thank you for being a member – that support is every bit as important. October 1st begins our renewal period. Please take a moment to renew your membership for 2011. There is a form at the end of this newsletter that you can print off, or you can do it from the website (you will still need to mail in your payment or

bring it to the November 9th meeting).

On a closing note: I went to the Cullowhee conference on Native Plants in the Landscape in late July, and I was very inspired by the experience. I‘d like to share a piece of that inspiration with you: The conference wrapped up with a presentation by Patrick McMillan about advocacy. His presentation featured, in part, a story about a specialized plant habitat on the coast that grew on large piles of discarded oyster shells – shells that were deposited by humans thousands of years ago for some unknown reason. These deposits, however, were a decision that shaped the plant community that lives there today. His message (and I will paraphrase): Thousands of years from now people will probably not know your name, but

the choices we make live on. Find your passion and be an activist for it.

President‘s Message By Ellen Honeycutt

NativeSCAPE October 2010 Georgia Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 422085

Atlanta, GA 30342-2085

www.gnps.org

770-343-6000

GNPS Board of Directors

President

Ellen Honeycutt

Vice President

Don Stewart

Secretary

Shirley Center

Treasurer

Paula Reith

Members-at-Large:

Julie Newell

Paul Shivers

David Haimbach

Director of Communications

Sharon Parry

Director of Conservation

Marcia Winchester

Director of Education

Jacqueline McRae

Director of Membership

Jane Trentin

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 for 2010 can now be completed online or by

completing the form on the last page of this news letter

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NativeSCAPE October 2010

We‘ve all had our landscaping challenges. One of mine has been the area on the east-facing side of our home. Over the years, the nearby trees grew taller, casting more and more shade. And the constant runoff from the down-spouts washed away more and more topsoil. The old grass path to the backyard was starting to look pretty awful. I usually went around the other side of the

house to avoid having to look at it.

We reseeded each season to no avail. We tried sod. It too failed. I did have a vague plan to plant a few natives on the adjacent hillside after spending a back-breaking week pulling out English ivy, but other than that, I was thinking maybe we‘d have to go

with a sidewalk.

Then an excellent suggestion was made by an excellent friend, Lisa Betz. She figured I should ―go with the flow‖ and embrace the idea that this eyesore was actually a water feature in disguise. She suggested the idea of a dry

streambed, dry mostly, flowing only after a rain.

I was doubtful about my ability to accomplish much, but I decided to start by focusing on slowing down the erosion. At the end of a heavy rainfall, a considerable amount of soil was being washed away and deposited in the street below. Pussytoes to the rescue! (Both Antennaria plantaginifolia and A. solitaria were used.) Fellow rescuers probably wondered about my fascination with these plain looking jewels, but they really worked well at holding the soil, and were planted in

abundance.

In the beginning, I worked with the shaded area next to the house, but eventually lengthened the ―stream‖ and forced it with rocks and plants to meander its way towards the driveway so as not to end up flooding my neighbor‘s yard. With

consistency and patience, it started to look like there was some method to my madness. (The neighbors no doubt, were wondering how many times I was going to move those rocks!) I planted what I rescued. And I was happy to have a new area to plant with such a variety of beautiful native plants. With the lengthening of the path, there were now areas for shade tolerant plants as well as for sun lovers. I‘ve listed the majority of their names - they all seem very happy in their new home. I also planted a variety of ferns. They love even the darkest part of the area, and cover the ground quickly.

The groundcovers and low growing plants were placed closest to the bottom of the streambed. I planted them next to a rock when possible, to help protect them from a deluge of rainwater. Otherwise, the unestablished plants might have ended up at the end of the driveway. The rocks were eventually partially buried, to give the streambed a more natural look. (Continued on page 4)

Going with the Flow Text and Photos by Sharon Parry

Spring 2007

Spring 2008

Spring 2009

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NativeSCAPE October 2010

Going with the Flow (Continued from previous page)

Common Name Botanical Name

Birdfoot Violet Viola pedata Black Cohosh Actaea racemosa Common Alumroot Heuchera americana Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera Downy Skullcap Scutellaria incana Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Galax Galax urceolata Green-and-Gold Chrysogonum virginianum Sweetspire Itea virginica Maryland Meadow Beauty Rhexia mariana Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum Mountain Stonecrop Sedum ternatum Mouse Ear Coreopsis Coreopsis auriculata Piedmont Azalea Rhododendron canescens Plantainleaf Pussytoes Antennaria plantaginifolia Round Lobed Hepatica Hepatica americana Shuttleworth Ginger Hexastylis shuttleworthii Smooth Phlox Phlox glaberrima Solitary Pussytoes Antennaria solitaria Sweet Betsy Trillium cuneatum

Spring 2010

Because I use the bed of the stream as a walking path, I didn‘t want to line it with rock which is the typical way to build a dry streambed. Currently it is almost filled in with plants. Moss is begin-ning to grow well, since the soil has stabilized. Eventu-ally, I plan to place a few random stepping stones

throughout the middle.

This challenge has been a lot of fun, and to see the pro-gress over the past three years has been really gratify-ing. Now I enjoy heading to the backyard along this path. It‘s still a work-in-progress, with some bare spots to fill on the hillside, so I‘m looking forward to the fall rescue season. If you have a runoff problem in your own garden, I hope you‘ll consider the idea of ―going with the flow,‖ letting your rescued

plants help rescue you!

5

Fast Growing Trees By Patricia Bowen, Cherokee Master Gardener

Several years ago I suggested to a sixty year old neighbor that he plant some trees on the side of his hill to prevent erosion. He told me that it was a foolish idea because he‘d never live to see those trees mature. I reminded him that watching something grow can be as satisfying as seeing it reach maturity, and there are many fast growing trees that can fill out a Georgia landscape in far less than a human generation. Since fall is tree planting time, I‘ve compiled a short list of common ―desirable‖ trees, several with which I have experience and a few more. As with any planting, be sure to select trees that can be expected to thrive in your landscape, by considering soil requirements, and the right amount of drainage, sun and wind exposure. Just a note on invasives here: as with flowers and shrubs, beware of invasive trees, especially non-natives. They typically mature rapidly, reproduce by both seed and vegetative growth, and produce prolific seeds that are easily dispersed. And they don‘t have to be from far off, foreign countries; they may simply come from another region of our own state. For example, some experts are now concerned that cherrylaurel (Prunus caroliniana), a native of Georgia‘s Coastal Plain, is now showing invasive tendencies in the Piedmont. Redbud (Cercis canadensis) grows 12 to 18 inches each year, achieving a total height of 30 feet. It has a rounded canopy that spreads about 25 feet when mature. Its pinkish-purplish flowers are among the first to blossom in the spring; some flowers even sprout directly from the trunk. It does well in partial shade in the home landscape (I have scores of them in the understory of my woods) and is suited to a wide range of soil types though it prefers a moist, well drained footing. Redbuds live 20-30 years, and often replenish themselves at their base with new shoots. The flowers of the redbud can be added to salads. They can also be fried for eating. The flowers are favored by honey bees. The seeds of the redbud are known to be eaten by squirrels, deer and several types of birds, including cardinals and pheasants. A very popular cultivar is ‗Forest Pansy‘ because of the purplish colored foliage in the springtime. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) or yellow-poplar, tulip magnolia or tulip tree is actually a member of the magnolia family. Its tulip shaped flowers put out lots of seeds, but only a small percentage germinate so this tree is not considered invasive. It can grow 15-20‘ in its first 6-8 years with a mature size of 80-120‘ in a classic pyramidal form. It does best in moderately moist, well drained soil, and is often planted for reforestation purposes due to its fast growth, hardiness and high resistance to most insects and diseases. The Tulip Poplar can look spectacular in the fall with its commanding height and yellow autumnal colors. Squirrels enjoy food from it and white tailed deer like to browse on the twigs. It is also prone to wind and ice damage, but a downed poplar makes a warm, crackling fire in the winter fireplace. I‘ve enjoyed several (trees and fires) over my years in these Cherokee County woods. Red maple (Acer rubrum) is tolerant of many conditions and can thrive in both dry and fairly moist conditions. It is one of the first trees to flower in our area, although the flowers are so small, most people probably don‘t realize the tree is blooming. Mature height is up to 75 feet with a spread of 25-35 feet. The fruit is called a ―samara‖ – most people are familiar with the twirling path that the paper ―helicopter‖ samara takes from the tree to the ground. Squirrels and birds eat the seeds but plenty survive to make the next generation of seedlings. The fall color on red maple can be spectacular but also variable. Cultivars with reliably good fall color are on the market – ‗October Glory‘ is a good one for the Atlanta area. One drawback to maples is that they do have plentiful surface roots; be sure to

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) flower Photo: Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.org

(Continued on page 6)

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NativeSCAPE October 2010

site any maples in an area where root competition is not a problem because the maple will frequently win the battle for moisture. Cultivars labeled as Acer x freemanii are actually red and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) hybrids (both native) and have a very attractive leaf shape thanks to the silver maple‘s genes. Bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum) can reach 130 feet at maturity when given ideal conditions. One of the most distinctive characteristics: especially when growing in or near the water, bald-cypress trees produce tapered "knees" to 6 ft high that stick up from the roots. Despite the look of the tree as well as the cones it produces, bald-cypress loses its leaves in the fall – a deciduous conifer! Although they occur naturally in the wettest of places, bald-cypress trees will thrive in normal soil. Established trees are even tolerant of drought. The feathery pale

green foliage is attractive in spring and summer, and again in fall when it turns red-gold. Other trees to consider and research: Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), River birch (Betula nigra), Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and the many native Pines (Pinus spp.). Many folks think that fast growing trees must necessarily be weak wooded. There is a group of fast growing oaks that are worth consideration for your landscape. Here are four that do well in north Georgia: Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) or Swamp Spanish Oak grows 60-70‘ with a 25-45‘ canopy; a 10 year old tree will be about 25‘ tall. Life span is 90-120 years. They like sun, acidic and clay soils and thrive in wetlands. (The specific name palustris means ―of swamps.‖) Young trees less than 20‘ tall often retain their leaves year round, with dried leaves falling off when new leaves emerge in spring. It is easy to transplant and propagate and readily available in nurseries. The name Pin Oak may come from the historical use of the hard wood for pins in wooden building construction. Red Oak (Quercus rubra) or Champion Oak can grow up to 140‘ tall, up to 15-20‘ in its first 10 years. They can live up to 500 years. It is tolerant of many soils although it prefers good drainage for optimal growth and lifespan. Red oak trees are used in flooring, home construction and furniture due to its weight and strength. While their small acorns are very bitter, deer, squirrels and birds enjoy them after the tastier acorns are gone. It has nice fall color and is considered to be a good street tree.

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) grows 60-90‘ tall and is known for its spectacular fall color. It thrives in a wide variety of soils, likes humid climates and does best in full sun. It is recommended by Trees Atlanta as a good urban street tree. Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) or Spotted Oak grows up to 115‘ with a canopy of up to 60‘. Shumard Oaks have been known to live to 480 years of age. Drought resistant, it prefers partial to full sun and does not transplant well, so purchase nursery grown trees. Its large acorns provide food for game birds, deer and squirrels, and the leaves also provide browsing for white-tail deer. Like Red Oak, it has many commercial uses. For more information on any of these trees and others, Google the name of the tree and add the word ―facts,‖ such as ―redbud tree facts.‖ Using the scientific name produces more specific results. On the GNPS website, the link ―Symposium Papers‖ in the Resources section has a 2009 presentation entitled ―Tough Native Trees for Urban Sites Suggested by Trees Atlanta.‖

Fast Growing Trees (Continued from Previous Page)

Bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum) Fruit Photo: Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org

7

Think Again By Mary Tucker

[A note from the author: This is an expansion of an article that was

originally published in NativeSCAPE in October of 1999.] This may sound silly, but working on this article has made me lose sleep. It all started when I was at a respected, local nursery and noticed for sale a beautiful plant, but one I knew was considered an invasive exotic, beautiful though it was. This made me wonder what other commonly sold plants are invasive and what plants I may even have in my own yard that I did not realize were potential problems. The more I have learned about invasive plants, the more concerns I have about my own gardening habits, and I have even awakened some mornings fretting about potentially wayward plants that may outgrow the bounds of my garden to wreak havoc elsewhere in the environment. I have realized I need to think again before assuming that some of those lovely plants offered for sale are quite so lovely after all. Exotic, alien, introduced, non-native, non-indigenous – all are terms to describe plants that occur in locations beyond their known historical ranges. In other words, they were moved to their current locations by people, rather than by natural means. These plants have reached their destinations in various ways, but most invasive plants were introduced intentionally, either as ornamentals, crop plants, wildlife habitat plants, for medicinal purposes, or to assist with erosion control. Many that are now invasive in certain areas of the country, such as Queen Anne‘s lace (Daucus carota), dame‘s rocket (Hesperis matronalis), ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and bachelor‘s button or cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), are now so widely naturalized that many people assume that they are native. And sadly, these are often the same plants we see touted in ―wildflower‖ seed mixes or in plantings along our highways. However, not all exotic species are harmful, and many are beneficial. As a matter of fact, the large majority of our agricultural plants are non-native. The problem occurs when a species is extremely aggressive in its growth habit and does significant damage by overtaking desirable species or by affecting the ecosystem. These invasive alien plants typically have several of the following characteristics: a rapid rate of growth and maturity, prolific seed production, successful seed dispersal mechanisms, high germination rates, rampant vegetative spread, and high cost of removal or control. Many are free from natural controls, such as predators and pathogens, allowing them to thrive unchecked. This rapid growth limits the availability of light, water, nutrients, and space, and as they overtake existing vegetation, they form dense one-species stands of growth. They can alter the hydrology, soil composition, and natural fire patterns of an area. Some even hybridize with native species, resulting in unnatural changes to the gene pool. Others may harbor pathogens that affect the native species. Some are toxic to grazing animals. Some are even allelopathic, meaning that they prevent the growth of nearby plants by secreting poisonous chemicals into the soil. Invasiveness is related to habitat and climate; a plant may be fine in one location and extremely invasive in another. For instance, some plants are invasive in Florida or in coastal areas in the Southeast but are not winter-hardy enough to be threats elsewhere. Others prefer cooler climates and cannot thrive in the heat and humidity of the South. Some are aquatic plants that are fine in a contained ornamental pond, but can wreak havoc if allowed into natural waterways. And not all invasive plants are aliens; some are native species which became aggressive spreaders when introduced into a new habitat. For example, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), native to eastern North America, got out of control when it was taken west.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) Photo: Mary Tucker

(Continued on page 8)

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The problem of invasive exotics is second only to habitat destruction as a threat to biodiversity. The scope of the problem is evident when one notes that 42 percent of the species on the Endangered Species list are there due to competition with invasive species. Invasive exotic species also impact our economy, creating an estimated economic loss that is potentially over 100 billion dollars per year. So what can we, as individual gardeners, do about this troubling problem? First and foremost, educate yourself. There are many resources to assist you, and research and experience is constantly increasing the amount of information that is available. Below are a few of the Internet sites I have found most useful. - Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council (includes links to state chapters) http://www.se-eppc.org

- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia http://www.gainvasives.org - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Invasive and Noxious Weeds website http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver - U.S. Forest Service: Invasive Plant Fact Sheets http://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds - Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas (a publication of National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; available as a PDF) http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/ - A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (a publication of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station; available as a PDF) http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/35292 As you educate yourself, learn what plants are already known to be a problem in the East and Southeast, especially those that are common landscape plants that you are likely to see sold in nurseries and promoted in the trade. In addition, even be wary of plants that are invasive in other areas of the country. History shows that it may take decades for a plant to spread out of control and become an evident problem. By that point, control may be next to impossible. Anytime you are evaluating an introduced plant for your landscape, consider the following: if it naturalizes or self sows; how far it spreads; how fast it grows; how its seeds are dispersed and if they will be carried by wind or eaten and spread by animals; if it is allelopathic; if it will be so hardy or drought tolerant that it will out-compete other vegetation. If you have any doubts about a plant, simply avoid using it in your garden. Don‘t assume that if a plant is sold in a reputable nursery or recommended by an ―expert‖ that it is not invasive. As I researched this article, I looked in national gardening catalogs, local nurseries, respected magazines, and well-known reference books to see how many of these problematic plants were touted. I was saddened to see invasive

English ivy (Hedera helix) Photo: Mary Tucker

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Think Again (Continued from Previous Page)

(Continued on page 9)

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plants virtually everywhere I looked. And even worse, there was rarely mention of their invasiveness. I even saw them listed in ―environmentally conscious‖ literature on xeriscaping. I know they are recommended because of their drought-tolerance, hardiness, rapid growth, etc., but that is just what makes them so invasive. A few invasive plants are well known to most folks (even non-gardeners) as weedy plants, and they are unlikely to be for sale at nurseries. Among these obvious bad guys are common Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and kudzu (Pueraria lobata). Other invasives are less well known to the general public but are still unlikely to be sold simply because they don‘t have features that make them particularly marketable. Plants in this category include Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach), and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). On the other hand, there are invasive plants that are marketed to the unsuspecting consumer because of some feature they possess. And unfortunately, the consumer often thinks only of the beauty or utility of these specimens in their own garden and does not know about or consider the impact they may have on the surrounding environment. An uneducated or inexperienced gardener may mistakenly plant invasives such as privet (Ligustrum spp.), princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), and the running bamboos (such as those in the genus Arundinaria, Phyllostachys, or Pleioblastus). I was extremely surprised to find most of these plants in mail-order catalogs along with beautiful descriptions that could entice an unwitting homeowner to order them. Surprisingly, some seemingly innocuous landscape plants are proving to be invasive in certain habitats. Among these are Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta), Japanese holly (Ilex crenata), butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), ajuga or bugle weed (Ajuga reptans), creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), and Georgia‘s state flower, Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata). Once you have educated yourself about the invasive plant problem, you will be a more responsible gardener on your own property, and you may have opportunities to make a difference beyond that. If you are involved with schoolyard projects or community gardens, you can use that work to help educate the public. As native plant lovers, we can all influence the nurseries by informing them about the damage caused by specific exotic plants, discouraging them from selling those plants, and by requesting that they stock native or non-invasive alternatives. Remember that ―money talks‖ and if we, as consumers, don‘t buy a plant, the nurseries won‘t carry it.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Think Again (Continued from Previous Page)

Privet (Ligustrum sinense) Photo: Mary Tucker

(Continued on page 10)

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Below are some of the plants that you are likely to find for sale in nurseries or through mail-order catalogs and that are often listed as ―recommended‖ in gardening publications. Others are ―pass-along‖ plants that a well-meaning friend may offer you. You may also find gardening websites or forums that tout the advantages of some of these plants. However, all of these are invasive to one degree or another in the Southeast and/or East. The list below con-centrates on plants that are likely to be problems throughout the region, rather than in narrow or specific climes. You may very well have incorporated some of these plants into your garden; others may have crept in unbeknownst to you. Learn to recognize them, and then remove them from your landscape – or at least control them and prevent their spread outside your property. This can be done by pruning to prevent seed dispersal or by mowing or spraying to prevent vegetative spread. Due to space constraints, the plants are simply listed below. However, on the GNPS website you will find an expanded version of this article that explains the invasive characteristics of each plant.

INVASIVE TREES: mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Chinese parasoltree (Firmiana simplex), white mulberry (Morus alba), princess tree or empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa), white poplar (Populus alba), Bradford pear or callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima), Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera) INVASIVE SHRUBS: Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), elaeagnus (Elaeagnus angustifolia, E. pungens, E. umbellata), burning bush or winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus), rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), privet (Ligustrum spp. such as L. vulgare, L. sinense, L. japonicum), bush honeysuckles (Lonicera cultivars and species such as L. fragrantissima, L. maackii, L. morrowii, L. tatarica, and others), leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei), nandina or heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica)

INVASIVE VINES AND GROUND COVERS: fiveleaf akebia or chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), orien-tal bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), sweet autumn clematis or vir-ginsbower (Clematis terniflora), wintercreeper or climbing euonymus (Euonymus fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix), liriope or lilyturf (Liriope muscari, L. spicata), Japanese honeysuckle cultivars (such as Lonicera japonica ‗Halliana‘ or ‗Purpurea‘), Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum), periwinkle or vinca (Vinca major, V. minor), ori-ental wisterias (Wisteria sinensis, W. floribunda) INVASIVE ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND KIN: running bamboos (such as those in the genus Arundinaria, Phyllostachys, or Pleioblastus), giant reed (Arundo donax), pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana, C. jubata), Chi-nese silvergrass or eulalia (Miscanthus sinensis) INVASIVE ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, AND AQUATICS: water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), yellowflag iris (Iris pseudacorus), ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, L. virga-tum), parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), perilla or beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Think Again (Continued from Previous Page)

Chinese silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) Photo: Mary Tucker

11

What Some Native Plant Enthusiasts will do for Fun

by Jane Trentin On Sunday, August 29th, 2010, six members of GNPS met at the bottom of Amicalola Falls for a day of removing invasives. This trip was a follow up to our January 2010 trip (see story in April 2010 Nativescape). We were pleased to find that there was no sign of the Vinca minor we had removed in the area by the bridge at the bottom of the falls. However, where Vinca minor had been, Microstegium vimineum had set in. Julie Newell, Charlie Brown and I spent the morning getting it under control. By lunchtime, we could see climbing, or in this case creeping, hydrangea (Decumaria barbara) and horse balm (Collinsonia canadensis) already beginning to fill the void we had left in January. Julie and Charlie were particularly successful in clearing the Microstegium from the edge of the fishing pond where there was shoulder high jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) growing. They even nipped a kudzu vine in the bud. We felt especially good about removing these invasive plants in this wet bottomland area before they started up the slope where several small jacks-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) were growing. Meanwhile, Marcia Winchester and Ellen Honeycutt had arrived and set to work on the Friends of Amicalola Falls State Park garden where Marcia had taken the lead in January in removing creeping euonymus (Euonymus fortunei). The park eventually removed the parent plants, which Marcia had tagged for them. After a weeding blitz in this garden area, they cleared the Microstegium across the sidewalk and along the creek, where Julie, Charlie and I knew that the large white flowered Amicalola trillium comes up in April. We had seen it the past two years on our Hike Inn field trip in early May. John Little arrived after lunch and got to work on the weeds closest to the sidewalk near the bridge. What a difference it made to have six people all working at once! After our lunch break, Charlie and I tackled the Microstegium along the stairs leading down to the picnic tables in the "sunken garden" area where Marcia so diligently removed Japanese honeysuckle in January. No honeysuckle was found there on this trip. John and the girls continued making progress along the sidewalk, eventually weeding mulberry weed out of another of the Friends' gardens. Marcia continued weeding out from the sidewalk to save the bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) from encroachment. Since Ellen had never been to Amicalola Falls, Marcia and I walked with her to the landing halfway up the falls. Once to the viewing area, we were treated to a nice display of green coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) growing in the mist on the rocks of the waterfalls. There was also Heuchera villosa growing out of the rocks leading up to, as well as at the viewing area. Once across the boardwalk in front of the falls, we could observe the area that had had the biggest honeysuckle vines on our January trip. These had not come back or else were obscured by a nice stand of jewelweed. Nice work Paul Shivers, John Little and Jane Tessier. Marcia took note of the slope up from the West Rim Trail that she and Maureen Donahue and Jane Tessier had removed honeysuckle from in January. None was seen to have come back there either.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Nepalese Browntop (Microstegium vimineum) Photo: David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

(Continued on page 12)

12

What Some Native Plant Enthusiasts will do for Fun (Continued from Previous Page)

By the time we had filled ten

large plastic trash bags with

weeds and assorted bits of

trash, we were ready to check

into our cabin, kindly provided

by the park. We hope to

recruit enough GNPS members

to fill two cabins and pull

twice as much honeysuckle

next January! Contact the

organizer of this trip and

author of this article to get on

the list for January

2011! Those who have

volunteered previously will be

given first pick.

Back at the cabin, it felt good

to get cleaned up. Everyone

contributed to supper. We

dined over conversation about

plants, plant people, and even

reviewed some of the history

of our organization. We also

talked about upcoming events, such as our Symposium, and contemplated how GNPS could contribute to worthy

plant-related causes. It was nice to get to enjoy the peace and quiet surrounding our cabin. And it was especially

nice not to have to make the long drive back home until the next day.

Monday morning, we headed out again to pull more Microstegium. While working, Ellen took the opportunity to

"teach" passersby about some of the wonderful natives that were growing amid the weeds. She extolled the virtues

of Bear's Foot (Smallanthus uvedalius) and Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). She talked about seeing a

hummingbird feeding on the flowers of the Jewelweed, and she pointed out Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis).

Many people stopped to inquire about our weed pulling, and that made for many "teachable moments." One little

boy quickly grasped the concept that the plants that didn't belong here were keeping the ones that did from

growing! An elderly gentleman wanted to know if we were finding any ginseng! He remembered his Daddy giving

him the root to chew for his circulation when he was a boy. He said it was bitter, like medicine. Several people

thanked us for what we were doing. At the end of our second work day, we walked back along the trail admiring

just how much of a difference our efforts had made. It felt good.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Ellen and John Making Progress Photo: Jane Trentin

13

The Nature Conservancy Helps Safeguard Land Along Altamaha River (Adapted from a Press Release from The Nature Conservancy)

6,911 New Acres Protected

Atlanta, GA — September 29, 2010

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the acquisition of 6,911 acres in Long County as

part of the Townsend Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The property is located in the lower

Altamaha River floodplain, one of the most valuable ecological corridors in Georgia. It was

purchased by The Nature Conservancy from Rayonier Forest Resources and immediately transferred

to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which will own and manage the tract. The newly-

acquired parcel stretches for 10 miles adjacent to the Altamaha River. It contains a variety of

critical wildlife habitats, buffers an important military installation and will contain recreational

amenities for hiking, boating and hunting.

"Permanently preserving tracts of land of this significance is integral to creating a culture of

conservation in Georgia," said Governor Perdue. "And this is an excellent example of the state

partnering with the private sector, conservation community and the federal government to make

that happen."

Federal, state and private-sector partners that contributed financial and other support to

the project include the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rayonier Forest Resources, The Nature Conservancy

and Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP).

Preservation of the tract, which includes freshwater wetlands, inland maritime forests and

sandhill-longleaf pine forests, protects habitat for at least 17 federal or state-listed rare and

endangered species including the swallow-tailed kite, Florida manatee, gopher tortoise and eastern

indigo snake. This property is the second of a two-phase project that protected more than 14,000

acres on the Lower Altamaha River.

In addition to its environmental value, the property also will provide a much-needed buffer

around the Townsend Bombing Range - a facility owned by the United States Marine Corps and used

by all branches of the military. The Marine Corps played a key role in the project, providing crucial

funding and support to protect the tract.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

14

Native Plant Rescue News By Lynn Almand

Do you remember the week before Labor Day? It was the first time in a year you could actually feel fall. Finally, you could breathe because the temperature was in the mid-80's with 50% humidity. You stepped outside just not sure you believed the weather forecast. The air even looked different! Know what I mean? The sky was the same blue you remember as a child--the bluest of blues. It was a moment frozen in time--that first hint of fall 2010. I decided to walk around the garden to see what other hints of fall I could find and what some of our rescuers might find on September rescues. The leaves are still green on trees and shrubs, and some of the early herbaceous plants are bending over and looking rather sad to see fall approaching. But many, many plants

are showing what they've worked so hard to produce - their berries, drupes seeds, etc.! The Hearts a Bursting (Euonymus americanus) should have its showy fruit on display, but the deer have eaten mine. Once you see this plant with its rock star colors, you'll never forget it. The caplet has four or five lobes that range in color from deep pink to deep purplish red, and when the lobes separate to reveal the scarlet seeds, it is quite a combination against the green stems. This plant is indigenous to our property, but I've also added rescued plants to my collection. The deer don't seem to mind. Another rescued plant putting on a show right now (the last week of August) is Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). The stalk holding the bright red berries has toppled over and the berries are awaiting dispersal. Doll's Eyes (Actaea pachypoda) is not in my garden, but Karen Lindauer showed me her beautiful collection last week in her woodland garden, and the plants are loaded with berries. Please remember that all parts of this plant are poisonous if you have curious visitors in your garden.

The Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is displaying its shiny black fruit right now and will begin its leaf color change in the coming weeks--even in the shade. Mine came from rescues, and it is one of my favorite additions to the shady woodland garden. The Rusty Blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum) is a new addition to my garden, but I've seen it in the woods and know it will be a spectacular fall favorite. I didn't even get to the Sumacs (Rhus), Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) or the Chokeberries (Aronia), The Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) or the...This is just a sampling of my garden, so look around in yours today. As you read this, the leaves are turning--adding more excitement to your garden. I hope you will find some surprises, and even more plants you want to find on a plant rescue. For more info about our rescue program, go to the rescue section on our website. Happy Rescuing!

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Hearts a Bursting (Euonymus americanus) Photo: Courtesy of Duke University

Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) Photo: Mike Strickland

15

The West GA Chapter has had several work days over the past couple of months at the Buffalo Creek Educational Trail in Carroll County where we have a restoration project. The front entrance has been cleaned up and landscape bricks that were in place but had become buried over the years were unearthed and placed back around the existing row of Oakleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia). Additional bricks were purchased from part of our grant funds from Carroll County Master Gardeners and placed at the entrance to the trail. It looks really nice now with all of the hard work the volunteers have put in to remove blackberry and set the bricks in place.

On earlier work days the volunteers pulled privet along the trail between the entrance and the creek. The last 2 work days were used to place tree grindings the county had produced along the trail starting from the entrance down to the creek. There are 3 breakdowns to the trail: the upper entrance, lower creek area and upper back woodland area. The goal for September and October was to get the upper entrance and lower creek area in shape for the Ag Heritage Days when school children from around the county will visit the trail to learn how our forefathers in the 18th and 19th centuries lived and worked. The kids will get to watch chicks hatch from their eggs and learn all about bee keeping. They‘ll be able to see how settlers

made quilts, churned butter and made other crafts to help them live off the land. The first two days (Oct 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) are reserved for the county‘s fourth graders, who attend with their schools. Saturday (Oct 23, 9 a.m. to noon) is open to the general public. The West GA Chapter's Board members are helping out with various activities during the 3 days. Wendell Hoomes, Marc La Fountain and Mike Strickland will be setting up an education table on native plants. Mike will be on hand each day at our table to explain the plants and answer visitors‘ questions. Also in October, the Chapter is having a Fall Workshop, our 2nd annual, at the Carroll County Ag Center on Saturday October 16th. The workshop opens at 8:30 for registration with the first session beginning at 9:00. (A $5 donation would be appreciated.)

9:00-9:45 Speaker: Dr. David Morgan, Associate Professor Phylogenetic Evolution and Plant Systematics at University of West GA.

Topic: "Vascular Survey of Plants of McIntosh Reserve"

9:45-10:30 Attendees can visit the "Native Plants for Containers" display or visit the tables of Native Plants for sale, and will have an opportunity to speak to our Plant Rescue Facilitators who will be standing by to answer questions about the plants or about our organization and activities.

10:30-11:45 Speaker: Tom Patrick, Botanist, Georgia Natural Heritage Program, GA Department of Natural Resources

Topic: "Trilliums: Wildflowers to Appreciate." The West GA Chapter is accepting nominations for 2011 Officers and Directors. To submit a nomination send an email to info@wgawildflowers.org. All nominations will be forwarded to the Chapter nominating committee.

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Chapter News By Gina Strickland

Teamwork (l-r) Wendell Hoomes, Grant McGukin, Carol Hight Photo: Mike Strickland

16

NativeSCAPE October 2010

Plant Focus: Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) Text and Photos by Ellen Honeycutt

People look to native plants to be adaptable, drought tolerant and tough as nails. While that‘s not always true – some plants grow only in very specialized environments – I am happy to say that one of my favorite plants meets

that criteria! Viburnum acerifolium is known as the mapleleaf viburnum based on the shape of the leaf. Many a rescuer has had a hard time discerning the difference between a small shrubby red maple (Acer rubrum) and a mapleleaf viburnum when confronted with both on a GNPS rescue site. With enough exposure to both plants, I think people can tell the difference, but we don‘t find the viburnum often enough to give people that familiarity. The remedy then is to grow it in your own garden so you can observe and enjoy it on a regular basis! V. acerifolium can be found across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Texas. A stoloniferous shrub, this viburnum is not only shade tolerant, but also is quite adaptable to drier conditions. We find it on development sites in fairly upland conditions, often on a gently sloping area which ensures good drainage. The stoloniferous tendency often allows it to colonize in the wild. At home, I have

used this characteristic to good advantage: limbs that have rooted to the ground can be cut away from the main plant and relocated to a new spot. I usually dab a bit of root hormone on the cut ends and bury them in the ground as well, tacking the whole thing down with some cut wire such as from a coat hanger. Doing this in the spring - when the plant‘s natural desire to grow is coupled with plentiful spring rains - has been very successful for me. Given sufficient sun (4 or more hours), a mature plant should flower and set berries. If you don‘t get berries after the flowers, try to get a plant from another source (a friend, a different site or even one of its ―cousins‖ like Viburnum dentatum) to help with cross-pollination. A nearby ‗Blue Muffin‘ cultivar has been helpful in that regard for me.

The fall foliage can be quite electric with vibrant pink colorations. When coupled with the dark blue berries, the combination is striking. Unfortunately the berries don‘t always last that long – sometimes the birds come and eat them all in a single day! But a few berries hit the ground, and I‘ve been able to pot up a few seedlings this year. They‘ve already grown over 12 inches and will make fine donations to the April plant sale …. Plan appropriately for the size of this plant - this shrub is generally up to six feet tall. It is tolerant of pruning to control for size, but prune just after flowering to ensure that you don‘t cut off the flower buds that form in the summer.

17

UPCOMING EVENTS

NativeSCAPE October 2010

October 15: Deadline for Plant of the Year Nominations GNPS members may nominate any plant which is native to Georgia until October 15. You may nominate online using our Nomination Form or send your nomination via email to gnpspoy@gnps.org. Include the common name, scientific name and the reason for your choice. This program promotes the recognition of outstanding native plants and encourages deeper appreciation of desirable native plants.

October 9 (Saturday) at 10 am: Heritage Park Fall Festival Soon, the sandhill cranes will embark for Florida, the yellow-bellied sapsuckers will arrive in metro Atlanta, and a group of native plant lovers will convene at Heritage Park for a Fall Festival. We hope you'll join the fun as GNPS celebrates the season serving grilled hotdogs & fixings, hosting display tables on native plants, demonstrating native plant gardening, and more. Besides doing this for the pure joy of it, we want to exchange ideas/info with other GNPS

members while at the same time encouraging local support of the park.

We'll start the day at 10 am, with our normal workday in the park. Lunch will be served from noon to 1:30. In case of rain, the event will be postponed until Saturday, October 16.

October 16 (Saturday) at 10 am: SMPP Bird Habitat Hike Bird Trail Area, in cooperation with SMMA. Meet at the parking lot for the Songbird Habitat Trails. We will spend some time in the Meadow area, discussing the native grasses then take the trail into the wooded area. This is an easy 2 mile hike. For more information, please email Barbara Dorfman.

(Continued on page 18)

October 16 (Saturday) at 8:30 am: West Ga Chapter 2nd Annual Fall Workshop At the Carrollton Ag Center. The workshop opens at 8:30 for registration with the first session beginning at 9:00.

There is a $5/person donation to help support the Chapter's activities.

9:00-9:45 Speaker: Dr. David Morgan, Associate Professor Phylogenetic Evolution and Plant Systematics at University of West GA.Topic: "Vascular Survey of Plants of McIntosh Reserve"

9:45-10:30 Attendees can visit the "Native Plants for Containers" display or visit the tables of Native Plants for sale, and will have an opportunity to speak to our Plant Rescue Facilitators who will be standing by to answer questions about the plants or about our organization and activities.

10:30-11:45 Speaker: Tom Patrick, Botanist, Georgia Natural Heritage Program, GA Department of Natural ResourcesTopic: "Trilliums: Wildflowers to Appreciate."

18

UPCOMING EVENTS

NativeSCAPE October 2010

November 9 at 6:45 pm: GNPS Business/General Meeting This is our annual business meeting where we share information about the organization‘s activities and financials. We also elect officers for 2011. And we share food! Please bring a dish to share. We‘ll also be having a raffle and hosting a seed exchange for members that would like to share.

December 21 at 7:00 pm: West Ga Chapter Business/General Meeting Meeting to be held at the Carroll County Agricultural Center. Look for upcoming details at www.wgawildflowers.org.

February 2011: GNPS Symposium The 2010 GNPS Symposium was held on September 25th after being cancelled earlier this year due to a February snowstorm. A group of about 120 folks enjoyed a day complete with presentations, a variety of vendors, a few op-tional workshops and a tasty lunch! The next Symposium is already in the works for February 2011 (tentative date is February 26th). More information will come in the next couple of months. Hope to see you there!

Please refer to our website for current information on project workdays and times.

Thank-you!

19

Georgia Native Plant Society Membership & Renewal

Memberships are effective for one calendar year, beginning January 1st.

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 ___Unrestricted Scholarship Program

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

Hydrangea quercifolia