Native Palms for Georgia Gardens Plant Profile: Bear Corn

NativeSCAPE
Hydrangea
quercifolia
Published by the Georgia Native Plant Society
July 2012
Volume XVIII, Number 3
Native Palms for Georgia Gardens
By Mary Tucker
Page 3
Choices for gardens throughout Georgia.
President’s Message
2
Plant Rescue News
11
Chapter News
21
Upcoming GNPS Events
22
Membership Renewal
23
Plant Profile: Bear Corn
By Denise Hartline
Page 7
A tasty snack for bears?
Help Me—I Just Can’t Stop Volunteering
By Maureen Donohue
Page 8
Meet one of our passionate volunteers.
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 2012 by the
Georgia Native Plant
Society. All rights
reserved. Articles may
not be reprinted without
permission of the
author.
Dealing with Deer
Page 13
By Ken Gohring
Tips for controlling the damage by deer
2012 Garden Tour
Page 17
By Jane Trentin
A summary of our annual garden tour
McFarlane Nature Park
Page 18
By Sheri George
A new restoration project in Cobb County
Book Review
“Wildflowers of Florida and the Southeast”
Page 20
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
Paula Reith
Members-at-Large:
Ron Smith
Susan Hanson
Keith Kaylor
Director of Communications
Ellen Honeycutt
Director of Conservation
Marcia Winchester
Director of Education
Julie Newell
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 2012
can now be completed online or by
completing the form on the last
page of this news letter.
NativeSCAPE July 2012
President’s Message
By Jacqueline McRae
What goes around comes around!
Several years ago I agreed to babysit some native plants destined for our upcoming
plant sale. For about a week there were maybe fifty pots lined up next to my
driveway under the shade of an oak. This collection sparked an interest from
neighbors and friends and from one parent in particular, who really took an
interest after dropping off my son following a play date. As a gardener she was
surprised not to know these plants, and so I took the time to explain our purpose.
Recently I was invited to a Champion Tree dedication ceremony. Six champion
trees had been identified in a tract of forgotten woodland near Emory University,
and these trees had been discovered in part as a result of the efforts of the carpool
parent from all those years ago! She is a member of the Lullwater Garden Club,
whose mission since 1928 is to maintain the land as a conservation garden and bird
sanctuary for community enjoyment. This land has been documented as having
nearly all of Georgia’s native trees represented.
From our short conversation my friend got the message big time. She went home
and set about eliminating nandina, mahonia and English ivy to name just a few of
our problem plants from her own yard. My friend discovered that several of the
garden club ladies had already begun the Herculean task of invasive removal and
with her new enthusiasm and understanding she jumped in with both feet. With
the help of GNPS member David Zaparanick the site became an official GNPS
restoration project so the group could attend rescues to obtain the plants they
needed to restore this land.
The activity at the garden, which opened up the view from the street as the privet
was removed, drew the attention of another GNPS member, who pulled over and
stopped to measure a tree he saw from the road. Eli Dickerson is currently the
volunteer manager at the Piedmont Park Conservancy and was excited about this
old growth piedmont forest and its trees. In the months that followed he went on
to identify all six of the champion trees dedicated on June 9th.
This dedication ceremony was touted as the first of its kind by Greg Levine of Trees
Atlanta, which organizes the Champion Tree Program. It was attended by many
honored guests including the Garden Club of Georgia President, the DeKalb
Federation of Garden Clubs Board, Congressman John Lewis, and Commissioner
Kathy Gannon. The best surprise of all was to discover that one of the champion
trees measured the year before, a fabulous American beech (Fagus grandifolia),
had grown enough since its initial measurement to now be recognized as the state
champion. Perhaps it grew because it was no longer sharing the water and
nutrients with all those invasive plants removed from its base by the efforts of this
incredible garden club.
What goes around comes around. Speak up about GNPS and be surprised about
which of your friends and acquaintances gets into native plants lock, stock and
barrel.
3
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Palms for Georgia Gardens
by Mary Tucker
Many folks (gardeners included) may hold a misconceived stereotype of palms. The image that comes to
mind is probably of a parlor plant, a conservatory specimen, or a coconut palm towering over the sandy
beach on a tropical island. However, I’ve learned that several palm species are native to Georgia, and
they are even adaptable to a wide range of climates in the state.
Most palms are shrubs or trees, though I was surprised to learn that there are some vines among them.
Generally, they are tough plants that have adapted to life in difficult environments. For example, some
tolerate wind (even hurricanes), salt spray, flooding, sandy soil, and occasional fire. Many grow in
situations that other shrubs or trees can’t tolerate, such as in the shade of the forest’s understory.
Though many palms are native to
tropical regions, some species are
surprisingly cold hardy. The gardener
can further influence that hardiness
by taking advantage of warmer
microclimates in the landscape.
Factors that influence these
microclimates are protection from
wind and proximity to heat-retaining
features (such as masonry walls or
asphalt). Small changes in altitude
can also be a factor, since cold air
tends to sink into low spots. The type
of soil can even make a difference.
Clay holds water and, therefore, does
not warm as quickly as sand. Hence,
many of the tropical palms require a
sandy soil.
Sabal palmetto in Charleston, SC Photo by Mary Tucker
Older, established plants generally can take more cold. The origin or provenance of the plant (or of its
seed) will also influence its hardiness. In fact, many palm selections are named according to where the
seeds or plants were collected, and this can help you determine if the plant will thrive in your garden.
For instance, many Sabal palmetto cultivars are named with place names, such as ‘Mt. Holly’, ‘Rock
Hill’, and ‘Bald Head Island’.
Here are profiles of four palms that may be suitable for your Georgia garden, listed roughly in order of
hardiness. All create effective evergreen accents in the landscape, and their spiky foliage contrasts well
with other plant forms. Generally it is best to plant palms in early spring after the last frost. This will
give them a lengthy growing season in which to become established. When designing with palms, keep in
mind that many are difficult to move once established, so plan carefully.
(Continued on next page)
4
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Palms for Georgia Gardens
Continued from Previous Page
Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) : Some palm enthusiasts describe this Southeast native as the
world’s hardiest palm. In its native range, it is found from Florida to South Carolina and west to
Mississippi. It also extends inland to areas in central Georgia and Alabama. It is said to take
temperatures down to -10 or -15, giving it potential for gardens even in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b.
Needle palm’s evergreen leaves are fan shaped and grow up to 3 or 4 feet wide. They are deep green
with a silvery underside. Each leaf segment has a blunt tip that looks like it was snipped with giant
pinking shears. The leaflets of many other palms have sharp tips, so this unusual shape is a
distinguishing feature of the needle palm.
Another unusual feature of this palm accounts for its common name. Sharp spines, up to 8 inches long,
protrude from the stubby crown of the plant, protecting the seeds from predators. Beware that the fruit
has an offensive odor, so you may want to avoid planting it too close to your patio or front door. The
fruit develops from compact flower clusters composed of small yellow to brownish flowers that are
borne close to the crown of the plant.
Needle palm grows relatively slowly and typically reaches 5 to 10 feet tall with a similar spread, giving
it a shrubby appearance. This palm makes an attractive specimen or can be equally effective when
grouped as a mass planting or hedge. In its natural range, needle palm grows in low, moist areas, where
it is most frequently found as an understory plant. When siting it in the garden, take a cue from its
natural growing conditions and give it light shade and regular watering.
Needle palm is under threat from commercial exploitation, so take care to only purchase it from a
reputable nursery.
RESOURCES
This article is not wide enough in scope to cover all you will want to know if you yearn to
grow palms in your Georgia garden. For more extensive information, start with the website of
the Southeastern Palm Society (http://www.sepalms.org).
This website includes information about growing palms in the Southeast, including some
excellent articles in a section called the Palm Reader. Even more benefits are available to
members of SPS.
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Palms for Georgia Gardens
Continued from Previous Page
Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) : This palm is also a
Southeast U.S. native with a wide natural range,
occurring from Florida to North Carolina to Arkansas,
and as far west as Oklahoma. In general, it is only
slightly less cold tolerant than needle palm, enduring
temperatures of 0 degrees (or perhaps less) and making
it appropriate for gardens in Zones 7 and warmer,
though some especially cold-hardy selections will
survive in colder zones.
The evergreen, fan-shaped leaves can grow up to 5 feet
in width, and each leaflet tapers to a sharp point. The
leaves may have an attractive blue-green color, which
will be most pronounced in sunny conditions.
Dwarf palmetto typically reaches a mature height of
about 4 to 6 feet, though the foliage can be cut back
periodically to keep the plant shorter.
Sabal minor in Mary Tucker’s garden
The dwarf palmetto appears to be non-trunked, with the leaf stalks emerging directly from the ground.
Yet in actuality, a “trunk” or stem, which can be rather long, grows into the ground rather than above,
making transplanting a mature specimen difficult. Flower stalks rise above the leaves and mature into
clusters of black, pea-sized fruit. Dwarf palmetto will reseed readily, but young seedlings are easy to
remove if they sprout in unwanted spots.
In its native range, dwarf palmetto is found in swampy areas or floodplains and is often found growing in
the understory, where it may colonize to form a tall ground cover. This palm is adaptable to a variety of
soil types and tolerates some salt spray, making it valuable as a landscape plant along the coast.
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Palms for Georgia Gardens
Continued from Previous Page
Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto) : This palm is a true tree, growing up to 90 feet tall in Florida. In cooler
zones, a 30 foot height is more common. It is a well-known sight along the coast and has the distinction of
being honored as the state tree of both Florida and South Carolina. See photo on page 3.
The large leaves, which may have a blue-green cast, grow up to 5 or 6 feet long and are costapalmate,
meaning that they have a midrib. The trunk can be quite large, often 1 to 2 feet in diameter. Old leaf
stems remain on the trunk, forming a distinctive crisscross pattern. Creamy white flowers are borne in
large panicles, and they develop into a black drupe that contains a single seed.
Sabal palmetto is native to the coastal regions of the Southeast. It is hardy throughout Zone 8, but may
perform well in parts of Zone 7 if given a warm, protected site. Seedlings and young plants will be more
susceptible to damage from cold. Some cultivars are proving to be more cold-tolerant than others. This
palm appreciates full sun or light shade. It prefers a sandy soil, but is tolerant and adaptable, even
tolerating salt spray, hurricanes, and flooding, making it appropriate for coastal plantings.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) : This palm is native to Florida
and coastal regions of other Southeastern states, from South
Carolina south and west to Texas. It is reliably hardy only in its
native range, making it appropriate for gardeners in Zones 8b
and warmer.
Serenoa repens is a low, spreading palm with trunks that
typically creep along the ground, taking root as they grow to
form a ground cover. In coastal areas, it may be a vigorous
spreader. Typical height is no more than 5 feet, though some
specimens may develop into a small tree form.
The common name, saw palmetto, comes from the spiny leaf
stems, a distinctive feature of this palm. The fan-shaped leaves
grow 3 to 5 feet long and are usually a glossy green, though some
populations are blue-green to silver-gray.
This palm is drought tolerant but can tolerate occasional
flooding. It is also adaptable to a variety of soil types and can be
grown in either sun or light shade. Its tolerance of salt spray
makes it appropriate for coastal plantings. It is a useful plant for
the wildlife garden since the reddish black drupes are eaten by
birds and small mammals. These fruits develop from yellowwhite flowers which are borne in dense, compound panicles.
Photo courtesy of James H. Miller &
Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science
Society, Bugwood.org
7
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Plant Profile: Bear Corn (Conopholis americana )
By Denise Hartline
Bear corn (aka squaw root and cancer root) is a highly
specialized parasitic plant that grows from Florida north
to Maine and up into Canada. It is common in the
mountains, occurs occasionally in the Georgia Piedmont,
and is a protected species in New Hampshire, New York,
and Rhode Island. Its scientific name, Conopholis, comes
from the Greek words “cono” for cone and “pholi”
meaning scale or scaly, which is an apt description of its
appearance. Bear corn is a non-photosynthetic plant that
gets it nutrients from oak tree roots. It has no
chlorophyll and needs no light to grow. It can thrive in
the darkest, shadiest parts of the forest, but it also
grows happily on the edge of the woods in dappled
shade. We may need to look a little extra carefully to
notice bear corn because its stems and flowers are
yellowish to yellowish-brown and can blend in well with
the leaf litter. As the plant ages, it becomes more brown
than yellow and is harder to see on the forest floor. If
you notice clumps of something resembling bizarre cornon-the-cob or pinecones coming up from the ground,
then you’ve probably found some bear corn.
will send up its distinctive blooming stalks that are
visible above ground. The unbranched stalks are 3-8
inches tall and about as thick as corn cobs. They are
creamy-yellowish to yellowish-brown during their bloom
season from April to June, age to brown in the summer
and, should they persist into winter, shrivel to a blackish
-brown. Instead of leaves they have brownish scales. The
tubular yellowish flowers seen in spring are about ½ inch
long and are arranged densely around the bloom spike
like kernels of corn. The flowers have no noticeable
scent, are pollinated by bumblebees (or if not, they can
self-pollinate) and ripen into capsules about the size of a
grape. Each grape-like capsule contains about 5,000
small seeds.
Once the seed capsules ripen, the seeds are then ready
to be dispersed by wind, flowing rainwater, and
mammals that eat bear corn and deposit the seeds in
their scat. Black bears, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and
mice are some of the mammals that eat bear corn. This
plant is a good source of carbohydrates, so it is an
important food for black bears when they first come out
of hibernation needing a source of quick energy.
Interestingly, studies done in Great Smoky Mountains
National Park showed that as bear corn availability
decreases, nuisance bear activity in the park typically
begins to increase.
Bear corn clumps usually bloom for about 4 years after
the underground portion of the plant matures and the
blooming stalks emerge. The clump will then decline for
about 2 years before it dies, so the plant has a total
lifespan of about 10 years. Its seeds will find new tree
roots in which to grow and repeat the life cycle.
The only common name of this plant that we reliably
know the origin of is bear corn. One of the other
common names, squaw root, may have come about
because it was thought that Native American women
used this plant to help alleviate symptoms of
Photo by Denise Hartline menopause. It was also used by Native Americans as a
source of food, and the boiled roots were used as a
The main part of the plant remains underground for 4 to laxative. The other common name, cancer root, may
5 years to mature as it penetrates the roots of oak trees have come about because of the large rounded knobs
(usually red oak, sometimes white oak, and there are
that the underground part of the plant creates on the
reports of it sometimes growing on the roots of American tree roots; whether or not the plant was used to treat
beech). As it grows underground it forms a gall-like
malignancies is uncertain.
rounded knob on the host tree’s roots while it works its
way into the roots to help itself to all of the water,
You’ll probably be happy to know that bear corn does not
sugars, and nutrients that it needs courtesy of the
seem to harm the health of its host tree in any
photosynthetic work of its host tree. Once the
significant way.
underground portion of the plant has matured, bear corn
8
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Help Me—I Just Can’t Stop Volunteering
By Maureen Donohue
My wish to volunteer for the National Park Service started when I realized that I wanted to spend
more time in the outdoors. I happened to live next to the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area, so it was a natural place to start. I began as a Trail Blazer, walking park trails
to answer visitor questions, requesting visitors to keep their dogs on a leash, reporting
problems on the trails, i.e. blown down trees, eroded trails, broken or clogged waterbars. I
could, if I wanted, pick up trash too. With 16 units of the park spread up and down the
Chattahoochee, I could and did trail blaze in many of them, but my default park was the unit
next door, West Palisades .
Walking at first one or two miles on paved
trails and forest paths, I got stronger and more
fit. My energy level grew. I added more miles
to my trail blazing. I then began to add large
visitor events, the two day Summer Festival,
National Trails Day, Public Lands Day, the
Return to the River Race in June. I helped with
parking, told visitors boarding shuttles how to
begin their raft or canoe/kayak trips, informed
them of the rules of the river such as requiring
a life jacket for all parties and no glass bottles.
I worked the one day Summer Splash, an art
competition where local artists painted
locations along river; the paintings were
judged and prizes awarded. I minded artists’
supplies when they went to lunch and got to
see all the art works, including the winners, at
the evening art show. Volunteering for NPS
was non-routine and never boring.
Slowly I added invasive species removal work.
From spending time in all four seasons in park
units, I learned more about native plants.
Maureen, not being bored pulling invasives.
All park units needed a better trail system as
most of the trails had grown from visitor use.
The park service sent me to classes to learn
how to be a trail crew leader in building
sustainable trails, first aid, and CPR.
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Help Me—I Just Can’t Stop Volunteering
Continued from Previous Page
On my own I began organizing
Community Work Days and
promoted them via signs along the
most travelled trails and near the
restrooms and water fountains. On
average, 18 people showed up to
work on a Sunday afternoon and
after 5 minutes of training, we
removed lots of invasive species
and picked up a lot of trash.
As my interest in the natural world around me grew from my own observations, I started really
studying native tree and plant identification. I was able to volunteer in a study by the USA
National Phenology Network wherein we observe 3 plants and 3 trees weekly over several years.
With this volunteer project, I have improved my observation skills, found many new plants
(wonderful little natural wildflower gardens in the park that I did not know existed), and helped
the scientific community with a climate change project. I am now a citizen scientist.
Through the Georgia Botanical Society, I became a botanical guardian for Georgia aster
(Symphyotrichum georgianum) at a state park. Coincidently I learned that there were Georgia
asters found in three units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. As a botanical
guardian, I counted the number of asters at each location. One fall morning at the park’s edge, I
went to see if the asters were all in bloom so I could count and photograph them. I found a
drilling truck rolling over them. I called the Park Service, DNR and friends from GNPS. Georgia
DOT was beginning a road widening project, and the asters had to be moved to protect them.
The Park Service organized a translocation date, and we moved 496 asters to a safe location
within the park.
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Help Me—I Just Can’t Stop Volunteering
Continued from Previous Page
We also collected the aster seeds. The
Park Service sent them to interested
botanical gardens throughout the
southeast. The Atlanta Botanical
Garden took some of the seeds and
grew them in its greenhouses for the
Park Service.
We recently planted those Georgia aster
seedlings in a new prairie location that
will be used for the Park Service’s
interpretative work with school groups
and the general public.
Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum)
Photo by E. Honeycutt
Throughout all my volunteer activities, I have become fascinated with the natural world. My
curiosity led me to seek a Master Naturalist Certificate through UGA and a Certificate in Native
Plants at the State Botanical Garden in Athens. Most recently I took a Master Gardener class
given by Cobb County.
I am now a gardener, mainly in pots on my terrace. But I also maintain two gardens in the park –
a native plant garden and a pollinator garden. I continue to go on GNPS plant rescues as a
source for plants for my own garden and the parks’ gardens. The facilitators at the rescue sites
have really helped me to identify young plants and trees. I have become fascinated with all the
pollinators that visit the gardens and I want to learn more about butterflies, birds, bees and flies
that do this important work.
My volunteer work and my willingness to try new things have led me to discover a whole new
world. I am a native of Manhattan Island and loved my New York life. But my volunteer work
here in Atlanta has helped me discover a whole new world, the natural one.
11
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Plant Rescue News
By Lynn Almand
Spring has sprung, fall has fell, summer is here, and it's as
hot as..............usual
Yes, as kids, we always ended it that way to stay out of trouble with
Mom, but we still got to experience being deliciously close to saying a bad
word. Any of you heard that old rhyme? Well, summer IS here, and you
know the rest. It is too hot and dry for plants and people to schedule
rescues and for the same reason it is absolutely necessary to take extra
care of the plants you rescued in the last year. Newly installed plants
need extra water at least for the first year until they are established, and mulch will help keep
the roots cool and moist. Rescues will restart in September, and I'll send an email out in late
August letting you know the rescues are on the website. We'll all be ready to get back into the
woods and save as many plants as possible until January when we have another break in the
rescues.
I went on a fun rescue in May. The property is huge, and luckily roads have been cut through so
that people who drive trucks and 4-wheel drive cars can taxi both rescuers and plants back to
their cars. We call it a luxury site, and some of the facilitators laughingly say we can practically
do drive-by plant id. Luxurious in plants too--some unfamiliar to me. One in particular, was just
so stinking cute, I just have to share what I found out about it. Small plants are my favorites,
and this one is just too cute for words..
The Green Adder's Tongue Orchid is in the
Orchidaceae family. While it is only found
occasionally, it's range is very broad-- from
Canada south to Florida and from Texas to
the east coast. Its habitat is rich moist to dry
open woods. It is a smooth green perennial
from 4 to 12 in. tall that arises from a corm.
A single leaf, borne about halfway up the
stem, is bright green, shiny, sheathing,
ovate, from 1.2 to 2.4 inches long.
Green Adder's Tongue Orchid (Malaxis unifolia)
Photo by Brad Wilson
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Native Plant Rescue News
Continued from Previous Page
Eagle-eye Sheri George spotted the Green Adder's Tongue Orchid (Malaxis unifolia) growing in a
shady area where trees had fallen and were rotting. She thought at first it was the Southern
Adder's Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum pycnostichum) because all she saw was the leaf. Then she
found one blooming and a positive identification was made. The total number found that day
was about 10, and I doubt seriously that any more would be found until next year as they are
more than likely dormant now.
Malaxis unifolia
Photo by Brad Wilson
Ophioglossum pycnostichum
Photo by Sheri George
As you can see from the picture, it is the flower that will knock your socks off. Again, you have
to be a lover of tiny plants.
I hope you will come out to a rescue in the fall and find your own treasures, and I know our
facilitators will be looking for some for you too. Happy rescuing!
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.
13
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Dealing with Deer
By Ken Gohring
Over the years, the population of white tail deer in our country has increased significantly. It is
estimated that America's deer population has tripled since 1985. The increase is caused by the demise of
many of the predators that control the deer naturally and the growth of conservation programs funded
mostly by game hunters.
The growth of metropolitan populations in areas conducive to deer survival has created situations where
deer herds co-exist with humans in suburban areas. In many cases, there are natural areas where deer
can survive and reproduce, insuring significant numbers of animals that have no reservations about
consuming vegetation wherever they find it.
Many times the food that deer consume is in people's yards and gardens. While most of us appreciate the
beauty of deer, we find it disturbing when they consume plants that we grow. How does one go about
controlling this problem? Essentially, there are four ways to minimize deer problems.
1. Restrict Access. Fencing is the primary way to keep deer away from our gardens and landscape
areas. The method one uses is dependent upon such factors as how bad the deer problem is and how
much money one is willing to spend. In areas of relatively low deer population, a single wire electric
fence about three feet above the ground will suffice. The old master gardener trick of wrapping tin foil
coated with peanut butter or something sweet like honey or molasses on the wire in between the fence
posts is usually effective in conditioning the deer to stay away. I personally use a two-strand electric
fence with steel posts and a battery driven charger with a solar recharging capability. It is important to
get an electric fence in place while plants are starting to grow, as deer prefer plants with tender growth.
Another approach is a woven wire fence seven or eight feet tall to prevent deer from jumping over the
fence. A friend whose home is near Kennesaw Mountain adjacent to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield
Park uses a multiple strand wire fence about 6 feet tall as well as strands of electric fencing to keep deer
out of the garden area. The park has a rather large population of deer but this fence is quite effective.
Another friend also living near the park avoids fencing but uses
wire cages that protect select plants from being reached by
hungry deer, in conjunction with fright devices. More
elaborate fencing methods are used. Generally the larger the
number of deer near gardens, the more sophisticated the
fencing.
Photos by Ken Gohring
(Continued on next page)
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NativeSCAPE July 2012
Dealing with Deer
Continued from Previous Page
2. Scare the deer. Deer are startled by sounds, so devices that can emit sounds are sometimes
effective in keeping deer away. I once considered purchasing a device that would detect motion
and then emit a high-pitched sound to scare animals. My concern was that the sound would
bother neighbors so I never tried the device. Deer are intelligent animals and such sound
emitting devices have to be moved from one location to another to fool the deer. Another way
to use fright to keep deer away is to get a dog capable of barking and chasing. This is probably
the most effective way to scare deer, but leash laws require dogs to be somewhat constrained
thus preventing them from chasing the deer.
My friend, who makes extensive use of cages,
uses a commercial device called Scarecrow.
This device detects motion and starts emitting a stream of water up to 30 feet —
hopefully in the direction of the offending
animal. It has proven to be quite successful,
however, there is some concern that the deer
will learn the system and cease to be scared.
Photo by Ken Gohring
3. Use deer repellents. Many homemade repellents have been tried to control deer. Perhaps
the most frequently suggested materials are human hair and soap. Gardeners are advised to get
the hair from barbershops or beauty parlors. The hair is placed in a bag and hung near the
plants. The smell is said to ward off the deer. Soap is used in the same way and usually lasts
longer. The hair has to be replaced about once a month while soap will last several months.
These two methods affect the deer's sense of smell, which it uses to detect danger. Other
repellents send alerts to deer by replicating predator odors. Many of these are sold
commercially. These commercial repellents are frequently made of animal blood or urine. The
base materials are treated chemically so that after application on plants and subsequent drying
they become rain proof and last for several months. A friend with a large native azalea garden
near Dahlonega uses a product called Deer Scram. He says it keeps deer away for several
months. The deer population in his area is at a moderate level, not as significant as the one
near the Park discussed earlier. Other repellents contain unattractive tastes. Once the deer has
sampled a plant with such a repellent applied, it tends to avoid the remainder of the plant.
At times, certain plants such as herbs are used to repel deer. These plants include mint, thyme,
chives and other culinary herbs. Some people use garlic. Some use rotten eggs as well as
sewage, slaughterhouse tankage, and fish or blood-derived products. If these sound offensive,
they are, and in some cases can cause problems that make them less than ideal repellants.
(Continued on next page)
15
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Dealing with Deer
Continued from Previous Page
4. Use plants that deer do not like. If deer get hungry enough they will eat most any plant. In other
situations when deer are more selective, they will normally avoid several plants. The University of
Georgia has completed an extensive list of plants and how well deer like them. That list can be found at
http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=7872. This list includes a large number of
native plants that native gardeners may want to consider for their gardens. Deer tend to avoid plants
with bitter taste, strong smell or sharp pointed leaves or thorns. Some of the plants listed by UGA as
“Rarely browsed” are (there are many more at the link provided):
* American Holly, Ilex opaca
* Ferns
* Smoketree, Cotinus obovatus
* Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis
* Eastern redcedar, Juniperus virginiana
* False Indigo, Baptisia australis
* Tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera
* Meadow Rue, Thalictrum spp.
* Waxmyrtle, Morella cerifera
* Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia
* Leucothoe, Leucothoe fontanesiana
* Jack in the pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum
* Bottlebrush buckeye, Aesculus parviflora
* Ginger, Asarum canadense
* Yucca, Yucca filamentosa
* White Snakeweed, Ageratina altissima
* Arrowwood Viburnum, Viburnum dentatum
* Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium
* Pawpaw, Asimina triloba
* Pink muhly grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris
New York fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis
Photo by E. Honeycutt
Bottlebrush buckeye, Aesculus parviflora
Photo by E. Honeycutt
(Continued on next page)
16
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Dealing with Deer
Continued from Previous Page
It is not likely that one is going to design their native garden by using a list of deer resistant plants.
However, the use of these plants may minimize damage. There are numerous tales of deer browsing
habits. It is likely that deer eating habits vary by geographical area. Plants that deer like in one area
may be ignored in another area. The friend who uses wire cages and the Scarecrow device has several
plants that have avoided deer browsing for some time. These include honeycups (Zenobia
pulverulenta), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), a large collection of ferns, and winterberry (Ilex
decidua). Many sources list butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) as a plant that deer avoid. That is not
the case in this garden as the deer consume the blooms and part of the stems.
Gordonia lasianthus
Zenobia pulverulenta
Photos by Ken Gohring
To successfully maintain a garden in an area close to where deer live, one has to first measure the
magnitude of the deer problem and plan based on this assessment. For those who live in an area near
deer, it is a never-ending task.
Beyond Browsing —Trunk damage
The term "rut" is used to describe the behaviors and activities of male deer associated with the
breeding season. Male deer grow a new set of antlers each year. They rub their new antlers on
shrubs and small trees to remove a material called velvet from the antler's surface. When the
antlers are rubbed across the selected shrub or tree, the outer bark of the plant is removed in
most cases. In addition, the deer rub their forehead on the rutted area to leave a scent to mark
their territory. Another activity called "making scrapes" is part of the rutting activity. Usually a
deer will select an aromatic shrub like a cedar or sassafras where it marks it’s territory by scraping
the soil with its hooves and urinating in the soil. At times, the deer will also graze on the shrub.
Two types of rut guards are sold commercially. One is a vinyl wrap that is wound around the trunk
of the plant to be protected, up to a height of 36 inches or more. Another is a vinyl cage that is
installed around the plant's trunk.
17
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Garden Tour 2012
Pictures and text by Jane Trentin
The first garden I visited was that of artist and long
time GNPS member Linda Fraser. Her garden was lush
with new spring growth. She was particularly proud of
her Euonymus americanus (Hearts-a-Bustin) in full
bloom by the stream in her front yard. Just below this
was a group of Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-thePulpit). Along the back border she had a patch of
Coreopsis auriculata in full bloom. Her garage was
filled with prints of the many native plants that she has
painted from models taken from her own yard. She told
an interesting story about a twig on one plant she was
painting that kept moving. It turned out to be a little
brown inch worm that stood on the Smilax vine she was
painting … all of Linda's native plant pictures include at
least one native insect hidden somewhere in the
picture. Thanks go to Adele Northrup and to Angela
Booth and Margaret Stephen for manning the sign-in
table at the Fraser garden on the day of the tour.
kentukea) along the driveway. I had never seen the
wisteria-like white bloom of this tree. Thanks to Nancy
Lovingood and Marilyn Bloom for taking shifts at the
Tackett's garden.
Finally, I made it to the species garden of Charles
Hunter. In the backyard, Charles has let his passion for
collecting Rhododendron and Trillium species go wild. A
flame azalea was still in bloom. While there were many
different Rhododendron species, one particularly
beautiful and fragrant large light-pink specimen was
blooming by the deck stairs that was from an area
known as DelMar, or the Delaware, Maryland and
Virginia peninsula. Among the many trilliums in the
garden, one stood out: Trillium vaseyi . Charles has
removed much privet from the back of his property
where a creek runs. He is growing several sun-loving
plants such as Helianthus and Baptisia spp. in this newly
opened up area. One plant that was really a treat to see
Next I visited the garden, or should I say arboretum, of in bloom was the Stewartia malacodendron (picture).
Carl and Eva Tackett. It was apparent that this couple
Charles ordered the tree from Woodlanders and thinks
loves trees. Behind their house is a large open field that that they will have many orders for it after people on
they have reclaimed from privet. My favorite tree on
the tour are inspired by his! Thanks go to Ellen
their property was the white oak (Quercus alba) that
Honeycutt, Phyllis Owens and Betsy Abrams for
has its lower limbs intact. A mulberry tree (Morus
volunteering in this garden.
rubra) was laden with fruit that the Tacketts will share
with hungry birds. Several varieties of native magnolias
live on one side of the house. One was in bloom for the
tour, Magnolia asheii (picture). Three different
hickories grow toward the back of the property, Carya
ovata (Shagbark hickory), Carya tomentosa (Mockernut
hickory) and Carya pallida (Pignut hickory.) An old
pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) lives in the side yard,
Note: for an expanded write up and more pictures,
and a black walnut (Juglans nigra) has been planted to
please see the website: choose Meetings & Events
round out the nut tree collection. Of particular interest and then Garden Tour.
to me was a blooming Yellowwood tree (Cladrastis
18
NativeSCAPE July 2012
McFarlane Nature Park
By Sheri George
McFarlane Nature Park became a GNPS restoration project this year, though it has been an
unofficial restoration project for many years. Check out the January 1999 NativeScape
newsletter article about McFarlane. The article highlights the early restoration efforts of GNPS
members along with the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County.
The McFarlane Nature Park Restoration Project will concentrate on the transitional woodlands
consisting of many species of native trees but little native understory or ground layers because
of the invasive, non-native plants which include English ivy, honeysuckle, and privet. The
ultimate goal of the McFarlane Nature Park Restoration Project will be to clear the woodland
area of these invasive plants and re-establish the woodlands using appropriate Piedmont area
rescued plants from the GNPS Rescue Program with an emphasis on education for not only park
visitors but volunteers.
The woodland that needs to be tackled—come help be part of
the transformation from tangled invasives to beautiful natives.
Beautiful natives in the already
tamed areas of McFarlane.
Photos by Sheri George
Workdays are every Tuesday from 9 am – 11 am for more information contact Sheri George.
Please visit the Events of Interest page under the GNPS Restoration Programs heading for more
information and driving directions.
(Continued on next page)
19
NativeSCAPE July 2012
McFarlane Nature Park
Continued from Previous Page
For those of you that have come to our spring plant sales, you may recall that McFarlane Nature
Park has been the location of our plant sales for the last 3 years. Here is a summary of this
year’s results, be sure to check out the webpage for more details and photos:
2012 Annual Spring Plant Sale Summary
Definition of Perfect: adjective…having all the required or desirable elements, qualities or
characteristics; as good as it could possibly be: A perfect day to hold a plant sale would be
not too hot, not too cold; sunny, but mixed with clouds…and a breath of a breeze.
A perfect plant sale would be an army of enthusiastic volunteers to set-up and work sale
day; a wonderful selection of native plants with the majority being rescued and donated;
large parking areas for both customers and volunteers; delicious food for volunteers to
become refreshed and so many well-educated, eager customers understanding the
importance of using native plants in their gardens that they purchase almost all the plants
offered by the end of the sale.
By definition then, the 2012 GNPS Spring Plant sale was PERFECT!
Thanks to all the volunteers who made this plant sale so much fun and helped reach sales of
$30,545! Please help me thank the perfect Committee: Lynn Almand, Ellen Honeycutt, Paul
Shivers, Marcia Winchester and Mary Lou Cannamela (Volunteer Coordinator).
Hope to see you all next April at McFarlane Nature Park -
Sheri George
Chair, GNPS Spring Plant Sale
Did you know that we have a voluntary member directory on
the website? Members that create a login on the website can
choose to be shown in the member directory.
From the home page (www.gnps.org) select Member Login at the
bottom of the menu to create your login using the email that GNPS
has for you. Once your login is created and verified, you’ll see a link to Membership
Directory. If you’d like to be listed, choose Account Settings from your special menu and set
your Directory showing to “yes”. The directory is not viewable to the public.
20
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Book Review
By Ellen Honeycutt
Wildflowers of Florida and the Southeast is a new book (2011) by David W. Hall and
William J. Weber that has been a long time in the making. Years of photography by Dr. Weber in
Florida and the Southeast are represented here. This collaboration with Dr. Hall, a Florida botanist,
has produced an identification resource for 768 native and naturalized plants, both woody and herbaceous.
Of the plants represented in the book, some are endemic to Florida, but many have a range that
includes the Southeastern Coastal Plain and even beyond—such as mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Some plants are not native to the US but are plants that have escaped from cultivation. Plants
likely to be found by the average enthusiast in southeastern Georgia and Florida are covered,
whether they be native or naturalized.
The Introduction section contains a very thorough description of the plant communities that are
home to the plants found in this book: coastal areas, forest, flatwoods, hammocks, marsh and
more. Our understanding of plants and where they grow depends on our better understanding of
these communities.
Plant pictures are arranged by bloom color to facilitate field identification using a flower. Each plant
has a written profile which includes both the scientific and the common names plus plant family and
one or more pictures. Provided are details like Habit (perennial, vine, shrub, and height), Leaves
(arrangement and description), Fruit description, Habitat and Distribution as well as some general
Comments. The authors share a wide variety of comments including personal observations about
growing these plants themselves.
A good feature of any guide is a glossary - it allows the authors to provide botanically descriptive
words familiar to the advanced reader while helping the novice plant enthusiast deepen their understanding of plant characteristics. As an example, the profile of dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) states
that the flowers are found in the leaf axils. Using the glossary you can look up "axil" to see that it
means "the upper angle betweeen leaf and stem."
For those using this book to find pictures or details on plants they already know, an index is provided with both scientific and common names.
Regardless of your experience, if you live in the area covered by this book, I think you will find this
a useful resource.
New Chapters forming? — enthusiastic groups in Brunswick, Gainesville and Ellijay are
exploring interest in forming a GNPS chapter in those areas. If you’d like to be involved,
please send email to [email protected] and we’ll direct you to the right person.
21
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Chapter News
By Flo Hayes, WGC Chapter President
The West Georgia Chapter of GNPS went on a
visit to Birmingham Botanical Gardens on April 14,
2012. We had a self guided tour to see things in
bloom and what a day we had. The garden
offered an opportunity for us to identify plants
and get to know each other.
Our public meetings continue to draw folks who
want to learn about plant identification. Carol
Hight has developed a “cheat sheet” to go with
the power point program. The sheet indicates the
time frame for plants to bloom and is a wonderful
tool to take into the fields and woods to look for
those plants at the proper time.
We have been invited to participate in the
Junior Master Gardener Camp Dirty Knees.
Several of us will be involved teaching these kids
about native plants and the rescue and
restoration programs. Never too early to start
them on the path.
We have a group of teenagers on Saturdays who
are working with the Ag. Center staff. Some of
our members are also involved in this project.
They have asked to be involved in the Buffalo
Creek project and have already cleared one bed
of non-native, invasive plants. We plan to
provide them with suitable plants for that area.
They will also adopt a part of the trail to remove
We had a booth at the opening of a new park in
privet and honeysuckle. Nothing like fostering an
Carroll County called Little Tallapoosa Park. Marc
interest in young people.
LaFountain set up the booth and helped man it on
Saturday and the Sunday Crew including Joyce
We had a demonstration at the Master Gardener
McArthur, Carol Hight, Mike Strickland and Gina
Open House in the Demo Garden on June 12.
Strickland finished up the week end. They came Gina and Mike Strickland have put in some extra
back with a list of folks interested in GNPS
hours on our bed and it looks good.
activities. It was a wonderful opportunity to
Our scheduled meetings are at 7:00 pm at the
educate the community about our activities.
Carrollton Ag. Center. We have a meet and greet
We continue the work on Buffalo Creek trail with for the first 30 minutes and plants to sell. Our
monthly workdays. We have the upper woodlands program starts at 7:30pm. Please check our
site free of privet and honeysuckle. We are busy calendar at http://wgawildflowers.org/ and feel
putting in plants as we rescue them. We have
free to come join us.
adopted a new section of trail and are excited
because the plant material is so different from
the upper woodland area. We are looking to have
signage installed in the upper woodlands area
soon. So many folks put in untold hours to bring
this signage project to this point. Thank you Marc
LaFountain, Carol Hight, Gina Strickland, Mike
Strickland, Patsy Barr, Bob Barr and Frank
Bennett. I hope I have not forgotten someone. If
so, please forgive me.
22
NativeSCAPE July 2012
Upcoming Events
July Meeting: Meadowscaping in Urban & Suburban Spaces - Tuesday, July 10, Catherine
Zimmerman presents meadowscaping as a lawn alternative. She explains why meadow and
prairie habitats are so beneficial both economically and environmentally and gives a step-bystep primer on reducing lawn size and organically installing a beautiful meadow or prairie in
your own yard. No space is too small! Join the movement to bring back native habitat for
wildlife and humanlife!
Catherine Zimmerman is a filmmaker and sustainable landscape designer based in the
Washington, DC area. She is the author of Urban & Suburban Meadows, Bringing
Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces and has just released the companion video. The book
and video offer the tools to create sustainable, organic landscapes in backyards, schoolyards,
churches and communities. Catherine also contributes to the blog, Native Plants and Wildlife
Gardens: nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/
The blog, book, video and Catherine's Meadow Project are her efforts to help people rethink
their pesticide-ridden, manicured, monoculture lawns and return their land to beautiful, natural
habitats for native plants and wildlife. Catherine's book and video will be for sale at the July
meeting and she will be available for book signing. Learn more about Catherine at
www.themeadowproject.com.
September Meeting: A Dynamic Stability, The Nature of Georgia's Barrier Islands - Tuesday,
September 11, John Crawford will explain the present "Nature" of Georgia's beautiful coastline.
The story of these sandy isles begins millions of years ago and thousands of feet higher in
elevation. Through slides, maps and discussion the program will explain the origin and follow the
long downhill journey of the building blocks of the coastal plain - sand, clay and limestone. This
program will show and explain the succession of plant species and environmental forces that
mold these raw materials into the lush subtropical habitats we see today. The life histories of
the many rare and diverse animal species utilizing the region will be celebrated and explained. A
4,500 year history of human habitation is intricately woven into this unique and evolving
landscape and aspects of that will be highlighted during the program.
Fall Plant Sale: Saturday, September 22 at our propagation area inside Stone Mountain Park.
Check the website for more information as the date draws near.
Please refer to our website for current information on project workdays and times.
Thank you!
23
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