One more native on this last day of #NationalNativePlantMonth: a rare, native orchid, Platanthera ciliaris - Orange Fringed Bog Orchid. These orchids favor marshy habitats like those found in bogs or moist meadows. They grow in small colonies and are pollinated by butterflies. Native to the southeastern United States. More info at the link:

https://georgiabiodiversity.org/natels/profile?es_id=16570

#gardening #NativePlants #RarePlants #NativeOrchid #biodiversity #conservation #BiodiversityGarden #nature #plants #BogOrchid

A deer proof, southeastern native evergreen shrub, useful for shade and rain gardens is Illicium floridanum 'Halley's Comet' (Florida anise). The plant was discovered by John Allen Smith (of Magnolia Nursery in Alabama) in the wild near De Funiak Springs, FL. It is a 2010 PHS Gold Medal Plant Award winner.

#gardening #NationalNativePlantMonth #NativePlants #GardeningMastodon #biodiversity #BiodiversityGarden #PHSGoldMedal #plants #horticulture #AprilGarden

The dwarf variety of native plant Joe Pye Weed is Eutrochium dubium 'Little Joe' (Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed). It's still a robust perennial at 3-5' tall, but may be more suitable for home gardens than the 6-7' Joe Pye. This was one of five winners in the 2022 Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year Award, and the only native.

https://botgarden.uga.edu/conservation-science/pollinator-plant-program/

#NationalNativePlantMonth #NativePlants #UGA #plants #horticulture #biodiversity #BiodiversityGarden #JoePyeWeed #PollinatorPlants #gardening

As of March 27, 2023, April is National Native Plant Month.

However, because it is a "resolution" (S. Res. 152 of the 118th Congress) and not a law, it must be renewed each year.

Info:
https://www.hirono.senate.gov/news/press-releases/hirono-braun-introduce-resolution-designating-april-2023-as-national-native-plant-month

#NationalNativePlantMonth #NativePlants #SenateResolution152 #gardening #plants #Horticulture #April #biodiversity #PollinatorPlants

Since it is National Native Plant Month, my #SixOnSaturday are all native plants from my own garden in April. Clockwise from top left: Oconee azalea (fragrant), Florida flame azalea (fragrant), Iris cristata (groundcover), redbud tree foliage 'Hearts of Gold', blue-eyed grass, and the blooms of a native fringe tree (fragrant).

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Did you know:
April is now National Native Plant Month.
Info here:

https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org

#gardening #GardeningMastodon #NativePlants #NationalNativePlantMonth #PollinatorPlants #Plants #Horticulture #Biodiversity #botany #wildflowers #MeadowGarden #BiodiversityGardening #Flowers #Nature