New Year, New Flower for Georgia

 

If you haven’t heard already, the current state floral emblem for Georgia is an exotic rose - Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata) - that was mistakenly considered to be indigenous (that is, native) to Georgia when it was nominated in 1916. While some people think it honors the Cherokee people, we know now that the Cherokee citizens of Georgia would rather support a native plant (read more in this FAQ). That rose was later classified as invasive because of its ability to spread and outcompete native species.

Last year, the Georgia Native Plant Society (GNPS) initiated an effort with the Georgia Legislature to change the state flower emblem to a native flower, the sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). That effort didn’t complete before the session ended, so this year it is being renewed in both the State House and the State Senate.

Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

As a member of the GNPS Board, I have been involved in this effort and I’d like to encourage all Georgia citizens to contact both your State Representative and State Senator to show your support for this change. GNPS has created some documentation (like the FAQ) to help you understand more and as something that you can share when you contact your State Representative and State Senator. The full collection of downloadable and printable resources can be found on the GNPS advocacy page.

Here is some sample text that you can use when you write your elected officials. Find your legislator’s name and contact details here. The House bill number is HB145.

“Senator/Representative <name>: I am in your district and I'm writing to ask you to support legislative efforts by Sen Rick Williams and Rep Deborah Silcox in 2025 to change the state flower from an exotic rose to the native sweetbay magnolia. This document from the Georgia Native Plant Society helps explain: https://gnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/State-Flower-Change-FAQs.docx.pdf

Thanks and please let me know if I can count on you to vote in favor of this change.”

Georgia deserves to have a state floral emblem that represents the beauty of Georgia’s native plants. In addition, the sweetbay magnolia is a plant that can be planted almost throughout Georgia in residential landscapes and business landscaping. It benefits our native pollinators, especially our state butterfly, the Eastern tiger swallowtail, who uses it as a host plant.

As the old saying goes, “When we know better, we can do better.” Now that we know it was a mistake to nominate an exotic rose in 1916, it’s time to fix that mistake. Your letters to your legislators can really make a difference as they really do listen to their constituents in matters like this. Let’s go native!

January 2025 Moment in Nature

My front door is flanked by two large windows and I can't help but peek out the window when I walk by. I've found many a surprise out there - most often a bird searching for food (they spend most of their day doing so). 

While I did put out birdseed during last week's snow event, I do expect that birds find some food in the landscape, especially in the front yard where I don't have feeders.

This week I spotted a pair of cardinals searching through the ground litter for seeds. And they were finding them, thanks to my efforts to leave as much as I can during the winter. These sights are always a very satisfying #momentinnature. 

Snow Stops By

The predicted snow arrived this week and it seems like Atlanta was reasonably well-prepared: schools closed, people stayed home, and most of us got to enjoy a 2 inch layer of snow.

American beech (Fagus grandfolia)

I put out seed and suet for the birds but there was no need to do anything for our native plants. Nestled in a coating of ice, most plants will be fine; as long as it melts quickly on our warmer days, the bigger plants won't be damaged by the extra weight. A December 2017 snow event illustrated how 7-8 inches can be damaging.

A smaller event in February 2020 illustrated how quickly these events can pass.

We drove out to pick up our grandson the next afternoon as the sun was finally breaking through. It was beautiful to see every plant stem was transformed - even each weed! - into a bejeweled wand. The sun turned the icy tree branches into collections of tiny prisms (which I tried to capture in the photo below).  

Iridescent ice on trees as the sun breaks through

Thanks to my husband for spotting a great place to take a photo. If you can see the pinkish-purple tips then you're seeing the prism effect.

Resolutionize Your Landscape

Resolutionize may not be a real word but let's define it as implementing your resolutions. You probably made several resolutions, some may have involved your health but hopefully at least one involved the health of the ecosystem.

Baby frog on Helenium

If you didn't, I've got some ideas! Here are some posts I've made about that over the years. They include resources to help you. Some of them are small but change begins with one simple step forward: replace a non-native plant with a native one, stop using pesticides, add more pollinator plants.

I hope you find something to inspire your efforts in 2025:

Using More Native Plants in the Landscape (2013)

Into the New Year (2014)

It's a New Year (2016)

Resolutions 2.0 (2017)

Be Inspired (ideas for every month) (2022)

NOTE: If you don't have a yard, you can still make a difference by volunteering to help remove invasive plants at local parks, educate others about native plants, serve on committees/boards for environmental non-profits - there is a need for all skill levels when it comes to improving and protecting the ecosystem.