April is National Native Plant Month as annually proclaimed by Congress through Senate and House resolutions to recognize the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of the United States. Every year, sponsors must reintroduce the resolutions. While having this recognition is excellent, why not make it permanent? Here in Georgia, that just might happen before the legislative session ends this month.
State House Bill 444 and Senate Bill 240 are parallel bills introduced to permanently designate April as Native Plant Month in Georgia. HB 444 was introduced in February by Representative Deborah Silcox with four cosponsors and was passed by House vote in late February. It now sits with the Senate Committee for Natural Resources and the Environment. SB 240 is on its second read in the Senate. It is looking likely that Georgia will have an official month-long celebration of native plants every year.
So how do you celebrate and promote Native Plant Month? First, choose to plant native plants instead of exotic (and especially invasive) plants. Second, if gardening is not your thing, help remove invasive plants like English ivy, Chinese privet and kudzu. Third, educate your family, friends and neighbors. Just starting a conversation promotes awareness.
Honestly though, one of the most American ways to celebrate is to go shopping. To prepare Georgians to shop local and plant local, Georgia Native Plant Society (GNPS) compiled a list of seasonal plant sales. Many are hosted by GNPS chapters and support the important conservation work happening in local communities. Native plants are not easy to find at large box stores and many traditional plant nurseries (yet). Supporting seasonal native plant sales helps grow awareness and demand for what should be in our yards, parks and streetscapes.
Shopping is fun, but our wallets do have limits as do our yards. Since we are in the heat of March Madness and several of our beloved Southeastern Conference schools are in the dance, might we suggest a Final Four package for your shopping? Here is the 2025 Final Four by plant type: tree, shrub, perennial, and groundcover.
Tree: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is the earliest native tree to bloom and one of the earliest trees to show fall color in the Atlanta metro area. Native throughout the state, red maple is tolerant of many conditions, from relatively dry to fairly moist. These are medium-sized trees that are very suitable for yards, streetscapes, parks, and parking lots. In its natural habitat, red maple is a midstory tree, bringing seasonal bursts of color to the woods. Red maples provide high value to wildlife, including pollinators and migratory birds. In the spring, this early bloomer is especially important in providing a nectar source to native bees.
Shrub: Elliott’s Blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii)
Another early bloomer, Elliott’s blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) may begin its flower show in February and March. Georgia has 16 native species of blueberry that are good for humans and great for wildlife. The flowers are visited by early emerging native bees while the fruit is favored by birds and mammals in May and June. Elliott’s blueberry will grow in part shade to full sun and can tolerate drought quite well. The dainty bell-shaped pink or white flowers emerge before the leaves, making for a subtle yet beautiful showcase in early spring. In the fall, their small leaves turn bright red before dropping for the season.
Perennial: Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Lanceleaf coreopsis is a bold and bright native wildflower that can steal the show in any pollinator garden or meadow. Lanceleaf coreopsis is a great starter plant if you are new to planting natives: it tolerates a variety of conditions, including drought, and is generally resistant to deer. This plant is best used in naturalized areas, meadows, pollinator gardens, or any area where they can spread. The yellow flowers attract butterflies and bees, and provide seed in the fall for small songbirds. There are several species of native coreopsis that can brighten up any yard – ask the folks at your plant sale or nursery what is available.
Groundcover: Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Blue-eyed grass is a low-growing forb with straight, flat, narrow leaves that looks a lot like a clumping grass, but is not, in fact, a grass! Unlike grasses, which have fibrous roots, plants in the Iridaceae family like blue-eyed grass have rhizomes. Blue-eyed grass is Georgia Native Plant Society’s 2025 Plant of the Year. Blue-eyed grass is another easy to grow starter plant for any light conditions. It can play various roles in a landscape from garden beds to borders to natural areas. The small bluish-purple flowers bloom in the spring attracting butterflies, bumblebees, sweat bees, bee flies, and syrphid flies. This fun and underused native plant is featured on our Plant of the Year shirt that can be ordered on our online store.
For more information on native plants suitable for your shopping list, visit our Educational Materials page for plant lists and landscaping tips. Happy spring and happy shopping!
Photos taken by Ellen Honeycutt.
