Georgia Native Plant Society
@ganativeplants.bsky.social
Our mission is to promote the stewardship and conservation of Georgia's native plants and their habitats. We grow people who love native plants!
Learn more at www.gnps.org.
Learn more at www.gnps.org.
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a large native shrub with attractive fall fruit and foliage. Native throughout the state, it is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions although it suckers a bit when happy. The flowers in spring are beautiful so it is a good multi-season plant. #nativeplants
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is a large native shrub with attractive fall fruit and foliage. Native throughout the state, it is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions although it suckers a bit when happy. The flowers in spring are beautiful so it is a good multi-season plant. #nativeplants
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is also known as musclewood, ironwood, or blue-beech. It is a small to medium-sized tree found in moist woods. American hornbeam’s small leaves can be brightly colored or more muted (shown from two different years). (1/2) #nativeplants
November 12, 2025 at 1:14 PM
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is also known as musclewood, ironwood, or blue-beech. It is a small to medium-sized tree found in moist woods. American hornbeam’s small leaves can be brightly colored or more muted (shown from two different years). (1/2) #nativeplants
With their large size, trees make incredible fall color displays and the native sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the best in Georgia. Although largely found in the northern half of Georgia, it still has a presence in the Coastal Plain, even into the panhandle of Florida. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
With their large size, trees make incredible fall color displays and the native sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is one of the best in Georgia. Although largely found in the northern half of Georgia, it still has a presence in the Coastal Plain, even into the panhandle of Florida. (1/2) #nativeplants
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is the plant in our logo and we love it: it is a beautiful 4-season plant. In spring, it has beautiful flowers; in summer, it has handsome foliage; in fall, it has gorgeous fall color; and in winter, it has beautiful, exfoliating bark. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is the plant in our logo and we love it: it is a beautiful 4-season plant. In spring, it has beautiful flowers; in summer, it has handsome foliage; in fall, it has gorgeous fall color; and in winter, it has beautiful, exfoliating bark. (1/2) #nativeplants
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a tree of some distinction if you get a chance to see its warty bark. Without that characteristic, it probably would not be noticed as its leaves are modest and nondescript, its flowers small, and the berries tiny and high above most people. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a tree of some distinction if you get a chance to see its warty bark. Without that characteristic, it probably would not be noticed as its leaves are modest and nondescript, its flowers small, and the berries tiny and high above most people. (1/2) #nativeplants
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is our latest native shrub to bloom – November is normal for these fanciful crinkles of gold to appear in deciduous woodlands. Found throughout Georgia, this shrub is in the Hamamelidaceae family which includes Fothergilla (witchalder). (1/2) #nativeplants
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is our latest native shrub to bloom – November is normal for these fanciful crinkles of gold to appear in deciduous woodlands. Found throughout Georgia, this shrub is in the Hamamelidaceae family which includes Fothergilla (witchalder). (1/2) #nativeplants
This is smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) putting on a show in north Georgia, but you can see it on roadsides throughout the upper half of Georgia. This one is absent of the flame-shaped clusters of rusty fruits. A second photo shows the fruits on a plant that already dropped its leaves. #nativeplants
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This is smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) putting on a show in north Georgia, but you can see it on roadsides throughout the upper half of Georgia. This one is absent of the flame-shaped clusters of rusty fruits. A second photo shows the fruits on a plant that already dropped its leaves. #nativeplants
Hickory gold is an important part of fall color. These tall hardwoods are also an important part of north Georgia forests (with some species extending into the Coastal Plain). Hickories provide nuts for wildlife and are host plants for over 200 species of moths and butterflies. (1/2) #nativeplants
November 6, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Hickory gold is an important part of fall color. These tall hardwoods are also an important part of north Georgia forests (with some species extending into the Coastal Plain). Hickories provide nuts for wildlife and are host plants for over 200 species of moths and butterflies. (1/2) #nativeplants
This is green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a tall hardwood with pale yellow fall color, sometimes with just a tinge of pale purple. Native range is fairly widespread in Georgia. It is currently at risk by the emerald ash borer, however, a pest that is now in Georgia. #nativeplants
November 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This is green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), a tall hardwood with pale yellow fall color, sometimes with just a tinge of pale purple. Native range is fairly widespread in Georgia. It is currently at risk by the emerald ash borer, however, a pest that is now in Georgia. #nativeplants
This one is a two-fer: good fall color and fruit! This is flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida, formerly Cornus florida). In addition to beautiful spring flowers, this small tree has fruit for the birds and outstanding fall color. This native tree is a real winner for small yards. #nativeplants
November 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
This one is a two-fer: good fall color and fruit! This is flowering dogwood (Benthamidia florida, formerly Cornus florida). In addition to beautiful spring flowers, this small tree has fruit for the birds and outstanding fall color. This native tree is a real winner for small yards. #nativeplants
Chalkbark maple (Acer leucoderme) has wonderful fall color and is showing great color now. Looking like a smaller version of a sugar maple (it was once considered a subspecies of sugar maple), it can have more brilliant color overall (reds and deep pinks vs. oranges). (1/2) #nativeplants
November 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Chalkbark maple (Acer leucoderme) has wonderful fall color and is showing great color now. Looking like a smaller version of a sugar maple (it was once considered a subspecies of sugar maple), it can have more brilliant color overall (reds and deep pinks vs. oranges). (1/2) #nativeplants
This is southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum, formerly Acer barbatum) which has a pretty good distribution in the state except for the coast. You can see the resemblance to sugar maple in the leaf shape but the color is often a nice, clear yellow with perhaps a hint of orange. #nativeplants
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum, formerly Acer barbatum) which has a pretty good distribution in the state except for the coast. You can see the resemblance to sugar maple in the leaf shape but the color is often a nice, clear yellow with perhaps a hint of orange. #nativeplants
This is sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Fiery orange color, distinctively shaped leaves (not variable like the red maple). Unlike the red maple, fruits take longer to ripen so the seeds/samaras of the sugar maple don’t fall until late summer (red maple seeds fall in early summer). #nativeplants
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This is sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Fiery orange color, distinctively shaped leaves (not variable like the red maple). Unlike the red maple, fruits take longer to ripen so the seeds/samaras of the sugar maple don’t fall until late summer (red maple seeds fall in early summer). #nativeplants
These hawthorn fruits aren't ripe yet but their orange phase makes for a nice opportunity to play with photo editing! Happy Halloween from Crataegus viridis. #nativeplants
October 31, 2025 at 12:20 PM
These hawthorn fruits aren't ripe yet but their orange phase makes for a nice opportunity to play with photo editing! Happy Halloween from Crataegus viridis. #nativeplants
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of our earliest trees to show fall color. Its red color is a major component of wild fall color. Its color is, however, variable. This collection of leaves from a single neighborhood showcases both the variable shapes and colors of its leaves. (1/2) #nativeplants
October 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of our earliest trees to show fall color. Its red color is a major component of wild fall color. Its color is, however, variable. This collection of leaves from a single neighborhood showcases both the variable shapes and colors of its leaves. (1/2) #nativeplants
Since it’s Halloween week, here’s one of our trees with orange fall color: Sassafras albidum. Native throughout the state, this medium tree is known for having 3 different leaf shapes on the same plant, with the “mitten” shaped one being the most familiar. #nativeplants
October 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Since it’s Halloween week, here’s one of our trees with orange fall color: Sassafras albidum. Native throughout the state, this medium tree is known for having 3 different leaf shapes on the same plant, with the “mitten” shaped one being the most familiar. #nativeplants
Here is poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) with fruit. Notice that the fruit is white and not very fleshy. Birds do love the fruit and apparently they are not affected by the urushiol contained in the plant. Who has a picture of the fall color on poison ivy? Post it in the comments! #nativeplants
October 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Here is poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) with fruit. Notice that the fruit is white and not very fleshy. Birds do love the fruit and apparently they are not affected by the urushiol contained in the plant. Who has a picture of the fall color on poison ivy? Post it in the comments! #nativeplants
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is an abundant vine in Georgia. Named for its five leaflets (quinquefolia), an important way to distinguish it from poison ivy (which has 3). Occasionally, it will have a FEW leaves with only 3 leaflets. (1/3) #nativeplants
October 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is an abundant vine in Georgia. Named for its five leaflets (quinquefolia), an important way to distinguish it from poison ivy (which has 3). Occasionally, it will have a FEW leaves with only 3 leaflets. (1/3) #nativeplants
Here's an eye-popper: Bright orange seeds dangle from a raspberry-colored fruit pod, what an amazing color combination! This is hearts a bustin’ or strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus). This native shrub is found throughout the state, although more likely in the upper half. (1/2) #nativeplants
October 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Here's an eye-popper: Bright orange seeds dangle from a raspberry-colored fruit pod, what an amazing color combination! This is hearts a bustin’ or strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus). This native shrub is found throughout the state, although more likely in the upper half. (1/2) #nativeplants
Let’s spend some time admiring Georgia’s native plants in their fall finery. We’ll start with persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), nature’s original sour patch kid! Persimmon is found throughout the state as a medium sized deciduous tree whose female flowers produce small fruits. (1/2) #nativeplants
October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Let’s spend some time admiring Georgia’s native plants in their fall finery. We’ll start with persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), nature’s original sour patch kid! Persimmon is found throughout the state as a medium sized deciduous tree whose female flowers produce small fruits. (1/2) #nativeplants
One of the most used Georgia native grasses in professional landscaping is pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Landscapers love to use it in great sweeps and it is looking fabulous right now, like pink cotton candy. There is also a white version. (1/2) #nativeplants
October 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
One of the most used Georgia native grasses in professional landscaping is pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris). Landscapers love to use it in great sweeps and it is looking fabulous right now, like pink cotton candy. There is also a white version. (1/2) #nativeplants
Last aster for the season! This is Eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor), an elegant perennial with long bloom stalks topped with ¾ -inch purple flowerheads. Unlike most asters, the flowerheads are clustered at the top of the stalks in a defined arrangement. (1/2) #nativeplants
October 23, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Last aster for the season! This is Eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor), an elegant perennial with long bloom stalks topped with ¾ -inch purple flowerheads. Unlike most asters, the flowerheads are clustered at the top of the stalks in a defined arrangement. (1/2) #nativeplants
Climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) has a very small range and only one county in Georgia, but it can be found at native plant sales occasionally. The habit is rather shrub/vinelike. It is one of the later ones to bloom. #nativeplants
October 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) has a very small range and only one county in Georgia, but it can be found at native plant sales occasionally. The habit is rather shrub/vinelike. It is one of the later ones to bloom. #nativeplants
Another small white aster is the hairy white old-field aster, also called frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum). Found throughout the state, this species has noticeable hairs on the leaves and stem and a rather handsome flower. Overall height is about 2-4 feet... (1/3) #nativeplants
October 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Another small white aster is the hairy white old-field aster, also called frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum). Found throughout the state, this species has noticeable hairs on the leaves and stem and a rather handsome flower. Overall height is about 2-4 feet... (1/3) #nativeplants
This is bushy aster or rice button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum). Native throughout Georgia, it looks very similar to S. racemosum except the flowers are not arranged on one side of the stem, but come away from the stem at all directions, perhaps giving it a bushier appearance. #nativeplants
October 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is bushy aster or rice button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum). Native throughout Georgia, it looks very similar to S. racemosum except the flowers are not arranged on one side of the stem, but come away from the stem at all directions, perhaps giving it a bushier appearance. #nativeplants