Is fall not the most inspiring time of year? While this summer has challenged many plants with a lack of rain, fall has arrived with renewed hope for several more weeks of warm, breezy days and an array of color palettes. It is a fruitful time of year – quite literally for many of our native trees and shrubs. Windborne seeds take to the air, finding a place for a new start next season. There is a lot of hope in nature this time of year.
Fall also presents deadlines, which for some may initiate a burst of energy, and for others may trigger panic that the days for gardening are limited. There is much to do! No matter how you see it, fall certainly unfolds much opportunity for action and change.
There is no lack of beauty in Georgia during the fall. Much inspiration can be drawn from our native landscapes and garden displays. While plants in other parts of the country are well on their way to shutting down for the year, late-blooming flowers and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs are reaching their peak busy season with the addition of southward bird migration to the already buzzing pollinator scene. It is a great time to plant and a great time to plan. Here are a few native plant recommendations for your fall shopping or swapping list.
Native Shrubs for a Fruitful Fall
Late summer and fall provide major support to wildlife as they look to native plants to feed them in preparation for winter. In particular, fruit-bearing shrubs and trees play a large role in feeding both resident and migratory birds and mammals. Selections such as red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), hearts-a-bustin’ (Euonymus atropurpureus) and Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) have sought after berries ripening in the fall. Other landscape favorites with bright berries include American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and possumhaw (Viburnum nudum). Viburnum species are especially wonderful this time of year because their leaves have beautiful fall colors.
Carolina buckthorn berries begin to ripen in September. (N.Belmonte)
Smile, It’s Goldenrod Season!
Many attribute happiness to daisy-like flowers with large round discs of bright petals, but it can be argued that goldenrods with their clusters and plumes of tiny bright flowers, are the perennials that provoke the most happiness in plant lovers and pollinators alike. The flowers are insect pollinator magnets; more than 90 species of butterflies and moths alone depend on goldenrod species here in the Piedmont (National Wildlife Federation). Various species of native bees, wasps and flies also depend on goldenrod for food. Seed-eating birds will snatch up the seeds later in the fall into winter. Many goldenrod species can be found at plant sales and nurseries, such as gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), blue-stem goldenrod (Solidago caesia) and wrinkle-leaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa).
This cultivar of wrinkle-leaf goldenrod called “Fireworks” is excellent for a landscape. (E. Honeycutt)
And here is your fall PSA: goldenrod does not cause allergies! There is no excuse to pass up a goldenrod for allergy reasons; goldenrods are pollinated by insects and their pollen is therefore not carried on the wind. Our native ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is responsible for that, but we will come to its defense as well, as ragweed is a fantastic fall food source for seed-eating birds and small mammals.
Blooming Now: The 2024 GNPS Plant of the Year
Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is another pollinator magnet that brings a fabulous color contrast to goldenrods with its tiny blue-purple burst of blooms. This vivacious wildflower was voted the Georgia Native Plant Society’s 2024 Plant of the Year for a variety of reasons. The nectar attracts butterflies and bees, and the plant serves as both a nectar source and host species for several types of moths. Blue mistflower is commonly found at plant sales and is a great species to find for a plant swap. It is a great perennial for the gardeners who want the plant to do the work for them; it spreads easily and is equally as easy to pull if it takes up too much space for you. However, there is something magical about this celestial carpet of blue-purple… it’s an eyecatcher for sure, which is why GNPS put it on a shirt (get yours on the GNPS online store).
A monarch visits a blue mistflower. (E.Honeycutt)
The GNPS Plant of the Year program recognizes native plants that are underutilized in commercial and residential landscapes or which are vital components of Georgia’s ecology. GNPS members nominate and vote every year – what a great reason to become a member!
Make Plans to Shop Fall Native Plant Sales
You may have noticed that we always include scientific names of plants. Species can have a variety of common names, so knowing the scientific name will help you when you are shopping to make sure you are getting the right species. Once you have your list, check out the list of seasonal plant sales on the Georgia Native Plant Society (GNPS) website. Many sales are hosted by GNPS chapters and support the important conservation work happening in local communities. This time of year our smaller local native plant nurseries often host special fall hours. GNPS maintains a list of nurseries that you can filter by location and types of plants that they carry. Native plants are not easy to find at large box stores and many traditional plant nurseries. Supporting seasonal native plant sales and local nurseries helps grow awareness and demand for what should be in our yards, parks and streetscapes. Happy shopping!
The bright and happy plume of a “Fireworks” wrinkle-leaf goldenrod. (N.Belmonte)
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