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Published on 08/14/08

Native plants

By April Sorrow
University of Georgia

Gardeners who want to add a little native flare to their landscapes should check out a new publication by experts with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

“Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines” offers insight into choosing viable plants for home landscapes, said Gary Wade, UGA Extension horticulturist who coauthored the article.

Readers will learn about Georgia’s native plants and how to use them effectively in a home landscape. The manual includes plant characteristics, landscape uses, mature size, preferred habitat and hardiness zones for landscaping with trees, shrubs and vines with more than 400 color images.

The publication describes native plants available from nurseries and native plants that have potential for nursery production. Rare or endangered species are not included.

It includes information on flowering vines, like trumpet honeysuckle and Carolina yellow jessamine, shrubs like summersweet clethra, and trees like red buckeye. According to the publication, these will all attract birds and butterflies to landscapes.

According to the article, the guidelines for planting a native landscape are the same as those for any landscape. The most important thing is to put the right plant in the right spot. This will help ensure long-term satisfaction and success with the landscape.

The publication is available online at http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B987/B987-contents.htm. Another publication on herbaceous perennials, native annuals and native ferns is in production and will be out next summer.

April R. Sorrow is a science writer with the University of Georgia Public Affairs Office.