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My latest blog: The Mailbox Makeover I Didn’t Plan
A native vine with gorgeous white flowers that is climbing up my mailbox on a pink-flowering Viking Queen rose appeared out of nowhere—a happy accident and a gift to the bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators that visit my garden. I suspect a seed must have somehow found its way into the pot of one of the annuals I plant around the rose in the fall, lay hidden in the soil during the winter and then woke up and sprouted in a perfect spring storm of water, air and warmth. However it happened, I'll take it. So will the pollinators!
The Warner Robins Native Plant Education Center held a grand re-opening on Saturday at its new home, Southern Accent Landscape Supply in Fort Valley. About 300 people attended the event, says Stephanie Welch, who is managing administrative operations for the center. "We had a great, long day!" she says. "We sold lots of amazing new finds and goodies. We are looking forward to focusing on rehabbing the handful that didn't like the move as much and continuing to grow and expand our inventory." Welch and her husband, Steven, came to the rescue of the center when it looked like it would have to close. (Photo by Stephanie Welch)
Some people don't think of white as a color. I not only think of it as a color but as a beacon that draws the eye into the garden. This is a white form of the coneflower Echinacea purpurea. Coneflowers are drought and heat tolerant, deer resistant and bloom into the fall—just at the right time for migratory and resident bees and butterflies. Deadheading early flowers will encourage more blooms. I leave the fall blooms on the plants into the winter until the goldfinches and other birds have eaten all the seeds in the seed heads.
In progress: A children's picture book
I have written a children's picture book about the epic migration of the monarch butterfly. When I was developing the idea for the book, one of the most respected voices in pollinator science in the Southeast told me I would need a new angle. I found one.
The book is built around new tracking technology that allows children — in a classroom setting or at home — to follow tagged monarchs in real time via a smartphone app, turning the reading experience into a living, interactive journey. The classroom application in particular suggests strong potential for school system adoption. This technology angle makes it meaningfully different from previously published children's picture books about monarchs. I am seeking representation for a single book, but the real goal is a trilogy covering the full migration.
The manuscript — scientifically accurate and narrative-driven — has received a very positive review from the director and an acquisitions editor at a major academic press, an editor with a children's book background who offered specific suggestions to strengthen it. All have been incorporated. I am now seeking literary representation. (Photo: Susan Meyers, Monarchs Across Georgia)
Plant sales, shows, workshops & more in atlanta and the southeast
Garden events calendar
Listings are free! Use the button to the right to provide information about your event.
North Fulton Master Gardeners Online Garden Fundraiser Through Flower Power
Shop the North Fulton Master Gardeners online Flower Power plant sale and support scholarships for local Georgia students pursuing environmental science, horticulture, and related careers. Fifty percent of each purchase returns to the organization, and all proceeds support scholarships. The sale includes plants, spring bulbs, and curated gifts for gardeners. Zone 8A gardeners are encouraged to give allium bulbs extra chilling time in the refrigerator before planting. For more information and to shop, visit https://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/index.php/marketplace/seller/profile/shop/northfultonmastegardeners
Online sale ongoing through Oct. 15Online
Sept. 9
Native Edible Plant Walk
As we gear up for the annual Fall Plant Sale in September, join a guided plant walk highlighting some of the many plants that will be featured at the sale. Learn about the plants at Woodlands Garden and get ideas for your shopping list! Contact: [email protected] | 404-373-2222 | https://www.woodlandsgarden.org
11:00amWoodlands Garden, 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA 30030 — meet outside the Visitors Center
Sept. 11–28
Trees Atlanta 27th Annual Tree Sale — Shop Online
Order trees online for a larger selection of species and quantities, then pick up your order at Trees Atlanta Nursery. Shop early for the best selection of popular and hard-to-find trees. The online store link will be live at noon on Sept. 11 and remain open through noon on Sept. 28. Details: https://www.treesatlanta.org/support-us/tree-sale/
Online store opens Sept. 11 at noon and closes Sept. 28 at noon; pickup Fri. Oct. 2, 9 AM–3 PM, or Sat. Oct. 3, 9 AM–noonOnline ordering; pickup at Trees Atlanta Nursery, 1150 Allene Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Featured event
Sept. 11
Carolina Native Nursery Fall Plug Bar
The Fall Plug Bar returns after a popular spring run. Mix and match plugs in provided empty trays, with staff available to help. Plant offerings include swamp milkweed, New England aster, Chelone 'Hot Lips', purple coneflower, Monarda 'Jacob Cline', brown-eyed Susan, Solidago 'Fireworks', switchgrass, little bluestem 'Standing Ovation', river oats, and fox sedge. Details: CarolinaNativeNursery.com or 828-682-1471.
Nursery hours; first come, first servedCarolina Native Nursery, 1639 Prices Creek Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Sept. 11–12
Native Plant Celebration: Diversity & Discovery
A two-day symposium bringing together botanists, ecologists, gardeners, conservation professionals, students, and plant lovers for talks, field experiences, and conversations focused on the remarkable diversity of native plants in the Southern Appalachians. Topics include plant conservation, native gardening, regional flora, and rare species. For registration and event details, visit https://highlandsbiological.org/2026-native-plant-celebration/
All dayHighlands Biological Station, Highlands, NC
Sept. 12
Monarchs Across Georgia Native Plant Sale
Monarchs Across Georgia holds a native plant sale featuring milkweed and pollinator-friendly nectar plants suited to local ecoregions, with vendors including Cottage Garden Natives. Look for swamp milkweed, butterfly weed, whorled milkweed, purple coneflower, swamp sunflower, mountain mint, and golden alexander.
9 AM–noonDavidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Stonecrest, GA
Sept. 12
Bat Fest ATL
Celebrate the fifth annual Bat Fest ATL with local wildlife and conservation groups, environmental education, artists and artisans, food trucks, and community activities. Cottage Garden Natives will hold an all-day plant sale with pollinator-friendly plants. A raffle for the bats runs until 7:30 PM, and a scientist-led bat walk begins around dusk, typically about 7:30 PM. Talks and live bat encounters are planned throughout the day. Admission: $6; free for members. Admission includes talks, activities, and trail access. Details and FAQs: https://bearcreeknaturecenter.org/bat-fest-atl/
2 PM–8 PMBear Creek Nature Center, 6300 Cochran Mill Road, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
Sept. 12
Native Plant Walk with Steve Sanchez, HGOR Landscape Architect & native plant guru
As we gear up for the annual Fall Plant Sale in September, join a guided plant walk highlighting some of the many plants that will be featured at the sale. Learn about the plants at Woodlands Garden and get ideas for your shopping list! Contact: [email protected] | 404-373-2222 | https://www.woodlandsgarden.org
10:00amWoodlands Garden, 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA 30030 — meet outside the Visitors Center
Sept. 18–19
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Sale
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens' annual Fall Plant Sale features a diverse selection of perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, herbs, and vegetables selected for the region. Members enjoy early access and a gift plant. For more information, visit https://bbgardens.org/plant-sales/
Members only: Fri. Sept. 18, 8 AM–noon; Public: Sat. Sept. 19, 8 AM–2 PMBirmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223
Sept. 18–20 & 25–27
Juniper Level Botanic Garden Open Garden Weekends
Juniper Level Botanic Garden opens its 10-acre public garden for its final two open weekends of 2026. Explore a conservation-based collection of more than 27,000 plant types, including hundreds of extremely rare specimens. Free demonstrations and classes cover new plants, garden design and maintenance, and pollinators, with garden experts available for questions. Admission is free; the $5 parking fee is fully refundable with an onsite plant purchase.
Flutter Festival 2026 — Monarch Ranch Butterfly Conservatory
South Carolina's immersive butterfly garden and festival, combining butterflies, flowers, artisan vendors, educational experiences, food trucks, photo ops, and whimsical garden experiences. Features a special presentation on the Great Monarch Migration, a butterfly release experience (weather permitting), and the return of Mariposa, the Monarch Princess. An easy day trip from Charleston, Columbia, Aiken, Augusta, and Savannah. Car pass tickets available in advance. For more information and tickets, visit https://monarchranchsc.com/flutterfestival/
Save the date for the annual Fall Plant Sale! Shoppers will enjoy an educational, self-guided shopping experience featuring native Piedmont plants (19 new varieties available this year), houseplants donated from local gardeners, and special plants harvested right from the garden. Support the garden through its biggest annual friendraiser! More details including signing up to shop at https://www.woodlandsgarden.org/fall-plant-sale/ | Contact: [email protected] | 404-373-2222
All dayWoodlands Garden, 932 Scott Boulevard, Decatur, GA 30030
Sept. 19
Coastal WildScapes Fall Native Plant Sale
A fall native plant sale featuring vendors from across the coastal Georgia and South Carolina region, including pre-sale options from multiple nurseries. For more information, visit https://www.coastalwildscapes.org/Native-Plant-Sources
9 AM–1 PMAshantilly Center, 15591 GA-99, Darien, GA
Sept. 24–26
Chattahoochee Nature Center Native Plant Sale
Over 100 varieties of native plants that attract butterflies, pollinators, birds, and more. Herbs and veggie seedlings also available. Free admission, rain or shine. Plants $5–$35; CNC members receive a discount. For more information, visit https://chattnaturecenter.org/events/members-only-plant-sale-2/
Members only: Sept. 24, 4–7 PM; General public: Sept. 25–26, 9 AM–5 PMChattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell, GA
Sept. 25–26
Hall County Master Gardeners Fall Garden Expo
More than 40 vendors offer trees, shrubs, native plants, perennials, annuals, fall vegetable plants, houseplants, garden art, birdhouses, handcrafted gifts, honey, preserves, and more. Ask Master Gardeners your questions, attend free horticultural presentations at 11 AM and 1 PM, enjoy food trucks, and enter hourly door-prize drawings. Admission: $2; children 12 and under are free. Rain or shine in a covered arena; no pets except ADA-qualified service animals.
Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM; Saturday, 8:30 AM–4 PMChicopee Woods Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville, GA 30507
Sept. 26–27
DSGA Booth at Duluth Fall Festival
The Daylily Society of Greater Atlanta will have a booth at the Duluth Fall Festival, offering daylilies from member gardens for sale. For more information, visit http://www.atlantadaylily.org/plant-sales.html
All dayDowntown Duluth, Duluth, GA
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