Tom Oder – Southeast Gardening Blog & Garden Events
The Royal Horticultural Society named the orchid nothogenus Oderara after Tom. Shown here, Oderara Orange Scorpion, a hybrid of five genera that defines the nothogenus. Photo by Larry Watson, used with permission of Kherwin Cheng Chua.Atlanta and Southeast Gardening
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My latest blog: Tea or Espresso? The joy of mini-Phalaenopsis orchids
You've probably heard the term "windowsill orchids." Then when you got home from the store with your big Phalaenopsis you thought, "Wait a minute! This isn't going to fit on a windowsill." No, it won't. But meet the Teacup and Espresso — two tiny, whimsical orchids that absolutely will.
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The Warner Robins Native Plant Education Center will hold a grand reopening on Sept. 5 at its new home (photo above) at Southern Accent Landscape Supply at 1438 Housers Mill Road in Fort Valley. (Photo: Stephanie Welch)
Read the storyIt's officially that time of year: the monarch butterfly migration has begun. In western Minnesota, Journey North has received its first roost reports of the season as monarchs cluster en route to their overwintering sites in Mexico.
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Blooming now in my garden
Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' is putting on a show right now — and the pollinators can't get enough of it. This remarkable cultivar, discovered growing wild along a Tennessee riverbank, produces smaller florets than most summer phlox, which turns out to be exactly what butterflies and bees prefer. It blooms for weeks, shrugs off powdery mildew better than almost any other tall phlox, and stops traffic in the summer garden. If you don't have it, you want it.
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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.
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.
All About Monarchs & Their Migration with Kim Bailey
Talk about picky eaters! Monarch butterflies have captured the imagination of young and old with their exclusive milkweed diet and unfathomable migration from Canada to Mexico. This class covers milkweed seed collection and stratification, species options for different settings, dangers of tropical milkweed, the milkweed insect community, raising monarchs responsibly, reporting monarch sightings, and tagging monarchs. Instructor Kim Bailey is an avid wildlife habitat gardener and environmental educator for over 25 years, and founder of Milkweed Meadows Farm in Fruitland, NC. Cost: $25 ($18.75 for Asheville Botanical Garden members). For more information and to register, visit https://beecityasheville.org/events/all-about-monarchs-with-kim-bailey-2026
The Joy of Native Plants: Plant Selection for Conservation
The Georgia Native Plant Society presents its 2nd annual summer webinar celebrating native plants. Speaker Desirée L. Narango, Ph.D., conservation ecologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, will discuss informed plant selection for conservation — native plant gardening 2.0, keystone plants, cultivars, and ecotypes. This free event is held in memory of Leslie Edwards, longtime GNPS member and tireless native plant advocate. After registering, you will receive a Zoom link by email. To register and for more information, visit https://gnps.org
Grand Re-opening — Warner Robins Native Plant Education Center
The Warner Robins Native Plant Education Center holds its grand re-opening. Master Gardeners of Middle Georgia will be on hand with an informational booth. Concessions will be available. Read how Steven and Stephanie Welch came to the rescue of the Native Plant Education Center when it was forced to relocate at https://tomoder.com/blog/native-plant-center-sprouts-new-roots
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
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
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/
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/
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/
Fall Plant Sale — Woodlands Garden
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
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
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/
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
University Extension Resources
Free Southeast Gardening Tools & Calculators
Find local planting dates and get pest help with these free university links.
Best for southern pest information
Great for Georgia soil advice.
Tool to find native plants.
Helpful plant trial data.
Excellent vegetable planting calendars.
Monthly guides for Florida zones.
Tips for Deep South soil.
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Tomoder.com offers a major regional directory of leading independent nurseries, garden suppliers, garden clubs and conservation groups as well as a guide to stunning botanical gardens and arboreta in Georgia.
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