Early Spring bloomers
By JOYCE HALL
Native Plant Rescue, Ga Mountain Research

The anticipation of spring starts with the flowers, tiny and red, on the maple trees. From a distance you see a haze of red from a grove of maples. Spring is about to reveal her magic especially here in the mountains with our special soils, climate and rainfalls. As you take to the outdoors be aware of early spring blooming plants and trees.

Downy Serviceberry is another early native tree to herald the advent of spring. Its white bloom clusters appear before the leaves. It is an under story tree that grows 20-30 feet tall. The serviceberry or shadbush is a great tree for wildlife since it supplies early nectar for bees, later the leaves are a larval source for several butterfly species and the sweet, fleshy fruits in summer are enjoyed by the birds. If you don't already have a downy serviceberry in your yard it is a much better choice to plant than Bradford pear with its poor limb structure.

B l o o d r o o t , spring beauty, toothwort, sharploped hepatica, trailing arbutus, D u t c h m a n ' s breeches, meadow rue, rue anemone, trout lilies will be appearing in view to dance in the March winds.

Most of our plants

have been dormant all winter without a trace of it's' existence. A few like the sharp-lobed hepatica have red or dying leaves as the flower appears and develop new leaves after blooming. A trip to Sosebe Cove is sure to keep your spring enthusiasm for these early bloomers. However, you may be lucky to have them in your own garden if your landscape has remained natural. Our geology over time created the formation of soils that support such plant communities.

As we enjoy the spring forest floor guard against even picking a native flower since that would prevent the flower from producing seed for the next year. Take a field guide to the flower not a flower to the field guide or take along a digital camera for identification later. Also remember division or digging of spring bloomers should be done in the fall and fall bloomers should be done in spring. Resist the temptation to dig a plant when it is blooming. It is almost certain death to the plant.

Allow native flowers to set seed and if you wish to propagate, collect a few ripe seeds later. It is a challenging hobby and this time of year is perfect to start observing the bloom and watching for the seed to ripen. Because of the different requirements of each type of seed to germinate you may want to buy native plant seed packets with directions! But if you like to experiment and you are not the instant gratification type it is rewarding. Jan Midgly has an excellent workbook on native plant propagation. Her address is: 234 Oak Tree Trail, Wilsonville Al 35186. 205-669-4097. Email jwildflwr@aol.com. Georgia Mountain Research and Education center has offered lectures on propagation and it is a part of the philosophy of the Native Plant Rescue Program. Volunteers work at the GMREC the first and third Mondays of each month.

Did you know the Nature Conservancy ranks Georgia fifth among the 50 states for biological diversity? Extensive development and population increases are a new experience for our native plants. Hopefully we can maintain this biological diversity by imitating some of nature's plan. Being aware of limiting or eliminating the use of invasive plants, fertilizers and chemicals will be a closer walk with nature's plan.

If you wish to learn more about the Native Plant Rescue program at the Georgia Mountain Research and Education center contact Jennifer Cordier (706-745- 9317) ivylog@alltel.net or Glenn Henderson, abletinker@aol.com or myself Joyce Hall, joycehall113@hotmail.com.