North Carolina
Native Plant Society
Southern Piedmont Chapter
February 2022 Meeting
Blueberries, Azaleas & Rhodies Oh My!
The Secret and Not So Secret World of the Blueberry Family
February 13, 2022 2:00pm
In-Person and Virtual Meeting Open to the Public
In this newsletter... Blueberries, Azaleas & Rhodies Oh My!
March 2022 Meeting
Resources for Walking in Nature
UNCC Botanical Gardens Valentine's Raffle and Auction
Plant Sale at 2022 NCNPS Annual Meeting/Picnic
Volunteer Opportunities
Reedy Creek Native Seed Library
Join US
In case you missed it... NCNPS Handouts
UNCC Native Plant Studies Classes
February 13, 2022 2:00pm
with Dr. Larry Mellichamp
In-Person at Reedy Creek Nature Center 2986 Rocky River Road Charlotte NC 28215 Masks Required Indoors or
Virtual
Join us in-person or virtually in February, when Dr. Larry Mellichamp will take us on a journey through the blueberry family or Ericaceae (erik case see ee).
While mysterious, this family has few mysteries, and we will explore some of our North American genera and species, and famous members from around the world. It is one of the world’s most valuable plant families, and one of the largest. The Ericaceae give us fruits like blueberries (perhaps the best thing you can eat) and cranberries (originating only in North America), but also flowers like azalea and rhododendrons, and ornamental garden plants like Pieris and Mountain Laurel. The family is named after the genus Erica, the heaths and heathers of Scotland in the Old World.
Dr. Mellichamp will also introduce us to plant families: what they represent, how they are defined, and what holds them together. There are about 200 plant families in the world with probably 500,000 species of flowering plants; the Ericaceae is in the top 20 largest. Clue: it’s all about the structure of the flower.
Dr. Larry Mellichamp is a professor emeritus of botany and horticulture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he taught for more than 30 years. He was also director of the University’s Botanical Gardens including the Mellichamp Native Terrace Garden, which demonstrates the use of natives directly for the homeowner. Larry is an expert on native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. He is also the recipient of the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence from the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference. Two outstanding book publications of his are: Native Plants of the Southeast and The Southeast Native Plant Primer.
March 2022 Meeting
The Fungus Among Us: How Fungi Power Plants & Animals
with Josh Partridge, Mushroom Farmer and Owner of Mush!
Resources for Walking in Nature
Although COVID still has us masking and social distancing, we can enjoy winter landscapes and spring ephemerals by taking walks. Use these videos from 2020 and 2021 to find a new trail to explore or enjoy a familiar one where your favorite wildflowers live.
Trails Less Traveled
Sean and Vanessa tell us about lesser known trails in the Charlotte region.
The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ Valentine’s Raffle and Auction will run from Jan. 23- Feb. 9. Auction and raffle items include live plants (some rare plants!), artwork, exclusive tours of private gardens, and private classes. You'll also find romantic opportunities and gifts for Valentine's Day, including flowers, chocolates, private candlelit table in the tropical Conservatory, and two box seat tickets to a Panther's Game of the winner's choice in 2022. and more! Learn more and bid here.
2022 NCNPS Annual Meeting/Picnic
June 11, 2022
If you are wild about natives, the plant sale/auction at the annual picnic is a great place to find native plants donated by NCNPS members. You can bid on special or unique natives in the auction portion of the sale.
The 2022 picnic is in the northeastern part of the Charlotte region at Pfeiffer University in Meisenheimer NC. It's a great opportunity for Southern Piedmont Chapter members to find a native plant sale in our own backyard while socializing with fellow native plant enthusiasts from across the state.
The plant sale and auction is a fundraiser for the Society. We need your donations. As you work in your garden this spring, pot up those extra plants that you've dug up or divided for the plant sale. Be sure to label your plants as you pot them up.
Mandy Bloom will be supervising the plant sale and auction. She would like to get an idea of who will be bringing plants, what plants to expect and what plants are suitable for the auction. Click the button below to let Mandy know what plants you intend to bring. If you aren’t sure, just let her know that you will bring something for the plant sale.
Volunteer Opportunities Your native plant society has many opportunities for volunteering at the state and local level. SPC member Roxanne Newton maintains an Engagement Opportunities Inventory for NCNPS. Click the button below to find the list of current volunteer needs. Use your web skills to help maintain the NCNPS website, write an article for the state quarterly newsletter or man a table at one of the Southern PIedmont Chapter community events this spring.
Our cold January weather means that you still have Dr. Mellichamp's "40 days at 40 degrees" weather to plant native seeds. Stop by the new seed library at Reedy Creek Nature Center to pick some up. Or drop some off if you have extra. If you have any questions or feedback, please send them to Kendra.Dixon@MeckNC.gov
Join Us.
Support the mission of the North Carolina Native Plant Society.
Get to know your fellow native plant enthusiasts.
Don't miss any of our members-only hikes and events.
Annual membership only $25 for individuals and $35 for families.
In case you missed it... Use the link below to watch the zoom recording of our last online meeting.
In January, Lesley Starke from the North Carolina Plant Conservation Program spoke with us about protecting our North Carolina endangered plant species in their native habitats and what we can do in our own lives to help the cause.
NCNPS has four handouts to help you select native plants for your garden. They are Favorite Native Plants for the Garden, A Native Plant Color Palette for the Garden, Native Groundcovers for the Garden and Ferns. You can download a copy of these handouts at this link.
UNCC Certificate in Native Plant Studies
UNCC Botanical Gardens has new classes in its Native Plant Studies certificate program. They include basic and advanced botany, sustainable gardening, landscape design, soils and wildflower ID. Click on this link for more information and to register for classes.
