Working in Public Spaces
For several years Beech Hollow has been working in public spaces around the Atlanta Metro Area helping out with native plant installations. We thought we would put up a couple of posts about these native plant projects.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA):
BHF have been working with the staff at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) for the past few years to plant and maintain native Georgia plants in two areas at the Island Ford Visitor’s Center. The front entrance area has proved to be the toughest to re-vegetate, as the deer have been relentlessly munching plants down to the ground and have even pulled out whole root balls just days after we planted them!
Despite the overabundant, graceful pests we have had deer proof successes in a very sunny area that is only irrigated by rainfall. Plants like Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccafolium), American Aloe (Manfreda virginica), and Splitbeard Bluestem (Andropogon ternarius) are quite happily flowering in the poor, often dry soils of the driveway median.
We will continue working with Park staff and volunteers to reestablish native plant populations along the edges of the entrance and near the historic Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center building in the coming year. Come out and lend a hand, or just visit to check out our plantings, hike the numerous trails, and see the natural beauty that will make you forget you’re in a large city.
Just in case you are curious, here is the list of approved native plants for the CRNRA:
Shrubs:
New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus
Georgia Basil, Clinopodium georgianum
Cedar Glade St Johnswort, Hypericum frondosum
Maple-leaf Viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium
Perennials:
Tall Thimbleweed, Anemone virginiana
Bird’s foot Violet, Viola pedata
Barren Strawberry, Waldsteinia lobata
Green and Gold, Chrysogonum virginianum
Woodland Phlox, Phlox divaricata
Pussytoes, Antennaria plantaginifolia
Blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium spp
Eastern beardtongue, Penstemon laevigatus
Hoary skullcap, Scutellaria incana
Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa
Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium
Narrow leaved Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum tennuifolium
Coreopsis, Coreopsis grandiflora
Cornel leaf Aster, Doellingeria infirma
Goldenaster, Chrysopsis mariana
Red disk Sunflower, Helianthus atrorubens
Blue Mistflower, Conoclinium coelestinuum
Georgia aster, Symphyotrichum georgianum
