The Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year program annually recognizes four top performing landscape plants that support pollinators and grow beautifully in a garden. Plants will be recognized and promoted from the following categories: Spring Bloomer, Summer Bloomer, Fall Bloomer and Georgia Native. Seasonal selections may or may not be native.
Nominations are solicited from gardeners throughout Georgia and are then determined by a selection committee based on each plant’s horticultural value, ease of propagation and ecological significance.
We recognize the need for collaboration across all steps of production and marketing, from grower to consumer, in order to improve the availability of appropriate pollinator-supporting plants statewide. This program represents the combined efforts of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, growers, entomologists, landscape professionals and conservationists across the state. The program is funded in part by the Vaughn-Jordan Foundation.
Our Goals
- Create a network of horticultural professionals through which plant materials and propagation techniques can be shared.
- Increase statewide availability and diversity of pollinator-supporting plants for consumers.
- Teach the importance of plant selection for supporting pollinators in human landscapes.
Previous GPPY winners
Get Involved
Plant lovers
Nominate your favorite pollinator plants. Anyone can participate in the nomination process. We want to know which plants Georgians think perform well in their gardens and support high pollinator diversity.
Growers
Help us grow more of the winning plants. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will serve as a seed source for difficult to find plant selections. Limited quantities available.
Retailers
Let us know if you carry any of the winning plants in your store. We want to celebrate growers and retailers who are increasing the availability of pollinator plants.
Gardeners
Plant winning plants in your garden. Click here for a list of participating retailers.
Spring Bloomer – Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Height: 4-15 ft.
Bloom Time: March-April
Wildlife Value: Chickasaw Plum is a member of the keystone genus Prunus, serving as a larval host to many butterflies, such as the eastern tiger swallowtail, coral hairstreak, spring azure, viceroy and red-spotted purple. This species is also a valuable early-spring nectar and pollen source for many bees, butterflies and other insects. Chickasaw Plum tends to form thickets, which serve as cover for songbirds and small mammals. The fruit is eaten by mammals, songbirds and other wild birds and is edible to humans, although usually too tart to be eaten raw and preferred as preserves and jellies.
Horticultural Recommendations: Depending on environmental conditions and pruning, the Chickasaw Plum can be a shrub or a small tree. This species is prone to forming thickets, so it is recommended to prune root suckers if you prefer the plant not to spread.
Summer Bloomer – Beardtongues
Penstemon
Light: Sun-shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Height: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Time: May-July
Wildlife Value: Penstemons are well-known hummingbird magnets. They also serve as a major nectar source for bees, including the specialist distinct mason bee, which will only feed from species in the penstemon genus. Other insects enjoy their nectar, such as moths, flies, solitary wasps and butterflies.
Horticultural Recommendations: Penstemons can grow in a range of light conditions, but they flower best in full to partial sun. While they tolerate a range of soil types, they require well-drained soil.
Fall Bloomer – Climbing Aster
Ampelaster carolinianus
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water Requirements: Medium to high
Height: Sprawling vine
Bloom Time: September-November
Wildlife Value: Climbing Aster is a larval host to the pearl crescent butterfly. This vine flowers profusely and attracts crowds of butterflies, bees and other insects. The seeds, which set in late fall, are eaten by songbirds and small mammals.
Horticultural Recommendations: Climbing Aster can tolerate occasionally wet soil but prefers to be in well-drained media. This species grows enthusiastically and requires occasional pruning if spread is not desired. We recommend planting this vine with plenty of space to grow, such as over fence lines or in more spacious beds.
Georgia Native – Golden Groundsel
Packera aurea
Light: Full sun to shade
Water Requirements: Medium to high
Height: 1-2 ft.
Bloom Time: March-April
Wildlife Value: Golden Groundsel is an important early spring pollen and nectar source for many native bee species and other insects.
Horticultural Recommendations: This species can form a thick ground cover, especially in shady areas, creating a golden carpet-like display of flowers. Golden Groundsel is also known to be deer-resistant.
