Mississippi Celebrates Native Plant Month in April
In partnership with: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Native plants have never been more important for helping the environment, and thanks to the effort of volunteers and cooperation of state leaders, Mississippi now recognizes the entire month of April as Native Plant Month. This monthlong recognition brings awareness and educates others on the significance of these native plants, including coreopsis, columbine, purple coneflower, sunflowers, azalea, black-eyed Susans and many more.
Drawing inspiration from Nancy Linz, who had successfully led the campaign in her home state of Ohio to proclaim April as Ohio Native Plant Month in 2019, Hollidae Morrison and Lyn McMillin, members of The Garden Club of Jackson, set out on their own similar journey in 2022.
“After researching Mississippi native plants, we worked with the governor’s office to give Gov. Tate Reeves information on what Ohio did, and why this was important,” McMillin says. “We were thrilled to have his signature on this proclamation declaring April as Mississippi Native Plant Month. Since proclamations must be renewed every year, we then set our sights on having a law passed, which would permanently mark the event. We began our work immediately and knew that a bill would require much more work and would be a yearlong effort.”
Mississippi Native Plant Month Is Now an Annual Event
And on March 6, 2023, both McMillin and Morrison were present when Reeves put pen to paper and signed Senate Bill 2137, designating April as Mississippi Native Plant Month.
“The main thing this bill does is raise awareness of the importance of native plants,” Morrison says.
“We can all make a difference by incorporating native plants into our landscapes. One simple way to protect our air, water and soil to maintain healthy ecosystems is to plant many more native plants that support pollinators and native wildlife.”
Morrison says adding native plants to landscapes a few at a time will go a long way to creating healthy ecosystems that promote biodiversity throughout the state.
See more: Rural Mississippi Farms Receive Support for Eco-Friendly Practices
Planting a Partnership
McMillin, Morrison and members of The Garden Club of Jackson work closely with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC).
“We are grateful that Commissioner Andy Gipson and his staff are fully on board with our efforts,” Morrison says. “During the last legislative session, The Garden Club of Jackson joined the MDAC staff at the Capitol building to promote native plants by giving out native plant seeds. Through MDAC’s Genuine MS® program, they promote Genuine MS® member nurseries that carry native plants and provide a link to all Mississippi nurseries and nursery dealers, which are registered with MDAC’s Bureau of Plant Industry.
MDAC staff also distributed wildflower seeds at the Mississippi Farmers Market this past April.
Native Plant Promotion
“In September, we launched our Native Plant Educational Exhibit at the Mississippi Book Festival, promoting Mississippi Native Plant Month to thousands of attendees,” McMillin says. “In addition to our educational banners, we distributed brochures listing Mississippi native plants, displayed and identified native plants that are easily accessible, and gave away seeds that people could plant in their gardens. We are networking with nurseries to ensure that they not only carry native plants but that they identify them with signage and direct customers to where they can find them and how they can grow them.”
McMillin and Morrison continue their efforts working with The Garden Club of America (GCA) member clubs throughout the nation sharing their knowledge and experiences.
“We are so proud that Mississippi is the second state in the nation to have the law passed to recognize the importance of native plants for an entire month and to be a leader in GCA’s National Native Plant Initiative,” McMillin says. “Following our example and that of Ohio, there are now four other states that have since had similar laws passed: California, Colorado, New Jersey and Louisiana.”
See more: Hardworking Hands Produce Food, Fiber and Fuel in Mississippi
Pick a Popular Native Plant
Purple Coneflower: This native perennial thrives in full sun, requires average watering and prefers dry soil types. Each plant is expected to grow 2 to 4 feet tall. It’s a favorite among pollinators, adds a vibrant touch to any garden and is novice-gardener friendly.
Oakleaf Hydrangea: This shrub does well in full sun or partial shade but needs consistent moisture, which can be retained by additional mulch on top of the soil. It’s prized for its large, showy blooms that change color throughout the season, making this plant perfect for a flower-filled garden or blooming landscape.
Black Cherry Trees: This tree prefers full sun and medium water conditions to reach its staggering 60 to 90 feet height. It’s known for its beautiful white blossoms in spring and its fruit, which attracts birds and other wildlife. However, keep these away from the cattle fields because the leaves can be poisonous in large quantities to livestock.
Redbud Tree: This tree enjoys full sun, at least four hours per day, to part shade and requires average watering. It’s a popular choice for its stunning display of flowers in early spring and each variety shows a different color in the fall. Expect these trees to grow as tall as 7 feet within their first five years.
To learn more about native plants and Native Plant Month in Mississippi, visit mdac.ms.gov.