By Beth Davis
It’s time on June 10 to celebrate our love of native plants and renew our friendships with other native plant enthusiasts from across the state. Come see what’s new this year at the Annual Picnic-Meeting, which will again be held at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, NC. The town of Misenheimer is located in the rural northeastern edge of the Charlotte region. Directions
Registration is required if you plan to attend as it will help us estimate the purchase of food and drink and to organize the setting. The event will be limited to NCNPS members plus one guest each for a total of 200 participants.
See how much fun we had last year!
What’s new in 2023?
The Setting The areas for activities will be more compact this year with indoor activities in the Jane Freeman Building and the chapel. Outdoor activities will be along the walkway from the parking lot to the chapel. This format will allow for more socializing and easier access to everything. In the event of rain, all activities will move indoors.
Pollen Oats Live Music This year our botany band will be centrally located in front of the Jane Freeman Building. Plan to enjoy botanical versions of favorite songs while you shop the plant sale and enjoy the picnic. Some of the selections by Pollen Oats are “Plants Have the Anthers,” “In Search of the PawPaw,” “If It’s Brown You Ought to Give it Water.”
Workshop and Hikes Come early to hear Southeastern Coastal Chapter Co-Chair Charley Winterbauer speak about “The importance of Native Plants for Birds” in the chapel at 9am. Self-guided hikes along the Falcon Trail, a 2.7 mile Carolina Thread Trail, and to the campus rain garden will be offered this year.
The Schedule Please check in at the Welcome Station when you arrive. Drop off your donated plants and food for the picnic between 9:00 and 10:00am.
| Arrival | Check in at Welcome Station, grab your name tag, drop off plants and food |
| 9:00-10:00 | Attend “Native Plants for Birds” talk in the chapel Browse community organization tables, take self-guided hikes |
| 10:00-10:30 | Annual meeting |
| 10:30-11:00 | Live auction of select special plants |
| 11/11:30 | Live music by Pollen Oats starts after auction |
| 11:30 | Plant sale and picnic open |
| 1:30 | “Late Bloomers” sale. Remaining plants 50% off |
| 2:00 | Final plant purchases |
The Food NCNPS will provide BBQ meat and drinks. It’s important that participants bring a side dish or dessert to share so that there is enough food for all. This year a vegan BBQ option will be available. Bring your lawn chairs, travel mugs, travel plates and utensils. Let’s make this event as eco-friendly as possible.
Please Volunteer! There are many member opportunities to help make the Annual Meeting happen. Please add your name to our volunteer list when you register. It’s a great way to meet members from across the state.
Grow your garden! Our annual members-only native plant sale is the best variety of member-donated and grown native plants in the state. Members delight in sharing rare, unusual, and hard to find favorites, many of which have been grown from seed.
Registration opened on May 1, 2023. Use this link to register for the event: Register for the Event. More details about the meeting, plant sale, payment options, and parking can be found on the registration page.
Many thanks to the Southern Piedmont Chapter Picnic Planning Committee: Carrie DeJaco, Mandy Bloom, Craig Maxwell, Carol Fox, Theresa Morr, Ellen Bird, Beth Davis.
By Beth Davis
Native Plant News – Summer 2023
Beth Davis is a past co-chair of the Southern Piedmont Chapter, making many new native plant friends locally and across the state. She has completed the Certificate in Native Plant Studies at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens and volunteers her time pulling unwanted plants (a.k.a. weeds) and partaking of their many educational opportunities.