Wildflower Program
The Wildflower Program began in 1974 when Mrs. Virginia Hand Callaway, then chair of the Birds and Wildflowers Committee of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., spearheaded the movement to plant and protect wildflowers on the roadsides. GCG in partnership with Georgia DOT began a program to protect the roads wildflowers and promote the seeding of annuals and perennials as enhancement to the state's highways. Within recent years, the planting of spring bulbs has also brought earlier blooms to the major expressways. This unique program of a volunteer organization rewarding government employees is recognized nationally as a model for other states.

Awards are presented by GCG each year to participants in the Highway Beautification Awards program co-sponsored by GCG and Georgia DOT.

State and District Chairmen encourage local garden clubs to make donations to this effort. Clubs who donate at least $25 receive a certificate of appreciation at the annual meeting of GCG. See "What to Send Where" for the address of the current state Chairman. Or use this Roadside Beautification Donation Form to send your donation.

	Black-eyed Susan License Plate The new Purple Coneflower License Plate

Wildflower Auto Tag
Following legislation in 1998 and 2001, the Georgia DOT partnered with the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. to design and manufacture the Wildflower Auto Tag. The auto tag created by Georgia DOT Artist Stan Smith features the Black-eyed Susan which was chosen based on its extensive familiarity among Georgians.

Individual members are encouraged to purchase a Wildflower Tag for their family automobiles at their local tag office and a $10 portion of the extra $35 annual fee will go to fund the Wildflower program.

Daffodil Project
In the spring of 2007, Georgians witnessed daffodils bursting from the ground along side major expressways. In an effort to extend the window of blooming flowers along the roadsides, Georgia DOT landscape architects chose daffodils which require little maintenance and are simple to plant.

They called on the expertise of Jaydee Ager, Executive Director of the American Daffodil Society and former President of the Garden Club of Georgia, to help choose the best varieties for Georgia roadsides. With her insight, they selected Narcissus "Ice Follies," Narcissus x odorus Linnaeus (Campernelli), and Narcissus "Carlton" varieties as the most suitable and dependable.

"The daffodil varieties selected will tolerate the harsh roadside environment and they will come back each spring," said Ager. "Georgia DOT officials made an environmentally sound, economical decision to add popular daffodils to their ongoing roadside beautification effort."

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