Welcome

The Kentucky Native Plant Society was founded in 1986 for everyone interested in the native plants and wildflowers of Kentucky. Plants are essential to both the well-being of our Commonwealth’s natural ecosystems and our enjoyment of its unique environment. With members in Kentucky and neighboring states, the Kentucky Native Plant Society is a leader in promoting education about, appreciation for, and conservation of our native flora.

KNPS depends entirely on volunteers and the contributions of members and friends to accomplish our goals. If you are not a member, please consider joining today. If you are a member, now would be a great time to renew your membership. You can also make a tax deductible general donation to KNPS. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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What's Happening

Read the latest posts on the site.

This is a picture of seeds layered between moist paper towels.

Preparing wildflower seeds using the stratification method

By Susan Harkins Growing new native wildflowers from seed is inexpensive and satisfying if you really enjoy the hands-on approach. In Kentucky, most native wildflowers require some form of preparation, …

Calling all Artists & Graphic Designers! Enter the Wildflower Weekend 2025 Logo Design Contest

If you are an artist or graphic designer we would love for you to consider entering the Wildflower Weekend 2025 Logo Design Contest. This is an open design contest to …

From the Lady Slipper Archive: The Genus Viola (Violaceae) The Violets

There are approximately 40 to 50 species of wild violets occurring throughout North America. Of these, twenty-two species and several varieties occur in Kentucky …

KNPS 2024 Fall Meeting at Bernheim Arboretum & Pine Creek Barrens

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, over 30 KNPS members and friends came together for a day of botanical education and exploration at the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum & Pine Creek …

From the Lady Slipper Archives: The Slender Lip Fern in Kentucky

A single low dolomite ledge near Cedar Creek in Bullitt County harbors one of the most unique plant populations in Kentucky …

A tribute to my friend Max Medley. May he rest in peace.

We have lost one of the most gifted botanists of the past 100 years of the southeastern U.S …

2024 KNPS Fall Meeting, Oct 19, Bernheim Arboretum

Mark your calendars and plan to meet up with other KNPS members and friends as we head to the Bernheim Arboretum for the Society’s 2024 Fall Meeting, on Oct 19th …

Fall Planting Guide: Native Perennials to Plant Before Winter

Fall is a good time for planting flowers and greenery because native perennials develop stronger root structures as the weather gets colder …

Letter to the Editors; 20 Aug 2024

Conservation is a primary interest of KNPS, as stated in the mission statement and elsewhere, but what are its precise goals for “education, preservation, and protection of Kentucky’s native plants …

From the Lady Slipper Archives: Remnant Prairies at WKWMA

The Lady Slipper newsletter of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. This one, …

Bonnie Reid (1959-2024)

We were sad to hear of the passing in July of Bonnie Reid, a landscape architect and arborist in the Bluegrass Region …

Purple Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena A. Gray): A Small Restoration Success Story

The purple fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena A. Gray) is one of Kentucky’s 40+ , native, terrestrial orchids. It is widespread in Kentucky, though uncommon …

Pine Creek Barrens Field Trip Recap

Kentucky Native Plant Society led a hike of Bullitt County’s Pine Creek Barrens Nature Preserve on June 8th. The preserve has a mixture of oak-dominated woodlands, shallow limestone glades, and …

Ballard WMA Field Trip

On Saturday, June 15, a group of KNPS members and friends enjoyed a field trip to the Ballard WMA in Ballard county in far western Kentucky …

Wildflower Weekend 2024 in Review

On Friday, April 12th and Saturday, April 13, nearly 200 members and friends enjoyed KNPS’s 35th Wildflower Weekend, at Natural Bridge SRP! …

WHAT WE DO

KNPS works towards fulfilling our mission of education, preservation, and protection of the native plants and ecosystems of Kentucky through many activities.

Workshops & Symposia

One way the Society fulfills its mission of education is through workshops and symposiums on native plant studies and native plant identification. Workshops are narrowly focused, with a single instructor. Symposiums generally cover a broad range of topics with multiple presenters.

Learn More

Annual Events

Wildflower Weekend, at Natural Bridge SRP is a two day event in the spring that includes guided hikes, workshops, evening presentations, and opportunities to socialize with other native plant enthusiasts. Later in the year we have the Fall Meeting, at parks in other areas of the Commonwealth.

Learn More

Student Research Grants

KNPS is pleased to announce the student research grant program, a funding source to support botanical knowledge and understanding in Kentucky. We are pleased to offer awards of $500 for graduate student projects, and $250 for undergraduate projects.

Kentucky Botanical Hall of Fame

At a meeting in early 2015, the Kentucky Native Plant Society Board voted to establish a “Kentucky Botany Hall of Fame.” The intent of this Hall of Fame would be to recognize those people that had left a “substantial and long-lasting impact” on our knowledge of the flora and vegetation of the Commonwealth.

André Michaux (1746—1802)
The Father of Kentucky Botany

Go to Hall of Fame

Memorials

Over the years, the Kentucky Native Plant Society has lost several members who were seminal in the organization and development of the Society and who have provided important services to the "preservation and protection of native plants and ecological systems" in Kentucky.

Contact Us

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Welcome

What's Happening

Preparing wildflower seeds using the stratification method

Calling all Artists & Graphic Designers! Enter the Wildflower Weekend 2025 Logo Design Contest

From the Lady Slipper Archive: The Genus Viola (Violaceae) The Violets

KNPS 2024 Fall Meeting at Bernheim Arboretum & Pine Creek Barrens

From the Lady Slipper Archives: The Slender Lip Fern in Kentucky

A tribute to my friend Max Medley. May he rest in peace.

2024 KNPS Fall Meeting, Oct 19, Bernheim Arboretum

Fall Planting Guide: Native Perennials to Plant Before Winter

Letter to the Editors; 20 Aug 2024

From the Lady Slipper Archives: Remnant Prairies at WKWMA

Bonnie Reid (1959-2024)

Purple Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera peramoena A. Gray): A Small Restoration Success Story

Pine Creek Barrens Field Trip Recap

Ballard WMA Field Trip

Wildflower Weekend 2024 in Review

WHAT WE DO

Field Trips

Workshops & Symposia

Conservation

Annual Events

Student Research Grants

Kentucky Botanical Hall of Fame

Memorials

A tribute to my friend Max Medley. May he rest in peace.

Bonnie Reid (1959-2024)

Bob Dunlap (1955-2023)

Mary Carol Cooper (1942-2016)

Dr. Thomas G. Barnes (1957-2014)

Landon McKinney (1949-2014)

Charles Lapham (1934-2009)

KNPS Executive Committee

Jeff Nelson

Kendall McDonald

Kelly Watson

Sally Chambers

Contact Us

Events