Most folks here are plant nuts in general, but I think most of us also have certain plants that we love most, and perhaps the beauty of a certain kind of plant opened you up to gardening in a more general way. Camellias were my [ahem] "gateway drug"...
I just got my new membership card for the American Camellia Society in the mail, and noticed that the card can be used for free or discounted entry to a number of public gardens in the U.S. Via the American Horticultural Society, a lot of those gardens and societies have reciprocal privileges:
https://ahsgardening.org/garde...
It's nearly year's end, so maybe this is a good time to join or rejoin a plant society that represents a plant you especially love. A membership might also make a good gift for a gardening friend, and needs no gift wrap. Like many businesses and organizations, plant nurseries, plant societies and public gardens are struggling during the pandemic. If you can afford it, a membership could benefit you and them.
Also, almost every US state has a Native Plant Society. Our state's society has regional chapters that have spring and fall plant sales, as well as lectures and field trips. Here's a handy list of native plant societies in the US and Canada:
https://ahsgardening.org/garde...
Just a friendly reminder,
Virginia (who now needs to follow her own advice & pay her SCNPS dues)
