Going Native

The back fenceline at My Garden Path has been a difficult area to garden successfully.  Part of it is deeply shaded and the soil is moist but well draining.  Another part of this area gets more sun and can be boggy during the rainy season but dry the rest of the year.  Many Florida native plants can take these conditions so I've been on the look-out for some natives for this troubling area. 

American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, was planted in the drier area with shifting shade.  It is just setting berries.  The bushes along the roadsides have been laden with magenta fruit for several weeks now.  Soon those lovely berries will be brightening up this shady spot. 

Shiny leaved Wild Coffee, Psychotria nervosa, was planted nearby.  This plant is not cold tolerant so I'm not sure it will survive here, but I just had to try it.  On top of all the other difficulties this area has, it is at the bottom of a slope and the cold air in winter collects against the fence. 

For the usually moister side of this area a Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, was chosen.  It has plenty of space to form a nice clump.

It is surrounded by Pinecone Ginger, Zingiber zerumbet, and Umbrella Sedge, Cyperus involucratus, which hopefully will all grow with abandon and give this spot a natural wetland look.

Another little Simpson's Stopper, Myrcianthes fragrans, was also placed in the occasionally wet spot.  It joins one planted at the beginning of summer which has done well. 

While on the hunt for native plants, I came across Pink Muhly Grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris, in all its glory.  Of course, this one isn't a good fit for the troublesome back fence growing conditions, but I had to get several anyway.  They are planted in another area where it is sunny and dry and the late afternoon sun can show them off to great advantage.

           

These native plants are soon to be experiencing an unpredictable Florida winter.  Hopefully, all will come through just fine and be ready to grow lush and full in the springtime creating an interesting naturalized setting.