These Natives Are Friendly

Back in October I attended Boktoberfest at Bok Tower Gardens where I purchased some Florida native plants.  All but one have made it through what I hope is the worst of our winter.

(You can read about the original purchase here.)

Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, is still holding onto its leaves and berries though it is showing some effect from the cold.  I have been surprised with the leaves continuing to stay on the plant as everything I've read says this plant is deciduous.  I'm hoping for new leaves and flowers in the spring. 

The Beautyberry and a Wild Coffee, Psychotria nervosa, were planted in the shady area of the garden near each other and where the soil stays dry.  I saw these planted together at Bok Tower and thought they made a great combo.  The Wild Coffee, however, has not fared well this winter.  It has lost all its leaves, so no photo of it; too depressing.  I do hope it will return with warmer weather, but it isn't the winter interest for which I've been striving.

Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, is doing quite well through the cold and even appears to have grown a little.  I really like the fan shaped leaves and the way it seems happy in the shady part of the garden.  It hasn't yet been tested by the soggy soil but I'm optimistic from what I've read about it's natural habitat.

The little Simpson's Stopper, Myrcianthes fragrans,  lost a few leaves but is growing new ones so I'm hoping that is all in the natural, native way of things. 

These plants are placed in the toughest part of the garden.  It is partly shady and sometimes quite wet.  If we have a wet spring, they will get a chance to show whether they have what it takes. 

I'm hoping these will be a spot of life in this area during the winter.  All the pinecone gingers and canna lilies go underground until spring and leave quite a blank spot. 

Once winter is over (just a few more weeks) I'm hoping these natives will become established and healthy.  I would like to see this trouble spot become an attractive natural and native habitat.

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.