Gardening with Native Plants: Wildflowers in Your Garden

By Candy Weller

Reprinted from The Understory, Jun.–Jul. 1997

As our members become more adept at growing native plants, they start experimenting with Florida wildflowers. While just about any of us can grow scarlet sage, dune sunflower and gaillardia, we are starting to hear of many successes with other species. Recently, a couple of us visited an FNPS member's garden in Sarasota County and were inspired by what we saw. She has created the feel of a cottage garden complete with picket fence. The garden was wrapped around the house, following the screened porch. Surprises poked up and out from every angle and very happy pollinators were buzzing and fluttering about. This garden is in an area which is wetter than the property surrounding most of the older homes in Pinellas. Yet, there are many plants which prefer dry soil, and others which can be grown by the addition of mulch or by providing some shade for part of the day. If you despair of your sandy soil, these flowers are for YOU.

White Beardtongue (Penstemon multiflorus) is a tall (3+ ft.) member of the snapdragon family. it likes lots of sun or it will get leggy, but plant supports placed over the basal rosettes early in the year will help. This is a tough plant and will last a long time as a cut flower. It can bloom more than once from spring to fall.

Pink Beardtongue (Penstemon australis) is a short (1 ft.) member of the snapdragon family that blooms in the spring. It should be planted in groups of 5-7 in full sun. Short flowers are usually grouped in gardens to increase visual impact, so if you can only have one, collect the seeds and grow some companions for next year.

Button Snakeroot (Eryngium yuccifolium) is a recent addition for many of us. A member of the celery family, Eryngiums are food for black swallowtail caterpillars. The basal leaves, with their tiny spines, form an attractive accent even when the plant is not blooming. Button snakeroot (aka rattlesnake master) has lots and lots of white flowers in heads with toothed bracts that may bloom spring, summer or fall. Its relatives corn snakeroot and fragrant eryngium have purple flowers. Give each button snakeroot at least three feet of space.

Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) is a member of the mint family. While the flowers look like those of scarlet sage, blue sage has a linear leaf which gives the plant a wispy look. This is another tall (3+ ft.) plant which benefits from some support. It can bloom from summer on.

Blue Curls (Trichostema dichotomum) Another mint, this annual is useful in an area where an earlier blooming plant has retired for the season. Don't overlook this flower because it is an annual. The color of blue curls is impossible to describe and the curving stamens which give it its name remind one of breeding plumage. This plant provides enough seed for many future plantings but, best of all, will reseed right under where it was growing and you can just dig up the seedlings and move them at your whim. Blue curls flower from summer to fall.

Blazing Star (Liatris spp.): Members of the aster family, blazing stars go with sunflowers like Dick goes with Jane. There are many different species, but the one most commonly available is L. spicata, which takes more moisture than the others. L. tenufolia and L. chapmanii are great additions to a garden. L. gracilis needs some extra room as it is as liable to loop as not. The spikes of flowers are always some shade of purple and, are guaranteed to bring comment. Blazing stars, depending on the species, can bloom summer to fall.

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