What's up in the Garden?
Blue Porterweed
The sign pictured identifies our native Blue Porterweed, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. One of the first chores completed in the garden was the removal of all the non-native Porterweed, Stachytarpheta cayennensis (synonym S. urticifolia). Not only is this plant not a native, it is also listed on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's 2005 list as a Category II plant. These are species that have shown a potential to disrupt native plant communities. Part of the plan for the garden is to have it free of all plants listed as exotics by the FEPPC.
Bushy Aster
Symphyotrichum dumosum, known as the Bushy Aster or the Rice Button Aster, is an erect herbaceous perennial with narrow, alternate leaves, forming loose, wiry clumps of branching stems and compact stalks of small bluish, lavender, or whitish daisy-like flowers with yellowish to reddish centers in clusters at the tips of stems. The plant grows up to 4' tall with underground runners and blooms from summer through fall.
Bushy aster grows from root divisions or seeds. Spreading by rhizomes, it can be weedy in gardens. Plant in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade.
Climbing Aster
The Climbing Aster, Symphyotrichum carolinianum, was formally known as Aster carolinianus. The scientific name was changed during the process of preparing a revised edition of the Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, 1998.
Common Pawpaw
It was a wonderful surprise when we discovered pawpaws growing in the garden. Thank you to the bird or critter that planted them for us. One is budding right now. A characteristic of Asimina reticulata is that the flowers are born on growth of previous season, opening before or with the emergence of current season's leaves When it blooms we will see the showy, 2-3" wide flowers with their creamy white outside and reddish-purple base. The flowers are very fragrant with a strong spicy odor. Blooms first appear in late winter and continue into early spring.
Elephant's Foot
In the garden or along the road side and trails, now is the time to find Elephant's Foot, Elephantopus elatus, putting on its show of flowers. The flowers are found at the top of tall stems often a foot or more in height, which rises from basal prostrate leaves. These hairy broad leaves are arrayed in a circular pattern, which gives the plant its common name, though perhaps Elephant's Footprints would be more accurate.
More Articles...
Page 1 of 3