Garden Club of Cape Coral | Flowers during dry times
By SHERIE BLEILER
news@breezenewspapers.com
What a spell of dry weather we have had so far this fall. We usually get cold fronts that bring us some rain every week or two at the end of the year, but not this year. Weather reports tell us we are in a moderate drought. This year, we have received about 13 inches less rain than an average. From January to May, rain is even less frequent. Watering restrictions are in place and may increase if the drought continues. So what are we gardeners to plant for color and flowers this season?
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vinca. PROVIDED
Actually, we have quite a few options! Our native plants have learned to adapt to our seasonal wet and dry seasons. They are also accustomed to grow in sand, which does not retain water well. Similar drought conditions occur for plants around the world. To help plants retain moisture, apply a 1 or 2-inch layer of mulch of pine straw or shredded wood to your flower bed. Let the soil dry out before watering to encourage those roots to run deeper. Remember that all new plants need to be watered more often until they are established. Here are some suggested drought tolerant flowering plants.
Dune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis): Or beach sunflower. A non-stop bloomer, this is a spreading ground cover with 2-inch, beautiful yellow daisies. Growing in salty beach sand in the blazing sun is one of the most difficult environments in which to grow. So you know this native flower will thrive in a sunny area of the yard. It spreads 3-4 feet and is easily started from seed. Pollinators flock to these flowers.
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella): The red and yellow riot of color from these 3-inch Mexican daisy flowers will last many months. They love sunny, dry, sandy locations. At 12-18 inches tall, these flowers can “blanket” a large area using very little water. Excellent for pollinators. Trim to help it grow new shoots near the center.
Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens): This South African succulent grows well in sunny, dry poor soils. There are varieties with yellow or orange flowers with vertical grass-like leaves that grow a foot tall. They tend to spread over time, becoming clumps, lasting year after year.
Vinca (Catharanthus roseus): Also called Madagascar periwinkle. A cheerful flower often seen all over town because it is so easy to grow here, and also re-seeds itself. It comes in many rosy colors and white above glossy green leaves. Handles drought well. As you trim it to keep it 12-18 inches, bring them inside for colorful cut flowers. This also comes as a trailing plant, called Cora Cascade, good for hanging baskets or as a ground cover. It is a long lasting annual.
False Petunia (Ruellia caroliniana): Dry shady locations can be a challenge. This low-growing drought tolerant perenial has light-blue flowers. While it blooms more when in the sun, its green leaves with soft blue flowers lend a cooling effect under trees. It tends to spread over time. This native Florida plant should not be confused with the invasive and larger Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex), which spreads to wild places, taking the place of useful plants that belong in Florida’s ecosystem.
Of course, there are many more drought resistant flowers, as in short-lived annuals like zinnnia, portulaca (moss rose), marigold and gazania. Experiment and see which work best for you.
Wishing you a colorful winter-spring season in our sub-tropical paradise.
Sherie Bleiler volunteers at the Cape Coral-Lee County Library butterfly garden and Sands Park butterfly garden, and is past president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like them on their Facebook page.