Garden Club of Cape Coral | Going native
By SYLVIA SWARTZ
As I write this article, I think of Carole Kerns, a long-time member of our writing team, who recently passed away. She was such a gentle person who loved to write – not only about gardens and gardening but also for her church magazine and women’s groups. Despite being in ill health, writing was her way of staying connected and still contributing. We will miss her.
The subject of many of Carole’s articles both for this newspaper and the News Press’s Tropicalia section, was native plants – her mantra reflected the Florida Friendly mantra – Right plant, Right place, using native plants to make our landscaping more resilient – and cheaper to maintain! Native plants, once well established, don’t have to be replaced. They weather our droughts and the wind and the rain – in fact, they can thrive on it. Native plants are also better for wildlife and are far more sustainable than the more exotic ornamental plants, which while showy and dramatic, can be transient in our Zone 10b climate.
Our native plants have evolved in Southwest Florida’s heat, and humidity; they tolerate our sandy soils, salt spray, hurricanes and local insect communities, so they thrive with less water, fewer chemicals and far less maintenance. They also support pollinators, birds and wildlife, stabilize soil and reduce storm damage. Their value to wildlife is enormous – they host far more caterpillars, pollinators and birds than exotics. Take a look at these statistics:
• 30-50% less water use compared to exotics
• Superior wind resistance
• Salt tolerant for coastal yards
By choosing to use plants that have evolved within the area where we garden, we create landscapes that are both beautiful and functional. A successful native garden begins with thoughtful plant selection. Examine and know your site condition — sun exposure, moisture levels, soil type and wind patterns. Do your research. Choose plants that fit your site. But remember, that gardens don’t just happen. You need to plan, otherwise your garden will simply be a hotchpotch of individual plants with nothing holding it together.
Key things to remember:
• Layer plants by height – this not only creates structural diversity, it’s also good for nature since it supports wildlife at multiple levels.
• Include species that bloom across seasons. This not only provides year-round interest in the garden but also gives continuous nectar and pollen for insects and – potentially – hummingbirds, although I have found those wonders of nature to be rare in this neck of the woods.
• Include some trees – native trees such as live oak (Quercus virginiana) not only provide shade but also support hundreds of insect species, forming the base of the food chain for birds and small mammals.
• Plant shrubs like beautyberry (Cal-licarpa) and firebush (Hamelia patens), both of which provide berries and shelter.
• Use herbaceous plants that will support butterfly larva, e.g., milkweed (Asclepia) and passionflower (Passiflora). There is a wide variety of both available.
Native plant gardening also improves soil health. Their deep, adapted root systems enhance take-up of water, minimizing run-off. Their roots anchor the soil, reducing erosion and, of course, feed beneficial microbes. As leaves and roots decompose, nutrients form – naturally strengthening the soil’s composition.
Florida has its own Native Plant Society and The Coccoloba Chapter of the FNPS is a great resource – check out their website at fnpscocooloba.org, and visit their garden at River Oaks Preserve – it’s open to visitors Tuesdays or Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (9541 Broadway Ave., East, in Estero). Shop, stroll or just visit with like-minded people. There are also several commercial local nurseries where native plants can be evaluated and purchased.
Remember, we (the Garden Club of Cape Coral) always have a pollinator plant table at our annual March in the Park event – come join us at Rotary Park, Rose Garden Road, March 6, 2027. However, remember pollinator doesn’t always mean native.
Take a trip – go native!
Sylvia Swartz is president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram.