A Novel Approach
by Tom Hewitt
Who hasn’t been disappointed in a pack of wildflower seed? Even ones formulated for the southeastern U.S. perform poorly in south Florida. That’s why I was so excited to see Jane Thompson of Indian Trails Nursery introducing the concept of “mini-meadows” at the spring sale at Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.
These custom-made containers can last for up to two years on the patio. Photo by Tom Hewitt
Florida has countless wildflowers to choose from, but many are difficult to establish. That’s why growing them in containers until they’re able to fend for themselves is such a good idea.
But Jane takes it further. Her plants actually stay in their containers, where they gradually spread out and self-sow. The pots themselves are made of biodegradable, recycled paper, and can last up to two years on the patio before being placed in the ground.
Russelia rotundifolia ‘San Carlos’ is a good hummingbird attractor. Photo by Tom Hewitt
Biodegradable pots do more than leave a greener footprint, Jane notes. They breathe like clay, improve soil aeration and limit transplant shock by disturbing root systems as little as possible. This is especially important when it comes to transplanting delicate things like wildflowers.
Jane deals in native plants, but she doesn’t limit herself to natives when designing mini-meadows. Nor does she limit herself to wildflowers. “I expand on the concept to include any combo a customer wants,” she says, noting that a mini-meadow can be tailored to fit most any plant community in Florida. She also designs herb and succulent bowls.
Native combos are still her favorites, though. Her seaside mix includes pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) planted in the middle, surrounded by blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) and railroad vine (Ipomoea pescaprae) cascading over the edges. She also suggests golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis) and sea oxeye daisy (Borrichia frutescens) for coastal bowls.
Jane’s meadows self seed and spready out. Photo by Tom Hewitt
Jane designs mini-meadows in three sizes: 12, 14 and 18 inch. The largest can accommodate up to five 1-gallon plants, while the smallest can handle just three 4-inch plants. “It takes six weeks or so for things to really fill in,” she says, “depending on the species.”
Mini-meadows are great butterfly attractors, Jane says, with sunshine mimosa (M. strigillosa) making a good base for building up with taller species like salvias and coreopsis. Other good choices include twinflower (Dyschoriste oblongifolia), scorpion’s tail (Heliotropium angiospermum), tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) and silk grass (Pityopsis graminifolia).
In addition to natives, Jane likes using what she terms “Florida-friendly” plants to attract various pollinators. Her favorites include angelonias for bees and upright firecracker plant (Russelia sarmentosa) for hummingbirds. She especially likes using the compact ‘Grafitti’ series of pentas and ‘Evolution’ series of mealy cup sage (Salvia farinacea) to attract butterflies.
Not everything in Jane’s containers self-sows, but even the annuals she selects for temporary color last a long time. That way, combos continue to look pretty on the patio until they’re ready to be put in the ground.
Jane poses with one of her shady combos: peperomia, coontie and spiderwort. Photo by Tom Hewitt
Choices are endless. Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) and dwarf chenille (Acalypha pendula) work well for cascading over the edges of containers, Jane notes, “though you’ll want to keep their stems circling around in your pot until they fill in.” She adds a slow-release fertilizer at time of planting that feeds them for up to a year. Just water as needed, keeping in mind that most natives don’t need much supplemental watering during our wet summers.
One of Jane’s favorite shade-loving native combos is coontie, peperomia (P. obtusifolia) and lyre-leaf sage (S. lyrata). “I love the crimson-veined leaves and lavender flowers of lyre-leaf sage,” she says. “It not only looks good in a wildflower garden, but it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds as well.”
Seaside goldenrod is great for coastal dune areas. Photo by Tom Hewitt
Not all biodegradable containers are alike, Jane notes. They decompose at various rates, depending on what they’re made of. Some even come in bright colors and can last for several years. Biodegradable containers are the way of the future, with more choices on the horizon. Those made of coir (coconut husks) work well, Jane notes, adding that paper pulp and coir are both earth-friendly alternatives to peat. “Save our peat bogs,” she says.
Incidentally, if you’re still looking for that perfect wildflower mix for Florida, you might consider making one yourself. Try mixing together one seed packet of each of the following: flamingo flower (Celosia spicata), tropical sage (Salvia coccinea), yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), tall globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa), mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), blanket flower and tickseed. Also, check out packets of Florida wildflower seed at www.floridawildflowers.com.
Tom Hewitt is a freelance writer and gardening consultant from West Palm Beach.
© 2013 Tom Hewitt. Originally published in Florida Gardening, Jun / Jul 2013. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Some of Jane's Favorite Mini-meadow combos
Coastal mix: Blanket flower, beach verbena, dune sunflower and sea purslane (Susuvium portulacastrum) or golden creeper.
Butterfly mix: Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’ or tropical sage, blazing star (Liastris sp.), blanket flower and coreopsis.
Wet area mix: Twinflower, aquatic mint (Micromeria brownei), blue flag iris and blue-eyed grass.
Shady mix: Coontie, spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) and peperomia.
Succulent mix: Prickly pear (Opuntia humifus), Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia) and purslane.
Purchase biodegradable containers online: https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/search?q=biodegradable
Indian Trails Nursery: https://indiantrails.vpweb.com (please call ahead)