Unusual Natives South Florida
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Phone: 718-623-7200
By Joan McDonald on April 1, 2000
South Florida
Carphephorus corymbosus (Florida paintbrush)
"A showy fall bloomer that attracts butterflies and thrives in dry soil."
—Sarah Kiefer, The Natives, Inc.
This perennial has downy, leafy stems 3 feet or taller. The flowerheads, borne from July to December, are much like those of the better-known genus Liatris, the blazing stars. The blooms are tubular and rose-colored. Tolerates very dry sites. Full sun.
Zone 8.
Helianthus debilis (Dune/Beach sunflower)
"Excellent perennial groundcover that attracts butterflies and is a great lawn alternative!"
—John Sibley, All Native Garden Center & Plant Nursery
A tall variety, 3 to 7 feet, with triangular, irregularly toothed, cucumber-like leaves. Year round, creamy yellow to pure white flowers with black centers bloom on its sturdy branches. A good cut flower. Grow in a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained neutral to alkaline soil. Full sun.
Zone 8-10.
Ruellia caroliniensis (Wild petunia)
"A good alternative to the aggressive, exotic species sold by many nurseries."
—Dan Walton, Florida Native Plants, Inc.
This long-blooming spreader re-seeds well. Its erect stems grow 10 to 15 inches tall, with 1-inch-wide, trumpet-shaped lilac to lavender-blue flowers. In its native range, it is found in prairies, open woods, and rocky banks. Grow in dry, acid soil. Full to partial sun. Does not tolerate salt.
Zone 5.
Florida has many other choice wildflowers as well: Dyschoriste oblongifolia (twin flower), Flaveria linearis (yellowtop), Gaillardia pulchella (blanket flower), Heliotropium angiospermum (scorpion's tail), Ipomoea pescaprae (railroad vine), Liatris spicata (gayfeather), Pityopsis graminifolia var. tracyi (silver leaf aster), Salvia coccinea (scarlet sage), Tradescantia ohioensis (spiderwort), and Verbena tampensis (Tampa verbena).
Copyright © 2012 BBG
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