Autumn
It has been a spectacular fall. The wildflowers have been especially lovely. So wild and all over the place. I find them even in places you don't expect. Take the salt bush for example. I think this is more common south of me, however I have salt bush on my property, which is a red clay hill. Another of my favorites is the darling Frost Aster.
The ageratum grows in patches around the place inviting the long-tailed skippers.
Firebush is an excellent plant for your garden. It naturally grows in central to south Florida, yet it grows very well here, obtaining an impressive size for a plant that is frozen to the ground in our cold winters.
In a field nearby, there is Agalinus and some Liatrus, which is also spread around my place. In fields and roadsides the crotalaria, aka rattlebox, has about finished, and seed pods are forming. These pods will dry and pop open, scattering the seeds over the ground.
On an embankment grows dotted horsemint. Along the roadsides and in the fields are sweeps of goldenrod, which is not the cause of hayfever since its pollen is sticky and not windborne, but is the result of the less conspicuous ragweed. My swathes of rough sunflower have put on quite a show. I also enjoy the multitude of wild grasses with their miniature seed heads in subtle colors.
My philosophy is...plant a backyard garden that is tough, self-maintaining, and requires little care from the already over-burdened, time shortened home owner. I also try not to plant more than I can handle. It is better to have fewer, well maintained beds than many ragged unkempt beds. Some places like my rough sunflower area are left to run wild. When I plant my native plants I do very little to the soil. I might add a special amendment every now and then but it is rare. If you want to add something use chicken manure and lime for general planting. Lime is especially good for columbine and maidenhair fern. First I think the soil is already pretty darn rich. It is red clay with a good layer of dead plant, leaf, and grass material laying on top. I mix this up, turning it over and over. I then throw in whatever compost is ready. It is watered and left to sit a few days. I hardly ever have to water since the soil is prepared at the very beginning. Native plants, in the first place, do not need a lot of care or water since they are already adapted to their environment. Then whatever I am planting goes in. Some plants, like rough sunflower, are just put in wherever and I do nothing to the soil. They run like wildfire, which is a good reason to plant them where they can take off.
When it gets a little colder I will go ahead and put a layer of pinestraw (don't you love the color of the needles when they first fall in the autumn?) from the yard over plants (root balls) that need protection from freezing; lantanas, pentas, firebush, etc.
Here are some plants that you will want to consider for attracting our wonderful, varied wildlife. Remember, when we consider wildlife we are talking the whole spectrum. From the tiny Micrathena, a small, glossy, hard spider, to the delicate hummer to the long quick black snakes that sometimes drink from a bird bath on the ground. Sometimes I feel like I am living in a jungle.
Coral honey suckle--native nectar plant for hummers
American beauty berry--the berries are eaten by birds
Sweet gum--birds, goldfinches and pine siskins love the seeds
Dogwoods--the berries are eaten by a variety of wildlife
Wax myrtle--small waxy berries produced by the female plant are eaten by birds
Hawthorn--the fruit is eaten by rabbits,foxes, birds
Persimmons--the fruit is eaten by birds and mammals
Sassafras--fruit is eaten by an interesting clientele of birds
Blackberry--eaten by a large variety of wildlife
Bamboo brier Smilax--fruit eaten by mammals and birds, also good cover
Winged sumac--this is not a favorite but it is around when everything else has been consumed
Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall