WILDFLOWERS
Written By Jan Brick, Certified Master Gardener

Remember Euonymus and Pittosporum? Remember Red-Tip Photinia and Ligustrum? Remember Azaleas, Begonias, Hybrid Roses and Marigolds? It was not that long ago that when planning a landscape design for a home, these plants were included as a matter of course.

Then home landscape design became more popular as we realized that “outdoor rooms” or gardens could be as unique and as enjoyable as our interior spaces. New plants introduced through plant nurseries and big-box garden centers made the unusual easily accessible to the home gardener.

Competition for the most unique, the most trendy and the showiest in blooms and foliage was on…tropical gardens became the “in thing” as plants from other countries became available…then “green” was in and drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping became common terms.

In recent years, gardeners have become capricious and unpredictable but some plants have survived the trends and have remained consistent selections for extended periods of time. Oleanders and Hibiscus are good examples.

We have seen Plumbago, Plumeria, Agapanthus and Esperanza come into fashion as well enjoying highly rated popularity. It is always interesting to see what is the “hottest” plant each year. Whatever happened to Rangoon Creeper? It was very hot several seasons ago.

This spring, I have noticed the three old reliable favorites become popular on the Island once again – the Bottlebrush, Daylilies and Foxtail fern. You may want to consider including them in your newest landscape strategy.

The Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) is a woody shrub that originally came from Australia that makes excellent garden plants. Their blooms can be spectacular and are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies.

They are frost tolerant, can thrive in damp conditions, yet are very hardy and will tolerate drought and low maintenance. They grow well in a wide variety of soils; plant in sun for best results and mulch to help retain soil moisture.

I have a large bottlebrush that survived Hurricane Ike and several previous salt-water immersions from tropical storms and rising tides. It was the only flowering plant in my garden when the hummingbirds returned on their spring migration. The bottlebrush is on my “user-friendly” list…no pest concerns and an occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer will keep it content and thriving.

Daylilies have beautiful blooms that only last a day, hence the name “Day” lily. They provide a long season of colorful blossoms and attractive foliage, and ask little in return.

Few perennials are as tough, long-lived or pest-free. Daylilies do, however, benefit from being dug up and divided every few years, a process their natural toughness allows them to endure.

Daylilies are very easy to grow. They like sun (but will tolerate some shade) and plenty of water (but daylilies will thrive in good soil with no additional watering). When your daylilies become overcrowded, divide them by digging up large clumps and soaking in water to loosen. Pull the clumps apart or cut them apart and replant.
Foxtail ferns (Asparagus meyeri), native to South Africa, are compact upright plants that generally grow to two feet in height with feathery, needle-like stems. Small red berries follow the appearance of modest white flowers.

Foxtail fern has “exotic, eye-catching bottle brush-like foliage”. It is fast growing, pest free and drought tolerant…may be used as a groundcover or in containers.
When selecting plants for your home landscape whether your garden is trendy, old-fashioned, cottage style, tropical, a monochromatic theme as we have discussed in recent months or an electrifying riot of color… let it be a reflection of you and your personality. Be wild! Be crazy! Be calm and tranquil! Be you!