Pan's Garden a 'treasure trove' of native plants
Let's stop turning our island into a landscape monoculture and instead plant some natives that will nurture wildlife.
Patron Lydia Mann, holding the hand of her granddaughter Elizabeth “Izzy” Melahdo, at the Nov. 25, 1994, dedication of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s Pan’s Garden. CAPEHART
December 11, 2020
We are so lucky in Palm Beach to have a wealth of diverse plant material from which to choose for all our garden and landscaping needs. Why is it then that landscapers consistently plant the same four species in every situation?
Wherever you look, you will find green island ficus, Schefflera trinette, podocarpus and Jasmine minima. I will bet there isn’t a single property on Palm Beach that doesn’t have at least one of these. And while they each have a place in specific locations, they have been vastly overused.
But we are also incredibly lucky to have an outstanding public garden right in the center of town where anyone can go and seek out beautiful native, sustainable plant material. Pan’s Garden at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. It is a treasure trove of glorious native plants unequalled in beauty, color, texture and value to the landscape.
What better source for anyone interested in learning what to plant to bring birds, butterflies and basic wildlife back to the sterile, artificial landscapes we have created. The only way we can achieve a self-sustaining natural balance in our landscape is through diversity and complexity of native plant material.
Loss of birds
Land converted to urban development has dramatically decreased the habitat of our native birds and wildlife. Since 1970, we have lost more than 3 billion birds in North America, which represents almost a third of the entire population, and the rates of decline are increasing.
As habitat loss and toxic pesticides are considered the leading drivers in this decline, there is an urgency now to providing landscapes that will provide the beauty we want with the sustainability we so desperately need.
This is not difficult; we simply need to adapt our traditional approach to landscape design. We can’t continue to wage war on all insects under the pretense of “environmental control.'' Our landscapes should be more than mere window dressing; they need to provide the means for movement and migration of birds and wildlife, and the necessary habitat for their continued survival.
Who doesn’t thrill to the arrival of a hummingbird or a beautiful painted bunting, or to watching an exquisite butterfly emerge from a shiny chrysalis? These should all be common occurrences, not singular, rare events.
What's at Pan's Garden?
At Pan’s Garden, which is composed entirely of native plants, these are common events. You will always see numerous butterflies, birds, and insects, although rarely any mosquitoes. The diverse native species contain enough natural enemies to keep mosquitoes at bay. This is the basis for good garden design: diverse plant species for interest, texture and color.
Giant Ironweed, which grows 3-5 feet, works best in the back of a border or along the edge of a shady spot
Walking through Pan’s Garden on any day of the year, you will find something in bloom, and creatures thriving in the landscape. Right now, the stunning giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) is a mass of deep violet blossoms. This robust perennial is a member of the aster family and attracts numerous pollinators, especially butterflies. Its common name refers to the toughness of its stem, but it is tough in general, thriving in any soil in full sun to part shade. Growing 3-5 feet, it works best in the back of a border or along the edge of a shady spot. Its stunning color will brighten any landscape.
Also known as cassia, Bahama senna is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant shrub provides clusters of golden-yellow flowers year round
Also blooming now is the wonderful Bahama senna (Senna Mexicana var Chapmanii). Sometimes known as cassia, this dense, fast-growing, salt-tolerant shrub provides clusters of cheerful golden-yellow flowers year-round. It prefers full sun but will accommodate partial shade. It is the larval host for the orange-barred sulphur, cloudless sulphur and sleepy orange butterflies; many other butterflies and skippers visit the flowers for nectar. This is a perfect choice for a seaside garden, as it is not bothered by salt spray; it does equally well inland, where you will never tire of the delightful golden blossoms.
Gray leaf is covered with small rose-blue hibiscus like flowers whose nectar is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees
Grayleaf or woolly teabush (Melochia tomentosa) is another wonderful, seldom-used native you’ll find at Pan’s garden. This is covered with small rose-blue hibiscus-like flowers whose nectar is a magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Thriving in full sun or part shade, this tough, drought-tolerant shrub will reach 6 feet in height, so give it ample room to grow. Its leaves are fuzzy to the touch and are used as a soothing tea in the West Indies.
Starry rosined has tall steams bearing large yellow daisy-like flowers that will emerge from a showy basal rosette
Starry rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus) is another lovely perennial wildflower that’s still blooming. Tall stems bear large yellow daisy-like flowers that will emerge from a showy basal rosette and can reach 3-4 feet. The name rosinweed refers to the gummy substance within the stems; Native Americans chewed on the stems to clean their teeth and rosinweeds have a long history of medicinal use.
Pineland croton has deep green elliptical foliage with soft gray undersides, and small white flowers that attract numerous butterflies and pollinators
Pineland croton (Croton linearis) is a wonderful, distinctive native at Pan’s Garden. This semi-woody shrub for sun or shade has deep green elliptical foliage with soft gray undersides, and small white flowers that attract numerous butterflies and pollinators. As the host plant for two of Florida’s most unique butterflies, the Florida leafwing and Bartram’s hairstreak, this is a valuable addition to any butterfly garden.
Necklace pod’s high salt and drought tolerance make it perfect for beach plantings
Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) is covered with glorious spikes of yellow pea-like flowers that show off beautifully against the long, pinnately compound leaflets. Hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant, and its high salt and drought tolerance make it perfect for beach plantings. It’s also great inland but can grow 5-10 feet, so plant it in the back of your border.
Native plants
These are just a tiny smattering of the myriad native plants at Pan’s Garden. There is a pond as well to highlight water plants, along with areas from full sun to shade to demonstrate what to plant in different locations. And head horticulturalist Susan Lerner is always there with a wealth of knowledge to answer your specific questions.
Susan Lerner is the director of horticulture at Pan’s Garden. Melanie Bell, Meghan McCarthy
We as a species cannot survive without the native insects that provide sustenance for the birds and wildlife we need and love. Plants and wildlife are inseparable, so our landscapes must incorporate the native plants essential to the survival of the wildlife we cherish.
-Kim Frisbie
Original article on the Palm Beach Daily News is HERE.