MG Training Report - Native Plants for the Landscape

[Ann B.]

Yesterday, our training was held at Week's Bay, and the subject was Nomenclature and native plants. Native plants are being diminished in the wild, but we are encouraged to plant those that will adapt in our landscapes. We are very much discouraged from digging plants up from the wild because they will often not survive the shock. Many can be obtained by cuttings or you can ask your local nurseries to stock these plants.

The instructor prepared a handout with a list of Native Plants for the South Alabama Landscape. Here it is:

Trees

Loblolly bay, Gordonia lasianthus
Tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera
Souther bayberry; waxmyrtle, Myrica cerifera
Southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora
Fringe-tree, Chionanthus virginicus

Shrubs

Florida anise, Illicium floridanum
Yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria
Possumhaw holly, Ilex cassine
Beach rosemary, Conradina canescens
Deciduos azaleas, Rhododendron spp.
Fetter-bush, Leucothoe, axillaris
Virginia willow, Itea virginica
Sweet-shrub, Calycanthus floridus
Black titi, Buckwheat-tree, Cliftonia monophylla
Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum

Woody Vines

Coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens
Carolina jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens
Trumpet-creeper, Campsis radicans

Herbaceous Plants

River oats, Chasmanthium latifolium
Red hibiscus, Hibiscus coccineus
Passion flower, passiflora incarnata
Louisiana iris, Iris spp.
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia spp.
Blanketflower, Gaillardia pulchella
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Stokes' aster, Stokesia laevis
Obedient-plant, Physostegia virginiana

Note: Avoid plants like Glory bower, Clerodendum bugeii, also known as Mexican hydrangea or stinky hydrangea. This plant has beautiful dark foliage with a burgandy tint and a huge cluster of mauve/pink flowers. But, take it me, I am still trying to get it out of one of my beds. It spreads by the roots, so unless you get all the roots, you will still have it.


Enjoy!

[Kathy in GA]

Ann B.

Thank You, for the list of natives. I've already identified alot of the natives by myself, and this is my next project for I've found many many things on my wooded lot that i'd like to grow next.

also found many things on country roads by natives and imported that I am growing, and will be growing. It's been alot of work identifying them by myself, but has been fun, and i've learned alot.

Infact, I still have several on my property unidentified!
Many wonderful plants out there!

Thanks,
Kathy in Ga.
:D