Groundcovers are always in demand as we attempt to cover
certain landscape space with something other than turfgrass. Groundcovers
reduce labor (mowing) and inputs such as fertilizer and supplemental water that
some grass requires. Bottom-line, groundcovers fill in landscape areas
with low-maintenance color and/or texture. One of the best groundcovers
available in our area that I would recommend is the beach sunflower.
The beach (or dune) sunflower is a wonderful groundcover
that offers both quick coverage and abundant flowering. Imagine a carpet
of perfect miniature sunflowers with three-inch wide flower heads combined with
green foliage which will only get about eighteen inches tall, but spread from
four foot to eight feet wide. Well adapted to coastal full-sun areas, the
perennial beach sunflower spreads by above-ground runners and seeds. Both
salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant, over irrigation will cause this plant
to suffer, so water infrequently. The beach sunflower propagates easily
from seed or cuttings. In addition to planting in mass as a
groundcover, use beach sunflowers so that they cascade down a wall. Space
plants from three to four feet apart – they will grow together quickly!
You should get at least two good years of flowering and
luxuriant foliage from your initial plantings. After that point you will
notice that these sunflowers will decline and need to be replanted.
Seedlings may have already begun to repopulate the open areas and taken care of
the rejuvenation for you. Besides the classic yellow colored petals,
there are varieties with shades of copper-red, pinkish, orange and
purple-colored flower heads. In addition to the attractive flowers, the
blossoms are also very attractive to butterflies and other
pollinators.
Beach sunflowers will produce most of their flowering in the
fall, winter and spring. This gem is truly a treasured plant - both
useful and attractive! For more information on all types of groundcovers,
please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and
insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Don't forget to visit
our other County Plant Clinics in the area. Please check this link for a
complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F. & Park-Brown, S. (2014) Helianthus
debilis. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Brown, S. H. & Cooprider, K. ( 2016) Beach Sunflower.
The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Lee County.
Christman, S. (2003) Helianthus debilis.Floridaat.com,
Tallahassee, FL.
No comments:
Post a Comment