Valentines Gifting Made Easy

by Laurie Sheldon

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. While some people may consider it to be a trivial or sappy holiday, I believe that it’s the perfect opportunity to tell your loved ones that they are an important part of your life.
Although it’s fairly standard to give your sweetheart a bouquet of red roses or a fancy box of chocolate, the truth remains that neither one has a chance of lasting into March (unless your love is allergic to chocolate). Surely, you want to get the most bang for your buck, so to speak. Why not consider giving something that stands the test of time, and can be a continued reminder of your enduring affection? No - I'm not talking about jewelry or a Keurig! Think GREEN. Bring that special someone a native plant. It’s the gift that says, “I’m in it for the long haul,” and “I’m too thoughtful to give you something I grabbed at a 24-hour drug store.” Aside from making his/her heart beat a little faster, you’ll be keeping Florida’s air cleaner and your bodies trimmer.

Plants to woo your valentine with in north Florida

Above: Woodland Phlox in full bloom;
Below: Eastern Redbud flowers, born
directly on its woody frame, are followed
with a flush of heart-shaped leaves.

Leslie Pierpont of Jacksonville's Ixia chapter suggests Phlox divaricata or Woodland Phlox. A native to north Florida’s sloping woods and bluffs, this evergreen groundcover bursts open its purple-blue flowers in February, and stands about 1 foot tall in bloom. Woodland Phlox likes moist, calcareous hammocks, and grows naturally on the Apalachicola River bluffs and ravines. In Jacksonville, it thrives in cool, shady areas with limey soil. Complimentary plants include native ferns, Parsley Haw and Oakleaf Hydrangea.

I'm rather partial to Cercis canadensis, or Eastern Redbud. This deciduous native will delight your special someone in late February when its bare stems and branches explode in a rose pink cloak of blooms. After flowering, Redbud unfurls its leaves, which look like wide, papery hearts because of their oval shape and cordate bases. It is hardy from Michigan south to central Florida, where it appreciates being planted in a shady spot - particularly during summer (don’t we all?) Cercis canadensis makes an excellent understory or specimen tree, which grows to about 25’ high, and is typically taller than it is wide. It is not picky about soil pH, and is tolerant of both drought and short-term inundation. As if that wasn’t enough to sell you on this lovely member of the Fabaceae family (no relation to the Kardashians - thank goodness), its leaves turn a golden yellow for additional fall color.

Species for your hot south Florida honey

Passiflora suberosa, or Corkystem Passion-Vine, would make a spectacular gift in the lower half of the state. In addition to its habit of blooming year-round, it is a larval host for longwinged butterflies (namely, the julia, gulf fritillary, and zebra longwing), and its flowers are followed by dark purple berries that birds are quite fond of. Its flowers have an unusual, almost extra-terrestrial or sea anemone look that is impossible to forget (but sort of hard to describe). It will tolerate full sun or shade, and, as long as the soil stays somewhere between moist and not-quite-dry, it will bring both you and your valentine many years of enjoyment.