What??! Native Plants are Not Pretty...
s The Sea Oats chapter's table with lots of literature, and sample native plants including this lovely white-flowered swamp milkweed ( Asclepias perennis ) When I read last week’s post about Diane Neill's landscape transformation, “ Keyhole Garden In –Lawn Out ,” I was surprised at the landscape guys’ comments that native plants weren’t pretty ("The doom and gloom guys"), but last weekend I heard a grower say the exact same thing and more. I was a vendor at the Garden and Home Show in St. Augustine October 1 & 2. While I’m not on an official book tour, it was fairly close to home and I was available with a box of books to sell. The weather was gorgeous and a fair number of folks came out to buy plants, participate in the 4-H activities, and to hear presentations. The Sea Oats FNPS chapter had a table at the entrance to the hall. A swamp sunflower ( Helianthus angustifolius ) next to my table with a Sleepy Orange butterfly guest. I'd also bought ...