 |
| Loquat |
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)—Also known as Japanese plum, this medium-size evergreen tree originated in China It bears heavy crops of sweet-tart orange fruit from February to May The fruit can be eaten raw without the peel or used in sauces, jams, and a variety of dishes similar to other plums. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG050
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba)—A small to medium deciduous native tree which bears large sweet custardy fruit. Its leaves turn bright yellow in fall before dropping. https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2020/05/20/pawpaw-a-fruit-with-an-identity-crisis/
Chinquapin/chinkapin (Castanea pumila)—This small tree has long-lasting creamy elongated blooms in the spring. Known for its wildlife value, it produces abundant crops of seeds encased in spiny burs which open to reveal a single nut. In the same family as chestnuts, its sweet nuts are said to be even better tasting, Its numbers are dwindling in the wild and it’s a good choice for planting to help it survive. https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/Pages/caspum/caspum.shtml
Sweet almond bush (Eloysia virgata)—Shrub with sweet smelling, long-lasting flowers which attract bees and other beneficial insects https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nassauco/2017/05/29/fact-sheet-sweet-almond-bush/
Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)—Strawberries are grown as an annual for production purposes, but they will form a perennial ground cover with their runners if allowed to spread. This is what we’re looking for, and maybe some fruit as a bonus. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS403
Blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum)—Blueberries are an important source of food for birds and small mammals (and bears!), and of course humans. The more bushes you have, the better they will produce, as cross pollination is improved. It’s important to have two or more species of either Rabbiteye or Southern Highbush berries to provide pollination because they bloom at different times and the two types do not have a good opportunity to cross pollinate. Ours are all Rabbieyes. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359
Dwarf moringa (Moringa oleifera) —This plant is prized for its high-protein leaves, its rich concentration of minerals and vitamins, and its heavy load of antioxidants! Leaves, blooms, seeds and immature seedpods, called “drumsticks,” are edible (but roots are reported to be poison). Moringa trees or shrubs can grow very large but this dwarf variety should only grow to six or eight feet tall. Predicted by UF/IFAS Plant Assessment to be highly invasive. We’ll probably skip this one. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/moringa-oleifera/
Tulsi basil (Ocimum sanctum) — Also known as Holy basil, it is related to sweet basil but has a hotter, clove-like flavor. It grows into a sturdy three foot high bush that loves heat and reseeds freely. Some cultures use it for antioxidant, stress relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties. When blooming it attracts many types of beneficial insects and makes a very good tea. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/04/13/easy-herbs-for-central-florida/
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)—Fast growing annual herb which provides seasoning in cool weather for many different kinds of recipes. In spring it blooms, producing a cloud of small white blossoms which are loved by bees and other pollinators, and the seeds, when the plants mature, produce the spice Coriander. It reseeds readily. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cilantro.html#:~:text=In%20Florida%2C%20it's%20best%20to,thereafter%20until%20the%20plant%20dies.
Blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum)—Blueberries are an important source of food for birds and small mammals (and bears!), and of course humans. The more bushes you have, the better they will produce, as cross pollination is improved. It’s important to have two or more species of either Rabbiteye or Southern Highbush berries to provide pollination because they bloom at different times and the two types do not have a good opportunity to cross pollinate. Ours are all Rabbieyes. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359
Dwarf moringa (Moringa oleifera) —This plant is prized for its high-protein leaves, its rich concentration of minerals and vitamins, and its heavy load of antioxidants! Leaves, blooms, seeds and immature seedpods, called “drumsticks,” are edible (but roots are reported to be poison). Moringa trees or shrubs can grow very large but this dwarf variety should only grow to six or eight feet tall. Predicted by UF/IFAS Plant Assessment to be highly invasive. We’ll probably skip this one. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/moringa-oleifera/
Tulsi basil (Ocimum sanctum) — Also known as Holy basil, it is related to sweet basil but has a hotter, clove-like flavor. It grows into a sturdy three foot high bush that loves heat and reseeds freely. Some cultures use it for antioxidant, stress relieving, and anti-inflammatory properties. When blooming it attracts many types of beneficial insects and makes a very good tea. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/04/13/easy-herbs-for-central-florida/
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)—Fast growing annual herb which provides seasoning in cool weather for many different kinds of recipes. In spring it blooms, producing a cloud of small white blossoms which are loved by bees and other pollinators, and the seeds, when the plants mature, produce the spice Coriander. It reseeds readily. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/cilantro.html#:~:text=In%20Florida%2C%20it's%20best%20to,thereafter%20until%20the%20plant%20dies.
Borage (Borago officinalis) has a cucumber-like odor and flavor and its small young leaves and can be used in salads. It grows into a large, spreading plant with whitish hairy bristles and blue star-like flowers. The flowers attract pollinators and may be used fresh as a garnish for beverages and salads. It reseeds prolifically. https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/EDIBLES/EDIBLES_GROW_SHEETS/?uid=2&ds=996#:~:text=Borage%20is%20an%20exuberant%20annual,seeder%20and%20may%20become%20invasive.&text=Sow%20in%20late%20spring%20to,a%20foot%20or%20two%20apart.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)—A perennial which is sometimes called a dynamic accumulator or soil conditioner. It is in the same family as borage which is also regarded as a soil conditioner, This means it absorbs and retains nutrients beneficial to plants, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It releases those elements back into the soil as leaves drop and plants decompose in place. Its leaves are often used as fertilizer or added to compost material. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MV054
Yarrow (Achillea)—A semi-evergreen ground cover which attracts pollinators with its abundent white flowers. Drought tolerant and relatively trouble free. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/baker/docs/pdf/horticulture/demonstration-gardens/Yarrow.pdf
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare )—Cool weather perennial which serves as host plant to swallowtail butterfly larvae as well as providing a refreshing vegetable. There are several types—Common fennel in green or bronze, has shoots, leaves, and seeds that add flavor to seafood, soups, and salads. Florence fennel, or sweet fennel, has a thickened bulb at the base of its stems that is served roasted or eaten raw. https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2023/06/01/fantastic-fennel/
Amaranth (Amaranthus edulis)—Heat tolerant reseeding annual which furnishes highly nutritious summer greens, and seeds which can provide a flour and food for wildlife. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/amaranth.html
Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata)—An evergreen nitrogen-fixing ground cover. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/
Okinawa spinach (Gynura crepioides)—A heat-loving spinach substitute. Relative of Longevity spinach. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/tropical-spinaches.html
Buckwheat (Fagropyrum esculentum)—A fast growing cover crop which attracts many different types of beneficial insects. It supplies pollen and nectar from which the bees living next to our garden make beautiful and delicious dark honey. The seeds are used for a high protein flour. https://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/A%20Cool-Season%20Cover%20Crop%20for%20Florida%20Vegetable%20Systems1.pdf
 |
| Florence Fennel |
There are a few other things we’d like to add which have been suggested by various Master Gardeners, but we just don’t have the space. Our garden has been spreading rapidly and we have to be sure we have the time and the necessary volunteers to maintain it properly. A complete list of what’s planted in the forest garden can be found in the left sidebar.
No comments:
Post a Comment