As Joanne Mason strolls through her garden, she points out species after species of flora. Rosinweed, narrow-leaf sunflower, passion flowers, cassia bush and rain lilies are among them.
Many of her plants also are hosts to butterflies, which lay eggs on specific types of plants that caterpillars can feast upon. Because of the milkweed, monarch butterflies frequently visit Mason’s yard.
“(The monarchs) generally leave in November, but for the last couple years, they’ve been staying all year,” Mason said.
They’re not the only ones staying. She regularly sees possums, raccoons, snakes, frogs and countless types of waterbirds and songbirds, too.
Mason’s garden is truly a wildlife sanctuary, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation recognized its ecological value and Mason’s hard work at an awards ceremony Sept. 19. She received a top statewide award for her backyard garden of native plants.
The Florida Wildflower Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives with Florida’s native flora. It partners with many other organizations that have related goals. Mason is a member of the foundation and receives its quarterly newsletter. As she flipped through an issue one day, the announcement for the recognition program — “Wildflowers, Naturally!” — caught her eye.
To apply, gardeners must maintain gardens of at least 50 square feet, containing at least 75% native plants. They submit photos and answer some questions about biodiversity and longevity in their gardens. Points are awarded for gardening practices that minimize human impact and increase habitat value for resident and migrating insects, birds and other animals.
“It’s not just about how large the landscape is but, really, the overall commitment,” said Stacey Matrazzo, one of the program’s organizers.
Any applicant who meets a basic standard of requirements receives a certificate and a small sign to put up in his or her garden.
“I thought, ‘Well, it would be fun to get the certificate and put the sign in my yard,’” Mason said. “I never dreamed there would be awards.”
Gardeners can earn certificates on a rolling basis, but three of the 16 gardeners who applied since the program was launched this summer were recognized even further.
“At our annual meeting, we take the top three of that year’s applicants and celebrate them a little bit further,” Matrazzo said.
The foundation contacted Mason to invite her to the meeting last month, at Bok Tower Gardens, in Lake Wales. Mason didn’t know she was about to receive the title for having the No. 1 wildflower garden in Florida.
“I was really surprised and thrilled,” Mason said. “It was an honor to be recognized.”
Mason began gardening about 20 years ago, when she and her husband, Greg, lived in New Tampa. She started with a few butterfly host plants, but horticulture began to take over her yard. About seven years ago, the couple moved to Plant City to get away from the congestion and construction.
“When we moved out here, it was like a clean palette,” Mason said. “I could do what I wanted (with the garden).”
Of the Masons’ eight acres, about two are dedicated to gardening.
Mason’s advice for other gardeners is to research and plant natives, and combat the loss of habitat in their locality.
“They require less water, I don’t have to cover them in the winter and they provide for our native bugs, birds and other critters,” Mason said.
A love for plants and gardening deeply permeates Mason’s life. She is a member of the Plant City Garden Club, and was selected as member of the year last year. She has also completed the Florida Master Naturalist Program, which was one way she became passionate about native plants.
GROW YOUR OWN BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Butterflies use a straw-like proboscis to reach inside flowers and obtain delicious nectar. In addition to those named in this article, here are a few native plants you can cultivate to attract butterflies.
• Tampa verbain (Glandularia tampensis)
• Firebush (Hamelia patens)
• Coontie (Zamia floridana)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.