2013–14 La Florida, “Land of Flowers” Community Planting GrantLittle Orange Creek Nature Park, Hawthorne, Alachua County

1. Please enter your 7 character Project Code, for example, JAM0409.

STA06142. Name

Janis Brown3. Address

188 Little Orange Lake Drive Hawthorne, Fl 32640

4. Email

janisbrown48@gmail.com5. Phone Number

(352) 494-37906. Cell Phone Number

(352) 494-37907a. In 2013, the wildflower display is best described as:

Not very showy7b. Additional comments about the showiness of the wildflower display:

Seeds planted per instructions, rain was plentiful. In Spring many plants started emerging, but the only plant to flower was a Texas sunflower (ID’d by a friend). Near fall the grasses began to show their purple and pretty much filled the plots. Lots of sea-oat-type plants also emerged. Overall I was disappointed with the results. I am hoping that next year will provide more color. The park has wild rubeckia mollis which we collected and resowed in new areas prepared the same way. The results were very satisfying. I don’t know if I received bad seed or what, but perhaps next spring more will emerge.

8. List all species by Latin/scientific name that were part of this wildflower landscaping project. Note those that were purchased with funds from this grant.

The seed was purchased through the coop and kept in a dry cool place until planting October 17, 2013. Sorghastrum natan Americus - Americus IndianGrass Tridens flavus - Purple Top Coreopsis basalis - Goldenman Tickseed Andropogon virginicus - Broom Sedge Eragrostis spectabilis - Purple Love Grass Monarda punctata - Spotted Beebalm Helianthus radula - Rayless Sunflower Liatris spicata - Dense Blazing Star Penstemon multiflorus - Manyflower Beardtongue Vernonia angustifolia - Tall Ironweed Dalea pinnata - Summer Farewell Liatris gracilis - Slender Blazing Star Muhlenbergia capillaris - Hairawn Muhly Pityopsis graminifolia - Narrowleaf Silkgrass Solidago odora - Anise Goldenrod Solidago stricta - Wand Goldenrod

9. Was a story published in a newspaper or newsletter that described the wildflower project and included information about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?

No newspaper story was published but pictures were posted on the Little Orange Creek Nature Park Facebook Page.

10. Was a story was done by a local TV station that described the wildflower project and included information about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?

No newspaper story was published but pictures were posted on the Little Orange Creek Nature Park Facebook Page.

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11. Was a story published on a web site that described the wildflower project and included information about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?

Pictures posted at different times to the Little Orange Creek Nature Park Facebook page.12. Was a story posted on YouTube that described the wildflower project and included information about the environmental, historical and/or cultural significance of Florida’s native wildflowers?

No YouTube done.13. If optional outreach methods were used, like a lecture about native wildflowers that you held at the site, please describe the activity and the outcomes.

The receipt of this grant to plant wildflowers was talked about to different organizations, i.e. Native Plant Society, Audubon Society and other interested wildflower enthusiasts. We received the sign from the Wildflowers foundation is prominently posted.

14. The impact of your Florida native wildflower landscaping project is very important to the Foundation. a) As a result of your wildflower project are you aware of any government agency, business, group, or organization in your county that is:

Considering establishing a new native wildflower landscape bed or meadow, or planting native wildflowers along a road or highway in 2015.

b) As a result of your wildflower project are you aware of any homeowner in your county that is:

Considering establishing a new native wildflower garden, landscape bed, or meadow in 2015.16. If you recorded the number of people viewing or visiting the native wildflower landscaping project, please provide the results.

The plots are within 100 feet of SR20 which is heavily travelled. This highway will be 4-laned beginning March 2016. We have already talked to FDOT about planting wildflowers on the shoulders in lieu of grass. They are considering this option.

17. If your planting failed (succumbed to weed pressure, accidental mowing, flooding, etc.), please explain why. I would not call our plot a failure, just a slow starter. The plot is in the middle of a bahia pasture which is free of weeds. As plants emerged early spring I was hesitant to pull anything as I could not tell a ‘weed’ from a ‘wildflower’ or other desirable plant. We did mow about early August and that is when the grasses just popped! Really a beautiful soft purple; but as far as colorful wildflowers, not so much.

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2013–14 La Florida, “Land of Flowers” Community Planting GrantLittle Orange Creek Nature Park, Hawthorne, Alachua County

Planting day, 4-H kids with adults made this a fun and successful day. A 3 year old even helped. We staked around the entire seed plot.

October 19, 2013. Photo by Janis Brown.

As you can see we had a lot of plants come up, but blooming flowers not so much. It was a disappointment. NOTE: We worked very hard to have a successful wildflower plot. The ground was prepared adequately, we had lots of volunteers planting day, seeds were broadcasted and tamped down and a gentle rain came thatafternoon.

Rain continued at intervals to keep the seeds in good conditionDecember, 2013. Photo by Janis Brown.

Sour Grass - sorrell - very abundant in the two plots, but not growing elsewhere on the property. Not on my list of seeds. (Note by JGN –

Appears to be Rumex hastatulus). March, 2014. Photo by Janis Brown.

One of the very few flowers that did bloom. A knowledgeable friend said this was a Texas wildflower. We do have a lot of deer on the

property which may account for the lack of flowers. (Note by JGN – Appears to be Krigia virginica, Virginia Dwarfdandelion).

March 15, 2014. Photo by Janis Brown.

Planting day, 4-H kids with adults made this a fun and successful day. A 3 year old even

helped. We staked around the entire seed plot. October 19, 2013. Photo by Janis Brown.

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Foundation sign with the grasses in background. One showypink flowering plant emerged. (Note by JGN – Grass appears to be

Muhlenbergia capillaris and/or Eragrostis spectabilis).October, 2014. Photo by Janis Brown.

Beautiful grasses emerged late in the summer. These do not appear elsewhere on the property so I am assuming they are part of the seed

packet. Sort of makes up for the lack of spring flowers. (Note by JGN – Grass appears to be Muhlenbergia capillaris and/or Eragrostis

spectabilis). October, 2014. Photo by Janis Brown.