About the Garden

Revitalizing and Updating the Garden

In 2023 a group of gardeners interested in evaluating the condition of the garden over the years, especially after COVID, joined together to update the plant palette. The effort is documented at the Garden Club of Switzerland Resources, "Partners for Pollinators,".

One of the first things our new group did was to survey the garden and divide it into sections representing differing horticultural conditions. See the presentation showing the garden by sections.  The inside bed of the garden was surrounded by the brick walkway, was divided into eight sections, c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, and c8.   The resulting sections were small and represented opportunities to showcase a small number of plants; the focal point of the garden was the antique metal plough; It is the first thing you see when you enter by the brick walkway.  In front of it is a sign identifying the garden's purpose.  On either side of the plough will be two willow teepee type trellises that will support coral honeysuckle.  The plants in front of these structures are smallish wildflowers and border-sized plants that require less sun.  Behind the plough are larger wildflowers and bushes that do well in partly-sunny conditions.  At the end pf the center plot are smaller wildflowers and ground covers; these areas receive direct morning light and also have the mose colorful blooms.

The peripheral plots surrounding the walkway vary in their horticultural conditions from sandy/sunny (southeast) to partly sunny with average humidity(south, southwest), to partly shady (north, northwest), to shady (west).  In 2024 we added an ADA-certified walkway to allow visitors with mobility challenges to go into the garden.  We plan to add seating to that area too; it is in the shadier area of the garden, meaning it should be most comfortable throughout the seasons.

Here is a slideshow of the garden in early March 2024.  

Freedom Butterfly Garden  (click the Slideshow button in the upper right to start the slideshow)

Freedom Butterfly Garden (2) This slideshow will advance automatically.

And while 2024 got off to a promising start, several outside issues took priority and the work on the garden slowed down.  Here's a little summary of the life of a garden.  Our own complications slowed the "sleep-creep-leap" model.

Year Two in the Alpine Groves Native Plant Garden

Not all the plants that were purchased for installation made it into the garden.  Some were left in the back yard.  And some were happily installed into the garden just to keep them from freezing.  Despite some of the coldest weather we've had in many years, almost all the plants survived; some may be dormant so maybe as the weather warms up we'll see signs of life breaking the soil surface.  Native plants are survivors.

While we have been concentrating on the horticultural planning and ADA amenities, there are more additions being created - mostly to allow the garden to be a teaching tool for the public.  When it was first installed, there was signage for several of the plants, but aside from listing the plants' names, little information was available.  Unless one of us was working in the garden a visitor would have little way of finding out the purpose of the garden and the plants and wildlife support structures.  Now we are adding some educational features, starting with this website that contains information on the plants installed, and the creatures that utilize these plants for food, shelter, and species continuation.  

Our goal is to allow visitors to enjoy the garden whenever they want to and to provide them with tools to better understand the native plants in the garden and the animals that depend upon them.  Here are some of the planned additions:

• We have a kiosk in front of the garden that will soon contain photos of butterfly host plants in the garden and the butterfly/caterpillars that rely on them

• Signage identifying each plant by its common and its botanical name, as well as a unique ID number, and a QR code.  The QR code will allow a visitor to scan it and open this website where the plant information can be found by its ID number in the Native Plant Database where the plants are documented with links to information from either the Florida Native Plant Society and/or the University of Florida UF/IFAS horticultural information.  In addition to the links the database contains comments about each plant that are pertinent to its placement in the garden, its horticultural requirements, and to the wildlife they support.

The end result should be:

 A Garden That Speaks for Itself

And in 2025 we are starting again to work in the native plant garden, weeding, installing plants and making plans for more additions.  Before the physical labor got underway, it was time to document the garden plans.  We weren't just "winging it" and actually finding the time to put the ideas on paper was overdue.  So here are the conceptual details that hopefully will make the garden layout understandable to those of us who work in it and who are curious about a process for garden/landscape planning.

Here is a presentation showing the location of the garden sections along with a photo of each section:

Alpine Groves Overview  .

Below are reference tables that identify the plants that are installed or are planned to be installed in each section.  The plants are documented with links to information from either the Florida Native Plant Society and/or the University of Florida UF/IFAS horticultural information.  In addition to the links are comments about each plant that are pertinent to its placement in the garden, its horticultural requirements, and to the wildlife they support.

Here are links to Plants by Section.

• Section 1

• Section 2

• Section 3

• Section 4

• Section 5

• Section 6

• Section 7

• Section 8

• Section c1

• Section c2

• Section c3

• Section c4

• Section c5

• Section c6

• Section c7

• Section c8

• Full Native Plant Database

We have been restocking the garden with new plants that are becoming more available as the demand for native plants is growing.  We now are utilizing these vendors mostly by buying a few promising species and installing them in one or two places in the garden.  The ones that do well are supplemented over the next years with more of their species.  We have now purchased seeds and plan to germinate our own.  That way we can increase our stock of plants with minimal cost.

Stay tuned.  And contact us through this website for more info.  Our volunteers consist of Master Gardeners, Garden Club of Switzerland members, and residents who just find the project interesing and a great way to learn about our native plants.

Last, but not least is the Plant Order List from Green Isle Gardens.  Please look it over and find your favorites!