No bunnies business
(Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of articles by members of the Sanibel Vegetation Committee dealing with vegetative matters of concern to island residents. For the other articles in the series, visit www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources.)
The use of native groundcovers versus turf grass makes so much sense. Native groundcovers require no watering once established, no fertilizing, no weeding as they suppress weeds, no mowing – although many may be cut – and they hold soil in place. Furthermore, they are generally not bunny food.
There is a bumper population of rabbits on Sanibel this year in case you have not seen them. Small mammal population boom/bust cycles are a common phenomenon. When resources like food and shelter are plentiful, rabbit populations can significantly increase. Subsequent to the rabbit population increase, predator populations will also increase since the rabbits provide them with an abundant food source. Eventually, the rabbit population growth is usually curtailed by predators preying on them.
You may have noticed that these rabbits have a voracious appetite and are eating everything they can reach, including turf grass. Not to worry though. There are native groundcovers suitable for Sanibel yards that are less appetizing and can be substituted for plants that are being grazed by rabbits. They include dune sunflower, gopher apple, mimosa, blanket flower, beach verbena, golden creeper and blue porterweed. Others to choose are: matchweed (Phyla nodiflora), spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), coontie (Zamia pumila) and blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), just to mention a few.
Many of these groundcovers attract butterflies and some produce food for other wildlife. They also cool the air surrounding the plants as water evaporates from the leaves. Turf grass is still an option where there is a lot of foot traffic, but groundcovers and mulch paths are aesthetically pleasing and need less maintenance like irrigation and fertilizer once established.
If you are unsure of what to plant, it is always best to consult your local native nursery to determine which native groundcovers are suitable for your yard. You can also visit the Florida Association of Native Nurseries’ website to view more information on native plants at www.afnn.org.
Where can you learn more about native plants on Sanibel? The Vegetation Committee hosts free plant walks from November through April at City Hall to view and discuss the use of native plants. Everyone and their questions are welcome – go native with the right help!
For more information, visit www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources or contact the Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700. Photos of the invasive exotic plants “Worst of the Worst” and the city’s “The Alien Invasion” brochure can also be found on the website.