|
|
| Decorative Flowers
|
| |
|
In addition to their erosion control qualities, these bushes are
valuable for their beautiful flowers . Once established, they slowly
spread. They resist very well to burial and send new roots from their
stems to anchor the sand as it builds up around the plant. They are
very efficient in stopping the wind driven sand because of their rich
foliage, and are thus a great erosion control addition.
|
|
Cucumberleaf sunflower, or
Helianthus debilis, is one of the most decorative plants on the beach.
This showy bush is covered with flowers from early spring to the first frost.
Once established, it spreads by underground runners to form a low dense mat.
The flowers are about 2 inches wide. Well defined by their name, they have
a dark center and yellow petals.
Beach Elder,
Iva imbricate, is a perennial shrub which can reach 39 inches in height. The leaves are 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, 7 to 20
The leaves are alternate and can reach 2 inches in length.
Each leaf is entire or slightly toothed and fleshy. The flower parts are not
discernable with the naked eye because they are green. Blooms first appear in
late summer and continue into early fall.
|
|
| |
 |
Blanket flower,or
Guallardia pulchella, is another perennial plant, salt
resistant, with very decorative flowers. Depending on the source,
these flowers can range in color from all yellow to all red.
The most common ones have a dark red to purplish center and yellow
and red petals. These showy flowers are several inches above the
foliage level. The leaves are long and narrow and form a dense
cluster generally about 2 feet tall.
|
|
|
|
|
