Using Compost for Container Production of Ornamental Wetland and Flatwood Species Native to Florida

Abstract

Seven ornamental species, coastal plain tickseed (Coreopsis gladiata Walt. [Asteraceae]), swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius L. [Asteraceae]), climbing aster (Ampelaster carolinianus (Walt.) Nesom [Asteraceae] syn = Aster carolinianus Walt.), pineland lantana (Lantana depressa Small [Verbenaceae]), spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata L. [Lamiaceae]), blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L. [Asteraceae]), and Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis (J.F. Gmel.) Steud. [Acanthaceae]) were transplanted in containers filled with a biosolid:yard waste compost, a commercial peat-based mix, or a formulated compost-based mix (4:5:1, compost:pine bark:sand, v:v:v). At 8 wk, plants grown in compost or the medium amended with compost had similar (coastal plain tickseed and swamp sunflower) or greater (climbing aster, pineland lantana, spotted beebalm, blackeyed Susan, and Carolina wild petunia) biomass than plants grown in the peatbased medium. This study suggests that compost may serve as a viable alternative substrate for peat in the production of ornamental wetland and flatwood species native to Florida. Wilson SB, Stoffella PJ. 2006. Using compost for container production of ornamental wetland and flatwood species native to Florida. Native Plants Journal 7(3):293‐300.