Gardening A garden of true naturalists

Years ago I met Joni Hartzler at the Florida State Fairgrounds where we both were asked to judge horticultural booths before the fair started. Twice since then, she and her husband Gary Krotz have come to my open garden.

So when I was going to be out in Lutz, I asked if I could come see their garden. They had moved most of their plants out of a screened pool area and large front patio while having the paving and the pool redone. Joni said it was kind of a mess and hoped I didn’t mind. Of course I didn’t. Gardens can be a mess and still wonderful.

Like my own garden, theirs is on a curve with a small front area like a piece of pie. Their back garden is even bigger than mine and mostly shady, but they assured me that enough sunlight came through, mostly in the afternoon.

The front yard is neat and colorful like most people want to see. The back is what they want to see — plenty of plants and a wildlife habitat that both of them can enjoy. They love all of the dragonflies, damselflies, insects, butterflies, swamp rabbits, owls and birds that share their yard. They don’t use any pesticides and try to plant as many native plants as possible, yet they still have some orchids, succulents, carnivorous plants and others, as long as they’re not invasive.

Until they can move plants back onto the patios, every nook and cranny is full but fascinating. Joni and Gary are growing and grooming special plants to take to the state fair. Gary has many hanging baskets of rex begonias. Joni has orchids.

One small greenhouse keeps the summer rains off Joni’s succulents and bonsai plants. Another keeps her gesneriads, cousins of the African violets, happy outdoors.

I was so busy seeing all the plants that I didn’t notice the garden backed up to what they call Lake Frosti until I was almost on the deck. There are big bass in the lake and lots of water birds. The couple did plantings along the banks as part of the adopt-a-pond program.

There was so much to see I almost missed the luffas right in front of my face.

Joni and Gary are members of several plant societies, including the Tampa Bay Rare Fruit Council. I’ve been a member of that one for more than 25 years, though I don’t get to many meetings anymore. But the people there have taught me much and still do with their newsletter.

I’ve learned much from Joni, too. She carries her binoculars every time she goes out in the garden and has them on a harness that keeps them out of her way when she is weeding or bending. She has the birds’ favorite plants where they can view them from their windows — and a bird book handy at all times.

This year she came across a broad-billed male hummingbird that had never been noted in Hillsborough County before. It was recorded in the bird atlas for Hillsborough County as having been observed in their yard and documented by other birding experts.

These two people are more than gardeners. They’re both naturalists, who share their knowledge, wisdom and the joy they find in all God’s creatures.

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Today’s pick is the foxtail fern, which is not a true fern but part of the asparagus genus and lily family. This neat plant is grown mostly for its foliage, grows 18-24 inches high and doesn’t spread here unless you divide the clump. Unlike true ferns, it likes sun to partial shade, has inconspicuous white flowers and red berry fruits. These could be a problem since the berries are toxic and a bit inviting to young children.