WPB's Mounts Botanical Garden Fills a Horticultural Niche for Plant Lovers

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - March 13, 2015 - PRLog -- The Nursery at Mounts Botanical Garden Fills Horticultural Niche w ith Rare Natives, Exotic Heritage Plants & Edible Herbs

(West Palm Beach, FL – March 13, 2015) How does a small nursery compete with the big guys?  If you're like The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach, you don't even try.

"It's not our mission to propagate species you can find at big box stores," Director Allen Sistrunk says.  "As a botanical garden, we owe it to the public to offer plants they won't find anywhere else."

Indeed, Mounts is one of the few places people can find rare and endangered Florida natives like seashore ageratum, grayleaf and shrub thoroughwort.  But they'll also find rare exotics that adapt well to South Florida conditions, like tropical aster, tree dahlia and giant salvia.

"Everything you'll find on our tables is growing somewhere in the garden," Sistrunk notes.

One of the best sellers at Mounts is the 'Louis Philippe' rose.  Also known as the "cracker rose," It's one of several heritage plants found here.  'Louis Philippe' is the perfect shrub rose, according to Sistrunk.  It's been here since the 1800's, and has few pest and disease problems.  It also needs less fertilizing and watering than finicky hybrid teas

Cranberry hibiscus is another heritage plant carried by Mounts.  Its flowers are showy enough, but its calyxes have been used since colonial times for making jams, jellies and fruit drinks.  Its true claim to fame is the delicious cranberry-like sauce that is also made from its calyxes.  "It's a pretty plant in its own right," Sistrunk adds, "but it also has a rich history."

At 60 varieties and counting, Mounts has one of the widest selections of herbs in South Florida.  Many are tropical species that mimic the aroma and flavor of common ones.  The leaves of Jamaican mint bush make a good substitute for spearmint, and those of Moujean tea actually smell and taste like Earl Grey.  Banana mint, cinnamon basil and papalo are other unusual, hard-to-find herbs in stock.

Mounts doesn't leave food aficionados out of the picture, either.  It carries several tasty Asian vegetables that are unfamiliar to the American palate.  Sambung tastes like green beans and can be used fresh in salads, as can the nutritious leaves of Malabar spinach, Okinawan spinach and moringa.

The Mounts Nursery frequently posts recipes on their Facebook page, as well as stories and photos of plants in stock.  The nursery is run by The Guild, a small group of 12 or so dedicated volunteers that not only grows plants for sales, but also works closely with the Master Gardener program.  Members hold sessions on plant propagation, container planting and other subjects for new trainees.

"The Mounts Nursery is truly a success story by offering cash-and-carry sized plants at amazingly low prices. It's gone beyond our wildest dreams and will only continue to get better," says Sistrunk. “So we invite plant lovers everywhere to visit the Mounts nursery from 9 am to 1 pm, Mondays and Thursdays, as well as the first Saturday of every month from 9 am to 3 pm. There are also a limited number of plants for sale at the Mounts Gift Shop on weekends.”

About The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:

With a mission to inspire the public, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more.  Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.

Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the Garden is $5 per person. For more information, please call  561.233.1757 or visit  www.mounts.org .

Available for Interview:

Allen Sistrunk, Garden Director

561.233.1757

asistrun@pbcgov.org

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS, Inc.

561.756.4298

gary@pr-bs.net