THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240096
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
IN 1492, Christopher Columbus set out looking for a shorter route to the Indies, because Europeans needed spices for medicine, cooking and preserving food.
Instead Columbus found America and two continents of plants just as useful as any from the Indies. Historians usually list the ``most economically significant plants'' as corn, tobacco and Irish potatoes. Little is said about the flowers grown by American Indians.
Many favorite flowers, from cannas to zinnias, are native to North, South and Central America. Some had been domesticated by the Indians long before Europeans arrived. The tuberose, for example, had been grown in Mexico for so long that its origins were lost. Some, such as amsonia and sunflower, have only recently begun to be appreciated in home gardens.
Most flowers of the pre-Columbian era are easy to grow from seed and require little care.
Here are recommendations for a ``Garden of the Americas.''
Sunflowers - American Indians grew sunflowers for their seed. The crunchy tubers of the Jerusalem artichoke, a native sunflower, were one of their staple foods. Others such as swamp sunflower and Maximillian sunflower are beautiful natives that are just now being appreciated in gardens. Breeders have developed short and tall sunflowers in differing flower colors.
Canna - Many cannas are native, from tropical America to as far north as South Carolina. Their tubers were widely used as food. The flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds, which are found only in the New World. There are short and tall cannas of many colors.
Tuberose - Like corn, the tuberose was domesticated by pre-Columbian Indians of Mexico. One of the most fragrant flowers you can grow, it is only partially hardy here. Those with single flowers seem to be hardier. Some gardeners grow them in containers and move them indoors in winter. The tuberose is an excellent cut flower and is grown commercially as a source of perfume.
Marigold - Various marigolds are native from Arizona and New Mexico south to Argentina. One of the easiest flowers to grow, they repel some insects.
Yucca - Yuccas can be found in many parts of North America. Yucca filamentosa is often called Adam's needle and Yucca aloifolia is called Spanish bayonet, a name that brings to mind the conquistadors. Yuccas were used by Indians for food, fiber and soap. Yucca can be found on the menus of some Carribbean restaurants.
Dahlia - Domesticated by pre-Columbian Indians, the dahlia is native to Mexico, Central America and Colombia. In this area, tubers can be left in the ground, if the soil is well-drained, and they will come back and bloom the next summer.
Mollypop - Also known as ``passionflower,'' because its unusual flowers reminded Spanish missionaries of the passion of Christ, it was grown by Indians for its beautiful flowers and fruit. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
PARK SEED CO.
Marigolds are an easy-to-grow pre-Columbian era flower.
by CNB