Grow a Prehistoric Garden

Sparked by my son's love of dinosaurs as a child, I was intrigued by the idea of growing a prehistoric garden. Unlike ordinary flower gardens, these focus more on foliage, which can offer its own unique interest as well. Growing a prehistoric garden is actually quite easy, though it may not be suitable for everyone. Many of the plants in this type of garden require moderate to tropical-like conditions. Therefore, regions with extended periods of dry heat or cold conditions are not particularly suitable. However, with well-draining soil, moisture, and fairly warm temps, it's still possible to grow a successful garden fit for a dinosaur.

Favorites for this type of garden include cycad plants. Cycads are generally thought of as living fossils. These slow-growing foliage plants actually date back to the dinosaur era, or prehistoric times. Most are sun lovers, though some species also enjoy a little shade. While often confused with palms, the Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is really a cycad. This attractive, sun-loving plant has fronds that are reminiscent of a palm, only stiffer. Sagos make excellent additions to the prehistoric garden. In addition, many palms are quite at home in this type of garden. Since most of these are native to tropical areas, you may want to consider using a couple of the hardiest palms instead-Pindo (Butia capitata) and Windmill (Trachycarpus fortunei).

Many varieties of fern are suitable companions for cycads and palms. Interestingly, some of the most common species, like Maidenhair (Adiantum) and Lady fern (Athyrium), date back to early times. Not only do they date back to prehistoric times, ferns were once the primary vegetation during that time. Ferns can be found in an array of shapes, colors, and sizes, which can make it easy to find one that will work well in your area. A few popular ones to add to the prehistoric garden include Rabbit's foot (Polypodium aureum), which has interesting fuzzy rhizomes; Japanese painted fern (Athyrium nipponicum), with attractive variegated silver and reddish foliage; and Christmas fern (Polysticum acrostichoides), a hardy evergreen variety.

Moss is another plant commonly found in the prehistoric garden. Moss can be easily transplanted to the garden by digging it up and replanting it by gently pressing it into moist soil. Although not technically moss, Irish moss (Sagina subulata) makes a great substitute for those not having real moss readily available. This is an attractive ground cover with small white flowers. A prehistoric garden wouldn't be complete without horsetail plants (Equisetum hyemale). Prehistoric in its own right, horsetails are also among some of the oldest living plants. The 3-4 foot upright evergreen produces hollow stems in spring that eventually give way to tough, stringy-looking foliage that resembles a horse tail. The best way to grow these plants, however, is in containers to keep their invasive behavior under control. Unbeknownst to many, magnolias are also some of the earliest plants and quite common in a prehistoric garden. They range in size from small shrubs to large trees. You can also find them in evergreen varieties or deciduous. Other old-age plants that will work well in this type of garden include pine, ginko, juniper, cypress, yew, ginger, and Dutchman's pipe vine.

When designing prehistoric garden, start with the largest plant and work the pothers in around it, filling in with moss. For additional interest, throw in some large boulders and a water feature of some kind. Create meandering paths throughout the garden using homemade stepping stones that resemble dinosaur prints; and for the kids, why not add a fossil digging site. Simply fill a raised bed (or sandbox) with sand or loose soil and toss in some fossils made from leaves, pinecones, etc. that have been pressed into pieces of concrete.

Resources: personal experience
Down & Dirty by Ellen Zachos