Wildflowers and forbs are an important part of any wild tortoise or herbivorous lizard's diet. For most speceis, we recommend planting outside of the enclosure, or tortoises may consume plants at once.
For Box Turtles, planting annual and perennial wildflowers within the enclosure attracts and provides a food source for snails and other insects enjoyed by omnivorous turtles. An added benefit are the gorgeous hiding places which reduce stress.
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African Pony's Foot (Dicondra repens)
Pony's Foot is a native African plant. It appears during the Spring months in Leopard, Padloper, Tent, and Angulate tortiise habitats, and these South African species absolutely adore this plant.
Offered with plenty of grasses and other weeds, Pony's Foot provides a nutritionally packed snack.
It needs plenty of sun, and regular watering. Does not do well in shady places. Best planted outside of an enclousure and offered occasionally.
Per Packet: (50 seeds)
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Namaqualand Daisy
Native to Southern Africa, and is found in Leopard, Angulate, Padloper, and Hingeback habitats.
This is a hardy plant which does well in full sun and hot temperatures, and likes sandy, gritty soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant.
This plant may behave as an annual or as a perennial, depending on your climate. Many species of tortoise devour the bright yellow and orange flowers.
Per packet:
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Nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.)
Nasturtiums are an all time tortoise and lizard favorite! With edible leaves and flowers, the nasturtium has 10 times the vitamin C of lettuce. This plant has been used in "human" salads and dishes for centuries. Young leaves and flowers have a slightly peppery flavor, similar to watercress.
Offer cuttings of the gorgeous red, yellow, orange, and white flowers and a few leaves after the plant has had a chance to establish itself and bloom.
This variety of nasturtium is not the "trailing" variety, but is more of an upright bushy plant which attains a height of 18 inches. It's excellent as a ground cover, along fences or as a container plant. Needs full sun or partial shade. Nasturtium grows very quickly, germinating in 7 to 8 days and blooming in 4 to 6 weeks. Poor soil quality actually enhances flowering.
If allowed to mature, nasturtium will readily re-seed, just push the new seeds into the ground 1/8" for more plants!
Per Packet of 15 organic seeds:
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Calendula - Calendula officianalis
Also known as the Pot Marigold, Calendula produces gorgeous orange, reddish orange or yellow daisy-like flowers. This is an annual plant that withstands full sun. It tolerates most soil types, and needs average moisture.
This plant has been used both medicinally as well as as a food item for centuries.
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Hollyhock - Alcea rosea
Hollyhock does well in most any soil, and needs average moisture and appreciates full sun to part shade. Tortoises love the flowers!
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Rose Mallow - Lavatera trimestris
Rose Mallow is a hibiscus like annual. It appreciates full sun to partial shade.
It withstands moist conditions, but also appreciates soil that drains well.
If left to re-seed itself, it will come back year after year.
Per Packet:
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Bachelor's Button
Bachelor's Button, also called "Cornflower" because of it's gorgeous blue color, is where the name for the crayon of the same color derived.
This annual grows well in many climates, and is a beautiful addition to any garden.
It will tolerate hot, dry conditions once established, and re-seeds itself easily. Offer cut flowers only, not the entire plant.
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Shepherd's Purse
Tortoises who like to graze on broad leaf plants seem to have one thing in common, most all of them love Shepherd's Purse!
Shepherd's Purse offers excellent nutritional benefits when offered in combination with a good, balanced diet. Great for Mediterranean and Forest species.
Packet: 50+ seeds.
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Sweet Alyssum
Alyssum is a member of the Cruciferae (mustard) family. This annual is native to the Mediterranean area, but naturalized all over North America. Alyssum has been called madwort or heal-bite because of an old folk-tale that it cured rabies.
Alyssum re-seeds itself wonderfully. It's puffy, low growing flowers and green foliage are a great addition to a tortoise's diet, and also looks gorgeous in enclosures. It germinates in just 10-20 days, and can reach a height of 1 (one) foot. Alyssum needs full sun or partial shade, and it's growing season can be extended by trimming regularly. Plant outside of an enclosure, and offer only occasionally.
One packet will seed 100 square feet (if allowed to grow before being eaten by tortoises!)
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White Yarrow (Achilea millefolium)
White Yarrow (Achilea millefolium) is easy to grow and does well in most any soil. Once established it is very drought tolerant, it is also very cold tolerant. It performs well even in sandy soils.
Foliage emerges in the spring, and you can expect blooms in summer. White Yarrow will quickly crowd out other flowers, so plant it away from other wildflowers.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Height: 1 - 2 Feet
Bloom Time: Late Summer to fall
Exposure: Sun
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