The Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Guide to
Plant Selection & Landscape Design
A F L O R I D A - F R I E N D LY L A N D S C A P I N G T M P U B L I C AT I O N
Copyright 2010, University of Florida.This publication was funded in part by FDEP with a Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DISCLAIMER: The mention of a specific product or company is for information purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of that product or company.
WHAT ARE FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPES?
Florida-Friendly Landscapes protect Florida’s unique natural resources by conserving water, reducing waste and pollution,
creating wildlife habitat, and preventing erosion. Any landscape can be Florida-Friendly if it is designed and cared for
according to the nine Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM principles, which encourage individual expression of landscape
beauty. In 2009, the Florida Legislature found that the use of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM and other water use and
pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state’s water resources serves a compelling public interest and
that the participation of homeowners’ associations and local governments is essential to the state’s efforts in water conser-
vation and water quality protection and restoration. Make your landscape a Florida-Friendly Landscape — do your part to
create a more sustainable Florida!
SERVICES
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods is brought to Floridians by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Service and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the five Water Management Districts. UF/IFAS Extension
offers the public the following services in every county in the state at either no charge or for a minimal fee:
• Workshops and classes
• Plant and landscape advice based on current University of Florida research
• Official yard recognition program
The program also offers online resources, including numerous publications, a tutorial for custom landscape design, and a
plant database.
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPINGTM PROGRAM OFF ICE
Phone: (352) 273-4518
Web site: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu
Please visit our Web site to find your county Extension office.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to the following individuals for helping to produce this document:
Adrian Hunsberger
Alison Fox
Angela Maraj
Barbra Larson
Bart Schutzman
Brian Niemann
Chris Dewey
Claudia Larsen
Crysta Gantz
Dan Culbert
David Sandrock
Dean Rusk
Doug Caldwell
Ed Gilman
Eileen Tramontana
Emily Eubanks
Erick Smith
Erin Alvarez
Esen Momol
Gail Hansen
Gary Knox
Georgia Gelmis
Glenn Acomb
Heather Ritchie
Jane Morse
Jessica Sullivan
Jim Moll
Joan Dusky
Jyotsna Sharma
Kathy Malone
Kim Gabel
Larry Williams
Marguerite Beckford
Mary Duryea
Michael Scheinkman
Michael Thomas
Patty Connolly
Rick Schoellhorn
Sandy Wilson
Sarah Graddy
Stephen Brown
Sydney Park Brown
Sylvia Durrell
Teresa Watkins
Terril Nell
Terry DelValle
Tom MacCubbin
Tom Wichman
Wendy Wilber
Table of Contents
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
INTRODUCTION:
What Is a Florida-Friendly Landscape? ............................2
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program ................2
Landscape Design & Plant Selection ................................2
How to Use this Book ......................................................2
THE NINE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY
LANDSCAPING™ PRINCIPLES
#1: Right Plant, Right Place ..............................................3
#2: Water Efficiently ........................................................3
#3: Fertilize Appropriately ................................................3
#4: Mulch ..........................................................................3
#5: Attract Wildlife............................................................3
#6: Manage Yard Pests Responsibly ..................................3
#7: Recycle ........................................................................3
#8: Prevent Stormwater Runoff ........................................4
#9: Protect the Waterfront ................................................4
DESIGNING YOUR
FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE
Introduction ......................................................................5
What if I Live in a Planned Community? ........................5
Design Scenarios:
Scenario A: Front Entry ..............................................6
Scenario B: Along Walls ............................................8
Scenario C: Along Sidewalks ..................................10
Scenario D: Under Windows ....................................12
Scenario E: Along Fences..........................................14
Scenario F: Under Trees ............................................16
Scenario G: Utilities ..................................................18
Scenario H: Standing Water ......................................20
CONVERTING YOUR YARD
TO A FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE
Overview of the Step-by-Step Process ............................21
The Florida-Friendly Master Plan ..................................21
The Seven Steps ..............................................................21
ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Form Follows Function ..................................................23
Plant Matchmaking ........................................................23
Wet versus Dry................................................................23
Wind-Wise Plantings ......................................................23
Made in the Shade ..........................................................23
The Lowdown on Turfgrass ............................................23
Natives versus Non-Natives ............................................23
Soil Conditions................................................................23
Plant Selection ................................................................23
Plant Sorting....................................................................24
Choosing a Landscape Maintenance Service ..................24
LANDSCAPE PLANNING WORKSHEET ....................25
FIVE COMMON GARDENING MISTAKES ................28
FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™
PLANT LIST
Introduction ....................................................................29
Key to Symbols and Abbreviations ................................31
Large Trees ......................................................................32
Medium Trees..................................................................38
Small Trees ......................................................................42
Large Shrubs....................................................................50
Small Shrubs....................................................................64
Vines................................................................................67
Groundcovers..................................................................70
Grasses ............................................................................74
Palms & Palm-Like Plants ..............................................76
Ferns................................................................................81
Perennials ........................................................................83
Annuals ..........................................................................95
Turfgrass ..........................................................................99
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
References......................................................................100
Photo Credits ................................................................100
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FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
WHAT IS A FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE?A Florida-Friendly Landscape is a quality landscape that isdesigned, installed, and maintained according to the nineFlorida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles. The nine prin-ciples seek to reduce environmental impact from landscap-ing by properly applying water, fertilizer, and pesticides,creating wildlife habitat, preventing erosion, recyclingyard waste, and employing other practices based onUniversity of Florida research.
Not all Florida-Friendly Landscapes look alike. A widevariety of forms, styles, and types are available to thedesigner. Florida-Friendly Landscapes may incorporateboth native and non-native plants. One Florida-Friendlyyard may use a rain garden to filter stormwater runoff,while another may attract pollinators with specific nectarplants. But if cared for according to the nine principles, aFlorida-Friendly Landscape can produce aestheticallypleasing, low-maintenance results that may add value toyour property while helping to protect the state’s naturalresources.
THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLYLANDSCAPING™ PROGRAMPreserving and protecting Florida’s water resources is thefocus of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL)Program, which promotes the nine principles with publicoutreach and education statewide. The FFL Program is ajoint venture of the Florida Department of EnvironmentalProtection (FDEP) and the University of Florida Instituteof Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The FFLProgram works in cooperation with the state’s five watermanagement districts and other agencies and organiza-tions to achieve the common goals of water conservationand water quality protection.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & PLANT SELECTIONSo, how do plant selection and landscape design con-tribute to saving water and preventing pollution? The firstFlorida-Friendly Landscaping™ principle—“Right Plant,Right Place”—involves designing a landscape efficientlyand choosing plants that fit the site. This helps reducemaintenance inputs, including irrigation, fertilization,mowing, and application of pesticides, which in turn low-ers the risk of pollutants finding their way into ground orsurface waters. Keeping excess nitrogen and phosphorousout of the water improves the health of water bodies andby extension the whole ecosystem. This guide will helpyou to create a landscape that works with the naturalenvironment, rather than against it. Such a landscape, ifmaintained correctly, will require less money, time, andeffort on your part, while still looking healthy and beauti-ful.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOKThe Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to PlantSelection and Landscape Design is intended as a compan-ion to The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook(4th ed., 2009). The Handbook is available through your county Extension office or online athttp://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/. The Handbook describes in detailthe nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principlesthat are the bedrock of the FFL Program. This guide isintended for homeowners who want to take the next stepand design their own Florida-Friendly Landscapes.Included in this book is information on landscape designstrategies, a landscape planning worksheet, and the FFLPlant List containing many of the UF/IFAS-recommendedFlorida-Friendly plants for each region of the state.
2
Introduction
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication3
The nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles are the cornerstone of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™Program. Based on UF/IFAS science, the principles teachhomeowners, builders and developers, landscape mainte-nance professionals, and other Florida citizens how toimplement environmentally sound design and maintenancetechniques in their landscapes. The principles are outlinedbriefly here. For more detailed information, please refer tothe FFL state office Web site (http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu) or toThe Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook.
PRINCIPLE #1: RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT PLACE
Plants well-suited to their site need less irrigation and fertilizerand are more resistant to pest infestation. Florida-FriendlyLandscaping™ principles encourage the selection of the rightplant for the right place, helping you create a healthy, attrac-tive landscape that works with the natural ecosystem ratherthan against it. Match plants with site conditions based onUSDA zone, water and light requirements, soil conditions, saltand wind tolerance, and other factors. The FFL Plant List canhelp you make the right plant selections for your landscape.
PRINCIPLE #2: WATER EFFICIENTLY
Overwatering not only depletes water supplies, it raisesyour water bill and makes landscapes more prone to pestinfestation. If needed, irrigate plants according toUF/IFAS-recommended rates and application schedules,taking into account local restrictions issued by your watermanagement district. Water only when plants show signsof wilt, preferably in the early morning. Check your irriga-tion system regularly for leaks and clogs. Do not water if ithas rained in the past 24 hours, or if rain is forecast in thenext 24 hours. By law you must install, maintain, andoperate a device such as a rain sensor that prevents oper-ation of your automatic irrigation system during periods ofsufficient moisture.
PRINCIPLE #3: FERTILIZE APPROPRIATELY
If fertilization is needed, use UF/IFAS-recommended ratesand application schedules to get a healthier lawn and gar-den. Fertilizing at the correct times and in the correctamounts not only supplies plants with the nutrients they need,it helps prevent fertilizer runoff and leaching that can getinto our water supplies and interfere with ecosystem andhuman health. Fertilizing at the rates recommended by UFscientists helps avoid the excessive growth, pest problems,and higher water requirements that over-fertilization causes.
PRINCIPLE #4: MULCH
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ methods recommendusing mulch to protect against soil erosion, maintain soilmoisture, inhibit weed growth, improve soil structureand aeration, and reduce pesticide use. A Florida-Friendly Landscape will feature one of the types ofmulch recommended in The Florida Yards &Neighborhoods Handbook in its planting beds.
PRINCIPLE #5: ATTRACT WILDLIFE
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ encourages Floridians tomake their yards attractive to birds, bees, bats, and othercreatures displaced by rapid urban development. Supplyberry bushes, a bird bath, or a bat house; increase verti-cal layering to provide habitat; manage household petsand reduce insecticide use—all these tricks can welcomewild visitors in need of refuge. Many of these will returnthe favor by eating pest insects and helping to pollinateyour garden!
PRINCIPLE #6: MANAGE YARD PESTS RESPONSIBLY
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program advocates amore holistic approach to pest control than merely spray-ing chemicals. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) createsan effective defense against yard pests while minimizingenvironmental impact. IPM emphasizes smart planning,proper maintenance, and natural or low-toxicity controlsto ensure that plants stay healthy and resist disease andinsect infestation. Chemical treatments may still be neces-sary in some cases, but use of toxic materials will beminimized by this approach.
PRINCIPLE #7: RECYCLE
A Florida-Friendly Landscape recycles yard waste generated by activities like mowing, pruning, and raking.Use these leftovers as mulch or compost, returning valu-able nutrients to your landscape. Save money and enrichyour soil by composting grass clippings, weeds, and planttrimmings and using the compost as an amendment.
The Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles
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PRINCIPLE #8: MANAGE STORMWATER RUNOFF
A Florida-Friendly Landscape uses porous pavers, rainbarrels or cisterns, rain gardens, and swales and berms tokeep rainwater on site and allow it to percolate into theground or be captured for later use. Reducing the amountof runoff and the chance for rainwater to wash quicklyinto storm drains—carrying yard clippings, fertilizer, pesti-cide, dirt, oil, and other toxins—is the goal of managingstormwater runoff.
PRINCIPLE #9: PROTECT THE WATERFRONT
Implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ design andmaintenance methods helps protect water bodies from pol-lution. If you live on a lake, bay, river, or other waterbody, keep fertilizers, pesticides, and other toxins awayfrom the water by preserving a 10-foot maintenance-freezone between your landscape and the water. Do not mow,fertilize, or apply pesticides in that area. Even if you donot live immediately on the waterfront, the pesticides andfertilizers you apply in your landscape affect the health oflocal water bodies through a drainage system called thewatershed. The choices you make at home have much far-ther-reaching consequences than you might imagine.
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
Florida-Friendly Landscapes are all based on the samenine principles. But Florida-Friendly Landscaping™encourages individual expression of beauty. As long asyou apply the principles described in The Florida Yards &Neighborhoods Handbook, your landscape can be Florida-Friendly and as individual as you want.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN A PLANNED COMMUNITY?Check with your homeowner association before you makechanges to your landscape. HOAs, usually have a land-scape review board and can regulate the appearance andtypes of plantings in your yard, as long as they do notprohibit you from installing and maintaining Florida-Friendly Landscapes.
If you live in a community with codes, covenants andrestrictions that could be more Florida-Friendly, encour-age your association to adopt all or part of the modelFlorida-Friendly Landscaping™ restrictions, found athttp://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program has a num-ber of “success stories” which highlight water and costs savings for communities that adopt Florida-FriendlyLandscaping™ and maintenance practices. Visit the Website at http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/.
DESIGN SCENARIOSThe following eight design scenarios represent selectareas of your home landscape—front entry, under win-dows, utility boxes, etc. Each of these scenarios was cho-sen because of common landscape design issues that con-front a homeowner in these areas.
In each scenario, you will be shown a challenging land-scape situation and learn what could be done to design asolution in a more Florida-Friendly manner. Be awarethat the graphics show the improved landscapes at anearly stage after plant installation. The plants will growand eventually fill in more of the mulched area.
5
Designing Your Florida-Friendly Landscape
CHALLENGES:
• Not enough plant material in beds
• Plants are not in scale with front of house
GOAL:
To create a visually welcoming front entrythrough the use of color, texture, or fra-grance. Be sure to choose plants that are inscale with the size of your lot and house.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Low-growing, compact plants
• Colorful
• Medium or coarse texture
• Bold forms
• Simple growth habit
Design Solutions:
• Place low/small plants next to the walk-way to reduce trimming needs
• Place interesting plants at natural viewpoints
• Use small trees to provide a sense ofscale and visual interest
• Use colorful or fragrant plants to engagethe senses
• Use curved planting beds to draw theviewer’s eye through the landscape
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SCENARIO A: FRONT ENTRYTwo design options (With trees, Without trees)
Sidewalk
House
Driveway
Turf
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1
With Trees
Sidewalk
House
Sidewalk
House
SOLUTION 2
Without Trees
Turf
Small tree
Colorful plants
Low plants adjacentto sidewalk
Interesting plants atnatural view points
Tall shrub
CHALLENGES:
• Blank wall is not visually pleasing
• Bare walls act as a heat sink during thesummer
GOAL:
To break the monotony of blank walls throughthe use of properly sized foundation plant-ings. Small trees can be used to provide cool-ing benefits as well.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Low- or medium-height shrubs
• Soft/fine texture
• Loose foliage
• Flexible branches
Design Solutions:
• Place root ball at least 3’ from wall toallow for air flow and maintenance access
• Choose plants with a tidy growth habitand be aware of their mature size toreduce trimming needs
• Choose plants that are color-compatiblewith the wall
• Consider planting small trees to provideshade and cooling benefits
• Use slightly taller plants between windowsto break the monotony of a uniform hedge
• Use shrubs with soft/fine texture and flexi-ble branches for easy pruning and toreduce injury when accessing the wall formaintenance
SCENARIO B: ALONG WALLSTwo design options (With trees, Without trees)
House
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 20108
Turf
Fence
Existing Landscape
SOLUTION 1
With Trees
House House
SOLUTION 2
Without Trees
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Low shrubs
Small tree
FenceTurf FenceTurf
Tall shrub
Medium height shrubs
Groundcover
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201010
CHALLENGE:
• Turf is in poor condition
GOAL:
To reduce trimming and maintenance needsadjacent to the sidewalk. A 4’ turf strip orraised edging can be used to keep mulchfrom washing onto the sidewalk.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Low growing
• Compact growth habit
• Does not attract biting or stinging insects
Design Solutions:
• Reduce trimming and edging needs byplacing plants with clean, compact growthhabits closest to walkways or by using aturf strip of at least 4’ adjacent to thesidewalk
• If a turf strip is not used, consider araised edging to keep mulch off sidewalks
• Avoid plants that attract biting or stinginginsects
• Use plants with interesting textures andcolors for close viewing
SCENARIO C: ALONG SIDEWALKSTwo design options (Turf buffer, Raised edging)
House
SidewalkTurf
Fence
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1
Turf Buffer Strip
SOLUTION 2
Raised Edging
House
Sidewalk
Turf
Fence
Small tree
4' Turf stripHouse
Turf
Fence
Sidewalk
Compactgroundcover
Raisededging
Interestinggrowth
habit
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201012
CHALLENGES:
• Dense plant blocks rear window
• No plant material around front window
GOAL:
To frame windows with plant material to addvisual interest and curb appeal. Alternately,plant material can be used to provide lightscreening of windows to prevent passersbyfrom seeing in through the windows.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Medium height
• No thorns or stiff leaves
• Loose foliage
• Flexible branches
Design Solutions:
• Avoid blocking views by choosing plantswith medium height and compact growthhabits
• Choose shrubs with a tidy growth habitand allow enough room to access win-dows for cleaning and hanging stormshutters
• Avoid stiff, thorny plants that would pre-vent exiting from windows in an emer-gency situation
• Be aware of the mature size of plants andchoose appropriately
• Use small trees with low canopies if shadeor screening is desired
SCENARIO D: UNDER WINDOWSTwo design options (No screening, Light screening)
House
Sidewalk
Turf
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1
No Screening
SOLUTION 2
Light Screening
House
Sidewalk
House
Sidewalk
Turf
Medium height shrub
Low shrubs
Turf
Groundcover
Open shrub
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CHALLENGES:
• Bare fence is not visually pleasing
• View from yard needs screening (ex:neighbor’s unsightly yard, road, etc.)
GOAL:
To turn an unsightly view into a visuallypleasing one through the use of colorful vinesand evergreen plants. Be sure to chooseappropriately sized plants for your designintent.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Dense foliage
• Upright form
• Evergreen
• Fast growing
• Vining
Design Solutions:
• Choose hardy vines with colorful bloomsor pleasant fragrance to hide the fence
• Choose fast-growing plants with densegrowth habits for screening and privacy
• Select evergreen plants for year-round privacy and color
• Use plants with appropriate height toblock unwanted views
SCENARIO E: ALONG FENCESThree design options (Vines, Partial screening, Full screening)
Turf
Fence
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1With Vines
SOLUTION 2With Partial Screening
SOLUTION 3With Full Screening
Turf
Fence
Vine
Mulch
Turf
Fence
Mulch
Evergreen tree
Medium height shrub
Mulch
Fence
Turf
Evergreen tree
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201016
CHALLENGES:
• Turf is in poor condition
• Plants are too close to trunk
• Mulch area is too small
GOAL:
To create a plant bed that will thrive in shadyconditions where turfgrass will not. Allowingan area to be self-mulched by falling leavesis an excellent low-maintenance solution.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Shade tolerant
• Shallow roots
• Groundcover with spreading growth habit
Design Solutions:
• Use plants that look good alongside fallenleaves
• Install small plants to avoid root damageto the tree
• In dense shade where plant options arelimited, consider allowing fallen leaves tocreate a self-mulching bed
SCENARIO F: UNDER TREES Two design options (Open canopy, Dense shade)
House
Sidewalk
Turf
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1
Open Canopy
SOLUTION 2
Dense Shade
HouseHouse
Sidewalk
Turf
Sidewalk
Turf
Groundcover
Low shrubs
Self-mulching bed
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201018
CHALLENGES:
• Utility box is not visually pleasing
GOAL:
To create a plant bed around an unsightlyutility to make it blend into the landscape. Besure to allow room to access the utility whenthe need arises.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Low/medium shrubs
• Simple growth habit
• Soft foliage
• No flowers/bees
• No thorns
Design Solutions:
• Consult with your local utility companyfor planting regulations around utilities
• Use plants with soft foliage so thebranches can be bent back to allow foraccess
• Don’t try to hide the utility but rather tryto make it blend in with the plant bed
• Consider the mail carrier and meterreader when selecting plants, avoidplants that attract stinging insects andplants with thorns
SCENARIO G: UTILITIES Two design options (Full blend, Partial blend)
Sidewalk
Turf
Utility box
Existing Landscape
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SOLUTION 1
Full Blend
SOLUTION 2
Partial Blend
SidewalkSidewalk
Turf
Utility box
Medium height shrubs
Turf
Utility box
Low shrubs
Soft foliage
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201020
CHALLENGES:
• Water is slow to drain and collects in low areas
• Compacted soil
GOAL:
To turn low wet areas into rain gardens that willcollect and filter rain water. Rain gardens can beattractive features in dry times as well if appro-priate plant and material selections are made.
Plant Characteristics to Look For:
• Ability to survive prolonged wet conditions
• Also able to tolerate dry conditions (whenwater is absent)
Design Solutions:
• Consider having the low area(s) excavatedby a professional and use the excess soil tocreate berms around the rain garden
• Use plants that will survive wet (or dry) con-ditions for long periods of time
• Line the bottom of the rain garden withrocks and boulders to provide visual interestduring dry periods
SCENARIO H: STANDING WATER One design option (Rain garden)
SOLUTION 1Rain Garden Water flow
Water flow
Water flow
Rock lining
Existing Landscape
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Converting Your Yard to a Florida-Friendly Landscape
A Florida-Friendly Landscape is ecologically sound andcost effective. If you get the chance to design a landscapefrom scratch, you can go Florida-Friendly all at once. Butsometimes it is not practical for a homeowner with anestablished landscape to make the changeover to aFlorida-Friendly design immediately. Converting an estab-lished yard to a Florida-Friendly Landscape can be donemost effectively in about three years and seven steps.
OVERVIEW OF THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESSFirst, develop a master plan on paper. Second, install anypatios, walkways, or decks (hardscapes). Heavy equipmentand materials used in the construction of hardscapes shouldbe used before planting to avoid crushing the plants. Third,prepare areas to plant trees. Trees should be planted beforeother plants because they require more time to reach a sizethat will provide shade and mulch (leaf litter). The finalsteps in the conversion involve working in small sectionsand installing plant beds and mulch in phases.
THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY MASTER PLANWhether you are designing a landscape from scratch orconverting to a Florida-Friendly Landscape, create aFlorida-Friendly Master Landscape Plan. This is a com-plete plan for your yard that includes all elements in pre-cise locations and takes into account the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping ™ principles.
To create the master plan, you may find it helpful to usethe Landscape Planning Worksheet provided in this guideor a similar form. Conduct a site inventory and analysisto determine the opportunities and constraints of youryard. Pay attention to soil type, existing vegetation, shadepatterns, drainage patterns, views, and utility locations.Homeowners should also consider their needs and wants.
Draw the master plan to scale, including property bound-aries from a certified survey, the location of the house andany existing hardscape, and the location of any trees orplants to remain on site. Complete the master plan byadding all proposed plants, hardscapes, and specified con-struction materials. If applicable, check with your HOAbefore beginning the design process, and be sure toobtain final approval from the responsible committee.
Use the nine FFL principles, design elements, and funda-mentals of design described in this guide to create outdoor“rooms” by using pathways, hardscapes, and plants todivide and organize spaces. Also consider the following:
• Proportion: Keep the size of the plants proportional tothe house and yard.
• Variety: Make the yard interesting by having variation inplant sizes (especially heights), color, texture, and shape.
• Composition: Group and arrange plants in overlappingmasses based on the size, form, color, and growingrequirements.
• Emphasis: Use dramatically different plants as focalpoints to attract attention.
THE SEVEN STEPSThe seven-steps described below illustrate the phasedprocess of converting a landscape, including the additionof new hardscape, trees, and Florida-Friendly plant mate-rial to a typical development landscape. If all steps arefollowed, the final product will be a Florida-FriendlyLandscape created over a three-year period.
STEP 1: DEVELOP A MASTER PLANInclude some of the following elements in your Florida-Friendly Master Landscape Plan:
• Turf areas, plant beds, and mulch areas
• Entertainment and circulation areas such as pathways,decks, and patios
• Trees and shrubs (placed for energy efficiency and asscreens/buffers for views)
• Plantings to screen A/C units & utilities
• Concealed work/trash area
• Wildlife habitat plantings
• Garden shed/compost bin
• Cisterns/rain barrels (located by downspouts)
• Rainwater collection areas (low spots or rain gardens)
STEP 2: INSTALL HARDSCAPES (PATIOS, WALKWAYS, DECKS, POOLS, ETC.)• Call before you dig. State law requires that you call
the free Utility Locator Service at 811 at least two full business days before you dig. http://www.callsunshine.com/
• Install all new hardscapes at the same time to savemoney by not destroying plants later.
• Use porous pavers, concrete or gravel, to allowstormwater drainage.
• Use durable materials and, whenever possible, usereclaimed, reprocessed, or recycled-content materials(EDIS pub 1110/EP374).
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
• Minimize the movement of trucks and equipment inthe yard to avoid soil compaction.
• If using underground irrigation, install the systembefore installing plants.
STEP 3: CREATE NEW TREE BEDS• Mark the edge of the new tree bed with a rope.
• Remove sod or other plant material and till to aeratesoil in tree bed area.
• Put down a 2-3”-thick layer of Florida-Friendly mulchto protect the soil.
STEP 4: INSTALL TREES• Choose healthy trees appropriate for your climate and
conditions (wind, moisture, soil, etc.), and use properinstallation techniques (EDIS pub ENH856/EP112).
• Wind proof by grouping trees together and locate toprovide selective shade.
• Call to locate underground utility lines before digging.
• Install any new trees located near proposed hardscapeafter the hardscape is installed (Step 2).
STEP 5: PREPARE (PHASE I) PLANT BEDS• Consult the master plan to decide where to install the
first planted area. Your choice will be determined byyour needs.
• Remember to leave clear access to the backyard if youdo the front yard first.
• Use boundaries such as walkways, fences, or house cor-ners to determine the extent of the planted area.
STEP 6: INSTALL (PHASE I) PLANT BEDS• Relocate existing plants as indicated on the master plan
and space relocated and new plants accordingly.
• Use proper installation practices for planting (EDIS pubENH856/EP112).
• If you are not installing the plants, hire landscape con-tractors certified in Florida-Friendly Green IndustryBest Management Practices (GI-BMPs).
• Mulch newly installed plants to control weeds andreduce runoff (EDIS pub ENH103/MG251).
• Follow a UF/IFAS-recommended irrigation scheduleuntil plants are established (EDIS pub ENH857/EP113)and then reduce irrigation as needed.
STEP 7: REPEAT STEPS 5 & 6 FOR ADDITIONAL PHASES OF PLANT BEDS• Additional phases of Plant Beds are determined by your
needs. For Phase II , you may choose to plant the areathat is contiguous to the Phase I plants, or you maydecide to plant another area of the garden that is usedoften or for a different purpose.
• Follow the procedures used in Phase I to prepare bedsand install the Phase II plants. If a temporary irrigationsystem was used in Phase I, the system can be relocatedto use in Phase II.
• Remember the plants in Phase II will initially be small-er than the plants in Phase I, but they will quicklycatch up and fill in the space.
• You may want to choose less visible areas for the lastphase(s).
• Again, follow the procedure used in previous phases I and II to prepare and install additional beds.
• Remember the plants in later phases will be smallerthan the plants in the earlier phases, but they will alsoquickly catch up.
• Maintain the yard with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™principles described in The Florida Yards & NeighborhoodsHandbook and in this publication. If you are not main-taining the landscape, hire a landscape contractor who iscertified in the GI-BMPs.
22
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
Florida-Friendly Landscape design combines art and sci-ence to create functional, attractive, and ecologicallysound surroundings that complement a home or otherstructure. But Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ guidelinesneed not restrict your choices of color, texture, and style.Here are some tips to bear in mind when planning yourlandscape.
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTIONLandscape designers often recommend grouping plantsinto masses to unify the design of plant beds. Groups ofplants are visually pleasing, and this technique also pro-vides environmental benefits. Trees planted in groups pro-vide more atmospheric cooling than the same number ofevenly spaced, isolated trees and are much better protect-ed in high winds. In addition, trees planted in combina-tion with appropriate shrubs and groundcovers form effec-tive windbreaks and wildlife habitat.
PLANT MATCHMAKINGTurfgrasses and landscape plants have different water, fer-tilizer, and maintenance needs. Group plants in bedsaccording to water requirements to conserve water andmake maintenance easier.
WET VERSUS DRYMany drought-tolerant plants thrive in elevated dry spotsor in windy areas but can quickly succumb to root dis-eases and pest problems if planted in areas that tend tostay wet. Drought-tolerant plants do well in exposed areasand along the unshaded southern or western walls ofbuildings, but you should place plants adapted to wet soilsin low spots, along waterways, and in areas with poordrainage.
WIND-WISE PLANTINGSFlorida winter winds tend to blow from the north ornorthwest. A solid fence or a row of evergreens on thenorth side of a house forms a barrier against cold winterwinds, which can dry and damage plants. In the summer,winds typically originate in the south, so allow coolingbreezes in your outdoor living spaces by keeping tall bar-riers away from the southern edge of your landscape.Since Florida is frequently in the path of hurricanes,choose trees that are known for sturdiness in high winds.
MADE IN THE SHADEPosition trees and shrubs strategically to help cool or heatyour home. Plant deciduous shade trees on the south,east, and west sides of a house to cast shade in summerand allow warming in winter. Tree shade can significantlyreduce air conditioning costs. An air-conditioning system’soutdoor compressor/condenser unit uses less energy whenit is shaded from direct sun during the day, but be carefulnot to block the unit’s airflow. If the warm discharge air
cannot escape, the intake air temperature rises, causingthe unit to operate less efficiently.
THE LOWDOWN ON TURFGRASSHealthy lawns cool and clean the air by absorbing carbondioxide, releasing oxygen, and collecting dust and dirt.They filter stormwater runoff and reduce erosion, glare,and noise. But the many benefits of grass are only realizedwhen it’s cared for and used properly. Grass thrives insunny areas, but most types do not grow well in denseshade. In shady spots, plant shade-tolerant groundcoversinstead of turf.
NATIVES VERSUS NON-NATIVESA common misconception is that Florida-FriendlyLandscaping™ principles dictate the use of only plantspecies native to Florida. In fact, the FFL Program encour-ages a mix of natives and non-natives, depending on whatplants are right for that particular location. “Right Plant,Right Place” governs the selection of plants, bearing inmind the soil, light, water, wind, and other conditions atthat site. Do not forget to consider plant colors, textures,and bloom times. See the IFAS Assessment of Non-nativePlants in Florida’s Natural Areas (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/conclusions.html) for a list of invasive speciesthat should be removed where possible and never planted.
SOIL CONDITIONSIt is important to know your soil type before selectingplants for the site. Your landscape may have different soiltypes in different areas. A soil test can tell you the pH ofyour soil and what amendments may be used, such ascompost or manure, to improve or alter your soil condi-tions. If your soil is compacted, as is frequently the caseon new home sites, you should loosen and amend yoursoil as you add planting beds for optimum root health.
PLANT SELECTIONThe choice of plants determines how much maintenance alandscape requires and also how long it lasts. Use thesesteps as a guide to selecting the right plants for the rightplaces in your Florida-Friendly yard.
• Choose low-maintenance plants suited to your site.
• Welcome wildlife.
• Group high-maintenance plants together for greatervisual impact and easier care.
• Eliminate invasive plants.
• Buy quality plants.
• Consider the mature size of the plant.
23
Ecological Considerations
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
• Avoid monocultures and aim for a mosaic of trees,shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers.
• Plan turf areas to be functional and low-maintenance.
• Use groundcovers on slopes where grass is difficult tomaintain.
• Choose slow-growing plants that will last longer andcreate less work.
• Consider wind tolerance.
• Think of maintenance requirements.
PLANT SORTINGIf you are renovating your landscape, it is wise to keepsome of the plants you already have. Follow these simpleguidelines to sift through your botanical choices.
• Keep healthy plants.
• Discard tightly spaced plants.
• Retain trees with long life spans.
• Save clusters of trees and the plants growing beneaththem.
• Remove unsuitable plants.
• Relocate plantings out from under eaves.
CHOOSING A LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICEIf you lack the desire or ability to do your own landscapework, you may decide to hire a professional maintenancecompany. Look for companies whose employees haveobtained a certificate of completion in the Florida-FriendlyBest Management Practices for Protection of WaterResources by the Green Industries (GI-BMPs). These profes-sionals will know how to care for your landscape in aFlorida-Friendly manner. In many areas of Florida this train-ing is already mandatory; by January 1, 2014, all commercialfertilizer applicators must have this certificate of completionand the accompanying license from the Department ofAgriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
24
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
This worksheet can be used for both new and established landscapes. By following these steps, you will be on your way to athriving, low-maintenance landscape suited to your climate and needs.
1. Decide why you want to landscape.Most homeowners think of landscaping as a way to add beauty to their home or to improve their property’s resale value. Otherreasons to landscape are more specific, such as enhancing or screening a view, creating a microclimate, or attracting wildlife. Youmay need a play area for your children, or perhaps you would like to entertain family and friends outdoors. Your passion may beraising vegetables or simply savoring a lovely view.
Before you begin, think about how you will use your landscape. Write down as many ideas as possible. It is much easier toremove elements from your plan than it is to add them down the line.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Obtain a soil analysis.Soil plays a big part in any landscape project, influencing what plants will thrive in your yard. Determine your soil’s texture(sandy to clay), and have it tested to determine the pH—the level of acidity or alkalinity. This information will help you decidewhich plants are best suited to the conditions of your yard.
Soil texture: ___________________________________
pH: __________________________________________
Any exceptions? (For example, the place where you want to put a planting bed may have more acidic soil than other areas in thelandscape.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Draw a site plan. You can use a pencil, ruler and graph paper, or computer software to draw your site plan. Do not worry about getting the scalejust right. If you have a survey of your property, you can copy it and draw on the copies.
Draw your house and existing trees, shrubs, and other plants you want to keep. If you already have an irrigation system, be sureto note its location and various zones. Include permanent features such as utilities, hardscapes like the driveway, and watersources like spigots. See the sample site plan provided for guidance.
25
Landscape Planning Worksheet
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
4. Inventory your landscape.Walk around your property with your site plan, noting conditions and features that make your yard unique. Does your site callfor plants that are tolerant of cold, wind, full sun, shade, drought, occasional flooding, or salt spray? Be sure to make note of anyparticularly good views that could be enhanced or bad views that need to be screened. See the sample site inventory & analysisprovided for guidance.
What kinds of conditions does your landscape have? ______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Draw an activity diagram.On a clean copy of your site plan, sketch the locations where activities will take place (refer to your answers for step 1). Makesure to consider views. Is there a spot you regularly look at that you want to enhance with plants that attract birds or butterflies?Are there structures or equipment, such as a utility box or shed, which you would like to hide? See the sample activity diagramprovided for guidance.
26
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
6. Create a landscape plan.Your landscape plan will be guided by the site inventory and analysis and activity maps discussed in steps 4 and 5. Based onthese other two diagrams, determine the types of plants you want in different locations. Do not worry about choosing specificplants yet—just identify where you want trees, shrubs, groundcovers, flowering plants, and grass areas. See the sample landscapeplan provided in the next section for guidance.
THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE MASTER PLAN
Now that you have a plan, you can choose plants suited for the conditions in your landscape using the Florida-FriendlyLandscaping™ Plant List beginning on page 29.
27
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
Avoid these five common mistakes for a more Florida-Friendly Landscape.
1. OVERWATERING: WATERING TO THE POINT OFRUNOFF OR LEACHING
Problem: Creates pest and disease problems, wastes water, and canwash pollutants into water bodies.
Solution: Do not water if it has rained in the past 24 hours, or ifrain is forecast in the next 24 hours. Check your irrigationsystem regularly, make sure you apply only moderateamounts of water, and ensure that your rainfall shutoffdevice is working.
2. OVERPLANTING: DESIGNING A LANDSCAPE WITH MORE PLANTS THAN CAN BE ADEQUATELYSUSTAINED
Problem: Can result in cramped plants more prone to disease.Crowded plantings can also interfere with sidewalk anddriveway access and block views from windows.
Solution: Design landscapes with the plants’ mature sizes in mind. Iflandscapes must look “full” quickly, use plants that arealready at mature or nearly mature size.
3. OVERPRUNING: REMOVING MORE FOLIAGE ORBRANCHES FROM A PLANT THAN IS HEALTHY FOR IT
Problem: Can weaken trees and shrubs, making them more suscep-tible to insect or disease problems.
Solution: Never remove more than 30 percent of the foliage from anornamental plant or shrub at one time. Know the righttime of year to prune your plant, and use plants that arethe right size for the location.
4. FERTILIZING INAPPROPRIATELY: APPLYING MORE FERTILIZER THAN NECESSARY, APPLYING THEWRONG KIND OF FERTILIZER, OR APPLYING IT AT THE WRONG TIME OF YEAR
Problem: Can cause pollution if washed into ground or surfacewater, causing fish kills and unhealthy algal blooms. Canalso burn plant roots.
Solution: Fertilize only when needed, using a fertilizer containingslow-release nitrogen. For turf, do not exceed the rate of 1lb. total N per 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn at each application.Use compost and other soil amendments to supply plantnutrients instead of fertilizing. “Weed and feed” productsare not recommended.
5. USING PESTICIDES INCORRECTLY: APPLYING MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OFPESTICIDES, APPLYING THE WRONG PESTICIDES,OR APPLYING THEM TOO OFTEN
Problem:Can cause insects to develop resistance to the chemicalsand may harm beneficial garden insects.
Solution:Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for an environ-mentally friendly approach to pest management. Avoidoverwatering and fertilizing inappropriately to help keeppests from becoming a problem.
28
Five Common Gardening Mistakes
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication
USE THE LIST TO CHOOSE PLANTS BASED ON YOURSITE CONDITIONS, FOLLOWING THESE STEPS:
1. Find out and write down the conditions of the bed orother area you want to plant:
• The region of the state you live in. (Check the mapon page 2 and remember that if you live close tothe border of a region, all of the plants listed forthat region may not do well in your area and someof the plants that do well in the next region may dowell in your area.)
• The amount of light the site receives. (Check at various times throughout the day and through theseasons.)
• Soil pH and texture. The pH ranges given in the legend are not absolute, but rather for guidance asto the optimum pH conditions. Some plants may dowell if the pH is slightly higher or lower than those
listed. (Take samples and obtain a soil test throughyour county’s Extension office.)
• Soil moisture (Is it in a high, dry area or a low areawhere water frequently accumulates? To checkdrainage, dig a small hole, add water and see howquickly the water drains – if water stands for morethan 24 hours, consider it a wet site.)
• Exposure to salt spray or salty irrigation water.
• Size of area for plants. (Are there height restrictionssuch as a window nearby or power lines above? Isthe width of the area limited?)
2. Determine the type of plant you want (tree, shrub,etc.) and go to that category on the list.
3. Narrow down the list by choosing plants that matchthe region, light, soil conditions and moisture at thesite.
29
Florida-Friendly Plant List
The plants on this Florida-Friendly Plant List are considered by UF/IFAS horticulture specialists to be well adaptedto growing in Florida landscapes. The plants on this list are not the only plants that can be used in Florida. Contactyour county’s UF/IFAS Extension office to determine if a plant not on the list is suitable for your region.
When planted under appropriate soil, light, and climatic conditions, most plants on the list generally require littlemaintenance compared with other plants. Each plant’s preferred growing conditions (soil pH, soil texture, relativedrought tolerance, soil drainage/moisture, light range, light optimum, and salt tolerance) are included here as aguide to choosing plants for your specific site conditions. Additional information is given on growth rate, matureheight and spread, flowering color and season, value to wildlife, wind resistance and other characteristics helpfulfor plant selection and maintenance.
Many plants listed as Annuals are considered Perennials in some areas of the state and vice versa. The microcli-mate and the amount of care given to the plants will ultimately determine their staying power in the landscape.
See the key to symbols and abbreviations used in the tables for details. Remember to always put the right plant inthe right place by matching each plant’s needs with the environmental conditions found at the site. There may bevariation in some characteristics, especially in the region (north, central or south) of Florida in which plants willgrow. Check with your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office to confirm the appropriateness of specific plants (look inthe government pages of your phone book or see http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map for your county’s contactinformation).
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 201030
4. Further narrow your list to those plants that will fitthe site based on mature height and spread.
5. Consider the need for salt tolerant plants, if applica-ble, and any additional factors you are interested in,such as wildlife value or flower color and season.
For further assistance, contact the Florida Yards &Neighborhoods or horticulture program at your county’sUF/IFAS Extension office.
This list is meant as a guide to start choosing plantsappropriate for your conditions. The absence of a plantfrom this list does not imply that it is not well adapted toFlorida landscape conditions. This list will be updatedperiodically. Please check with your county’s UF/IFASExtension office for future updates.
For additional information and fact sheets on many of theplants on this list, see also http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/.
A Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Publication31
KEY TO SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
NATIVE STATUS:Yes = Florida native No = Not a Florida native Var. = Native status depends on species selection
GROWTH RATE, HEIGHT AND SPREAD:Growth rate = Slow or Fast (if no rate is given the plant does not grow exceptionally fast or slow.)
ñ = mature height in feet ð = mature spread in feet
SOIL pH (GIVES THE RANGE TOLERATED BY THE PLANT):= Acid 4.5-5.5 = Slightly acid to slightly alkaline 6.0-7.2= Acid to slightly acid 4.5-6.5 = Slightly acid to alkaline 6.0-8.0= Acid to slightly alkaline 4.5-7.2 = Tolerates any soil pH 4.5-8.0= Slightly acid 6.0-6.8
SOIL TEXTURE:C/L = clay loam S/L = sandy loam S = sandy S/C = sandy clay any = any texture
SOIL MOISTURE:= well drained = wet = medium drained to wet
= medium drained = well drained to medium drained = well drained to wet
DROUGHT TOLERANCE:High, Medium, Low, or None (Note: Both drought tolerance and soil moisture tolerance should be considered, and they are not the same. For example, a plant may toler-ate wet soils and also have high drought tolerance, and another plant may prefer well drained soils but have low drought tolerance.)
LIGHT RANGE AND LIGHT OPTIMUM:= Full Sun = Partial Shade = Shade = Optimum light conditions
SALT TOLERANCE:H = High M = Medium L-N = Low to None U = Unknown
WILDLIFE:= Attracts butterflies = Attracts hummingbirds = Attracts other birds
FLORIDA REGION ZONES:Region (includes Florida regions in which plant will grow):
N = North
C = Central
S = South
NORTH
CENTRAL
SOUTH
USDA COLD HARDINESS ZONES:Includes Florida zones only.
USDA cold hardinesszones are listed tothe right of theFlorida Region zones.
N
N
32
N
Acer barbatumFlorida Maple, Southern Sugar Maple
Any
High
L-N
also known as Acer saccharumssp. floridanum; green, springflowers; susceptible to aphidsand cottony maple scale
Acer rubrum Red Maple
Any
Medium
L-N
red, winter through spring flow-ers; red fall foliage; susceptibleto aphids, cottony maple scale,and gall mites; shallow-rooted;does best in rich, organic soils;good for wet sites; medium tolow wind resistance
Betula nigraRiver Birch
Any
Low
L-N
needs soil space for rootexpansion; grows best withhigh soil moisture; chlorosisdevelops in alkaline soil; toler-ates periodic flooding but notlong periods of drought; medi-um to high wind resistance
Yes
Bucida bucerasBlack Olive, Oxhorn Bucida,Gregorywood
25-60ñ 25-40ð
Any
High
H
white, spring flowers; messyfruit and leaves; medium-lowwind resistance; susceptible topests; caution - may be invasivein South Florida
Carya spp.Hickories, Pecan
Any
High
L-N
edible fruit (C. illinoinensis);white/yellow, spring flowers;high wind resistance for C.floridana, medium to high forC. glabra and C. tomentosa,low for C. illinoinensis;susceptible to pests
Chorisia speciosaFloss-silk Tree
Any
High
L-N
rapid grower first few years;deciduous, pink/white, five-petaled fall through winter flow-ers; large roots form at basejust beneath soil
Conocarpus erectusButtonwood, Silver Buttonwood
Any
High
H
white/cream, spring flowers;susceptible to pests; high windresistance; provides cover andnesting for wildlife
Ficus aureaStrangler Fig
Any
High
M
not for small areas; spreadingcanopy shades parks, large yards;may start as epiphyte, killing hosttree (often encircling cabbagepalm); fallen fruits may be messy;medium-low wind resistance, canbe difficult to distinguish from inva-sive species; susceptible to pests
8b-9aReg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
N C S C SYes8-10 Yes8-9a No10b-11
Fast 35-80ñ 25-35ð 40-50ñ 25-35ð Fast 45-60ñ 35-50ð
Yes8b-9aC No9b-11C S Yes10b-11S Yes10b-11S
50-100ñ 25-70ð Fast 35-50ñ 40-55ð 5-50ñ 15-20ð Fast 40-60ñ 30-50ð
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
33
N
N
Fraxinus americanaWhite Ash
Any
Medium
L-N
tolerates occasionally wet soil;does not tolerate compactedsoil; susceptible to ash borer,cankers, and leaf spots; medi-um-high wind resistance
Fraxinus carolinianaPop Ash, Carolina Ash,Water Ash
Any
Medium
L-N
good plant for retention ponds,swales and canal banks; doesbest in rich, organic soils
Fraxinus pennsylvanicaGreen Ash
Any
Medium
L-N
good for shaded areas; medium to low wind resistance;susceptible to pests; does bestin rich, organic soils
Yes
Gordonia lasianthusLoblolly Bay
50-80ñ 50-80ð
C/L
Low
L-N
white, spring through summerflowers; good for retentionpond edges; can tolerate full sun only with sufficientmoisture; does best in rich,organic soils; susceptible tonematodes
Halesia carolinaCarolina Silverbell
Any
Medium
L-N
showy, white, spring flowers;yellow fall foliage with attrac-tive yellow fruit; understory treethat does best in rich, organicsoil; water during drought andavoid compacted soils
Juniperus virginianaRed Cedar
Any
High
H
very similar to Juniperus silicicola but branchesstraighter; provides food forwildlife
Liquidambar styracifluaSweetgum
Any
Medium
M
many cultivars; provides foodfor wildlife; medium to highwind resistance
Liriodendron tulipiferaTulip Poplar, Tulip Tree,Yellow Poplar
Any
Medium
L-N
yellow/orange, spring throughsummer flowers; susceptiblepests and diseases; newly transplanted trees susceptible to leaf yellowing and drop w/o enough moisture; low wind resistance
8 N C N C N CYes8-9 Yes8-9 Yes8-9
30-50ñ 20-35ð 50-100ñ 30-70ð Slow 30-60ñ 20-30ð
Yes8 N Yes8-9C N Yes8-9C N Yes8-9a
20-40ñ 15-30ð Fast 40-50ñ 10-25ð 40-100ñ 40-60ð 80-100ñ 40-80ð
N
34
Litchi chinensisLychee
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
small, yellow, early spring flowers; edible fruit in June and July; susceptible to scales
Lysiloma latisiliquumWild Tamarind, Bahama Lysiloma
Any
High
H
small, white/pink, springthrough summer flowers; medium to high wind resistance
Magnolia grandiflora and cvs.Southern Magnolia
Any
Medium
H
white/cream, fragrant, summerflowers; attractive red seeds provide food for wildlife; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; high windresistance; leaves and fruit require frequent cleanup; attrac-tive pyramidal growth habit; susceptible to scale
No
Magnolia virginiana and cvs.Sweet Bay Magnolia
20-30ñ 20-30ð
Any
None
L-N
white, spring flowers; small redseeds provide food for wildlife;medium-high wind resistance
Nyssa sylvaticaTupelo, Black Gum
Any
High
M
showy fall color; white, inconspicuous spring flowers;medium to high wind resistance
Persea americana Avocado
Any
Medium
L-N
many cultivars for edible fruit;low wind resistance; susceptibleto pests
Pinus clausaSand Pine
Any
High
H
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; trunk is rarelystraight; makes a nice accent ina large scale landscape; seedsprovide food for wildlife
Pinus elliottii var. densaSouthern Slash Pine
Any
High
H
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; medium to low windresistance; seeds provide food forwildlife; tolerates occasionally wetsoil; declines if roots and surround-ing areas are compacted or dis-turbed; susceptible to pests
10a-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S S N C N CYes10b-11 Yes8-9 Yes8-9
Fast 40-60ñ 30-45ð 40-80ñ 15-40ð 40-60ñ 20-50ð
Yes8b-9a No9b-11C S N Yes8-10bC S Yes9-11C S
Slow 65-75ñ 25-35ð Fast 35-40ñ 25-35ð Slow 25-40ñ 15-25ð Fast 75-100ñ 35-50ð
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
35
N
Pinus elliottii var. elliottiiNorthern Slash Pine
Fast
Any
High
H
flammable – in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; medium to low windresistance; seeds provide food forwildlife; tolerates occasionally wetsoil; declines if roots and surround-ing areas are compacted or dis-turbed; susceptible to pests
Pinus glabraSpruce Pine
Any
Medium
L-N
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; low wind resistance;declines if roots and surround-ing areas are compacted ordisturbed
Pinus palustris Longleaf Pine
Any
High
L-N
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; medium to low windresistance; susceptible to pests;resistant to fusiform rust; toler-ates occasionally wet soil
Yes
Pinus taedaLoblolly Pine
75-100ñ 35-50ð
Any
Medium
M
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; fast growing; 3-6"cones; susceptible to pests anddiseases
Piscidia piscipulaJamaican Dogwood, Fish Poison Tree
Any
High
H
deciduous; lavender/whiteflowers; all parts are poisonous;provides food for wildlife
Platanus occidentalisSycamore, American Planetree
Any
Medium
M
needs space; sheds continually;leaves scorch if insufficientwater; susceptible to mites, lacebugs, and anthracnose; goodfor erosion control on streambanks; medium to low windresistance
Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak
Any
High
M
provides food for wildlife; toler-ates occasionally wet soil
Quercus albaWhite Oak
Any
Medium
H
provides food for wildlife; notadapted to dry areas; does bestin rich, organic soil; medium tohigh wind resistance
8-9C N N C N CYes8-9a Yes8-9 Yes8-9b
Slow 30-60ñ 25-40ð 60-80ñ 30-40ð Fast 50-80ñ 30-35ð
Yes11S N Yes8b-9aC N No8-9a N Yes8-9C
Fast 30-50ñ 30-50ð Fast 75-90ñ 50-70ð 40-50ñ 50-70ð Slow 60-100ñ 60-80ð
N
36
N
Quercus austrinaBluff Oak
Any
High
L-N
provides food for wildlife;underused tree that is welladapted to Florida
Quercus falcataSouthern Red Oak, Spanish Oak, Turkey Oak
Any
High
M
low wind resistance; providesfood for wildlife
Quercus michauxiiSwamp Chestnut Oak
C/L
Low
L-N
provides food for wildlife; toleratesoccasionally wet soils; in wet soilsrot may be a problem; best in fullsun but tolerates shade whenyoung; tolerant of urban condi-tions; medium to high wind resist-ance; may slow growth of under-story plants
No
Quercus nuttalliiNuttall Oak
40-60ñ 35-50ð
Any
Medium
L-N
provides food for wildlife; tolerates occasionally wet soil
Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak
Any
High
M
provides food for wildlife; tolerates occasionally wet soil;medium to high wind resistance
Quercus virginianaLive Oak
Any
High
H
provides food for wildlife; notfor small lots; susceptible tocaterpillars, root rot and insectgalls; tolerates occasionally wetsoil; high wind resistance
Simarouba glaucaParadise Tree
Any
Medium
H
yellow, summer flowers; medium to high wind resistance; don't plant nearsidewalks and driveways (surface roots)
Swietenia mahagoniWest Indian Mahogany
Any
High
H
medium to high wind resist-ance; tolerates occasionally wetsoil; susceptible to webworms
8-9Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C N C N C NYes8-9a Yes8-9 No8
60-80ñ 60-70ð 50-60ñ 40-60ð 60-80ñ 35-50ð
Yes8-9a N Yes8b-10bC S Yes10b-11S Yes10b-11S
55-80ñ 40-50ð 40-80ñ 60-120ð 30-50ñ 25-30ð Fast 40-75ñ 40-60ð
LAR
GE
TRE
ES
37
N
N
Taxodium spp.Pond Cypress, Bald Cypress
Any
High
M
flammable plant - in wildfireprone areas, plant minimum 30' from buildings; wetlandplant & adapts to dry sites;deciduous; yellow-brown fallcolor; small seeds provide foodfor wildlife; high wind resistance
Ulmus alata Winged Elm
Any
High
M
susceptible to Dutch elm disease; medium to high windresistance
Ulmus americanaAmerican Elm
Any
High
M
long-lived; susceptible to Dutch elm disease; medium to low wind resistance
Yes
Ulmus crassifoliaCedar Elm
50-80ñ 10-35ð
Any
High
M
susceptible to Dutch elm disease and powdery mildew
Ulmus parvifolia and cvs.Chinese Elm, Lacebark Elm
Any
High
M
low wind resistance; susceptible to pests and freeze damage in NorthFlorida; tolerates occasionallywet soil; form varies with cultivar
8-10C S N C N C N CYes8-9 Yes8-9 Yes8-9
Fast 45-70ñ 30-40ð Fast 70-90ñ 50-70ð 50-70ñ 40-60ð
No8-9C
40-50ñ 35-50ð
N
38
Avicennia germinansBlack Mangrove
S
None
H
white, year-round flowersattract bees; very good for salty shorelines with full sun;produces pneumatophores(breathing roots) that protrudearound base of tree
Bursera simarubaGumbo Limbo
Any
High
M
susceptible to pests if stressed;high wind resistance
Caesalpinia spp. and cvs.Poinciana
S/L
Medium
M
choose species adapted toregion; do not confuse withDelonix regia; flowers vary
Yes
Carpentaria acuminataCarpentaria Palm
20-30ñ 10-20ð
Any
Medium
L-N
white/cream, spring through fall flowers; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; can cause skin irritation
Carpinus carolinianaAmerican Hornbeam,Musclewood, Ironwood
Any
Medium
L-N
orange/yellow, spring flowers;small enough to plant underpowerlines; seeds and catkinsprovide food for wildlife; excel-lent understory tree; medium tohigh wind resistance
Cassia fistulaGolden Shower
Any
Medium
L-N
yellow, summer flowers; showyblooms; low wind resistance
Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud
Any
High
L-N
cultivars provide variety offoliage and flower color; springflowers; susceptible to pests;beans provide food for wildlife;medium to high wind resistance
Chrysophyllum oliviformeSatinleaf
Any
High
H
fragrant flowers; provides foodfor wildlife; edible fruit; mediumto high wind resistance
9a-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
ME
DIU
MTR
EE
S
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S S C S SYes10b-11 No9-11 No10b-11
20-50ñ 25-40ð 8-35ñ 10-35ð Fast 35-40ñ 8-10ð
Yes8-9aC No10b-11S N Yes8b-9aC Yes10b-11S
20-30ñ 20-30ð Fast 30-40ñ 25-40ð 20-30ñ 15-35ð Slow 30-45ñ 18-25ð
ME
DIU
MTR
EE
S
39
Coccoloba diversifoliaPigeonplum
Fast
S
High
H
white, summer flowers; ediblefruit; susceptible to weevils; provides food for wildlife; compact crown makes it goodfor small areas; medium to highwind resistance; bark peels and becomes showy with age
Cordia sebestenaGeiger Tree
Any
High
H
tolerant of salt or brackishwater; orange, year-roundflowers; foliage may be damaged by geiger beetles;damaged by severe freezes;high wind resistance
Crataegus spp.Hawthorn
Any
High
L-N
provides food and cover forwildlife; flowers vary; best forNorth Florida; many speciesand cultivars
Yes
Cupressus arizonica var. arizonicaArizona Cypress
30-40ñ 10-20ð
S/L
High
U
evergreen; green foliage withsilver/gray shimmer; good asspecimen or windbreak
Delonix regiaRoyal poinciana
Any
High
M
orange/red, summer flowers;medium to low wind resistance;needs large area; caution -may be invasive in SouthFlorida
Elaeocarpus decipiensJapanese Blueberry
Any
High
U
evergreen; pink/white, spring through summer flowers;provides food for wildlife
Ficus citrifolia Shortleaf Fig, Wild Banyan Tree
Any
High
M
edible fruit; lacks aerial roots,but still requires adequate roomfor root development; don’tplant in drainfields due toaggressive roots; can be diffi-cult to distinguish from invasivespecies
Ilex Xattenuata and cvs.East Palatka Holly
Any
Medium
M
may have severe disease problems in central parts of thestate; provides pollen for bees
10a-11S S N C N CNo10b-11 Var.8-9 Yes8-9
Slow 25-30ñ 20-25ð 20-35ñ 15-40ð 30-40ñ 15-25ð
No10b-11S N No8b-10bC S Yes10b-11S N Yes8-10C S
Fast 35-40ñ 40-60ð 30-40ñ 30-40ð Fast 25-50ñ 30-40ð 30-45ñ 10-15ð
N
40
N
Ilex cassine and cvs.Dahoon Holly
Any
Medium
M
white, spring flowers; providespollen for bees and berries forvariety of wildlife; does best inrich, organic soils; high windresistance
Ilex opacaAmerican Holly
Any
High
M
male and female flowersappear on separate trees, bothsexes must be in same neigh-borhood for production ofberries on female plants
Ilex rotundaRound Holly, Roundleaf Holly, Rotund Holly
Any
Medium
L-N
white, spring flowers providepollen for bees; provides foodfor wildlife
Yes
Jacaranda mimosifoliaJacaranda
20-30ñ 15-20ð
Any
High
L-N
lavender/blue, spring throughsummer flowers; messy whenleaves and flowers drop; softwood, breaks easily; low windresistance
Juniperus silicicolaSouthern Red Cedar
Any
High
H
branches drooping; low windresistance; provides food, cover,and nesting for birds; good fordunes; susceptible to pests suchas juniper blight and mites
Lagerstroemia indica, Lagerstroemiaindica Xfauriei, Lagerstroemia faurieiCrapemyrtle
Any
High
L-N
form, size, disease resistance,bloom season, flower and barkcolor vary with cultivar; plant forgood air circulation; high windresistance; susceptible to aphidsand sooty mold; bark peels andbecomes showy with age
Ostrya virginianaAmerican Hophornbeam,American Hornbeam
Any
High
L-N
fall color; nuts provide food for wildlife; medium to highwind resistance
Persea borbonia Red Bay, Bay Oak
Any
High
H
larval food plant for swallowtailbutterflies; insect galls can distort leaves; medium to lowwind resistance
8-10Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
ME
DIU
MTR
EE
S
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C N C S C SYes8-9b No8-11 No9b-11
35-50ñ 15-25ð Slow 20-30ñ 20-30ð Fast 25-40ñ 45-60ð
Yes8a-10bC S N No8-10bC S N Yes8-9aC N Yes8b-11C S
Fast 30-45ñ 20-30ð Fast 10-30ñ 15-30ð Slow 30-40ñ 25-30ð 30-50ñ 30-50ð
ME
DIU
MTR
EE
S
41
N
Persea palustrisSwamp Bay
Any
Medium
L-N
purple fruit; good wetland plant
Podocarpus graciliorWeeping Fern Pine, Weeping Podocarpus
Any
Medium
L-N
grows slower in full shade; high wind resistance
Quercus lyrataOvercup Oak
Any
Medium
L-N
tolerates occasionally wet soil;provides food for wildlife
Yes
Rhizophora mangleRed Mangrove
20-30ñ 20-30ð
Any
Medium
H
yellow, year-round flowers
Tabebuia chrysotrichaYellow Trumpet Tree, Golden Trumpet Tree
Any
Medium
M
yellow, spring flowers; medium to low wind resistance
Tabebuia heterophyllaPink Trumpet Tree
Any
High
M-H
pink/white, spring throughsummer flowers; medium to lowwind resistance; susceptible toholopothrips
Tabebuia impetiginosaPurple Trumpet Tree
Any
High
M
showy, pinkish-purple, springflowers; medium to low windresistance
Zanthoxylum clava-herculisHercules’ Club
C/L
Low
U
deciduous; spines; host plantfor Giant Swallowtail butterfly;white, spring flowers
8-10C S C N C SNo9b-11 Yes8-9a Yes10-11
Slow 30-50ñ 25-35ð 30-40ñ 30-40ð 20-40ñ 30-40ð
No9B-11C S No9B-11C S No9b-11C S N Yes8-9bC
25-35ñ 25-35ð 20-30ñ 15-25ð 12-18ñ 10-15ð 15-30ñ 10-20ð
S
42
Acacia farnesianaSweet Acacia
Slow
S/C
High
M
also known as Acacia smallii;yellow, year-round flowers;thorny; tolerates occasionallywet soil; provides food andcover for birds and insects;don't plant next to sidewalk
Aesculus paviaRed Buckeye, Florida Buckeye
Any
Medium
M
attractive bark; red, springflowers; tolerates occasionallywet soil; poisonous seeds
Aralia spinosaDevil’s Walkingstick
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Angelica spinosa; small, white, springthrough summer flowers; purplish berries provide foodfor wildlife; sharp thorns; tolerates occasionally wet soil;can sucker to produce a thicket
Yes
Ardisia escallonioidesMarlberry, Marbleberry
10-25ñ 15-25ð
S/L
High
H
fragrant, white, year-roundflowers; attractive foliage;round purple fruit provide foodfor wildlife mostly in fall andwinter; good for screens andhedges
Arenga engleriFormosa Palm, Dwarf Sugar Palm
Any
None
L-N
red/orange/green, spring flowers; grows in clusters
Baccharis halimifoliaGroundsel Bush, Sea Myrtle, Salt-bush
Any
Medium
M
feathery, white, fall flowers;poisonous seeds; useful for wetsites such as retention pondsand ditches; can spread fromseed
Butia capitataPindo Palm, Jelly Palm
Any
High
M
edible fruit used for jelly; provides food for wildlife; looksbest in full sun; white flowers;susceptible to pests; high windresistance
Calliandra spp. and cvs.Powderpuff
Any
High
L-N
pink/white, fall through springflowers; only Calliandrahaematocephala assessed asnot a problem
9-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N N C C SYes8-9a Yes8-9a Yes9-11
15-20ñ 15-25ð 10-25ñ 6-10ð 10-20ñ 3-12ð
No9a-11C S N Yes8-10C S N No8b-11C S No9b-11C S
Slow 6-10ñ 10-16ð 8-12ñ 6-12ð Slow 15-25ñ 15-25ð Fast 10-15ñ 8-15ð
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
43
N
Callistemon spp.Bottlebrush
S/L
High
M
red, spring through summerflowers; medium to low windresistance; attracts beneficialinsects; only C. citrinus, C.rigidus, C. viminalis assessed as not a problem
Camellia japonica Camellia
Any
Medium
L-N
many cvs. with a variety offlower colors; up to 6 inches, inwinter through spring; suscepti-ble to scales, aphids, chewinginsects and fungus; requiresacid soil and has problems ifpH is too high
Camellia sasanquaSasanqua, Sasanqua Camellia
Any
Medium
L-N
some groundcover cvs. available; fall through winterflowers, colors vary; susceptibleto scales, mites, aphids andchewing insects; requires acidsoil and has problems if pH istoo high
No
Canella winteranaWild Cinnamon, Cinnamon Bark
6-30ñ 6-15ð
S/L
High
H
purple, summer flowers
Capparis cynophallophoraJamaica Caper Tree, Mustard Tree
Any
High
H
purple/white, spring flowers
Cephalanthus occidentalisButtonbush
Any
None
L-N
flammable plant - in wildfireprone areas, plant minimum 30'from buildings; attracts insects;white, spring flowers; good forretention ponds/swales/canalbanks; well adapted to disturbedsoils
Cephalotaxus harringtoniaJapanese Plum Yew,Harrington Plum Yew
S
Medium
L-N
dark green foliage; suitable foruse as a hedge or specimenplant
Chamaerops humilisEuropean Fan Palm
Any
High
M
clumping palm; yellow, summerflowers; pest sensitive; very coldhardy; low maintenance com-pared to other palms; petioleswith sharp teeth
8b-11C S N C N C SNo8-9 No8-9 Yes10b-11
Slow 10-20ñ 10-20ð Slow 3-15ñ 5-10ð Slow 10-30ñ 10-30ð
Yes10-11S N Yes8-11C S N No8-9C N No8-11C S
Slow 6-20ñ 6-15ð 6-20ñ 6-8 ð Slow 3-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 5-15ñ 6-15ð
44
N
Chionanthus retususChinese Fringetree
Slow
S
Medium
L-N
white, spring through summerflowers; grows very slowly, usually 4 to 10 inches per year,but can grow a foot per year if given rich, moist soil andappropriate fertilization
Chionanthus virginicusFringetree
Any
Medium
L-N
showy, white, spring flowers;flowers best in sun; pest sensitive; tolerates occasionallywet soil; medium to high windresistance
Citharexylum spinosumFiddlewood
Any
High
H
also known as Citharexylumfruticosum; white, fragrant flow-ers all year; provides food forwildlife; useful as a tall hedge
No
Coccoloba uviferaSeagrape
15-30ñ 10-12ð
S
High
H
deciduous with continual leafdrop; fragrant, white, springflowers; provides food for largewildlife; susceptible to weevils;grows as shrub on coastaldunes and as tree inland; medium to high wind resistance
Cordia boissieri White Geiger, Texas Olive
Any
High
M
white, year-round flowers
Cornus foeminaSwamp Dogwood, StiffDogwood, Stiff Cornel
Any
Low
L-N
white, spring flowers; blueberries provide food forwildlife; larval food plant forspring azure butterfly; susceptible to borers
Cornus floridaFlowering Dogwood
Any
Medium
L-N
prefers deep, rich, well–drainedsandy or clay soils and has amoderately long life; roots rot in soils without adequatedrainage; susceptible to pestsand disease
Cyrilla racemifloraTiti, Swamp Cyrilla,Leatherwood
Any
Medium
L-N
white, spring through summerflowers; wetland plant; good for edges of retention ponds;attractive to bees
8Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
N C S C SYes8-9 Yes10-11 Yes9-11
Slow 12-20ñ 10-15ð 15-25ñ 8-15ð 3-35ñ 10-50ð
No9a-11C S N Yes8-10C S N Yes8-9a N Yes8b-10aC
Slow 15-20ñ 10-15ð 10-16ñ 10-16ð 25-30ñ 25-30ð Fast 10-30ñ 6-15 ð
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
45
N
Dodonaea viscosaHopbush, Varnish Leaf
S/L
High
H
yellow, summer through fallflowers; showy, colorful fruit
Eriobotrya japonica Loquat
Any
Medium
M
white, fall through winter flowers; medium to low windresistance; susceptible to pests;caution - may be invasive inCentral and South Florida
Eugenia spp. (natives only)Stoppers
Any
High
H
flowers vary; needs little atten-tion once established; nativesare E. axillaris, E. foetida, E.rhombea, and E. confusa; E.axiliaris, E. confusa, E. foetidahave high wind resistance
Yes
Forestiera segregataFlorida Privet
10-18ñ 6-15ð
S/L
High
H
semi-evergreen to evergreen;yellow, early spring flowers;great hedge plant; providesfood for wildlife; flowers attractinsects
Ilex X‘Mary Nell’Mary Nell Holly
S/C
Medium
M
white; spring flowers; importantsource of pollen for bees
Ilex X‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Nellie R. Stevens Holly
S/C
Medium
M
white, spring flowers; important source of pollen forbees; provides food for wildlife
Ilex cornuta and cvs.Chinese Holly, Horned Holly
Any
High
M
susceptible to tea scale, espe-cially in cool, shady areas; pro-vides food for wildlife; manycultivars available; importantsource of pollen for bees
Ilex deciduaPossumhaw
Any
High
U
small, white, spring flowers;small orange/red fruit providefood for wildlife; be sure to purchase female trees for fruitproduction
9-11C S N C S C S N C SNo8-11 Yes9-11 Yes8b-11
20-30ñ 30-35ð 10-30ñ 5-20ð 4-15ñ 3-12ð
Yes8-9C N Yes8-9C N No8-9C N Yes8-9a
10-20ñ 10-15ð 15-25ñ 10-12ð 8-25ñ 8-25ð Slow 10-15ñ 10-15ð
N
46
N
Ilex glabraGallberry
Slow
Any
Medium
M
flammable plant - in wildfireprone areas, plant minimum30' from buildings; white,spring flowers; black fruit pro-vides food for wildlife in latefall and winter; good for wet-land/pine areas; high wind
Ilex vomitoria and cvs.Yaupon Holly
Any
High
H
flammable, in wildfire prone areas,plant minimum 30' from buildings;white, spring through summer flow-ers; red fruit on female plants pro-vides food for wildlife in late fall andwinter; ‘Pendula’ - FNGLA Plant ofthe Year, 2005; high wind resistance;can sucker to produce a thicket
Illicium spp.Star Anise
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen, yellowish–white orgreenish–white flowers
Yes
Jatropha integerrimaPeregrina
6-8ñ 8-10ð
Any
High
L-N
scarlet, year-round flowers; poisonous; susceptible to pestsand disease; sensitive to frost
Ligustrum japonicum and cvs.Ligustrum, Japanese Privet
Any
Medium
H
white, summer flowers; suscepti-ble to pests and diseases; usedas hedge; thins at bottom unlessin full sun
Magnolia Xsoulangiana and cvs.Saucer Magnolia
Any
Low
L-N
many cultivars; pink/white/lavender, fragrant, winterthrough spring flowers; susceptible to pests; medium to high wind resistance
Magnolia figoBanana Shrub
Any
Medium
U
also known as Michelia figo;light-yellow, spring through earlysummer flowers; fragrance simi-lar to ripening cantaloupes orbananas; generally used asspecimen plant; susceptible toscale and mushroom root rot
Musa spp. Banana
Any
Low
L-N
edible fruit; showy purple or orange flowers; needs regular watering; susceptible to disease, pests, and frost
8-10aReg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S N C C SYes8-10 Var.8-9 No9b-11
15-30ñ 6-20ð 10-15ñ 6-15ð 8-15ñ 5-10ð
No8-10bC S N No8-9aC N Yes8-10C No9b-11C S
8-12ñ 15-25ð 20-25ñ 15-25ð 10-20ñ 6-15ð Fast 7-30ñ 10-15ð
Plumeria rubra Frangipani, Nosegay, Templetree
Any
High
H
fragrant, showy, spring throughfall flowers; susceptible tofrangipani caterpillar; needscold-protected spot if grown incentral Florida
Podocarpus macrophyllus and cvs.Podocarpus
S/C
High
H
dark green, evergreen leaves;small, purple, fruit on femalesprovide food for wildlife; highwind resistance; mildly suscepti-ble to pests and diseases; somemagnesium deficiency on sandysoils
No10b-11S N No8b-11C S
Slow 20-25ñ 20-25ð Slow 30-40ñ 20-25ð
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
47
N
Myrcianthes fragransSimpson’s Stopper, Twinberry
Any
High
H
edible fruit; white, fragrant,year-round flowers; red berriesprovide food for wildlife; tolerates occasionally wet soil;needs little attention once established
Myrciaria caulifloraJaboticaba, Brazilian GrapeTree, Brazilian Grape
Any
Medium
L-N
edible, black fruit; white flowers, time of floweringdepends on cultivar
Myrica cerifera and cvs.Wax Myrtle
Any
Medium
H
flammable, in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; silver berries found onfemale plants only; susceptible todisease; good hedge plant; pro-vides food and cover for wildlife;medium to low wind resistance,can sucker to produce a thicket
Yes
Olea europaeaOlive
6-30ñ 15-20ð
S/L
Medium
M
makes a great landscape plant;requires a pollinator to fruit
Osmanthus americanusWild Olive, Devilwood
Any
Medium
H
white, fragrant, spring flowers;provides food for wildlife
9b-11C S S N C S N C SNo10b-11 Yes8-10 No8-11
Slow 15-40ñ 15-40ð Fast 10-40ñ 20-25ð Slow 25-50ñ 35-50ð
Yes8-9C
15-25ñ 10-15ð
N
48
N
Prunus angustifolia Chickasaw Plum
Any
High
M
white, winter flowers; reddishplums provide food for wildlife;medium to high wind resist-ance; can sucker to produce athicket
Prunus campanulataTaiwan Cherry
Any
Medium
U
small pink, late winter flowers;small fruit provides food forwildlife; susceptible to tentcaterpillar
Prunus umbellataFlatwoods Plum
Any
Medium
L-N
white, spring flowers; purpleplums provide food for wildlife;edible fruits, ranging from verytart to sweet; susceptible to tentcaterpillars; can sucker to pro-duce a thicket
Yes
Quercus geminataSand Live Oak, Small Sand Live Oak
12-20ñ 15-20ð
S/L
High
H
high wind resistance; good indune areas; provides food forwildlife; FNGLA Plant of theYear 2008
Raphiolepis spp. and cvs.Indian Hawthorn
Any
High
M
flowers vary; provides food forwildlife; use disease-resistantcvs., plant in full sun; suscepti-ble to disease
Senna polyphyllaDesert Cassia
S/L
Medium
H
yellow, summer flowers; shouldnot be confused with Sennapendula
Sideroxylon spp. (natives only)Buckthorn
Any
High
H
good coastal or dune plant;select species based on region,soil texture, and drainage; flow-ers vary
Sophora tomentosaNecklace Pod
S/L
High
H
evergreen shrub; weepingshape; yellow, year-round flowers; seeds are poisonous;provides food for wildlife
8-9Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C N N C N C SNo8-9a Yes8-9 Yes8-10a
12-20ñ 15-25ð 12-20ñ 12-20ð 35-50ñ 45-60ð
No8-9C No10a-11S N Yes8-11C S Yes10-11S
2-10ñ 2-6ð Fast 6-10ñ 6-8ð 50-75ñ 35-50ð 6-10ñ 8-12ð
SM
ALL
TRE
ES
49
N
Tabebuia aureaSilver Trumpet Tree, Yellow Tab
Any
High
M
yellow, winter through springflowers; flowers emerge afterleaves drop; not wind resistant
Tecoma stansYellow Elder, Yellow Trumpetbush
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen; bell-shaped, fragrant, yellow summerthrough winter flowers; produces non-edible brownfruit; FNGLA Plant of the Year, 2005
Viburnum obovatum and cvs.Walter’s Viburnum
Any
High
L-N
No
Viburnum odoratissimumSweet Viburnum
15-25ñ 10-15ð
Any
Medium
L-N
Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabukiAwabuki Viburnum
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Viburnumawabuki; fragrant, small white,spring flowers; red/black fruitprovides food for wildlife; takeswell to pruning; used forhedges; susceptible to pests anddisease
Viburnum rufidulumRusty Blackhaw, Southern Blackhaw
Any
High
H
scarlet to purple fall foliage;clusters of small, white, springflowers; small black fruit pro-vides food for wildlife; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; will nottolerate compacted soils
10-11S C S N C S N C SNo9b-11 Yes8-10 No8b-10a
Fast 10-20ñ 8-15ð 8-25ñ 6-10ð Fast 15-30ñ 15-25ð
No8-10bC S N Yes8b-9a
Slow 15-20ñ 15-20ð Slow 20-25ñ 20-25ð
white, winter through springflowers; small black fruit pro-vides food for wildlife; providesnesting cover for wildlife; cansucker to produce a thicket;dwarf cvs. are 2' to 4' tall
white, spring flowers; susceptible pests and disease;often grown as a hedge; thinsin shaded sites
50
N
Abelia XgrandifloraGlossy Abelia
S/C
Medium
L-N
fine textured, semi-evergreen;red-tinged leaves; pink/white,spring through fall flowers;doesn’t flower in the shade
Acacia farnesianaSweet Acacia
S/C
High
M
also known as Acacia smallii;yellow, year-round flowers;thorny; tolerates occasionallywet soil; provides food andcover for birds and insects;don’t plant next to sidewalk
Acalypha wilkesianaCopper Leaf
Any
Medium
U
provides continuous color in thelandscape; heart-shaped leavesin varying mottled combinationsof colors; susceptible to pests
No
Acca sellowianaPineapple Guava, Feijoa
6-10ñ 6-10ð
S/C
High
L-N
also known as Feijoa sellowiana;red/white, spring flowers; oftenused as a hedge; providesfood/cover/nesting for wildlife
Acrostichum danaeifoliumLeather Fern
Any
Low
M
large fern; good for wet sites in shaded landscape; prolonged sunlight, especiallyin the summer, can burn foliage
Agarista populifoliaPipestem, Fetterbush,Doghobble
S/C
Medium
L-N
evergreen, creamy white, fragrant spring flowers
Agave spp. Century plant, Agave
S
High
H
dramatic foliage and form;evergreen, silver/gray to blue-green foliage; showy,green-brown fruit; sharp spines;choose species adapted to climate
Allamanda neriifoliaBush Allamanda, Bush Trumpet
Any
Medium
L-N
bright yellow, trumpet-shaped,year-round flowers; bleedswhite milky sap if stems arebroken; makes an open hedge;attractive to birds and butter-flies
8-9Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C C S S N C SYes9-11 No10b-11 No8-11
Slow 10-25ñ 15-25ð Fast 8-12ñ 6-8ð 8-15ñ 8-15ð
Yes9-11C S N Yes8-9C N Var.var.C S No9-11C S
4-8ñ 3-5 ð 8-12ñ 5-10ð Slow 3-6ñ 3-10ð Fast 5-15ñ 4-10ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
51
N
N
Aloysia virgataSweet Almond Bush
Any
High
U
evergreen; white, fragrant, sum-mer through fall flowers
Aralia spinosaDevil’s Walkingstick
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Angelicaspinosa; small white, springthrough summer flowers; purplish berries provide foodfor wildlife; spiny stems; toler-ates occasionally wet soil
Ardisia escallonioidesMarlberry, Marbleberry
S/L
High
H
fragrant, white, year-roundflowers; attractive foliage;round, purple fruits providefood for wildlife, mostly in falland winter; good for screensand hedges
No
Asimina spp. Pawpaw
6-12ñ 6-12ð
S
Medium
L-N
deciduous; species needs vary,choose based on conditions;flowers vary; larval food plantfor zebra swallowtail butterfly;does not transplant well
Baccharis halimifoliaGroundsel Bush, Sea Myrtle, Salt-bush
Any
Medium
M
feathery, white, fall flowers;poisonous seeds; useful for wetsites such as retention pondsand ditches; can spread bysuckers from roots
Bambusa spp. (clumpingtypes only)Bamboo
Any
Medium
M
choose species adapted to conditions; bamboo growsaggressively; should not beplanted near lakefronts orstreams
Barleria micansYellow Shrimp Plant
Any
Medium
U
evergreen shrub with uprightgrowth that terminates in flattish spikes that producelobed, bright, yellow flowers;provides food for wildlife
Berberis julianaeWintergreen Barberry,Julian’s berberis
Any
Medium
M
evergreen; yellow, winterthrough spring flowers; red fruit;adaptable to a wide range ofsoil conditions but does best inrich, organic soil; requires prun-ing to maintain best form; spiny;good hedge or barrier plant
8-11C S N C C S N C SYes8-9a Yes9-11 Var.8-10
10-25ñ 6-10ð 10-20ñ 3-12ð 15-20ñ 15-20ð
Yes8-10C S N No8-11C S No10-11S N No8-9a
8-12ñ 6-12ð 3-100ñ 2-20ð Fast 4-5ñ 4-5ð Slow 4-6ñ 2-5ð
52
N
Berberis thunbergiiJapanese Barberry, Crimson Pygmy
Any
Medium
L-N
fall color; white, spring flowers;good hedge or barrier plant;persistent red fruit; susceptibleto disease
Brugmansia XcandidaAngel’s Trumpet
Any
Low
L-N
flowers hang from stems andbranches and drape the plantwith color; good specimen tree;susceptible to pests and dis-eases
Brunfelsia grandifloraYesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow
Any
Medium
L-N
white/purple, spring throughfall flowers
No
Buddleia lindleyanaButterfly Bush, Lindley’s Butterfly Bush
2-8ñ 4-6ð
Any
Medium
M
deciduous, non-fragrant, purple/violet flowers; excellentfor butterflies; aggressive suckering and spreads throughrunners
Calliandra haematocephalaRed Powderpuff
Any
High
L-N
possible cold damage fromfreezing temperatures; largefragrant flower blooms duringwarm months; susceptible topests
Callicarpa americanaBeautyberry
Any
High
L-N
deciduous; purple/light purplespring through fall flowers;attracts wildlife; small purplishfruits provide food for wildlifein late winter; need to pruneold wood since flowers and fruitare produced on new growth
Callistemon spp.Bottlebrush
S/L
High
M
red spring though summer flowers; medium to low windresistance; attracts beneficialinsects; check with your localExtension office before finalspecies selection
Calycanthus floridusCarolina Allspice, Eastern Sweetshrub
Any
Medium
L-N
good screen; red, springthrough summer flowers withstrawberry-like fragrance; doesbest in rich, organic soil
8-9aReg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S N C S N CNo10b-11 No8b-11 No8-9
8-14ñ 10-15ð 7-10ñ 5-8ð Fast 4-6ñ 4-6ð
No9-11C S N Yes8-10C S N No8b-11C S N Yes8-10aC S
6-8ñ 8-12ð 6-8ñ 6-8ð 6-30ñ 6-15ð Slow 6-9ñ 6-12ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
53
N
N
Camellia japonicaCamellia
Slow
Any
Medium
L-N
many cultivars; flowers up to 6 inches, in winter throughspring, color variable; susceptible to pests and diseases; requires acidic soiland has problems if pH is too high
Camellia sasanquaSasanqua, Sasanqua Camellia
Any
Medium
L-N
some groundcover cultivarsavailable; fall through winterflowers, color variable; suscepti-ble to pests; requires acidic soiland has problems if pH is toohigh
Capparis cynophallophoraJamaica Caper Tree, Mustard Tree
Any
High
H
purple/white, spring flowers
No
Carissa macrocarpaNatal Plum
10-20ñ 10-20ð
S
High
H
also known as Carissa grandiflora; edible fruit; white,fragrant year-round flowers
Cephalanthus occidentalisButtonbush
Any
None
L-N
flammable, in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; attracts insects; white,spring through summer flowers;grows well in wet areas such asdetention ponds or drainage ditch-es; well adapted to disturbed soils
Cephalotaxus harringtoniaJapanese Plum Yew,Harrington Plum Yew
S
Medium
L-N
dark green foliage; suitable foruse as a hedge or specimenplant
Cestrum aurantiacumOrange Jessamine
Any
Medium
M
yellow/orange, spring throughsummer flowers
Chrysobalanus icacoCocoplum
Any
Medium
H
white, year-round flowers; edible fruit; good hedge orscreen plant; purple “plums”provide food for wildlife; highwind resistance
8-9C N C S C SNo8-9 Yes10-11 No9-11
Slow 3-15ñ 5-10ð Slow 6-20ñ 6-15ð 2-20ñ 2-20ð
Yes8-9C N No8-9C No9-11C S Yes10-11S
6-20ñ 6-8 ð Slow 3-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 4-10ñ 6-8ð 3-30ñ 10-20ð
54
Citharexylum spinosumFiddlewood
Any
High
M
also known as Citharexylumfruticosum; white, fragrant,year-round flowers; providesfood for wildlife; useful as a tallhedge
Clethra alnifoliaSweet Pepperbush
Any
Medium
M
white, fragrant, summer flowers; attracts bees and otherwildlife; grows well in wet areas
Coccoloba uviferaSeagrape
S
High
H
deciduous with continual leafdrop; fragrant, white, springflowers; provides food for largewildlife; susceptible to weevils;grows as shrub on coastaldunes and as tree inland; medi-um to high wind resistance
Yes
Cocculus laurifoliusLaurelleaf Snailseed, CarolinaCoralbead, Cocculus
15-25ñ 8-12ð
Any
High
M
spreading growth habit; yellowflowers
Codiaeum variegatumCroton
Any
Low
L-N
wide variety of leaf color andshape; white/yellow, summerflowers; susceptible to pests
Conocarpus erectusButtonwood, Silver Buttonwood
Any
High
H
white/cream, spring flowers;silver leaved form more suscep-tible to sooty mold and insectproblems; do not plant in marlsoil; high wind resistance; provides cover for wildlife
Cordyline spp. & cvs. exceptCordyline guineensisTi plant
Any
Varies
V
growing conditions vary byspecies; flowers vary; cold sensitive; check with your localExtension office before finalspecies selection
Crataegus spp.Hawthorn
Any
High
L-N
provides food and cover forwildlife; flowers vary; best fornorth Florida; many speciesand cultivars
10-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S N C C S C SYes8-9 Yes9-11 No9a-11
4-8ñ 4-8ð 3-35ñ 10-50ð 12-18ñ 18-20ð
No10b-11S Yes10b-11S No10-11S N Var.8-9C
3-8ñ 3-6ð 5-50ñ 15-20ð Fast 3-10ñ 2-4ð 20-35ñ 15-40ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
55
N
N
Cyrilla racemifloraTiti, Swamp Cyrilla,Leatherwood
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
white, late spring through summer flowers; wetland plant;good for edges of retentionponds; attractive to bees
Duranta erectaGolden Dewdrop,Pigeonberry; Skyflower
Any
High
L-N
also known as Duranta repens;showy, lavender/blue/white,summer through fall flowers;poisonous fruit; susceptible topests; irritating sap; thorns;may spread aggressively
Erythrina herbaceaCoral Bean, Cherokee Bean
S/L
High
M
scarlet, tubular, spring flowers;flowers attractive to humming-birds; showy, pod-shaped fruit
Yes
Eugenia spp. (natives only)Stoppers
10-30ñ 6-15ð
Any
High
H
flowers vary; needs little atten-tion once established; nativesare E. axillaris, E. foetida, E.rhombea, and E. confusa; E.axiliaris, E. confusa, E. foetidahave high wind resistance
Fatsia japonicaJapanese Aralia, Paperplant
Any
Medium
L-N
creamy, white, winter flowers;too much sun eventually kills the plant
Forestiera segregataFlorida Privet
S/L
High
H
yellow, early spring flowersattract insects; great hedge; fruitprovides food for wildlife
Galphimia glauca Thryallis, Rain-of-Gold
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen shrub; yellow, year-round flowers; susceptibleto caterpillars and mites
Gardenia jasminoidesGardenia, Cape Jasmine
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Gardeniaaugusta; white, fragrant springthrough summer flowers; useonly grafted varieties due tonematode susceptibility; suscep-tible to scales; use iron fertilizerto keep green
8b-9C C S N C S C SNo9b-11 Yes8-11 Yes9-11
4-18ñ 10-15ð 5-10ñ 8-12ð 10-30ñ 5-20ð
No8-11C S N Yes8b-11C S No9b-11C S N No8-10C S
5-8ñ 3-10ð 4-15ñ 3-12ð 5-9ñ 4-6ð 4-8ñ 4-8ð
N
56
N
Halesia dipteraTwo-wing Silverbell
S/L
Medium
U
deciduous tree; showy, bell-shaped, white, spring flowers
Hamamelis virginianaCommon Witchhazel
Any
Medium
L-N
cream/yellow, fall flowers; gallsform on leaves; plant suckersfreely from the base
Hamelia patensFirebush, Scarletbush
Any
Medium
L-N
orange/red, year-round flowers; susceptible to pests;foliage usually more attractivein shade but flowers best insun; tolerates occasionally wetsoil; dies back in freezes butreturns
Yes
Heptapleurum arboricolaDwarf Schefflera
20-30ñ 20-30ð
S/L
High
M
evergreen; dark green foliage;orange/yellow winter fruit; susceptible to scale
Hibiscus spp.Hibiscus, Mallows
S/L
Medium
V
select species based on siteconditions; spring through fallflowers, color varies; somehibiscus injured by freezes inNorth Florida; susceptible topests
Hydrangea arborescensWild Hydrangea
None
U
deciduous; white, summer flowers; oval, serrate, darkgreen leaves; blooms on newseason's growth; susceptible todisease
Hydrangea macrophyllaHydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea,French Hydrangea
Any
Medium
L-N
white/pink/purple, springthrough summer flowers; susceptible to pests; toleratesoccasionally wet soil
Hydrangea quercifoliaOakleaf Hydrangea
Any
Medium
L-N
pink, summer flowers; goodflowering shrub for shade; tolerates occasionally wet soil
8Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
N C S C SYes8 Yes9-11 No9-11
20-30ñ 15-25ð Fast 5-20ñ 5-8ð 10-15ñ 6-15ð
Yes8-11C S N Yes8-9C N No8-9aC N Yes8b-9C
4-12ñ 3-10ð 6-10ñ 6-10ð 6-10ñ 6-10ð 6-10ñ 6-8ð
Any
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
57
N
N
Ilex X‘Mary Nell’Mary Nell Holly
S/C
Medium
M
white, spring flowers; importantsource of pollen for bees
Ilex cornuta and cvs.Chinese Holly, Horned Holly
Any
High
M
susceptible to tea scale, especially in cool, shady areas;fruit provides food for wildlife;important source of pollen forbees
Ilex vomitoria and cvs.Yaupon Holly
Any
High
H
flammable, in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; white, spring throughsummer flowers; red fruit providesfood for wildlife in late fall-winter;’Pendula’ was FNGLA Plant of theYear, 2005; high wind resistance;can sucker to produce a thicket
Yes
Illicium spp.Star Anise
10-20ñ 10-15ð
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen, yellowish–white orgreenish–white flowers
Itea virginicaVirginia Willow, Virginia Sweetspire
S/L
Medium
L-N
white, spring through summerflowers; grows well in wet areassuch as detention ponds, swalesand canals
Jasminum mesnyiPrimrose Jasmine, Japanese Yellow Jasmine
Any
Medium
L-N
rambling, evergreen; will climb like vine if given support;fragrant, yellow flowers; diesback in freeze, may come back
Jasminum multiflorumDowny Jasmine
Any
Medium
L-N
white, fragrant, year-roundflowers; dies back in freeze,may come back; susceptible topests; sprawling form
Jasminum nitidum Star Jasmine, Shining Jasmine
S/L
Medium
L-N
evergreen to semi-evergreenvine or shrub; white, fragrant,spring through summer flowers
8-9C N C N C S N CNo8-9 Yes8-10 Var.8-9
15-25ñ 15-25ð 15-30ñ 6-20ð 10-15ñ 6-15ð
Yes8-9C N No8-10C S No9b-11C S No9-11C S
Slow 3-8ñ 2-4ð Fast 5-10ñ 2-5ð Fast 5-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 10-20ñ 5-10ð
N
58
Jatropha integerrimaPeregrina
Any
High
L-N
scarlet, year-round flowers; poisonous; susceptible to pestsand disease; sensitive to frost
Juniperus chinensis and cvs.Chinese Juniper, Japanese Juniper
S
High
M
flammable, in wildfire pronearea, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; does not tolerate wetfeet; good pollution tolerance;susceptible to pests and dis-ease; size and form vary withcultivar
Ligustrum japonicum and cvs.Ligustrum, Japanese Privet
Any
High
H
white, summer flowers; susceptible to pests and diseases; used as hedge; thinsat bottom unless in full sun
No
Loropetalum chinense and cvsLoropetalum, Chinese Fringe Bush
8-15ñ 5-10ð
Any
Medium
L-N
white/pink, spring flowers; sizevaries; susceptible to pests anddiseases; in high pH soils mayhave minor element deficiencies
Lyonia ferrugineaRusty Lyonia
S
High
L-N
evergreen, white/pink, springflowers; rusty pubescence present on all parts of the plant
Mahonia bealei Oregon Hollygrape
Any
Medium
M
also known as Berberis bealei;yellow, fragrant, winter throughspring flowers; glossygrey/green leaves, holly-likeappearance; purplish-blueberries provide food for wildlife
Malvaviscus arboreusTurk’s cap
Any
Medium
L-N
red/white, warm season flowers; possible cold damagein North Florida
Murraya paniculataOrange Jessamine,Orange Jasmine, Chalcas
Any
High
L-N
white, fragrant, year-roundflowers; good container plant;often used as a hedge; providesfood for wildlife; susceptible topests
9b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C N C S N CNo8-9 No8-10b No8-9
2-60ñ 2-25ð 8-12ñ 15-25ð 6-15ñ 8-10ð
Yes8-10C S N No8-9a N No8b-11C S No9b-11C S
Slow 10-20ñ 4-10ð Slow 5-10ñ 3-4ð Fast 6-12ñ 3-5ð Slow 8-12ñ 8-15ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
59
N
Musa spp.Banana
Fast
Any
Low
L-N
edible fruit; showy purple ororange flowers; needs regularwatering; susceptible to dis-ease, pests, and frost
Myrcianthes fragransSimpson’s Stopper, Twinberry
Any
High
H
edible fruit; white, fragrant,year-round flowers; red berries provide food forwildlife; tolerates occasionallywet soil; needs little attentiononce established
Myrica cerifera and cvs.Wax Myrtle
Any
Medium
H
flammable, in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; susceptible to disease;good hedge plant; provides foodand cover for wildlife; mediumto low wind resistance, can sucker to produce a thicket
No
Nerium oleanderOleander
7-30ñ 10-15ð
Any
High
M
good, low maintenance plantfor coastal areas; susceptible tooleander caterpillar; poisonous
Osmanthus americanusWild Olive, Devilwood
Any
Medium
H
white, fragrant, spring flowers;provides food for wildlife
Osmanthus fragrans Tea Olive, Fragrant Olive,Sweet Osmanthus
Any
Medium
L-N
white, fragrant, fall throughspring flowers; susceptible topests
Philadelphus inodorusEnglish Dogwood
Any
High
U
deciduous; white, spring flowers
Philodendron bipinnatifidumSelloumTree Philodendron
Any
Medium
L-N
large, deeply divided, drooping leaves; green, year-round flowers; susceptibleto freeze damage; toleratesoccasionally wet soil
9b-11C S C S N C S N C SYes9b-11 Yes8-10 No9-11
6-30ñ 15-20ð Fast 10-40ñ 20-25ð Fast 4-18ñ 3-15ð
Yes8b-9C N No8b-9C N Yes8-9aC N No8b-11C S
15-25ñ 10-15ð Slow 15-30ñ 15-20ð Fast 10-12ñ 6-10ð Fast 6-12ñ 10-15ð
60
N
Philodendron cvs.Philodendron
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
select species based on siteconditions; check with yourlocal Extension office beforefinal species selection
Pittosporum tobira cvs.Pittosporum
S/L
High
H
dark, glossy leaves; white, fragrant, spring flowers
Podocarpus graciliorWeeping Fern Pine, WeepingPodocarpus, Weeping Yew
Any
Medium
L-N
grows slowly in full shade; highwind resistance
No
Podocarpus macrophyllusand cvs.Podocarpus
1-12ñ 2-15ð
S/C
High
H
dark green, evergreen leaves;small, purple, fruit on femalesprovide food for wildlife; highwind resistance; mildly suscepti-ble to pests and diseases; somemagnesium deficiency on sandysoils
Psychotria nervosaWild Coffee
Any
Medium
M
shiny, dark green foliage;white, spring through summerflowers; susceptible to pests; redfruit provides food for wildlife
Rhamnus carolinianaCarolina Buckthorn
Any
High
U
bright green, deciduous leaves, turn orange/red beforedropping; inconspicuous,green/white, summer flowers;black fruits provide food forwildlife
Rhododendron austrinumFlorida Flame Azalea
Any
Medium
L-N
yellow/orange, clustered springflowers
Rhododendron canescensPinxter Azalea
Any
Medium
L-N
pink/white, spring flowers;prefers well drained soil thatretains moisture
8b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S C S N C SNo8-11 No9b-11 No8b-11
8-12ñ 12-18ð 30-50ñ 25-35ð Slow 30-40ñ 20-25ð
Yes10b-11S N Yes8-9bC N Yes8-9C N Yes8-10aC S
4-10ñ 4-10ð 12-15ñ 10-15ð Slow 6-10ñ 4-8ð Slow 8-12ñ 6-10ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
61
N
N
Rhododendron cvs.Azalea
Slow
Any
Medium
L-N
choose species based on siteconditions; flowers vary
Sabal minorDwarf Palmetto, Blue-stem Palmetto
Any
High
M
blueish green, fan shaped leaves;small, white flowers; blackberries provide food for wildlifein fall; difficult to transplant;good understory plant; prefersmoist soils but tolerates drier con-ditions after establishment
Senna bicapsularisChristmas Senna, Butterfly Bush
Any
Medium
L-N
susceptible to freeze damageand pests; susceptible to cater-pillar damage; larval food plantfor various sulphur butterflies;should not be confused withSenna pendula
Var.
Senna polyphyllaDesert Cassia
3-12ñ 3-10ð
S/L
Medium
H
yellow, summer flowers; shouldnot be confused with Sennapendula
Severinia buxifoliaBoxthorn
Any
High
L-N
dense, low-branching, compact,evergreen; small, oval, glossy,dark green leaves; slender,thorny branches; small, fra-grant, white, spring throughsummer flowers; susceptible tofreeze damage
Strelitzia nicolaiGiant Bird of Paradise, White Bird of Paradise
Any
Low
L-N
large, banana-like leaves,blue/white, year-round flowers;susceptible to scales when aircirculation is inadequate;foliage may tear in the wind
Suriana maritimaBay Cedar
S/L
High
H
evergreen, tiny, gray/greenleaves; yellow, year-round flowers; commonly found growing in thickets, on sanddunes, and rocky shores
Tabernaemontana divaricataCrape Jasmine, Pinwheel Flower
Any
Low
L-N
evergreen, white, ruffle-edged,summer flowers that arefragrant at night; susceptible topests and diseases
8-10C N C S N C S SYes8-11 No8-11 No10a-11
Slow 4-9ñ 4-8ð Fast 6-12ñ 6-12ð 6-10ñ 6-8ð
Yes8b-10C S No9-11C S Yes10b-11S No9b-11C S
Slow 5-12ñ 3-6ð Fast 20-30ñ 15-20ð 5-20ñ 5-8ð Fast 6-10ñ 3-6ð
62
Tecoma stansYellow Elder, Yellow Trumpetbush
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
yellow, summer through winterflowers; FNGLA Plant of theYear, 2005; susceptible tofreeze damage
Ternstroemia gymnantheraCleyera, Ternstroemia
Any
Medium
L-N
dense, unusually dark greenfoliage; yellow to dark red fruit;white, fragrant, spring flowers;good as a hedge
Thunbergia erectaKing’s Mantle, Bush Clock Vine
Any
Medium
L-N
purple, year-round flowers;good as a hedge
No
Tibouchina urvilleanaPrincess Flower, Glory Bush, Lasiandra
10-20ñ 8-15ð
S/L
High
L-N
evergreen; dark green, velvety,leaves; purple, year-round flow-ers; FNGLA Plant of the Year in2005
Tibouchina granulosaPurple Glory Tree
S/L
Medium
U
evergreen; dark green, velvetyleaves; purple, year-round flow-ers
Vaccinium arboreumSparkleberry
Any
Medium
L-N
deciduous; white, spring flow-ers; showy fall color; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; providesfood and cover for wildlife;attracts pollinating insects
Viburnum obovatum and cvs.Walter’s Viburnum
Any
High
L-N
white, winter through springflowers; small black fruit pro-vides food for wildlife; providesnesting cover for wildlife; cansucker to produce a thicket;dwarf cvs. are 2' to 4' tall
Viburnum odoratissimumSweet Viburnum
Any
Medium
L-N
white, spring flowers; suscepti-ble to pests and disease; oftengrown as a hedge; thins inshaded sites
9b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C C S C SNo8-9 No9-11 No9b-11
12-20ñ 5-10ð Fast 4-6ñ 5-8ð Fast 10-15ñ 10-15ð
No10b-11S N Yes8-10bC N Yes8-10C S N No8b-10aC S
Fast 15-20ñ 15-20ð 12-18ñ 10-15ð 8-25ñ 6-10ð 15-30ñ 15-25ð
LAR
GE
SH
RU
BS
63
N
N
Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabukiAwabuki Viburnum
Slow
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Viburnumawabuki; fragrant, small white,spring flowers; red/black fruitprovides food for wildlife; takes well to pruning; used forhedges; susceptible to pests and disease
Viburnum rufidulumRusty Blackhaw, Southern Blackhaw
Any
High
H
scarlet to purple fall foliage;clusters of small, white, springflowers; small black fruit pro-vides food for wildlife; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; does nottolerate compacted soils
Viburnum suspensumSandankwa Viburnum
Any
Low
M
pink/white, winter throughspring flowers
No
Vitex agnus-castusChaste Tree
15-20ñ 15-20ð
Any
High
M
deciduous; multi-stemmedshrub; purple, summer flowersprovides food for wildlife
Yucca spp.Yucca
Any
High
Var
choose species based on siteconditions; white, springthrough summer flowers
8-10bC S N C N C S N C SYes8b-9 No8-10 No8-11
Slow 20-25ñ 20-25ð 6-12ñ 6-12ð Fast 10-20ñ 15-20ð
Var.8-11C S
3-30ñ 3-15ð
64
N
Aloe spp.Aloe
Any
High
H
choose species based on siteconditions; flowers vary; susceptible to freeze damage
Acalypha hispidaChenille Plant, Red-hot Cattail
Any
Medium
L-N
upright, course-textured shrub;red, showy flowers duringwarm months droop in cattail-like, pendant clusters up to 18 inches in length; susceptibleto pests especially in partialshade
Breynia distichaSnowbush
S/L
Medium
L-N
slender, red branches with variegated foliage; good speci-men or accent shrub; redberries; susceptible to pests
No
Brunfelsia americanaLady of the Night
1-3ñ 1-3ð
Any
High
L-N
evergreen; fragrant, white flowers
Caesalpinia spp. and cvs.Poinciana
S/L
Medium
M
choose species adapted toregion; do not confuse withDelonix regia; flowers vary
Calliandra emarginataPink Powderpuff
Any
High
L-N
red/pink, spring through fallflowers
Carissa macrocarpaNatal Plum
Any
High
H
also known as Carissa grandi-flora; edible fruit; white, fragrant year-round flowers
Gamolepis spp.Bush Daisy
Any
Medium
L-N
finely-divided leaves with fern-like appearance; yellow,year-round flowers
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S C S C S SNo10-11 Yes10-11 No9b-11
Fast 4-6ñ 6-8ð 5-8ñ 4-7ð 4-6ñ 3-4ð
No9-11C S No10-11C S No9-11C S N No8b-11C S
8-35ñ 10-35ð 6-10ñ 10-15ð 2-20ñ 2-20ð 2-4ñ 3-4ð
SM
ALL
SH
RU
BS
65
N
Ixora coccineaIxora
Any
Medium
L-N
dark green, glossy leaves; colorful year-round flowers
Lantana depressaWeeping Lantana, Pineland Lantana
S/L
Medium
H
small, yellow, year-round flowers; susceptible to pests;berries are poisonous
Leucophyllum frutescensTexas Sage, Texas Ranger,Silverleaf, Barometer Bush
S
High
M
semi-evergreen shrub;white/pink/lavender/blue flowers after summer rains;prefers dry, hot sites; doesn'tlike fertilizer or compost
No
Lyonia lucidaFetterbush, Shiny Lyonia
10-15ñ 4-10ð
S/L
High
L-N
evergreen; white/pink springflowers; leaf spotting may occur
Mahonia fortunei Fortune’s Mahonia, ChineseMahonia, Holly Grape
Any
Medium
M
also known as Berberis fortunei;yellow year-round flowers; wellsuited as foundation plant onnorth or east side of a building
Malpighia coccigeraMiniature Holly
Any
Medium
M
pink, spring through summerflowers; red berries; sensitive topests
Pyracantha coccineaFirethorn
Any
Medium
L-N
white, showy flowers;red/orange fall and winterfruit; works well as freestandingspecimen plant; can beespaliered or trained onto atrellis; susceptible to pests anddiseases
Raphiolepis spp. and cvs.Indian Hawthorn
Any
High
M
flowers vary; provides food forwildlife; use disease-resistantcvs., plant in full sun; suscepti-ble to disease
9b-11C S N C S N C N CYes8-11 No8b-10a Yes8-9
Fast 3-6ñ 3-6ð 3-5ñ 3-5ð 3-15ñ 2-5ð
No8b-9 No10b-11S N No8-9C N No8-9C
Slow 3-5ñ 3-5ð Slow 2-5ñ 4-6ð 10-15ñ 8-12ð 2-10ñ 2-6ð
66
N
Rosa spp. Rose
Fast
Any
Medium
M
flowers vary; susceptible topests and diseases
Rosmarinus spp.Rosemary
S/L
High
M
evergreen herb with aromaticneedle-like leaves; flowers vary
Russelia equisetiformisFirecracker Plant, Coral Plant
Any
High
M
multi-branched shrub; rush-likestems; red year-round flowers;susceptible to pests
Var.
Russelia sarmentosaFirecracker Plant
1-20ñ 2-8ð
S/L
Medium
U
red, summer flowers; providesfood for wildlife
Sabal etoniaScrub Palmetto
S/L
High
M
small, white, spring throughsummer flowers; small, blackberries in summer through fallprovide food for wildlife; long-lived; difficult to transplant
Spiraea spp.Reeve’s Spirea, Bridal Wreath
Any
Medium
L-N
deciduous; white, spring flow-ers; check with your localExtension office before finalspecies selection
Strelitzia reginaeBird of Paradise
Any
High
L-N
large leathery leaves are heldupright on stiff stalks;orange/blue striking flowers;susceptible to pests; toleratesoccasionally wet soil
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
SM
ALL
SH
RU
BS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S C S N C SNo8-11 No9b-11 No8b-11
3-6ñ 4-5ð 3-5ñ 6-12ð Fast 3-4ñ 2-4ð
Yes9-11C S N No8-9C No10-11S
Slow 4-6ñ 4-6ð 3-5ñ 3-4ð 3-5ñ 2-4ð
VIN
ES
67
Allamanda catharticaYellow Allamanda
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen; yellow, trumpet-shaped, year-round flowers; allplant parts are poisonous
Aristolochia spp.Dutchman’s Pipe, Pipevine
S
Medium
L-N
tender evergreen vine;white/purple, summer throughwinter flowers; larval food plant for several swallowtailbutterflies
Aster carolinianusClimbing Aster
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Ampelaster carolinianus, Symphyotricumcarolinianum; lavender, fallflowers
No
Bignonia capreolataCross Vine, Trumpet Flower
1-20ñ 1-20ð
Any
High
M
fast-growing, high-climbingvine; orange/red, trumpet-shaped, spring flowers
Bougainvillea cvs.Bougainvillea
S/L
High
M
evergreen, shrubby vine;pink/yellow/orange, year-round flowers; large spines;susceptible to freeze damage
Campsis radicansTrumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine
Any
Medium
L-N
brilliant orange, summer flowers
Decumaria barbaraClimbing Hydrangea, Wood Vamp, Cow Itch Vine
S/L
Medium
L-N
white, spring flowers
Ficus pumilaCreeping fig
Any
High
L-N
dense grower; needs no support to adhere to walls,which may cause maintenanceproblems; well suited forgroundcover, and hanging basket use
9-11C S C S N C S N C SVar.9-10 Yes8-10b Yes8-10
Fast 10-15ñ 10-15ð 1-12ñ 2-4ð Fast 1-50ñ 1-50ð
No9b-11C S N Yes8-10aC S N Yes8-9aC N No8-11C S
Fast 4-40ñ 15-40ð Fast 1-40ñ 1-40ð 1-60ñ 1-60ð 1-40ñ 1-40ð
68
N
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine, Yellow Jasmine
Fast
Any
Low
L-N
evergreen; yellow, tubular, winter through spring flowers;rapid growth when established;poisonous
Hedera canariensis Algerian Ivy, Canary Ivy
Any
Medium
M
distinctive, red leaf stems; beautiful, thick, leatheryfoliage; rapid growth rate,watch for aggressive spread;rich groundcover in the shade
Hedera helixEnglish Ivy
Any
Medium
L-N
bold leaves provide dark greenmat of foliage; tenacious aerialroots guide the plant up treetrunks, walls, or trellises; rapidgrowth rate; watch for aggres-sive spread
Yes
Ipomoea spp. (natives only)Morning Glory
20-40ñ 20-30ð
Any
High
M
flower color varies; can spreadeasily; provides food for wildlife
Jasminum multiflorumDowny Jasmine
Any
Medium
L-N
white, fragrant, year-roundflowers; dies back in freeze,may come back; susceptible topests; sprawling form
Lonicera sempervirens Honeysuckle, Coral Honeysuckle
Any
Medium
M
dark green, smooth leaves; red, spring through summerflowers; fruit provides food forwildlife; susceptible to freezedamage
Mandevilla cvs.Pink Allamanda, Mandevilla
Any
Medium
L-N
twining evergreen vine; many cultivars; pink/white,year-round flowers
Millettia reticulataEvergreen Wisteria
S/L
Low
M
deciduous in North Florida;glossy, leathery textured leaves;purple, summer through fallflowers
8-9Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
VIN
ES
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C N C S N C N C SNo8b-10 No8-9 Yes8-11
Fast 1/2 -1ñ 1-6ð Fast 1-2ñ 2-5ð Fast 10-20ñ 10-40ð
No9b-11C S N Yes8-9C No9b-11C S No9-11C S
Fast 5-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 10-15ñ 10-15ð 1-10ñ 1-10ð Fast 12-15ñ 10-12ð
VIN
ES
69
N
Pandorea jasminoidesBower Vine
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen; maintains an open,fine-textured effect; 2 inchwide, white, pink-throated,summer through winter flowers
Passiflora incarnataMaypop, Passion Vine
Any
High
M
evergreen; pink/purple, summer through fall flowers;larval food plant of zebra longwing, gulf fritillary, andvariegated fritillary butterflies;tolerates occasionally wet soil
Petrea volubilisQueen’s Wreath
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen; purple, spring flowers
No
Quisqualis indicaRangoon Creeper
1-20ñ 1-20ð
Any
Medium
L-N
1" flowers turn from white topink or pink to deep red,blooms in spring through fall;good for fences, pergolas, andsmall buildings; susceptible topests
Thunbergia alataBlack-Eyed Susan Vine
S/L
Low
L-N
perennial; yellow, summer flowers
Trachelospermum jasminoidesConfederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine
Any
Medium
L-N
white, fragrant, showy, springflowers; susceptible to diseases
Wisteria frutescensAmerican Wisteria
Any
Medium
L-N
lavender, fragrant, springthrough summer flowers; poisonous parts
9b-11C S N C S S SYes8b-11 No10b-11 No10a-11
Fast 5-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 30-40ñ 30-40ð Fast 1-40ñ 1-40ð
No8-11C S N No8-10C S N Yes8-9C
Fast 5-10ñ 5-10ð Fast 1-40ñ 1-40ð Fast 10-20ñ 6-12ð
N
70
N
Ajuga reptansBugleweed, Carpet Bugleweed
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
purple/blue, spring throughsummer flowers; spreads quick-ly; many cultivars; susceptible todisease
Anthericum sanderiSt. Bernard’s Lily
Any
Medium
U
white, spring flowers
Arachis glabrataPerennial Peanut
S
High
H
yellow/orange, summerthrough fall flowers; no nitrogenfertilizer needed; may spreadaggressively; withstands foottraffic; damaged by frost inNorth and Central Florida
No
Ardisia japonicaJapanese Ardisia
1/2 -1ñ 1-2ð
Any
Low
U
shiny, leathery, dark greenleaves; pink/white, 5-petaled,spring flowers; small, red, winter fruit
Aspidistra elatior Cast Iron Plant, Barroom Plant
Any
Medium
L-N
dark, green, glossy foliage;brown flowers periodicallythroughout the year; toleratesdeep shade better than mostplants
Cyrtomium falcatumHolly Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen fern; good low- maintenance groundcover; susceptible to pests
Dryopteris spp.Autumn Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
dark green fern with delicateappearance; fronds appearreddish when young; choosespecies based on growing conditions
Dyschoriste oblongifoliaTwin Flower, Oblongleaf Snakeherb
Any
High
L-N
lavender, year-round flowers;commonly used as groundcov-er; larval food plant for com-mon Buckeye
8-9aReg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
GR
OU
ND
CO
VE
RS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C N C S N C S N CNo8-11 No8-11 No8-9
Fast 1-11/2ñ 1/2-1ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1-8ð 1/2-1ñ 1-3ð
No8b-11C S N No8b-11C S N Var.8-11C S N Yes8-11C S
Slow 1-3ñ 1-3ð 2-3ñ 3-4ð Slow 1-4ñ 1-4ð Fast 1/2-1ñ 1-11/2ð
GR
OU
ND
CO
VE
RS
71
N
Ernodea littoralisGolden creeper
S/C
H
small, light green, succulentleaves on bright red stems;inconspicuous, pinkish, tubularflowers; golden berries; will dieif overwatered
Evolvulus glomeratusBlue Daze
Any
Medium
H
creates grey/green carpet-likecover accented with sky blue,spring through summer flowers
Glandularia tampensisTampa Vervain, Tampa Mock Vervain
S
High
L-N
also known as Verbena tampensi; purplish-pink/white,summer flowers
Yes
Hedera canariensis Algerian Ivy, Canary Ivy
1-3ñ 1-3ð
Any
Medium
M
distinctive, red leaf stems; beautiful, thick, leatheryfoliage; rapid growth rate,watch for aggressive spread;rich groundcover in the shade
Hedera helixEnglish Ivy
Any
Medium
L-N
bold leaves provide dark greenmat of foliage; tenacious aerialroots guide the plant up treetrunks, walls, or trellises; rapidgrowth rate; watch for aggres-sive spread
Ipomoea spp. (natives only)Sweet Potato Vine, Railroad Vine, Varies
Any
High
M
flower color varies; can spreadeasily; provides food for wildlife
Juniperus conferta and cvs.Shore Juniper
S
High
H
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; must be in full sunand well drained soils; used fordune stabilization; susceptibleto diseases
Juniperus horizontalis and cvs.Creeping Juniper, Horizontal Juniper
Any
High
M
plants become thin in partialshade; does not tolerate water-logged conditions; susceptibleto pests and diseases
10-11S C S C S N C SNo9-11 Yes9-11 No8b-101/2-1ñ 1-2ð 11/2-2ñ 1-11/2ð Fast 1/2-1ñ 1-6ð
No8-9C N Yes8-11C S N No8-9C N No8a-9aC
Fast 1-2ñ 2-5ð Fast 10-20ñ 10-40ð Slow 1-2ñ 6-10ð 1/2-1ñ 8-10ð
High
72
Lantana montevidensis Trailing Lantana
Fast
Any
Medium
H
white/pink/lavender, summerthrough fall flowers; susceptibleto pests and diseases
Liriope muscari and cvs.Liriope, Monkey Grass, Lily Turf, Border Grass
Any
Medium
M
purple, summer flowers; formsa solid groundcover in a fewyears; variegated cultivar isdamaged by frost; susceptibleto pests
Mimosa strigillosaPowderpuff, Sunshine Mimosa
Any
Medium
M
perennial; pink powderpuffflowers; FNGLA Plant of theYear
No
Nephrolepis biserrataGiant Sword Fern
1-3ñ 4-8ð
C/L
Medium
L-N
should not be confused with theexotic invasive fern Nephrolepiscordifolia; may spread beyondsmall gardens and become difficult to control; looks best infull shade
Nephrolepis exaltataSword Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
should not be confused with theexotic invasive fern Nephrolepiscordifolia; may spread beyondsmall gardens and become difficult to control; looks best infull shade
Ophiopogon japonicus and cvs.Mondo Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf,Dwarf Liriopoe
Any
Medium
M
white, summer flowers; darkgreen, grass-like mounds; tolerates some foot traffic
Phyla nodifloraTurkey Tangle Fogfruit,Capeweed
Any
Medium
L-N
small, purplish-white flowers;may appear dormant indrought but comes back; occasional mowing improvesappearance; excellent butterflyattractor; can become weedy;larval food plant
Rumohra adiantiformisLeatherleaf Fern, Seven Weeks Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen fern with triangular-shaped, dark glossy greenleaflets
9-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
GR
OU
ND
CO
VE
RS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C N C S C SNo8-9 Yes8-11 Yes9-11
1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1/2-3/4ñ 8-10ð 1-4ñ 1-4ð
Yes9-11C S N No8-11C S N Yes8-11C S No9b-11C S
1-4ñ 1-4ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1/2-2ð 1/2-1ñ 8-10ð 1-3ñ 4-5ð
GR
OU
ND
CO
VE
RS
73
N
Scaevola plumieriInkberry
Slow
S/L
High
H
small, pink/white, summer flowers; spreads by under-ground rhizomes; suited forcoastal areas
Thelypteris kunthiiSouthern Shield Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
robust fern with graceful lightgreen foliage; may spreadbeyond small gardens andbecome difficult to control
Trachelospermum asiaticumSmall-Leaf ConfederateJasmine, Asiatic Jasmine
Any
Medium
M
small, dark green glossy leaves,prominent light green veins; tolerates foot traffic; spreadsaggressively; susceptible topests, diseases and cold damage in low 20's
Yes
Trachelospermum jasminoidesConfederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine
2-4ñ 3-8ð
Any
Medium
L-N
white, fragrant, showy, springflowers; susceptible to diseases
Vinca majorPeriwinkle
Any
Medium
L-N
oval or heart-shaped darkgreen leaves; blue/purple/lavender, summer flowers; goodfor shaded, small gardens; doesnot tolerate hot, dry conditions
Zamia floridanaCoontie, Florida Arrowroot,Florida Zamia
Any
High
H
small palm-like perennial plant;Florida’s only native cycad; solelarval food plant for atala but-terfly; susceptible to pests andcold damage in the 20's
Zamia furfuraceaCardboard Plant
Any
High
H
seeds and caudex poisonous;freezes in central Florida andcan come back
10-11S N C S N C S N C SYes8-11 No8b-10 No8b-10
Fast 2-3ñ 2-4ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-30ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-30ð
No8a-9C N Yes8b-11C S No9b-11C S
1-2ñ 1-5ð Slow 1-5ñ 3-5ð Slow 2-5ñ 5-8ð
N
74
N
Andropogon spp.Bluestem Grass
Fast
Any
High
H
perennial bunch grass; speciesneed vary; check with Extensionoffice before making final selection; silver/white/pink, fall flowers
Aristida stricta var. beyrichianaWiregrass
S
High
L-N
also known as Aristidabeyrichiana; tan, year-roundflowers; provides food andcover for wildlife; depends onregular summer burning to stimulate flowering and seedproduction
Cymbopogon citratusLemongrass
Any
Medium
U
scented leaves remain greenmost of the year, turning darkred in fall and winter; dies tothe ground in winter in NorthFlorida
Var.
Chasmanthium latifoliumRiver Oats, Northern Sea Oats,Indian Wood-oats
3-10ñ 3-7ð
Any
Medium
L-N
fall color; tan/bronze, summerthrough fall flowers; larval food plant for Gemmed Satyrbutterfly
Distichlis spicataSalt Grass
Any
Low
H
tough, scaly rhizomes and rigidstems; few seeds are produced;reproduction is mostly from rhizomes
Eragrostis elliottii Elliott’s Lovegrass
S/L
High
L-N
tan, year-round flowers, especially in fall
Eragrostis spectabilisPurple Lovegrass
S/L
High
L-N
small, red/purple, year-roundflowers, especially in fall; grows best in hot, dry sites
Miscanthus sinensisZebra Grass, Eulalia Grass
Any
Medium
H
dies to the ground in winter inNorth Florida; excellent specimen plant; susceptible topests and disease
8-9Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
GR
AS
SE
S
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C N C S S NYes8-11 No10-11 Yes8-9a
Fast 2-4ñ 2-3ð Fast 4-6ñ 4-6ð Fast 2-5ñ 2-4ð
Yes8-11C S N Yes8-10C S N Yes8-10C S N No8-11C S
Slow 1-2ñ 2-4ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð 1-9ñ 3-5ð
GR
AS
SE
S
75
N
N
Muhlenbergia capillarisMuhly Grass
S
High
H
pink, fall flowers; toleratesextreme drought and flooding
Panicum virgatum and cvs.Panic Grass
Any
High
H
tan, summer flowers
Paspalum quadrifariumEvergreen Paspalum, Crown Grass
S/L
High
H
tan, summer flowers; FNGLAPlant of the Year
Yes
Schizachyrium scopariumLittle Blue Stem Grass
2-5ñ 2-3ð
Any
High
U
medium-sized bunchgrass;lavender/blue stem; good forrestoring damaged wildlandrecreation areas; provides foodand cover for wildlife
Spartina spp.Cordgrass
S
High
H
marsh grass; fine-textured, wireleaves form a fountain pattern;tan, summer flowers; speciesneeds vary, choose based onsite conditions; check with yourlocal Extension office prior tospecies selection
Thysanolaena maximaTiger Grass
Any
Medium
M
bamboo-like appearance;large, linear leaves
Tripsacum dactyloides and cvs.Fakahatchee Grass, Gamma Grass
Any
Medium
M
cream/orange/red/yellow,spring through summer flowers;tolerates flooding and standingwater; larval food plant forByssus Skipper butterfly
Tripsacum floridanaFlorida Gama Grass
Any
Medium
M
yellow, spring through summerflowers; used to control erosion;good plant for detention ponds,swales and canal banks
8-11C S N C S N C S N CYes8-10 No8-10 Yes8-9
Fast 1-5ñ 1-5ð Fast 3-4ñ 3-4ð 1-3ñ 1-3ð
Var.8-9C N No8-11C S N Yes8-11C S N Yes8-11C S
Fast 3-4ñ 3-5ð Fast 6-10ñ 6-10ð 4-6ñ 4-6ð 2-4ñ 4-6ð
76
Acoelorrhaphe wrightiiPaurotis Palm, Saw Cabbage Palm
Slow
Any
Medium
M
yellow/white, spring flowers;forms dense clump so provideplenty of space; susceptible tomanganese deficiency; toleratesoccasionally wet soil
Arenga engleriFormosa Palm, Dwarf Sugar Palm
Any
None
L-N
dark, olive-green leaves oftentwist, giving a slight spiralingappearance; red/orange/green, spring flowers; red todeep purple fruit
Bismarckia nobilisBismarck Palm
Any
High
M
stiff, waxy, blue- green fronds;white/cream flowers
Yes
Butia capitataPindo Palm, Jelly Palm
15-30ñ 10-15ð
Any
High
M
edible fruit used for jelly; provides food for wildlife; looksbest in full sun; white flowers;susceptible to pests; high windresistance
Carpentaria acuminataCarpentaria Palm
Any
Medium
L-N
white/cream, spring throughfall flowers; tolerates occasion-ally wet soil; can cause skin irritation
Caryota mitisFishtail Palm
Any
Medium
U
multi-stemmed clumps; lightgreen leaflets shaped like fish’stail fin; caution - may be inva-sive in South Florida
Ceratozamia hildaeBamboo Cycad
Any
High
L-N
sharp thorns, plant away fromsidewalks
Ceratozamia kuesteriana
Any
High
L-N
emergent growth on someforms has a reddish color
10-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PALM
SA
ND
PALM
-LIKE
PLA
NTS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S C S S N C SNo9a-11 No10a-11 No8b-11
Slow 8-10ñ 12-16ð 40-70ñ 15-20ð Slow 15-25ñ 10-15ð
No10b-11S No10b-11S N No8-11C S N No8-11C S
Slow 35-40ñ 8-10ð 15-25ñ 10-15ð Slow 5-7ñ 3-5ð Slow 4-5ñ 3-4ð
PALM
SA
ND
PALM
-LIKE
PLA
NTS
77
N
N
Chamaedorea spp.Chamaedorea, Bamboo Palm,Miniature Fishtail Palm
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
species needs vary, choosebased on conditions; cream,spring through summer flowers;good container plant; potentialskin irritant
Chamaerops humilis European Fan Palm
Any
High
M
clumping palm; yellow, summerflowers; susceptible to pests;very cold-hardy; petioles withsharp teeth
Chrysalidocarpus lutescensYellow Butterfly Palm
Any
High
M
also known as Dypsis lutescens;tolerates occasionally wet soil;high wind resistance; suscepti-ble to pest and K deficiency
No
Coccothrinax argentataSilver Palm
1-20ñ 2-8ð
Any
High
H
distinctive, dark, blue-green,drooping, deeply dividedpalmate leaves; white, summerflowers; Key Deer food source;high wind resistance
Dioon edule Dioon, Chamal, Mexican Sago
Any
High
M
leaflets very sharp; can tolerateadverse conditions for periods;susceptible to pests
Howea forsteranaKentia Palm, Sentry Palm
S/L
Medium
L-N
white, summer flowers; suscepti-ble to diseases
Licuala grandisRuffled Fan Palm, VanuatuFan Palm, Licuala Palm
S/L
Medium
L-N
white, year-round flowers
Livistona spp.Chinese Fan Palm
S/L
High
M
flowers vary; stately palm withsingle trunk; susceptible toscales; caution - L. chinensismay be invasive in Central andSouth Florida
variableC S N C S S SNo8-11 No10a-11 Yes10b-11
Slow 5-15ñ 6-15ð 15-25ñ 6-10ð Fast 3-15ñ 6-7ð
No8-11C S No10-11S No10b-11S No9-11C S
Slow 1-8ñ 4-6ð 15-25ñ 6-10ð Slow 6-12ñ 3-6ð 20-50ñ 8-15ð
78
Nolina recurvataPonytail Palm
Slow
Any
High
M
unique plume of long leavesatop a single trunk with a bulb-like base; susceptible to pestsand diseases
Phoenix spp. exceptPhoenix reclinataDate Palms
S/L
High
M
yellow, summer flowers;Phoenix canariensis, Phoenixdactylifera and Phoenix roebelinii have high wind resistance; provides food forwildlife
Pseudophoenix sargentiiBuccaneer Palm, Sargent’s Palm
Any
High
M
yellow, summer flowers; produces grape-sized red fruit;endangered in Florida
No
Ptychosperma elegansAlexander Palm, SolitaryPalm, Solitaire Palm
10-15ñ 12-18ð
S/L
High
L-N
white, summer flowers; resistantto lethal yellowing; high windresistance; caution - may beinvasive in South and CentralFlorida
Ptychosperma macarthuriMacarthur Palm
S/L
None
L-N
noted for multiple, slim, ringedgrey trunks; soft green, feath-ery, flat, broad leaves;branched flower stalks withwhite, summer flowers; brightred, showy sprays of fruit
Ravenea rivularis Majesty Palm
C/L
High
M
feather-leafed with symmetrical,smooth, flared trunk; creamywhite, summer flowers
Rhapidophyllum hystrixNeedle Palm
S/L
Medium
L-N
red, summer flowers; yellowishfruit provides food for wildlife
Rhapis excelsaLady Palm
S/L
Medium
L-N
forms clumps of bamboo-likestalks topped with very darkgreen fan-shaped leaves; susceptible to pests and disease
10a-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PALM
SA
ND
PALM
-LIKE
PLA
NTS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S N C S S SNo8-11 Yes10a-11 No10a-11
Slow 6-80ñ 6-25ð Slow 10-40ñ 10-20ð Slow 15-25ñ 6-10ð
No10b-11S No10a-11S N Yes8-11C S No9-11C S
15-25ñ 6-10ð 50-80ñ 10-15ð Fast 6-8ñ 5-10ð Slow 7-14ñ 10-15ð
PALM
SA
ND
PALM
-LIKE
PLA
NTS
79
N
Rhapis humilisSlender Lady Palm
S/L
Medium
M
slender stems; drooping leafsegments; forms densely packedclumps; susceptible to pests
Roystonea regiaRoyal Palm
Any
Medium
M
tall, smooth, cement gray trunk;beautiful, broad, dense crownof soft, gently drooping, feath-ery fronds; fragrant, yellow,summer flowers; high windresistance
Sabal etoniaScrub Palmetto
S/L
High
M
small, white, spring throughsummer flowers; small, blackberries in summer through fallprovide food for wildlife; long-lived; difficult to transplant
No
Sabal minorDwarf Palmetto, Blue-stem Palmetto
5-7ñ 6-10ð
Any
High
M
blueish green, fan shaped leaves;small, white flowers; black berriesprovides food for wildlife in fall;difficult to transplant; goodunderstory plant; prefers moistsoils but tolerates drier conditionsafter establishment
Sabal palmetto Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm,Cabbage Palmetto
Any
High
H
Florida state tree; white, sum-mer flowers; susceptible tosome pests and disease; highwind resistance; older palmstransplant easily; provides foodand cover for wildlife
Serenoa repens Saw Palmetto
Any
High
H
flammable - in wildfire proneareas, plant minimum 30' frombuildings; yellow/white, springflowers; difficult to transplant;grows on first dune; roundblack fruits provide food forwildlife
Thrinax morrisiiBrittle Thatch Palm, Key Thatch Palm
Any
High
H
green and silver fronds; small,white, summer flowers; toleratesoccasionally wet soil; high windresistance
Thrinax radiataFlorida Thatch Palm
S
High
H
white; summer flowers; goodpalm for many landscapes dueto small size; high wind resist-ance
9b-11C S S C S N C SYes10a-11 Yes9-11 Yes8-10
50-80ñ 15-25ð Slow 4-6ñ 4-6ð Slow 4-9ñ 4-8ð
Yes8b-11C S N Yes8-11C S Yes10b-11S Yes10b-11S
Slow 25-60ñ 10-15ð Slow 3-10ñ 4-10ð Slow 15-20ñ 6-10ð Slow 15-25ñ 6-10ð
N
80
N
Trachycarpus fortunei Windmill Palm
Any
Medium
M
dense, brown, hair-like fibers thatresemble burlap wrapping; 3-footwide, fan-shaped fronds; incon-spicuous, fragrant, summer flow-ers; good palm for shaded land-scapes; tolerates occasional sun;susceptible to pests and disease
Washingtonia robustaWashington Palm
Any
High
M
too tall for most home land-scapes; caution – may be invasive in South Florida
Wodyetia bifurcataFoxtail Palm
Any
Medium
M
pale green, arching fronds withleaflets radiating from leafstem, giving appearance of bottlebrush or foxtail; white,spring flowers; colorful clustersof red to orange/red fruit
No
Zamia floridanaCoontie, Florida Arrowroot,Florida Zamia
10-25ñ 6-10ð
Any
High
H
small palm-like perennial plant;Florida’s only native cycad; solelarval food plant for atala hair-streak butterfly; susceptible topests and cold damage in the20's
Zamia furfuraceaCardboard Plant
Any
High
H
seeds and caudex poisonous;freezes in central Florida andcan come back
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PALM
SA
ND
PALM
-LIKE
PLA
NTS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S C SNo9a-11 No10-11 Yes8b-11
60-90ñ 10-15ð Slow 20-30ñ 8-20ð Fast 1-5ñ 3-5ð
No9b-11C S
Slow 2-5ñ 5-8ð
FER
NS
81
Acrostichum danaeifoliumLeather Fern
Any
Low
M
large fern; good for wet sites inshaded landscape; prolongedsunlight, especially in the sum-mer, can burn foliage
Adiantum capillus-venerisSouthern Maidenhair Fern,Venus’ Hair Fern
Any
Low
L-N
fine-textured, delicate, fern withlight grey-green, soft foliage;tolerates occasionally wet soil
Blechnum serrulatumSwamp Fern, ToothedMidsorus Fern, Saw Fern
Any
Low
L-N
hardy fern; forms undergroundstems, persisting for manyyears, and spreads widely(forms dense clumps); grows infull sun if in moist conditions
Yes
Cyrtomium falcatumHolly Fern
8-10ñ 8-10ð
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen fern; good low- maintenance groundcover; susceptible to pests
Dicksonia antarcticaTasmanian Tree Fern,Australian Tree Fern
S/L
Low
L-N
does not tolerate prolongedfreezing or direct sun
Didymochlaena truncatulaMahogany Fern, TreeMaidenhair Fern
Loam
Low
U
requires moist soil; do not letdry out between waterings
Dryopteris spp.Autumn Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
dark green fern with delicateappearance; fronds appearreddish when young; choosespecies based on growing conditions
Nephrolepis biserrataGiant Sword Fern
C/L
Medium
L-N
should not be confused with theexotic invasive fern Nephrolepiscordifolia; may spread beyondsmall gardens and become dif-ficult to control; looks best in fullshade
9-11C S S N C S N C SYes10-11 Yes8-11 No8b-11
Slow 2-3ñ 2-3ð 1-6ñ 2-6ð 2-3ñ 3-4ð
No9-11C S No10S N Var.8-11C S Yes9-11C S
Slow 20-50ñ 6-20ð Slow 3-4ñ 4-6ð Slow 1-4ñ 1-4ð 1-4ñ 1-4ð
82
Nephrolepis exaltataSword Fern
C/L
Medium
L-N
should not be confused with theexotic invasive fern Nephrolepiscordifolia; may spread beyondsmall gardens and become difficult to control; looks best infull shade
Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern
C/L
Low
L-N
deciduous, shrub-like fern;good plant for detention ponds,swales and canal banks
Osmunda regalisRoyal Fern
Loam
Low
L-N
requires night temperature of45° F to stay green; susceptibleto pests; may be less attractiveduring winter dormancy
Yes
Pteridium aquilinumBracken Fern
1-4ñ 1-4ð
S/L
Medium
L-N
fronds triangular in outline
Rumohra adiantiformisLeatherleaf Fern, Seven Weeks Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
evergreen fern with triangular-shaped, dark glossy green leaflets
Sphaeropteris cooperiAustralian Tree Fern
S/L
Low
L-N
also known as Alsophilacooperi; single-trunked, giantfern
Thelypteris kunthiiSouthern Shield Fern
Any
Medium
L-N
robust fern with graceful lightgreen foliage; may spreadbeyond small gardens andbecome difficult to control
9-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
FER
NS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S N C S N C SYes8-10 Yes8-10 Yes8-11
Slow 2-5ñ 3-4ð 6-7ñ 6-7ð 3-6ñ 2-3ð
No9b-11C S No10b-11S N Yes8-11C S
1-3ñ 4-5ð Slow 12-18ñ 8-15ð Fast 2-3ñ 2-4ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
83
N
Acalypha reptansDwarf Chenille Plant
Slow
C/L
Medium
U
fine-textured, ground-hugging;forms a thick canopy of tiny,serrated leaves with bright redflowers
Acrostichum danaeifoliumLeather Fern
Any
Low
M
large fern; good for wet sites inshaded landscape; prolongedsunlight, especially in the sum-mer, can burn foliage
Adiantum capillus-venerisSouthern Maidenhair Fern,Venus’ Hair Fern
Any
Low
L-N
fine-textured, delicate, fern withlight grey-green, soft foliage;tolerates occasionally wet soil
No
Agapanthus africanusLily of the Nile, African Lily
to 1ñ variesð
S
Medium
M
purple/white, summer flowers;deciduous
Agave spp.Century Plant, Agave
S
High
H
dramatic foliage and form;evergreen, silver/gray to blue-green foliage; showy,green-brown fruit; sharp spines;choose species adapted to climate
Ajuga reptans Bugleweed, Carpet Bugleweed
Any
Medium
L-N
purple/blue, spring throughsummer flowers; spreads quickly; many cultivars; susceptible to disease
Aloe spp.Aloe
Any
High
H
species needs vary, choosebased on conditions; flowersvary; injured by frost in extremeNorth Florida; susceptible tocaterpillars; size of plantdepends on species selection
Alpinia spp.Shell Ginger, Shell Flower
S/C
Low
M
green and yellow variegatedleaves; white, fragrant flowersborne in drooping clusters; willnot flower if freezes back
10-11S C S S N C SYes9-11 Yes10-11 No8-10
8-10ñ 8-10ð Slow 2-3ñ 2-3ð Fast 2ñ 2ð
Var.8-11C S N No8-9aC N NovariableC S N No8-11C S
Slow 6ñ 4-6ð Fast 1/2-1ñ 1-2ð variesñ variesð Fast 6-12ñ 3-5ð
N
84
N
Amorphophallus spp.Voodoo Lily, Snake Lily
Any
Medium
L-N
grows very slowly in NorthFlorida; flowers vary, have afoul odor; size of plant dependson species selection
Angelonia angustifoliaAngelonia
Any
Medium
U
white and/or blue, summerflowers; can be grown as anannual but survives winters inzones 9 and 10
Asclepias spp.Milkweed, Butterfly Weed
Any
Medium
L-N
species needs vary, choosebased on conditions; red/yellow flowers; self-seeds eachyear; sap may irritate; susceptible to pests and diseases; provides food for butterflies
No
Asimina spp.Pawpaw
6ñ variesð
S
Medium
L-N
deciduous; species needs vary,choose based on conditions;oval, edible fruits with a sweet,rich taste, ripen to a brown/black, wrinkled texture; flowersvary; provides food for zebraswallowtail butterfly
Aspidistra elatiorCast Iron Plant, Barroom Plant
Any
Medium
L-N
dark, green foliage with glossy,coarse-texture; brown flowers;tolerates deep shade better thanmost plants
Begonia Xsemperflorens-cultorumWax Begonia
Any
Low
L-N
flowers vary; annual in Northand Central regions; susceptibleto pests and diseases
Belamcanda chinensisBlackberry Lily
Any
Medium
M
yellow, spring through fall flowers
Blechnum serrulatumSwamp Fern, ToothedMidsorus Fern, Saw Fern
Any
Low
L-N
hardy fern; forms undergroundstems, persisting for manyyears, and spreads widely(forms dense clumps); grows infull sun if in moist conditions
9-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S N C S N C SNo9-11 Var.8-10 Var.8-10
Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð Fast 2-5ñ 1-4ð 15-20ñ 15-20ð
No8b-11C S N No8-11C S N No8-10aC S N Yes8-11C S
Slow 1-3ñ 1-3ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð Fast 1-2ñ 2-4ð 1-6ñ 2-6ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
85
N
Bromeliaceae generaBromeliads, Airplants
Slow
S
High
L-N
flowers, light, region vary;choose species for climate; don’texchange bromeliads fromareas with Mexican bromeliadweevil; air circulation preventsscale/mealybugs; cold/overwatering causes crown rot
Bulbine frutescensBulbine
Any
Medium
U
orange/yellow, spring throughsummer flowers; clumping; best used as groundcover orcontainer plant
Caladium XhortulanumCaladium
Any
Medium
L-N
good container plant; attractivefoliage (red/rose/pink/white/silver/bronze/green); leavesdie back in the fall; goes dormant; susceptible to pestsand diseases
Var.
Canna spp.Canna Lily
1-2ñ 1-2ð
Any
Medium
L-N
many cultivars; attractivefoliage; summer flowers vary
Catharanthus roseusPeriwinkle, MadagascarPeriwinkle, Vinca
Any
High
M
white/pink/purple, year-roundflowers; watch for micronutrientdeficiencies/disease with toomuch moisture; caution - maybe invasive in South Florida
Conradina spp.False Rosemary, Scrub Mints,Beach Rosemary
Any
High
H
blue, year-round flowers; usedin beach landscaping
Coreopsis spp.Tickseed, Coreopsis
Any
High
M
Florida's state wildflower;orange/yellow, summer flowers; may be annual orshort-lived perennial, depending on species
Costus spp.Spiral Ginger
Any
Low
L-N
white, fragrant, summerthrough fall flowers
8-11C S C S N C S N C SNo9-11 No8-11 Var.8-11
1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 2-6ñ 1-3ð
No9b-11C S N Yes8-9C N Var.8a-10bC S N No8-11C S
1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð Fast 1-4ñ 1-3ð Fast 6-10ñ 4-8ð
N
86
N
Crinum spp.Crinum Lily
Any
Medium
M
many cultivars; fragrant, spidery, year-round flowersvary; poisonous; susceptible topests and diseases
Crossandra spp.Firecracker Flower
S/L
Medium
L-N
species needs vary, choosebased on conditions; flowersvary; can be used as annual inNorth and Central region
Cuphea hyssopifoliaMexican Heather, False Heather
Any
High
M
purple/white/pink, year-roundflowers; susceptible to pests,diseases, and freezes
Var.
Curcuma spp.Curcuma, Hidden Lily
3-6ñ 3-6ð
Any
Medium
L-N
pink/yellow, spring flowers
Dianella spp.Flax Lily
Any
High
U
blue/yellow flowers; strappyleaves
Dicksonia antarcticaTasmanian Tree Fern,Australian Tree Fern
S/L
Low
L-N
does not tolerate prolongedfreezing or direct sun
Didymochlaena truncatulaMahogany Fern, Tree Maidenhair Fern
Loam
Low
U
requires moist soil; do not letdry out between waterings
Dietes iridoidesAfrican Iris, Butterfly Iris
Any
Medium
L-N
also known as Moraea iridoides and Moraea vegeta,previously Dietes vegata; 1-2"white/yellow/blue, springthrough summer flowers
8b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S S N C S N C SNo10 No8b-11 No8b-11
Fast 1/2-4ñ 1-3ð 1-2ñ 2-3ð Fast 1-6ñ 1-4ð
Var.8-11C S No9-11C S No10S N No8b-11C S
Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð Slow to 50ñ 6-20ð Slow 3-4ñ 4-6ð Slow 2-6ñ 1-2ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
87
N
Dryopteris spp.Autumn Fern
Slow
Any
Medium
L-N
dark green fern with delicateappearance; fronds appearreddish when young; choosespecies based on growing conditions
Dyschoriste oblongifoliaTwin Flower, Oblongleaf Snakeherb
Any
High
L-N
lavender, year-round flowers;commonly used as groundcover
Echinacea purpureaPurple Coneflower
C/L
High
L-N
purple, spring through summerflowers; tolerates occasionallywet soil
Var.
Euryops spp.Bush Daisy
1-4ñ 1-4ð
Any
High
M
species needs vary, choosebased on conditions; reseedsreadily; resprouts from base inspring; flowers vary
Evolvulus glomeratus Blue Daze
Any
Medium
H
creates grey/green carpet-likecover accented with sky blue,spring through summer flowers
Flaveria linearis Yellowtop
Any
High
M
showy clusters of yellow diskshaped, year-round flowers;grows in soils with poor nutrientcontent; provides food for but-terflies
Gaillardia pulchellaBlanket Flower
S/L
High
M
yellow/orange/red, summerflowers; rounded clumps of soft,hairy, divided leaves
Gaura lindheimeriWhite Gaura, Whirling Butterflies,Lindheimer's Beeblossom
Any
High
L-N
fine-textured, vase-shaped;pink/white, spring through fallflowers on wand-like stalks
8-11C S N C S N C S N C SYes8-11 Yes8-10 Novariable
Fast 1/2-1ñ 1-11/2ð 1-3ñ 2-3ð 3-6ñ 3-6ð
No9-11C S Yes10a-11S N Yes8a-11C S N No8-9C1/2-1ñ 1-2ð Fast 2-4ñ 2-4ð Fast 1-2ñ 2-3ð 1-3ñ 2-3ð
N
88
N
Gazania spp.Gazania, Treasure Flower
Any
High
M
yellow/orange/red, summerflowers; roots may rot fromoverwatering
Gloriosa spp.Gloriosa Lily
S/C
Medium
U
crimson/yellow-orange, springthrough summer flowers; growswell on trellises
Haemanthus multiflorusBlood Lily
S/L
Medium
U
also known as Scadoxus multi-florus; red, summer flowers
No
Hedychium spp., hybrids and cvs.Butterfly Lily, Butterfly Ginger
1/2-1ñ 1-2ð
S/L
Low
M
white/yellow/red, spring flowers; thrives in boggy soils
Helianthus angustifoliusSwamp Sunflower,Narrowleaf Sunflower
Any
Medium
H
perennial, yellow/brown, fallflowers
Helianthus debilisBeach Sunflower
S/L
High
H
perennial; yellow/purple, year-round flowers; goodgroundcover for beaches anddune stabilization; developsfungus if planted in wet areas
Heliconia spp.Heliconia
Any
None
L-N
year-round flowers vary
Heliotropium angiospermumScorpion Tail
Any
High
L-N
evergreen; white, year-roundflowers; seedlings volunteerreadily
8b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S N C S N C SNo8-10 No8-11 No8b-11
Fast 2-8ñ 2-8ð Slow 11/2ñ 1ð Fast 4-8ñ 2-4ð
Yes8b-10C S N Yes8b-11C S No10b-11S N Yes8-11C S
Fast 2-4ñ 2-4ð Fast 1-4ñ 2-4ð Fast 2-15ñ 3-6ð 1-2ñ 1-2ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
89
N
N
Hemerocallis spp.Daylily
Fast
Any
Medium
H
many cultivars; summer flowersvary; susceptible to diseases
Hippeastrum spp. and hybridsAmaryllis
Any
Medium
L-N
large red/white, spring flowersin clusters of two to five; semi-evergreen
Hymenocallis spp.Spider Lily
Any
High
H
region depends on species -choose species adapted to yourarea; white/yellow, springthrough fall flowers
No
Impatiens spp.Impatiens
1-3ñ 1-2ð
Any
High
L-N
annual with brilliantly markedfoliage and ability to tolerategreat amounts of sun; flowersvary
Iris hexagonaLouisiana Iris, Blue Flag Iris
S/L
Low
L-N
purple, spring flowers; flowersbest in full sun; good for raingardens
Iris virginica Virginia Iris, Blue Flag Iris
Any
Medium
L-N
textured, light-green foliageemerging in dense clumps;lavender, spring flowers; goodfor rain gardens
Justicia brandegeanaShrimp Plant
Any
Medium
L-N
white, summer flowers; susceptible to pests and freezes
Justicia carneaJacobinia, Flamingo Plant
Any
Low
L-N
evergreen; summer through fallflowers vary; susceptible topests, diseases, and freezes
8-10C S N C S N C S N C SNo8-10 Var.8-11 No8-11
1-3ñ 1-3ð Fast 1-3ñ 3-5ð 1/2-1ñ 1ð
No8-10C S N Yes8b-11C S N No8b-11C S N No8b-11C S
2-5ñ 1/2ð 4-7ñ 1-3ð Fast 2-6ñ 2-4ð Slow 3-6ñ 2-3ð
90
Justicia spicigeraOrange Plum
Fast
Any
Low
L-N
orange; summer flowers
Kaempferia spp.Peacock Ginger
C/L
Medium
L-N
intricate foliage patterns in colors of burgundy and bronze;small, four-petaled, violet topurple flowers
Kalanchoe blossfeldianaKalanchoe, Madagascar Widow’s Thrill
S/L
High
M
succulent; dark green with scallop edged leaves; pink/red/yellow, winter throughspring flowers
No
Lantana involucrataWild Sage, Buttonsage
5ñ 3-5ð
S/L
Medium
H
white, year-round flowers
Leonotis leonurusLion’s Ear
Any
High
H
orange/red, summer throughwinter flowers
Liatris spp.Blazing Star
Any
Medium
L-N
lavender/pink/white, summerthrough fall flowers
Liriope muscari and cvs. Liriope, Monkey Grass, Lily Turf, Border Grass
Any
Medium
M
purple, summer flowers; formsa solid groundcover in a fewyears; variegated cultivar isdamaged by frost; susceptibleto pests
Lycoris spp.Hurricane Lily
Any
Medium
L-N
flower after heavy summerrains; yellow/red/pink, earlyfall flowers
10b-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
S N C S S C SNo8-10 No10-11 Yes9-11
Fast 2ñ 1-4ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð Fast 2-5ñ 1-5ð
No9-11C S N Var.8-10bC S N No8-9C N No8-9C
Fast 4-5ñ 2-3ð 3ñ 1/2-1ð 1/2-1ñ 1-2ð 11/2ñ 1ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
91
N
Musa spp.Banana
Fast
Any
Low
L-N
edible fruit; showy purple ororange flowers; needs regularwatering; susceptible to disease, pests, and frost
Neomarica gracilisWalking Iris
Any
Low
L-N
clumping herbaceous perennial;white/blue, spring through fallflowers
Odontonema strictumFirespike
S/L
Medium
L-N
herbaceous perennial; red, fallthrough winter flowers
No
Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern
7-30ñ 10-15ð
C/L
Low
L-N
deciduous, shrub-like fern;good plant for retention ponds,swales and canal banks
Osmunda regalis Royal Fern
Loam
Low
L-N
requires night temperature of45° F to stay green; susceptibleto pests; may be less attractiveduring winter dormancy
Pachystachys luteaGolden Shrimp Plant
Any
Low
L-N
yellow, spring through fall flowers
Pentas lanceolataPentas, Starflower
Any
Medium
M
many cultivars;red/pink/white/lilac, summerflowers; susceptible to freezedamage
Philodendron spp. and cvs.Philodendron
Any
Medium
L-N
select species based on siteconditions; check with yourlocal Extension office beforefinal species selection
9b-11C S N C S N C S N C SNo8b-11 No8b-11 Yes8-10
2-3ñ 2-3ð 2-6ñ 2-3ð Slow 2-5ñ 3-4ð
Yes8-10C S No9b-11C S N No8b-11C S No8b-11C S
6-7ñ 6-7ð 2-3ñ 2-3ð Fast 2-4ñ 2-3ð Fast 1-12ñ 2-15ð
N
92
N
Phlox divaricataBlue Phlox
Fast
Any
Medium
L-N
purple, summer flowers
Plectranthus spp.Plectranthus
S/L
Medium
L-N
flowers vary; ‘Mona Lavender’was FNGLA Plant of the Year in2004
Plumbago auriculata cvs.Plumbago
Any
Medium
L-N
blue/white, year-round flowers;susceptible to pests and freezes
No
Pteridium aquilinumBracken Fern
1-3ñ 1-3ð
S/L
Medium
L-N
fronds triangular in outline
Rudbeckia fulgidaRudbeckia
S/L
Low
L-N
showy, daisy-like flower; produces masses of goldencolor all summer
Rudbeckia hirtaBlack-Eyed Susan
Any
Medium
L-N
large, yellow-orange to red-dish-orange, summer flowers;does not tolerate prolonged,wet weather
Salvia spp.Salvia, Sage
S
Medium
L-N
flowers vary
Sisyrinchium angustifoliumBlue-eyed Grass
Any
Medium
L-N
blue, spring flowers
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S C S N C SNo8-11 No9-11 Yes8-11
Fast 1-5ñ 1-4ð Fast 6-10ñ 8-10ð 3-6ñ 2-3ð
Yes8-9C N Yes8-9C N Var.8a-11C S N Yes8-11C S
Fast 3ñ 3ð 2-3ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-8ñ 1-10ð Fast 1/2-11/2ñ 1/2-11/2ð
PE
RE
NN
IALS
93
N
N
Solenostemon scuttellarioidesColeus
Fast
Any
Low
L-N
purple, summer flowers; manycultivars; ‘Hurricane Louise’ wasFNGLA Plant of the Year in2005; susceptible to pests anddiseases
Solidago spp.Goldenrod
S
High
H
yellow, summer through fallflowers; some species formlarge colonies; Solidago odurois the Florida native
Sphaeropteris cooperiAustralian Tree Fern
S/L
Low
L-N
also known as Alsophilacooperi; single-trunked, giantfern
No
Sprekelia formosissimaAztec Lily, Jacobean Lily, St. James Lily
1-3ñ 1-3ð
S/L
Low
M
red, spring through summerflowers
Stachytarpheta spp.Porterweed
Any
Medium
M
flowers vary
Stokesia laevisStokes’ Aster
S/L
High
L-N
blue/white, summer flowers;many cultivars
Tulbaghia violacea Society Garlic
S/L
High
L-N
lavender, spring through fallflowers; plant has strong garlicscent
Zephyranthes spp.Rain Lily, Zephyr Lily
Any
Medium
M
white/yellow/pink/red, springthrough fall flowers; susceptibleto pests
8-11C S N C S S N C SVar.8-10 No10b-11 No8-10b
2-6ñ 1/2-2ð Slow 12-18ñ 8-15ð Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð
Var.8-11C S N Yes8-9C N No8a-11C S N Var.8-11C S
Fast 2-8ñ 3-4ð Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð 1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð
94
N
Zingiber zerumbetPine Cone Ginger
Any
Medium
M
red, fragrant, fall flowers; tolerates occasionally wet soil
No
4-7ñ 4-6ð
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
PE
RE
NN
IALS
C S
AN
NU
ALS
95
N
N
Ageratum spp.Ageratum
Any
Low
L-N
many cultivars; purple/white,year-round flowers
Amaranthus spp.Amaranth
Any
Medium
M
many cultivars; attractivefoliage; inconspicuous flowers
Angelonia angustifoliaAngelonia
Any
Medium
U
white and/or blue, summerflowers
No
Begonia Xsemperflorens-cultorumWax Begonia
1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð
Any
Low
L-N
flowers vary; annual in Northand Central regions; susceptibleto pests and diseases
Caladium XhortulanumCaladium
Any
Medium
L-N
good container plant; attractivefoliage (red/rose/pink/white/silver/bronze/green); leavesdie back in the fall; goes dormant; susceptible to pestsand diseases
Calendula spp.Pot Marigold
Any
Low
M
yellow/orange, winter throughspring flowers
Catharanthus roseusPeriwinkle, MadagascarPeriwinkle, Vinca
Any
High
M
white/pink/purple, year-roundflowers; susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies/disease with too much moisture;caution - may be invasive inSouth Florida
Celosia spp.Celosia
Any
Low
L-N
many cultivars; summer flowersvary
8-11C S N C S N C S N C SVar.8-11 No9-11 No8-11
Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð
No8-11C S N No8-11C S No9b-11C S N No8-11C S
Fast 1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-11/2ñ 1-11/2ð 1-2ñ 1-2ð Fast 1/2-2ñ 1/2-1ð
N
96
N
Coreopsis spp.Tickseed, Coreopsis
Fast
Any
High
M
Florida’s state wildflower;orange/yellow, summer flow-ers; may be annual or short-lived perennial, depending onspecies
Gazania spp.Gazania, Treasure Flower
Any
High
M
yellow/orange/red, summerflowers; roots may rot fromoverwatering
Impatiens spp.Impatiens
Any
None
L-N
annual with brilliantly markedfoliage and ability to tolerategreat amounts of sun; flowersvary
Var.
Justicia brandegeanaShrimp Plant
1-4ñ 1-3ð
Any
Medium
L-N
white, summer flowers; susceptible to pests and freezes
Justicia carneaJacobinia, Flamingo Plant
Any
Low
L-N
evergreen; summer through fallflowers vary; susceptible topests, diseases, and freezes
Justicia spicigeraOrange Plum
Any
Low
L-N
orange; summer flowers
Lobularia maritimaSweet Alyssum
Any
Medium
L-N
purple/white/pink, winter flowers; tolerates light frost
Monarda punctataSpotted Horsemint, DottedHorsemint, Spotted Beebalm
Any
Medium
H
pink, summer through fall flowers
8a-10bReg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
AN
NU
ALS
Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
C S N C S N C S N C SNo8b-11 No8-11 No8b-111/2-1ñ 1-2ð 1/2-1ñ 1ð Fast 2-6ñ 2-4ð
No8b-11C S No10b-11S N No8-11C S N Yes8b-9C
Slow 3-6ñ 2-3ð Fast 5ñ 3-5ð 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð Fast 1-3ñ 2-4ð
AN
NU
ALS
97
N
Pachystachys luteaGolden Shrimp Plant
Any
Low
L-N
yellow, spring through fall flowers
Pentas lanceolataPentas, Starflower
Any
Medium
M
many cultivars; red/pink/white/lilac, summer flowers;susceptible to freeze damage
Petunia XhybridaPetunia
Any
Low
M
many flower colors, in fallthrough spring; can be grownas perennial in South Florida;susceptible to pests and diseases
No
Rudbeckia fulgidaRudbeckia
2-3ñ 2-3ð
S/L
Low
L-N
showy, daisy-like flower; produces masses of goldencolor all summer
Rudbeckia hirtaBlack-Eyed Susan
Any
Medium
L-N
large, yellow-orange to red-dish-orange, summer flowers;does not tolerate prolonged,wet weather
Solenostemon scuttellarioidesColeus
Any
Low
L-N
purple, summer flowers; manycultivars; ‘Hurricane Louise’ wasFNGLA Plant of the Year in2005; susceptible to pests anddiseases
Tagetes spp.Marigold
S/L
Medium
L-N
flowers vary
Tithonia rotundifloraMexican Sunflower
Any
High
U
red/orange, summer flowers
9b-11C S N C S N C S N CNo8b-11 No8-11 Yes8-9
Fast 2-4ñ 2-3ð Fast 1/2-11/2ñ 1ð Fast 3ñ 3ð
Yes8-9C N No8-11C S N No8-11C S N No8-10C S
2-3ñ 1-2ð Fast 1-3ñ 1-3ð Fast 1-3ñ 1ð Fast 5-6ñ 3-4ð
98
N
Torenia fournieriWishbone Flower
S/L
Low
L-N
lavender/pink/blue/white,spring through fall flowers; susceptible to pests
Viola spp.Violet, Johnny-jump-up
S/L
Low
L-N
cold hardy annual
Viola XwittrockianaPansy
Any
Low
L-N
many cultivars; year-roundflowers vary; needs regularwatering in warm weather
No
Zinnia hybridsZinnia
1/2-11/2ñ 1-11/2ð
Any
High
L-N
many varieties with wide rangeof flower colors and sizes, year-round flowering; susceptible topests and diseases
8-11Reg/Native
G, H, S
Soil pH, Txt
Soil Mst, Drgt
Light/BestSalt
Wildlife
ScientificCommon
AN
NU
ALS
C S N C N C S N C SVar.8-9 No8-11 No8-11
Fast 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð Slow 1/2-1ñ 1/2-1ð Fast 1/2-3ñ 1ð
TUR
FGR
AS
S
99
Stenotaphrum secundatumSt. Augustinegrass‘Semi-dwarf cvs.’
adapted to entire state; low wear tol-erance; medium nematode tolerance;shade tolerance varies depending oncultivar selection
C-M
Low
Sod, sprigs, plugs
2-2.5 in. Medium
M VAny
Mw Ht/Leaf/Mnt Lv
Soil pH/Drgt/Slt/Sh
Estab. Methods
ScientificCommon
Zoysia japonicaZoysiagrass
adapted to entire state; medium weartolerance; low nematode tolerance;shade tolerance varies depending oncultivar selection
F-M
Medium
Sod, sprigs, plugs
2-2.5in. High
M VAny
Stenotaphrum secundatumSt. Augustinegrass‘Standard height cvs.’
adapted to entire state; low wear tolerance; medium nematode tolerance; shade tolerance variesdepending on cultivar selection
C-M
Low
Sod, sprigs, plugs
3.5-4 in. Medium
M VAny
Cynodon dactylonBermudagrass
adapted to entire state; medium weartolerance; low nematode tolerance
F-M
Medium
Sod, sprigs, plugs, some seed
1-2 in. M-H
M LAny
Mw Ht/Leaf/Mnt Lv
Soil pH/Drgt/Slt/Sh
Estab. Methods
ScientificCommon
Paspalum notatumBahiagrass
adapted to entire state; low wear tolerance; high nematode tolerance
C-M
High
Sod, seed
3-4 in. Low
N LAcid
Eremochloa ophiuroidesCentipedegrass
adapted to North Florida and thePanhandle; low wear tolerance; lownematode tolerance
M
Medium
Sod, sprigs, plugs, seed
1.5-2 in. Low
L MAcid
MOWING HT: Mowing turf below the recommended height can stress the grass and subject it to invasion by weeds.
LEAF: Fine, Medium, Coarse, Fine-Medium, Coarse-Medium (Relative measure of leaf blade width. Texture is merely a visualpreference.)
MAINT. LEVEL: Low, Medium, High, Medium-High (Amount of fertilization, irrigation, and mowing required.)
SOIL pH: Any, Acid (Ideal soil pH and texture for healthy turf.)
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Low, Medium, High (Measure of how well the turf will survive extended dry periods without irriga-tion or rainfall after it has been properly established.)
SALT: Low, Medium, High, None (Ability to thrive when subjected to salt stress from irrigation water, saltwater intrusion, orsalt spray from the ocean.)
SHADE: Low, Medium, High (Ability to thrive when exposed to shade.)
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS: Sod, Sprigs, Plugs, Seed (A quality lawn can be established by any method listed if the site isproperly prepared and maintained.)
LEGEND FOR TURFGRASS
FLORIDA-FR IENDLY LANDSCAPING TM GUIDE TO PLANT SELECT ION AND LANDSCAPE DES IGN • 2010
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONBlack, R.J. and E.F. Gilman. 2004. Landscape Plants for the
Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts. University Press of Florida,Gainesville. 230 pp.
Broschat, T.K. and A.W. Meerow. 1999. Betrock’s Reference Guide toFlorida’s Landscape Plants. Betrock Information Systems, Inc.,U.S.A. 428 pp.
Dehgan, B. 1998. Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates.University Press of Florida, Gainesville. 638 pp
Floridata Plant Profiles. 2005. http://Floridata.com
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 2008. FloridaGreen Industries Best Management Practices for Protection of WaterResources in Florida.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and University ofFlorida. 2009. Florida-friendly Landscape Guidance Models forOrdinances, Covenants, and Restrictions.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection and University ofFlorida. 2009. Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook.
Haehle, R.G. and J. Brookwell. 2004. Native Florida Plants. TaylorTrade Publishing, New York. 400 pp.
Meerow, A.W. 1999. Betrock’s Guide to Landscape Palms. BetrockInformation Systems. Hollywood, FL. 138 pp.
Nelson, G. 2003. Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants. UniversityPress of Florida, Gainesville. 411 pp.
Osorio, R. 2001. A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants.University Press of Florida, Gainesville. 345 pp.
USDA, NRCS. 2005. The Plants Database, Version 3.5(http://plants.usda.gov). Data compiled from various sources byMark W. Skinner. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge LA70874-4490 USA.
Watkins, J., T.J. Sheehan, and R.J. Black. 2005. Florida LandscapePlants, Native and Exotic, 2nd Ed. University Press of Florida,Gainesville. 468 pp.
University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department,Woody Ornamental Landscape pages by Ed Gilman. 2009.http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody.html
PHOTO CREDITSBowden, Robert.
Small Trees: Arenga engleri, Magnolia figo, Prunus campanulata, Tabebuia aurea.Large Shrubs: Agarista populifolia, Agave spp., Aloysia virgata, Barleria micans,Callicarpa americana, Cestrum aurantiacum, Erythrina herbacea, Galphimia glauca,Gardenia jasminoides, Malvaviscus arboreus, Philodendron selloum, Psychotria nervosa,Rhododendron cvs., Sabal minor, Severinia buxifolia, Tabernaemontana divaricata,Thunbergia erecta, Viburnum suspensum.Small Shrubs: Aloe spp., Malpighia coccigera, Pyracantha coccinea, Sabal etonia,Spiraea spp.Vines: Aster carolinianus, Aristolochia spp., Bignonia capreolata, Hedera canariensis,Hedera helix, Petraea volubilis, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Wisteria frutescens.Groundcovers: Anthericum sanderii, Arachis glabrata, Evolvulus glomeratus, Hederacanariensis, Hedera helix, Juniperus conferta, Trachelospermum asiaticum,Trachelospermum jasminoides, Zamia pumila.
Grasses: Chasmanthium latifolium, Panicum virgatum, Paspalum quadrifarium,Thysenolanea maxima, Tripsacum dactyloides.Palms and Palm-Like Plants: Arenga engleri, Chamaedorea spp., Licuala grandis,Ptychosperma macarthurii, Rhapis excelsa, Rhapis humilis, Sabal etonia, Sabal minor,Zamia pumila.Perennials: Agave spp., Aloe spp., Alpinia spp., Angelonia angustifolia, Belamcanda chi-nensis, Bromeliaceae genera, Bulbine frutescens, Crossandra spp., Curcuma spp.,Dianella spp., Dietes iridoides, Echinacea purpurea, Evolvulus glomeratus, Gaura lind-heimeri, Gloriosa spp., Hedychium spp., Helianthus debilis, Hippeastrum spp., Irishexagona, Justicia spicigera, Kaempferia spp., Leonotis leonurus, Pachystachys lutea,Plectranthus spp., Rudbeckia hirta, Solenostemon scuttellaroides, Stokesia laevis,Zephyranthes spp.Annuals: Amaranthus spp., Angelonia angustifolia, Calendula spp., Justicia spicigera,Pachystachys lutea, Petunia Xhybrida, Rudbeckia hirta, Solenostemon scuttellaroides,Torenia fournieri, Viola spp., Zinnia hybrids.
Brown, Stephen. Small Trees: Baccharis halimifolia, Sophora tomentosa.Large Shrubs: Acrostichum danaeifolium, Allamanda nerifolia, Baccharis halmifolia,Jasminum nitidum.Groundcovers: Ernodea littoralis, Scaevola plumieriGrasses: Cymbopogon citratus.Ferns: Acrostichum danaeifolium, Blechnum serrulatum.Perennials: Acrostichum danaeifolium, Blechnum serrulatum, Heliotropium angiosper-mum, Hymenocallis spp.
Caldwell, Doug.Medium Trees: Elaeocarpus decipens.
Davis, Jim. Perennials: Euryops spp.
Delvalle, Terry. Grasses: Schizachyrium scoparium.
Durr, Audrey. Medium Trees: Avicennia germinans.Ferns: Sphaeropteris cooperi.
Friday, Theresa. Perennials: Neomarica gracilis.
Gelmis, Georgia. Large Trees: Quercus virginiana.Palms and Palm-Like Plants: Trachycarpus fortunei.Perennials: Sphaeropteris cooperi
Gillman, Ed. Large Trees: Acer barbatum, Acer rubrum, Betula nigra, Bucida buceras, Carya spp.,Chorisia speciosa, Conocarpus erectus, Ficus aurea, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus car-oliniana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Gordonia lasianthus, Halesia carolina, Juniperus vir-giniana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Litchi chinensis, Lysilomalatisiliquum, Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia virginiana, Nyssa sylvatica, Persea ameri-cana, Pinus clausa, Pinus elliottii var densa, Pinus glabra, Pinus palustris, Pinus taeda,Piscidia piscipula, Platanus occidentalis, Quercus acutissima, Quercus alba, Quercus aus-trina, Quercus falcata, Quercus michauxii, Quercus nuttallii, Quercus shumardii,Simarouba glauca, Swietenia mahagoni, Taxodium spp., Ulmus alata, Ulmus americana,Ulmus crassifolia, Ulmus parvifolia.Medium Trees: Bursera simaruba, Caesalpinia spp, Carpentaria acuminata, Carpinuscaroliniana, Cassia fistula, Cercis canadensis, Chrysophyllum oliviforme, Cocoloba diver-sifolia, Cordia sebestena, Crataegus spp., Cypressus arizonica var. arizonica, Ficus citri-folia, Illex Xattenuata, Ilex cassine, Ilex opaca, Ilex rotunda, Jacaranda mimosifolia,Juniperus silicicola, Lagerstroemia indica, Ostrya virginiana, Persea borbonia,Podocarpus gracilior, Quercus lyrata, Rhizophora mangle, Tabebuia chrysotricha,Tabebuia heterophylla, Tabebuia impetiginosa.Small Trees: Acacia farnesiana, Aesculus pavia, Aralia spinosa, Ardisia escallonoides,Butia capitata, Callistemon spp., Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua, Canella winter-ana, Capparis cynophallophora, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Cornus florida, Eriobotryajaponica, Eugenia spp., Forestiera segregata, Ilex X‘Nellie R. Stevens’, Ilex cornuta, Ilexdecidua, Ilex vomitoria, Jatropha integerrima, Ligustrum japonicum, Magnolia Xsoulan-giana, Musa spp., Myrcianthes fragrans, Myrica cerifera, Olea europa, Osmanthus amer-icanus, Parkinsonia aculeata, Plumeria rubra, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Prunus angusti-folia, Prunus umbellata, Quercus geminata, Raphiolepis spp., Senna polyphylla,Sideroxylon spp., Tecoma stans, Viburnum obovatum, Viburnum odoratissimum,Viburnum odoratissiumu var awabuki, Viburnum rufidulum.Large Shrubs: Abelia Xgrandiflora, Acacia farnesia, Acca sellowiana, Aralia spinosa,Ardisia escallonioides, Asimina spp., Brugmansia Xcandida, Brunfelsia grandiflora,Buddleia lindleyana, Calliandra haematocephala, Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua,
100
Additional Information
Capparis cynophallophora, Carissa macrocarpa, Cephalanthus occidentalis,Cephalotaxus harringtonia, Chrysobalanus icaco, Citharexylum spinosum, Coccolobauvifera, Cocculus laurifolius, Codiaeum variegatum, Conocarpus erectus, Cordyline spp.,Crataegus spp., Duranta erecta, Eugenia spp., Fatsia japonica, Forestiera segregata,Halesia diptera, Hamamelis virginiana, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea quercifolia,Ilex cornuta, Ilex vomitoria, Itea virginica, Jatropha integerrima, Juniperus chinensis,Ligustrum japonicum, Loropetalum chinense, Mahonia bealei, Murrya paniculata, Musaspp., Myrcianthes fragrans, Myrica cerifera, Nerium oleander, Osmanthus americanus,Philodendron cvs., Podocarpus gracilior, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Rhamnus caroliniana,Senna polyphylla, Strelitzia nicolai, Tecoma stans, Tibouchina urvilleana, Tibouchinagranulosa, Vaccinium arboreum, Viburnum obovatum, Viburnum odoratissimum,Viburnum odoratissimum var awabuki, Yucca spp.Small Shrubs: Breynia disticha, Caesalpinia spp., Ixora coccinea, Mahonia fortunei,Strelitzia reginae.Vines: Allamanda cathartica, Bougainvillea cvs., Campsis radicans, Gelsemium semper-virens, Lonicera sempervirens.Groundcovers: Ajuga reptans, Aspidistra elatior, Dryopteris spp., Liriope muscari, Zamiafurfuracea.Grasses: Miscanthus sinensis, Spartina spp., Tripsacum floridana.Palms and Palm-Like Plants: Acoelorrhaphe wrightii, Bismarckia nobilis, Butia capitata,Carpentaria acuminata, Caryota mitis, Chamaerops humilis, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens,Coccothrinax argentata, Howea forsterana, Livistona spp., Nolina recurvata, Phoenixspp., Pseudophoenix sargentii, Ravenea rivularis, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Roystonearegia, Sabal palmetto, Serenoa repens, Thrinax morrisii, Thrinax radiata, Washingtoniarobusta, Wodyetia bifurcata, Zamia furfuracea.Ferns: Dryopteris spp.Perennials: Agapanthus africanus, Ajuga reptans, Asimina spp., Aspidistra elatior,Caladium Xhortulanum, Cuphea hyssopifolia, Dryopteris spp., Heliconia spp., Impatiensspp., Justicia brandegeana, Justicia carnea, Liriope muscari, Musa spp., Philodendroncvs., Stachytarpheta spp.Annuals: Ageratum spp., Caladium Xhortulanum, Celosia spp., Impatiens spp., Justiciabrandegeana, Justicia carnea.
Gasper, Joaquim. Large Shrubs: Nerium oleander-inset.
Girin, Bruno. Annuals: Viola Xwittrockiana.
Granson, Sandy. Small Trees: Calliandra spp., Dodonaea viscosa, Myrciaria cauliflora.Large Shrubs: Lyonia ferruginea, Suriana maritima.Small Shrubs: Acalypha hispida, Brunfelsia americana, Carissa macrocarpa, Gamolepisspp., Lantana depressa, Leucophyllum frutescens, Rosmarinus spp.Vines: Ficus pumila, Thunbergia alata.Grasses: Andropogon spp.Ferns: Pteridium aquilinum.Perennials: Begonia semperflorens, Hemerocallis spp., Lantana involucrata, Pteridiumaquilinum.Annuals: Begonia semperflorens, Monarda punctata.
Green, Tim. Ferns: Dicksonia antarctica.Perennials: Dicksonia antarctica.
Jacinto, Valter. Large Shrubs: Jasminum mesnyi.
Karekar, Kapil. Perennials: Haemanthus multiflorus.
Keisotyo. Small Trees: Podocarpus macrophyllus (inset).Large Shrubs: Podocarpus macrophyllus (inset).
Kenpei.Large Shrubs: Heptapleurum arboricolum, Hydrangea arborescens, Ternstroemia gymnan-thera.Small Shrubs: Raphiolepis spp.Groundcovers: Juniperus horizontalis, Ophiopogon japonicus.
Kern, Bill. Medium Trees: Persea palustris.Small Trees: Cyrilla racemiflora, Sophora tomentosa (inset).Large Shrubs: Cyrilla racemiflora, Senna bicapsularis.Small Shrubs: Lyonia lucida.
Larsen, Claudia. Large Shrubs: Calycanthus floridus, Rhododendron canescens.Groundcovers: Glandularia tampensis, Lantana montevidensis.Grasses: Eragrostis elliottii.Perennials: Conradina spp., Coreopsis spp., Flaveria linearis, Gaillardia pulchella,
Helianthus angustifolius, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Solidago spp.Annuals: Coreopsis spp.
Murray, Ann. University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic andInvasive PlantsFerns: Osmunda cinnamomea.Perennials: Iris virginica, Osmunda cinnamomea.
Niemann, Brian. Small Trees: Ilex X‘Mary Nell’.Large Shrubs: Berberis julianae, Clethra alnifolia, Ilex X‘Mary Nell’, Osmanthus fra-grans, Pittosporum tobira.Vines: Decumaria barbara.Groundcovers: Mimosa strigillosa.
Pagnier, Veronique. Vines: Mandevilla cvs.
Pellegrini, Mark. Groundcovers: Ardisia japonica.
Quillia, Oliver. Vines: Passiflora incarnata (inset).
Ramey, Vic. University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic andInvasive PlantsSmall Trees: Cornus foemina.Large Shrubs: Rhododendron austrinum.Groundcovers: Nephrolepis biserrata.Ferns: Nephrolepis biserrata.
Richard, Amy. University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic andInvasive PlantsGroundcovers: Nephrolepis exaltata.Ferns: Nephrolepis exaltata.
Schumaker, Paul.Groundcovers: Ipomoea spp.
Shebs, Stan.Groundcovers: Rumohra adiantiformis.Grasses: Aristida stricta var. beyrichiana.Ferns: Rumohra adiantiformis.
Storch, Hedwig. Perennials: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.
Sullivan, Jessica. Medium Trees: Elaeocarpus decipens, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis.
Tau’olunga. Vines: Quisqualis indica.
Taylor, Kim. Large Shrubs: Hamelia patens.
Wasowski, Sally and Andy. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Groundcovers: Thelypteris kunthii.Ferns: Thelypteris kunthii.
Wichman, Tom. Large Shrubs: Bambusa spp., Hibiscus spp.Vines: Millettia reticulata.Groundcovers: Vinca major.Palms and Palm-Like Plants: Ceratozamia hildae, Ceratozamia kuesteriana, Dioonedule.Perennials: Amorphophallus spp., Asclepias spp., Lycoris spp.
Wilber, Wendy. Annuals: Tithonia rotundiflora.
Wildes, Carolyn. Small Shrubs: Russelia sarmentosa.
Yasalonis, Anne. Small Trees: Illicium spp.Large Shrubs: Illicium spp., Jasminum multiflorum.Small Shrubs: Russelia equisetiformis.Vines: Jasminum multiflorum.Groundcovers: Dyschoriste oblongifolia.Perennials: Conradina spp. (inset), Dyschoriste oblongifolia.
CREATE A FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE
Yards and landscapes can be a positive asset to Florida. You can design and maintain your own Florida-
Friendly Landscape by following the simple practices in this book. You will learn the basics of designing a
landscape featuring carefully selected plants suited to Florida’s unique climate, natural conditions, and
wildlife.
We offer you cost-saving tips that, if implemented properly, will help you reduce water, fertilizer, and pesti-
cide use. There is also a helpful section for waterfront homeowners addressing the special concerns of shore-
line landscape management.
Whether you are starting from scratch with a new landscape or considering changes to an existing yard, the
Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook offers helpful concepts, tools, and techniques for creating your
own Florida-Friendly yard. We hope you enjoy the publication and look forward to assisting you in creating
an aesthetically pleasing landscape that will also help to protect Florida’s natural resources.