Thinking about taking your garden to another level! Do you want to add plants to your landscape? Go Native! Native plants are an excellent way to create your own garden and make your landscape immediately stands out. Florida has several different gorgeous native species of plants. Some popular Florida natives include Coonies, Southern Magnolia, and Black-eyed Susan. You have probably seen them before, or have them in your very own home landscape.
The use of native plants in landscapes preserves the state's natural resources. This argument is perhaps the best one for the wider use of native plants. Native plants are considered to be hardy to pests and diseases in Florida because they have evolved under relentless exposure to these organisms.
Certainly, any newly planted tree, regardless of native will require regular irrigation until it becomes established. Even though a tree is native, make sure you know its soil, light, and other requirements, to guarantee its success in your landscape. Remember that natives, like all plants, are more likely to flourish when they're planted in the right place.
The Yucca plant is an extremely drought-tolerant evergreen perennial that is widely popular and makes a great addition to any landscape. Their foliage grows in rosette form either at ground level or on stalks, trunks, or branches. This native plant produce cluster of creamy white flowers blooms held above green or variegated strap-shaped leaves.
Read MoreWax Myrtle, aka Southern Bayberry, is a dense native small tree or large evergreen shrub that gives you endless possibilities in the landscape. This fast-growing shrub has shiny evergreen foliage that ranges from deep to light green and produces a pleasant Bayberry fragrance.
Read MoreFrequently overlooked by many Florida residents, Walter’s Viburnum a Florida native exhibits superior features for use in a variety of landscape projects. Walter's Viburnum, aka Viburnum obovatum is a large shrub or small tree that is densely twiggy and upright ascending. Its native dark green leaves are glossy and leathery, and emit an enchanting fragrance when crushed.
Read MoreEven though each blossom lasts only about one-half day, the numerous buds contained in each flower cluster provide new flowers each day. Spiderwort is a member of the iris family with long narrow bright green leaves that offset the unusual, slightly fragrant.
Read MoreLocally known as “Spanish Moss”, contrary to popular belief, this plant is not moss. In fact, Spanish Moss is part of the bromeliad family which places it in the same plant family as pineapples and succulent house plants. It is actually an epiphyte that clings to itself as it dangles from tree limbs, getting nutrients from the air and debris that collects on the plant.
Read MoreMagnolias vary in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps the most popular magnolia in Florida is the Southern Magnolia. The Southern Magnolia is a medium to a large-sized majestic southern evergreen tree with oval-shaped leaves 5-8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide that are green on top and rusty red on the bottom.
Read MoreIf you live along the coastal areas chances are you are familiar with the Seagrape plant. Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) is widely used as a landscape plant in coastal areas because of its high tolerance to salt and wind. It may be used as a specimen tree, screen, or hedge, depending upon training and growing conditions.
Read MoreSaw palmetto, aka Serenoa repens is a type of fan palm that usually grows together in clumps and is mainly found in sprawling clusters in south Florida’s natural areas, however, it is also a valuable plant for home landscape throughout the state.
Read MoreThis exotic Passionflower, aka Passion vine, is native to Florida and famous for its rapid growth, winding vines, and stunning, unique flowers. The stunning, three- to five-inch flowers come in shades of lavender or purple, with a wavy fringe over five petals.
Read MoreMuhly Grass, aka Muhlbergia, are some of the most spectacular native grasses. They deliver a powerful combination for home and commercial landscapes: drought tolerance and eye-catching good looks. They grow just as easily in uninhabitable areas as in well-tended gardens.
Read MoreA wonderful wildlife plant and one of the prettiest native plants Florida has to offer. This orange/yellow tubular flowers-blooms for months. A favorite for butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds. Extremely hummingbird and butterfly friendly.
Read MoreFakahatchee Grass, aka Florida Gama grass, is a Florida native ornamental grass that is gaining popularity amongst gardeners and can be used in a variety of locations. It's easy-to-grow and virtually pest-free. This stunning green grass produces fountain-like clumps that will reach 5 to 6 feet in height when mature.
Read MoreCoral Honeysuckle, aka Trumpet Honeysuckle, is known for its decorative fringe-like clusters of bright red-coral tubular flowers that bloom throughout spring and summer. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies and then mature into berries that draw songbirds in late summer and fall.
Read MoreThe Coontie Palm is Florida's only native cycad. Coonties are slow grower, drought-resistant, easy to maintain, and are relatively salt tolerant. Coontie Palms are also the host plant for the rare Atala butterfly caterpillar.
Read MoreCycads are an ancient group of tropical and subtropical plants that were the dominant plants during existed during the era of dinosaurs, as seen in countless ancient murals, and many refer to Jurassic Period as the 'Age of Cycads'.
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