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Phlox divaricata
Range includes most of eastern and central north Ameria west to the prairie region and north into southeastern Canada.  The southern range limit is in the Florida panhandle. Wildflower garden, typically a shade garden.
  • Symmetrical shape
  • Magnificent
  • Easy/Carefree native
  • Forms an open canopy
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Fraxinus pennsylvanica
The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)is a very destructive wood-boring beetle native to Asia. It was discovered in North America in July 2002, and has become established in Michigan, New York, Ohio and Ontario (Canada). Millions of ash trees have been killed in the northeastern US. Although the borer has not been detected in Florida (Dec. 2011), the presence of ash trees and the ongoing movement of wood, trees and cargo into the state make Florida an area where the beetle could potentially become established. Your help is needed to detect possible infestations so they can be quickly eradicated...if you see it, contact the Florida Division of Forestry. Appropriate for edges of lakes and ponds. Will also grow as a shade tree in uplands, but white ash has better form. Can be used in settings with soil disturbance.
  • Attractive symmetrical appearance
  • Extremely versatile
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Delicious edible fruit
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Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum
Some literature sources suggest that this species may have some salt tolerance as it apparently grows along the upper edges of some salt marshes, but so far as we have seen recorded, not in Florida. Moist/wet wildflower garden.
  • Ideal for smaller spaces
  • Abundance of orange-red flowers in summer
  • Long-lasting year-round blooms
  • Extremely versatile
  • Elegant appearance
  • Somewhat drought tolerant
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Penstemon laevigatus
Informal shady semi-shady gardens.
  • Prominent blue-gray crownshaft
  • Prized scent, used in commercial perfumes
  • Prominant gray-olive crownshaft
  • Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
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Gaylussacia mosieri
Rarely gown likely because of its need for moist sites. Shrub in an informal, moist garden and would make a good backdrop for a bog garden, or a good plant to plant along a moist woodland edge.
  • Excellent edible fruit
  • Stunning long emerald crownshaft
  • Not a true jasmine
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Argemone mexicana
This is one of Florida's most showy and most under-appreciated wildflowers. Look for it along disturbed roadsides in mid-late winter and early spring. This is a personal favorite of one of the authors -- it grows and bloom early and attracts lots of insects.  The only issue is the prickles, so I wear gloves when weeding around it.  It reseeds readily so long as there is good sun and  bare ground where the seeds land. Don't let the name fool you, this is a Florida native. Wildflower garden. Roadside wildflower areas. This plant blooms from late winter into spring displaying its large flowers when little else is blooming in the garden.
  • Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
  • Prominant gray-olive crownshaft
  • Very showy clusters of red flowers
  • Thrives only briefly, about 1 year
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Fragrant in the evening
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Baccharis dioica
This plant is believed to be extirpated in the wild in Florida.  According to most sources, it was known from a single area south of Miami near Biscayne Bay.  Old specimens at the University of Florida Herbarium for Escambia and Okaloosa counties were re-examined in 2006 and re-identified as Baccacharis dioica.  It has also been reported to have been found on a dune near Mobile, AL (Woodlanders, Inc.) and introduced into the nursery trade from there.  The map of herbarium speciment locations on the Florida Plant Atlas have not been updated.  Plants commercially available in FL apparently come from imports from the Bahamas. Where a moderate-sized shrub is wanted.
  • Does best with periodic fertalization
  • Striking and exotic
  • Prefers acidic soil
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Panicum hemitomon
Shoreline stabilizer or plant as cover in a pond. Can tolerate wide water level fluctuations. Frequently used in marsh restoration and wetland creation projects.
  • Deciduous
  • Tall and stately
  • Unique foliage
  • Tiered branches
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Zephyranthes simpsonii
Flowers tend to appear in spring or after a significant rainfall. Otherwise inconspicuous. Small wildflower or plant in with other low groundcovers. Foliage is very fine and the plant is inconspicuous except when in bloom.
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Magnificent
  • Stunning and colorful while in bloom
  • Delicious edible fruit
  • Prolific fruiter
  • Does best with periodic fertalization
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Coreopsis grandiflora
Wildflower garden or butterfly garden. A number of cultivars exist, but none are grown widely in Florida.
  • Moderately rapid growth
  • Requires shade when young
  • Unique, sweet, almond-like flavor
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Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
Used extensively in Indian cultures. Fruits are very high in Vitamin C. Casual settings, wetland edge or screen plant. Rain gardens and bioswales. Long bloom period.
  • Damaged by citrus canker
  • Recently classified invasive
  • Very showy bright yellow flowers
  • Relatively compact and narrow canopy
  • Requires ample space and light
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Eugenia confusa
Listed as Endangered by the State of Florida. Please acquire in an environmentally conscientious manner. Retain in the natural landscape if present. Specimen tree or screening plant.
  • Sometime grows horozontially
  • Does poorly in very wet soil
  • Elegant and stately
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Crocanthemum spp.
Choose a species that grows naturally in your area. Wildflower garden. Rarely grown, mostly small wildflowers. Plant near the front of the garden so that they will be seen.
  • Extremely popular
  • Pleasant rounded shape
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Wide umbrella-shaped canopy
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Prunus umbellata
Specimen tree, street or parking lot tree.
  • Striking symmetrical appearance
  • Uncommon edible fruit
  • Cold tolerant
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Prominant olive crownshaft, slightly buldging
  • Swollen, succulent branches
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Cirsium horridulum
Natural landscapes including meadows and butterfly gardens.
  • Swollen, succulent branches
  • Attracts butterflies and bees
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
  • Mostly bare in the coldest months
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Coreopsis leavenworthii
Coreopsis is the State wildflower. Cultivated flower beds, wildflower gardens, meadows, and butterfly gardens.
  • Long emerald crownshaft
  • Falls over easily, may require staking
  • Beautiful silhouette
  • Attractive silver-gray foliage
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Taxodium distichum
Younger specimens have a conical shape, but older trees tend to flatten out at the top. In some areas, the strangler fig (Ficus aurea)has strangled many mature bald cypress trees--The Corkscrew Swamp is an example of this. Can be used as a specimen tree, planted in floodplain areas, or planted in relatively moist uplands. Large rain gardens and bioswales. Tolerant of root disturbance, so a candidate for use as a street/parking lot tree.
  • Not as popular as it once was
  • Very full crown
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Iconic symbol of the south
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Eryngium aquaticum
Moist wildflower garden.
  • Rapid growth
  • Stout, swollen trunk
  • Will not tolerate frost
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Hibiscus grandiflorus
This is a wetland plant. It is rarely grown, but it has potential in appropriate sites. Specimen plant or background screen for wet places.
  • Prolific fruiter
  • Extremely popular
  • Colorful older leaves
  • Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
  • Recently classified invasive
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Prunus serotina
The range of Prunus serotina includes most of eastern North America as far north as southern Canada.  It extends west into Texas and there are spotty occurrences as far west as Arizona.  In Florida, the range appears to be continuous as far south as the central peninsula after which it disappears, a pattern generally associated with temperature.  This species should grow well down to the central peninsula. Some people consider this to be a weed tree.  This author has it in my "field" where it is thriving and very welcome.  It is an early successional tree, but not a problem plant.  The tree lis an important component of deciduous forests in north Florida and eastern North America. Shade tree. Useful for informal reforestation of old grove land.
  • Very slow growth
  • Attracts butterflies and bees
  • Formal appearance
  • Breathtaking and memorable
  • Dense attractive foliage
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Eriogonum tomentosum
Rarely grown but of good potential for a dry native wildflower garden. Wildflower garden. When not flowering, the plant is a low-growing rosette of leaves that are white on the bottom. It flowers in the fall.
  • Sprawling and informal shrub
  • Arched, recurving fronds
  • Requires occassional fertalization
  • Thick branching into attractive silouttes
  • Highly salt tolerant