Fronds are lacy and delicate in appearance. Ground cover. This is a clump-forming fern (all fronds arise from a central point) making it a good focal point in a shade garden. Can also be used as a border plant.

Depending on cold, this may keep its leaves all year or die back during the winter. In colder areas, consider growing it as an annual. It adapts well to semi-shady to shady well-drained conditions. Herbarium specimens from Marion and Alachua counties were in disturbed "garden" localities - not mapped here.  Not planted, but highly unlikely to have appeared other than through human disturbance. Used as a ground cover, one of the relatively few Florida plants that both forms a low dense cover and survives shade.

Interesting silky-looking foliage. Tallish groundcover in mesic (moist) areas. Can be planted in groupings in shady areas. Despite the name, the leaves are pretty, almost silky or velvety in appearance.

The natural range of this plant is quite limited, but it has become a native landscaping favorite over a much broader range. Hedges, specimen shrubs, screens, foundation plantings.

Forming a thicket for wildlife protection.

This is a sedge. Most Rhynchospora species are wind pollinated. The white bracts of this species attract insects. Wetland garden or informal savanna.

There is potential name confusion with this species since it was formerly considered to be a subspecies of O. hirtellus (Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. setarius) The Florida Plant Atlas indicates that Oplismenus setarius is common in Florida. O. hirtellus (not the subspecies) has been documented from only one Florida county, and it is a non-native. This is a low groundcover that can be effective seasonally as a low-use turf in shady locations.

Naturalistic woodland landscapes.

Specimen plant or mass planting in well-drained but moist, humid sites.

Dry meadows. Wildflower gardens.

Florida has a number of Phlox species, almost all found in forested settings. The common roadside species (Phlox drummondii) is not a Florida native (Texas) -- it is a North American native and not believed to be harmful to the ecology of Florida as it spreads almost exclusively in disturbed, sunny areas (old fields, roadsides). Phlox can be either annual or perennial depending on species. Most grow as annuals. We encourage you to use species found naturally in your area.  Some phlox are annuals; some are perennial. Wildflower garden, typically q shade garden.

This is a rare plant that should not be disturbed in the wild. Could be used as a border along sandy paths or walkways or as a foundation plant.

This is a wetland plant. It is rarely grown, but it has potential in appropriate sites. Hedges, screening.

While it is related to chestnuts, its not generally subject to chestnut blight, and if it gets it, will likely recover. Natural settings as a small shade tree or large shrub.

In a wildflower garden or meadow, because it's noticeable only when flowering.

For special uses only. This tall growing vine can hide unsightly objects in moist places and is useful to providing cover for wildlife and food for birds. When grown on a fence or arbor, new leaves can be bright red in color.

While this tree has a limited native distribution in Florida, it also occurs as far west as Texas in similar types of settings. Shade tree. Can be used as a street tree. Yellow fall color.

This is one of the world's most widespread species. Multiple subspecies exist  within Florida with two being widespread. Because of its tolerance of acidic soils, this is sometimes used for reclamation of acidic soil areas. Adapted to relatively frequent fire. Groundcover. This is one of the few ferns that can handle sun. Height will depend on variety with bracken ferns from South Florida typically being much larger than those from further north.

Closely related plants occur in the Caribbean and Central America. Yellow or orange flowering plants are not the Florida native. In recent years plants have been found growing wild near homesites in north Florida -- what you plant can escape into the wild if planted beyond the natural range. Please plant responsibly - this plant has the potential to be invasive when used outside of its natural range.   Please act responsibly. Specimen or hedge plant. Also works well in informal background thickets.

Wildflower garden. Flowers in spring and summer.

Wildflower garden.  Low borders.