Wildflower garden, suitable for naturalizing.

Lawn-like groundcover especially near the edges of salt water.

Wildflower gardens, roadside wildflowers, meadows.

Depending on who you ask, there are two laurel oaks in Florida.  Q. laurifolia (swamp laurel oak) and Q. hemisphaerica (Darlington oak, sand laurel oak).  The taxonomists don't agree, and it appears that the two are distinctively different in north Florida but very much alike in southern and south Florida. They are separated here because one is a wetland and floodplain plant, the other grows in dry uplands.  Some authors note that regardless of ID, they get planted without much regard for origin or drainage. Often grown as a specimen tree, fast growing.

Typically grown in the background of a wildflower garden as its tall flower stalks are only visible in fall. The remainder of the year is looks like a moderate-sized grass.

Succulent foliage. This plant is in the tomato family.  FNPS cannot vouch that the fruit is edible. Specimen plant, hedge plant

This tree has a thick trunk and both the trunk and branches can twist into interesting shapes. The bark is red to bronze and peels. It's also called the tourist tree, who also may be reddish and peeling. Plant as a specimen tree to show off its bronze-colored peeling bark. Also makes a good shade tree.

This species is almost always coastal occupying only a strip along the coastline and not entire counties. Wildflower garden or tall-growing groundcover. Forms mounds that are typically wider than tall. Cut back to ground after flowering.

Naturally very rare. Please acquire only from reputable sources. Usualliy said to be perennial, but may not get past the first year. Wildflower garden.

In the natural environment, this species benefits from periodic fire. Very difficult to see except when in bloom. Retain if present. Could be grown as a small specimen plant in a wildflower garden.

Highly adaptable. While frequently in moist areas, broadly tolerant of dryness. Has been planted extensively for timber. This tree occurs throughout Florida and has both southern and northern varieties with the southern form being more tolerant of fire. Recent research on sea level rise indicates that significant salinity of water in the root zone will eliminate the species.  The area occupied by slash pine in the keys is shrinking. Many places with slash pine plantations were formerly longleaf pine forests.  Many of these sites are too dry for optimal health of slash pine. Shade tree. Forest tree -- this is one of the most highly used species for timber production.

Listed as Endangered by the FDACS.  Please acquire only from reputable sources that have any needed permits. This has been known to escape outside of its range when cultivated. Useful as a grouped planting or potentially a small specimen tree or large shrub.

Sprawling. Best used as a wildflower.

Most reproduction is vegetative (Lonard et al. 2015). Plant in coastal wetlands on upslope side of mangrove swamps.

Poisonous if ingested. Groundcover in open, dry, sandy sites especially on dunes and the upper fringes of beaches.

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Works well in a wildflower garden or as a low border plant.

Shrub for woodland edge or casual garden.

Listed as Endangered in Florida.  Also found in Central and South America and parts of the Caribbean. This species has only recently begun to be cultivated in Florida.  Expect this information to be upgraded as more is learned.  Right now the only native nursery that we know of that is growing this species is Green Isles Gardens near Clermont, FL.

The published gardening lore says "part-sun" -- where I have seen this growing in nature, it has been in shade. Bog gardens. Wet meadows. Moist native gardens.

Wetland wildflower garden.