Filter Sort
Sort

Sort By :

By :

Ascending
Descending
Grid View
List View
Very Slow Growth Very Fast Growth Clear all
Default image
Tripsacum floridanum
Grows well well north of its native range.  Documented in very southern counties with an outlier in Martin County -- that outlier is also unique in that it was collected near a cypress dome. Closely related to corn, this species has been crossed with maize to produce a corn that is resistant to Helminthosporium turcicum, the fungus that causes northern leaf blight  (Wikipedia). Listed as Threatened in Florida. Informal borders.
  • Susceptible to breakage, even in moderate winds
  • Highly wind tolerant
  • Symmetrical shape
  • Sometime grows horozontially
  • Elegant appearance
Default image
Liatris spicata
Wildflower garden.
  • Smaller stature
  • Classic Southern tree
  • Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
Default image
Gonolobus suberosus
Natural areas with some trees and vines for support
  • Killed by citrus greening (HLB)
  • Pyramidal crown
  • Requires high humidity
  • Easy/Carefree
Default image
Liatris elegans
Wildflower garden.
  • Year-round blooms
  • Attracts butterflies
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
Default image
Ilex opaca
Both male and female plants required for pollination and seed set. Specimen tree.  Screen.
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Does best in warmer areas of South Florida
  • Moderately slow growth
Default image
Acoelorraphe wrightii
Specimen plant, typically forms clumps of stems,the young fan-shaped fronds hide the principal stems. The lower fronds can be removed so that the trunks can be clearly seen. Sometimes used as a street tree.
  • Elegant and stately
  • Grows tall, but not massive
  • Easy/Carefree native
  • Bright red fruits
  • Slender and elegant
Default image
Symphyotrichum concolor
Benefits from controlled burns. There are contradictions in herbarium databases, and reliable observations in counties where there are no herbarium specimens. Probably native in low abundance in dry (xeric) native grasslands and open pinelands throughout the state. Makes a colorful contribution to a native plant meadow. Becomes darker (more purple) after pollination. When flowering, the stem needs support from surrounding plants. It is primarily a fall bloomer.
  • Tiered branches
  • Wind tolerant
  • Sometime grows horozontially
  • Massive stature
  • Width often exceeds height
  • Slender and elegant
Default image
Euphorbia heterophylla
The author treats this as a friendly weed. Pull them if where there is something more desirable. Back of a wildflower garden in a casual setting. Grown en-masse, this plant can be used as a temporary groundcover.
  • Classic Southern tree
  • Rare and unique
  • Silvery blue-green fronds
Default image
Exothea paniculata
Shade tree.
  • Highly nutritious fruit
  • Attractive dark green leaves
  • Very showy bright yellow flowers
Default image
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
Default image
Tradescantia roseolens
The cells of the stamen hairs of some Tradescantia are colored blue, but when exposed to sources of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, the cells mutate and change color to pink; they are one of the few tissues known to serve as an effective bioassay for ambient radiation levels. Border plantings.
  • Massive stature when mature
  • Unique, sweet, almond-like flavor
  • Fast growth
  • Unique swollen blue-green to silver trunk
  • Moderately slow growth
  • Requires protection from strong winds
Default image
Hymenocallis latifolia
One of the authors has had this plant for years in central Florida, but she and at least some others have not seen it bloom here. Another is in north Florida, and it blooms for her. Wildflower beds. This can be a large plant and it will multiply, so give it space.
  • Somewhat salt tolerant
  • Extremely versatile
  • Stunning during brief late spring bloom
Default image
Conradina brevifolia
This is a rare species and it should only be acquired from reputable plant nurseries. Some botanists have declared this endemic species to be a synonym for false rosemary (C. canescens), but since the populations are widely separated, we are treating them separately. Can be used as a medium-level groundcover or border plant.
  • Elegant appearance
  • Majestic, sprawling canopy
  • Will not tolerate frost
  • Attracts butterflies and bees
Default image
Ipomoea cordatotriloba
Very easily grown. Flowers are fairly small but very numerous. Plant on a trellis or fence.
  • Imposing stature
  • Adequate moisture required
  • Huge extremely fragrant flowers
Default image
Tridens flavus
Rear of garden as a screen.  Native meadows.
  • Medium stature
  • Beautiful rounded dense canopy
  • Unique foliage
  • Moderately rapid growth
Default image
Illicium floridanum
The distribution mimics the distribution of steepheads, a stream/valley system that originates in a very steep-headed ravine where the water seeps out of the ground to form a stream, and the headwall gradually moves uphill due to the water exiting the ground undermining it. Screen or specimen plant in shady wet settings.
  • Attractive and unique swollen trunk
  • Thrives only briefly, about 1 year
  • Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
  • Attracts butterflies
  • Requires high humidity
Default image
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
Default image
Philadelphus inodorus
Multi-stemmed. A single stem is a curiosity. A large multi-stemmed plant is a long-blooming wonder. Despite the common name, this species has sweet-smelling flowers. The range of this species extends from central Texas east and north into southern New England.  It is represented in Florida by a few isolated occurrences in northwest Florida. Specimen shrub
  • Showy display of fruit
  • Decorative diamond-shaped trunk pattern
  • Unique, stout pineapple-like trunk when young
  • Drought tolerant
  • Clusters of tubular flowers
Default image
Sabal minor
Use as a small specimen shrub in moist areas. Can also be used in floodplains.
  • Often hosts orchids, ferns and bromiliads
  • Does best in warmer areas of South Florida
  • Tall and romantic
  • Easily trimmed to maintain desired size
  • Wonderfully fragrant
Default image
Simarouba glauca
Specimen tree.
  • Will not tolerate frost
  • Fast growth
  • Colorful older leaves
Default image
Spartina alterniflora
Used for shoreline protection. A major saltmarsh plant. Useful for erosion control.
  • Stunning
  • Long emerald crownshaft
  • Beautiful purple-brown crownshaft