Filter Sort
Sort

Sort By :

By :

Ascending
Descending
Grid View
List View
Moderate 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
Carya pallida
Shade tree where falling/fallen nuts will not be a problem.
  • Huge extremely fragrant flowers
  • Extremely popular
  • Recently classified invasive
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Relatively compact and narrow canopy
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
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
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
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
Default image
Cornus amomum
Has considerable winter interest as its bark is smooth and red. Wet site hedge, wet site specimen plant especially if a clump is suitable.Rarely planted but considerable value especially in areas where most shrubs are bare during the winter.
  • Thick branching into attractive silouttes
  • Wonderfully fragrant
  • Attracts butterflies and bees
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
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
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
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
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
Pinus clausa
Foliage is fine-textured. Fast growing. Subject to root problems in poorly drained areas. Highly flammible and old trees are weak.  Think twice about placing a building in a sand pine forest. Forest plantings for dry sites, specimen tree. Best not planted adjacent to buildings.
  • Slender profile
  • Does poorly oceanside
  • Showy clusters orange-yellow fruits in spring
  • Formal, old-world appearance
  • Often draped with Spanish moss
  • Magnificent showy flowers in summer
Default image
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
Default image
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
Default image
Stachys floridana
The tuber of this plant is edible and very crisp; it adds texture to salads.  The tuber has a segmented appearance reminiscent of a rattlesnake tail. This plant can be mowed and used in a "freedom lawn" but be aware that it spreads.  The plant was considered to be a Florida endemic but began to spread in the 1940s and 1950s.  It is known as an aggressive weed in most areas outside of Florida. In a meadow, where its aggressiveness is an asset. Can be a low maintenance roadside plant. Difficult to recommend for most landscape uses.
  • Colorful older leaves
  • Slender trunk, 4" in diameter
  • Self-shedding fronds
  • Intoxicating fragrance
Default image
Vaccinium stamineum
Specimen shrub. Fine foliage. Does well adjacent to structures or woods.
  • Slow Growth
  • Excellent small hedge
  • Abundance of orange-red flowers in summer
  • Showy creamy white flowers
Default image
Asclepias perennis
Small specimen plant in wet areas.  Does well in bog gardens and rain gardens or bioswales.
  • Relatively uncommon in South Florida
  • Can be trimmed into manicured shapes
  • Beautiful pinwheel flowers, often multicolored
  • Ideal with Mediterranean architecture
  • Wide umbrella-shaped canopy
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
Dyschoriste humistrata
Wildflower garden, groundcover
  • Dense canopy
  • Falls over easily, may require staking
  • Majestic
  • Colorful new leafs
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Self-shedding fronds