To avoid introgression with other H. debilis subspecies, do not grow them in a common garden. Ground cover in sandy, open environments.

Multiple species are native to Florida.  Most are attractive and many are easy to grow.  This is a catch-all for species not listed individually.  Please choose those that are appropriate for your area. Wildflower garden. All the species listed should grow well in garden settings. They are all grown for their showy flowers (most are yellow, though we do have one with small dark red ray flowers).

Shady settings. Interesting for its green twigs and red warty fruits. In good habitats it can form dense clones.

This fern is listed as Threatened by the FDACS.  Where is it, however, it is highly robust. Borders, groundcover on wooded edges. This is a very tall fern, so best planted toward the back of a garden.

May be annual or perennial depending on weather. Moist wildflower gardens

Specimen or hedge plant.

Plant as a small understory tree. Good as a general background plant that is appropriate to wildlife.

This iris and I. hexagona were considered to be a single species until recently.  I. savannarum is the most common iris species in Florida. Moist wildflower garden. Sometimes grown under the drain for an air conditioner. Excellent as a wetland edge flower.

Foliage has a strong minty smell. Dry wildflower garden.

Grow on a trellis, but keep it fairly short to keep the flowers at a level where they will be enjoyed. Can be grown as a container plant.

Fall foliage color is yellow. While used extensively as a street tree in the north, this fast growing species is relatively weak. Specimen tree. Frequently used as a street tree as tolerant of root disturbance. Fall color is yellow.

Wood is quite soft and weak.  This author had one break in a storm.  It did however resprout from low on the trunk and the sprout is now about 15 ft tal. Specimen tree.

This is listed as an ENDANGERED by the State of Florida An excellent accent shrub or small tree with open, spreading crown. Attractive fine textured, thin leaves and long, hanging spikes of flowers. Dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants.

It can be difficult to maintain habitat for this plant.  Keeping the competition down seems to be critical (mow, burn, etc.). We know of no Florida nursery carrying this. Wildflower garden, formal garden

Specimen tree in wet settings. This is a good plant to grow in floodplains.

Often in water. Use in water gardens or along the shallow edges of ponds.

Despite the appearance of the county-based range map, the actual range is limited to the coastal areas. Wildflower garden. Groundcover.

Nice blog article by Florida Wildflower Foundation. Background plant somewhere between a shrub and vine in character.

It is difficult to know the native range of this plant in Florida as it has been widely planted on roadsides across much of the state at least since the 1700s. Cultivated flower beds, roadside wildflower plantings, wildflower garden. Typically grown as an annual though some plants may persist for several years.

Plant at the back of an informal wildflower or butterfly garden--it gets tall.

Moist wildflower garden, especially acidic gardens oriented toward sphagnum, pitcher plants, and similar bog species.