This subspecies has a broad distribution that extends west into Texas and north into northern New England.  It is found broadly but sporatically in Florida.  Our map shows where herbarium specimens have been submitted, but it should be appropriate to plant this plant almost anywhere in the northern 2/3 of the state.   To avoid inbreeding, do not plant this subspecies in a common garden with either the east- or west-coast dune sunflower. Beach-front gardens.  Wildflower gardens. Groundcover.

It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida and as critically imperiled in South Florida by The Institute for Regional Conservation. Specimen shrub. Foliage is shiny, attractive. Grown mostly for its interesting, translucent fruits.

Wildflower garden.

Although drought-tolerant, this shrub/small tree may benefit from a few deep, thorough soakings during extremely dry periods. When young, it tends to be multi-trunked, so if a tree form is desired, pruning is required. Very briefly deciduous. Although the range extends further north, it is best used in landscaping where temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees F. Good for barrier shrub and as wildlife thicket, also nice as specimen.

The genus name honors the English botanist William Vernon, who did fieldwork in North America. Back of a moist wildflower garden. Can also use on the edges of natural or created wetlands and streams.

Shade tree. Screen along wetland edges. Street tree for use in parking lots and median strips. Many acres have been planted to attract bees for honey production.

Small to medium tree often with somewhat scruffy form. Retain in a natural setting if present.

This is a small clonal oak that can be used in a thicket as a screen.

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

Moist wildflower garden. Wetland garden. Plant in full sun and give it plenty of room and plant behind shorter plants.

Water gardens and pond edges.  Moist wildflower gardens.

There are two subspecies in Florida with somewhat different but overlapping distributions. Culture and uses in the landscape are similar. It is best to use local sources. Small wildflower. Typically seen in spring or after rain. Grows in small tufts. Plant in low border on intermixed with a groundcover. Inconspicuous when not in bloom. Individual plants are short-lived perennials, but clumps persist for many years.

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

Specimen plant, screen plant, understory tree/shrub.

FNPS Blog article Specimen plant or background hedge.

Not much information is available on growing this species. Likely to be somewhat difficult to establish but very durable once established. Specimen plant. Retain if present on site.

Wildflower garden, meadow.

Rarely grown.  This tree occurs predominantly in the coastal plain (withoutliers) from eastern Alabama north to southern New Jersey. Shade tree for moist sites. Forest tree.

Restoration. Backdrop for a pond. Useful for water quality treatment.

Listed as Threatened by the FDACS. Specimen tree, edge plant, or part of a clump of trees.

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).