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

Water gardens and pond edges.  Moist wildflower gardens.

Moist wildflower garden.

Background shrub.

Wildflower garden, meadow.

Blooms all year. Recruits readily in the garden from seed. Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also butterfly gardens.

Multistemmed shrub that can form small thickets. Plant as a screen, hedge, or background plant.

Host plant for Zestos Skipper butterfly which is believed to be extirpated (extinct) in FLorida. Also used by Cassius blue, longtailed skipper, and Zarucco duskywing Grown by enthusiasts.

This Florida native has been introduced into Hawaii where it is extremely invasive. In fact, it has earned the distinction of being listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds. In Florida, it is known to naturalize into areas near where it has been planted.   Avoiding the use of this in landscape settings where it could escape is recommended. Specimen tree. Flowers are open at night.

Wild cotton is a rare plant; it needs protection against missuses and protection against removal from natural populations. Use as a short-lived "shrub". Dies back with freezing but will re-sprout from the roots. Use as a specimen plant.

The plant is listed as Endangered by the FDACS.  Please acquire from reputable nurseries with appropriate permits for propagating and selling this species. Can be a specimen tree or use in a fairly bright understory. Its irregular branching pattern and large leaves make it best suited to fairly large yards.

Interesting red stems. Makes a good specimen plant in an informal garden. Weedy in appearance if in large numbers and stems tend to split when branches get too heavy or in high winds. Interesting red stems. Makes a good specimen plant in an informal garden. Weedy in appearance if in large numbers.

Small specimen tree. Can also work as an understory tree.

Typically not used in landscape settings. However, if appropriate management can be provided (fire), then seed-bearing plants have considerable landscape value; non-seed-bearing plants are good groundcover. For an interesting article on this plant see the Florida Wildflower Foundation blog. Restoration areas. Naturalistic landscapes.