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.

Grow on a trellis, fence, or post.

FNPS Blog article Specimen plant or background hedge.

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).

The entire state excepting the keys falls within the range of this plant which extends from North Carolina to Texas.   Herbarium specimens document occurrence, at least sporatically, throughout the peninsula but not in the Florida keys.  Counties without documented specimens are ones with heavy urbanization, dominance by unsuitable habitats, intensive farming or silviculture, or generally a lack of public access for botanizing. Moist meadows

Low ground-hugging ground cover in restoration areas, in ditches, and on wetland edges.

Specimen tree. Valued for its foliage which is shiny green on top and silky brown beneath.

This species is listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.  Please acquire only from reputable sources with proper permits. Grow as a sprawling vine (will need to be tied to a fence or trellis) or used as a groundcover.

Short lived. Rarely grown as it is difficult to establish. Retain it in the landscape if is is occurring naturally.

This is one of the most common ferns in central-southern Florida and potentially one of the most beautiful. Ground cover for moist, shady sites. Also useful in wetland restoration.

Wildflower garden.

There are colorful bracts surrounding the flower head. This plant is found across the southern US and its range extends northward into the central plains.  The range in the western panhandle may be disjunct from the range further south and east in Florida.

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 forms clumps but does not form large clones, which means it will not take over a garden. Wildflower garden

Rarely planted. Good background plant. Can make a good screen. Becomes scraggly if overly shaded, but may be trimmed back for bushier growth. Clonal.

Used as a foundation or hedge plant. Large shrub to small tree. Can also be used as a specimen plant.

Often planted in restoration and mitigation wetlands. Makes a good plant to border retention ponds. Rain gardens and bioswales.

This is Florida's only native annual sunflower.  The Bradford County location is near both a major road and a railroad and may be a waif. Moist wildflower garden.

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.