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Helianthus debilis subsp. cucumerifolius
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.
  • Dense canopy
  • Slender and elegant
  • Iconic symbol of the south
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Vallesia antillana
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.
  • Lush, dense shade tree
  • Beloved in South Florida
  • Deciduous
  • Highly wind tolerant
  • Highly salt tolerant
  • Underutilized
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Lyonia fruticosa
Retain if present. Can be used as part of a screen in a dry site setting.
  • Briefly bare for about a month in the winter
  • Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
  • Heavy feeder
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Silphium compositum
Wildflower garden.
  • Attractive glossy leaves
  • Wonderfully fragrant at night
  • Unique and prized
  • Thick branching into attractive silouttes
  • Striking silhouette
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Acer rubrum
In January the tree bears tiny red flowers followed by conspicuous, bright-red, winged samaras,or keys, which remain on trees for several weeks, serving as indicators of spring. Florida-grown stock does not need cold temperatures to stimulate flowering, but out-of-state stock does, and should be avoided. Red maple has the greatest south-north range of tree species in eastern North America. Shade or fall color tree for moist areas. Rain gardens or bioswales
  • Unusual deep green leaves with bronze underside
  • Showy reddish peeling bark
  • Beautiful sweeping fronds with drooping leaflets
  • Silvery blue-green fronds
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Vernonia gigantea
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.
  • Colorful new leafs
  • Rare, despite being a South Florida native
  • Beautiful rounded dense canopy
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Ardisia escallonioides
Don't confuse this native with the two highly invasive ardisias: coral ardisia (A. crentata) and shoebutton ardisia (A. elliptica). While this will grown in full shade, it blooms better in part sun to sun. Specimen plant or hedge.
  • Damaged by citrus canker
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
  • Tropical silhouette
  • Deciduous
  • Attractive tiered canopy
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Helianthus debilis subsp. debilis
To avoid introgression with other H. debilis subspecies, do not grow them in a common garden. Ground cover in sandy, open environments.
  • Decorative diamond-shaped trunk pattern
  • Rare and unique
  • Completely bare in winter
  • Compact size
  • Wonderfully fragrant at night
  • Stunning during brief late spring bloom
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Symphyotrichum elliottii
Moist wildflower garden. Wetland garden. Plant in full sun and give it plenty of room and plant behind shorter plants.
  • Elegant and stately
  • Requires shade when young
  • Excellent choice for narrow spaces
  • Imposing stature
  • Stunning colorful foliage
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Physostegia leptophylla
Water gardens and pond edges.  Moist wildflower gardens.
  • Formal, old-world appearance
  • Not recommended
  • Huge extremely fragrant flowers
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Hypericum tetrapetalum
Moist wildflower garden.
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Prominant olive crownshaft, slightly buldging
  • Smaller stature
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Zephyranthes atamasca
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.
  • Can be grown indoors
  • Stout, swollen trunk
  • Classic Southern tree
  • Very showy clusters of flowers
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Silene catesbaei
Rare and listed as endangered. Please obtain this plant only from reputable native plant nurseries or friends -- do not harvest from the wild. Little is known about the culture of this species. Other Silene species do well if divided at the crown during the winter every few years. Groundcover.
  • Uniquely shaped with a muscular look
  • Showy reddish peeling bark
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Available multi-stalked
  • Somewhat salt tolerant
  • Can be kept narrow
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Helianthus radula
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
  • Not as popular as it once was
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Highly nutritious fruit
  • Relatively compact and narrow canopy
  • Striking silhouette
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Paspalum vaginatum
Similar in general appearance to St. Augustine grass. To look nice as a turf grass, seashore paspalum requires water and fertilizer and needs frequent mowing. High tolerance for heat and salt and will tolerate some shade. Tolerates some traffic and can recover quickly from moderate wear during spring and summer, but not suited to heavy uses such as ball fields. There is question on how appropriate it is to consider the cultivated varieties native. The range in Florida is essentially the sandy coastal areas.  A few other herbarium specimens appear to have been gathered from disturbed areas.  Given that this species is being used as a turf grass, we can expect it to occasionally occur outside of its historic settings. Used as a turf grass or in a wet meadow.
  • Extremely popular
  • Lovely deep green, glossy leaves
  • Intoxicating fragrance
  • Beautiful purple-brown crownshaft
  • Requires protection from strong winds
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Viburnum rufidulum
Specimen plant, screen plant, understory tree/shrub.
  • Flowers year round
  • Imposing stature
  • Silvery blue-green fronds
  • Highly wind tolerant
  • Lovely deep green, glossy leaves
  • Unique, stout pineapple-like trunk when young
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Crataegus michauxii
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.
  • Not recommended
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Showy creamy white flowers
  • Killed by citrus greening (HLB)
  • Majestic, sprawling canopy
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Baptisia simplicifolia
This plant is a legume and its roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules on them. It is useful on nutrient poor soils. Baptisia simplicifolia is a Florida endemic and is listed as Threatened by the FDACS. Treat as a small shrub even though this is not woody or use as a background plant in a wildflower garden.
  • Towering
  • Flowers profusely year round
  • Tropical silhouette
  • Fragrant clusters of flowers in fall
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Varronia globosa
Background shrub.
  • Not recommended
  • Readily pruned into attractive shapes
  • Elegant and compact
  • Salt tolerant
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Symphyotrichum dumosum
Wildflower garden, meadow.
  • Not a true pine
  • Will not tolerate frost
  • Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
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Coreopsis floridana
This is one of our larger (taller and larger flowers) Coreopsis species. Useful as a colorful wildflower along the edge of a wetland. Often overlooked as sunflowers are blooming at the same time. But if the site is appropriate, worthwhile.
  • Easily trimmed for smaller spaces
  • Narrow canopy
  • Stately and uncommon
  • Attractive dark green leaves