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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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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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Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its common name frostweed. Background plant in a wildflower garden. Also useful as a mass planting along a forest edge. This plant is best used in informal settings and does well if allowed to naturalize.
  • Long-lived perennial
  • Flowers year round
  • Tall and stately
  • Narrow crown
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Taxus floridana
This tree has male and female plants. Females have red berry-like cones. This species is extremely rare.  Be sure to obtain this plant from properly licensed nurseries. Use as a specimen plant either as a small tree or large shrub.
  • Magnificent showy flowers in summer
  • Hummingbird favorite
  • Distinctive-looking fruit with spiked exterior
  • Massive, nutrient-dense edible fruit
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
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Iris savannarum
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.
  • Sprawling and informal shrub
  • Beautiful silhouette
  • Highly wind tolerant
  • Not recommended
  • Excellent small to medium hedge
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Ximenia americana
May be semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants which makes it challenging to grow. Best planted near a potential host such as an oak. May die back in winter in northern parts of its range, Hedge plant, wildlife plant. Large shrub which can be trained as a tree in the right conditions. Crown is narrow and irregular and the trunks and branches are crooked or twisting.
  • Stunning
  • Wide umbrella-shaped canopy
  • Medium stature
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Narrow canopy
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Helianthus heterophyllus
Moist wildflower meadows.
  • Attractive glossy leaves
  • Dark green leaves
  • Wonderfully fragrant at night
  • Moderately drought tolerant
  • Unique and prized
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Crataegus flava
Specimen plant, screen plantings, sometimes with unusual or weeping form.
  • Elegant appearance
  • Tall and stately
  • Showy reddish peeling bark
  • Stately and uncommon
  • Lovely dark green, shiny leaves
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Quercus shumardii
Shade tree. Relatively conical or oval in form. Straight trunk.
  • Very fast growth rate
  • Excellent choice for narrow spaces
  • Huge extremely fragrant flowers
  • Thrives only briefly, about 1 year
  • Rapid growth
  • Delicious edible fruit
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The wood is noted as being very strong, hence the common name "ironwood" Does not do well much south of its natural range. Small specimen tree. Also good as an understory tree. While rarely grown, this plant is very worth of use in the landscape.
  • Falls over easily, may require staking
  • Produces aromatic flowers year-round
  • Elegant and compact
  • Massive stature when mature
  • Attractive light to medium green crownshaft
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Phlebodium aureum
This is a native that makes Florida look tropical. Herbarium specimens from Leon County say that the fern was likely brought in.  Otherwise, the northern locations appear to be coastal, and likely that should be considered when considering this species.  The entire peninsula appears to be appropriate habitat. Typically epiphytic (on trees). Interesting grown in the boots (old leaf bases) of cabbage palm. Can also be grown in soil or on rock as part of a shade or fern garden.
  • Highly nutritious fruit
  • Wonderfully fragrant flowers
  • Wonderfully fragrant
  • Colorful older leaves
  • Attractive mottled bark
  • Beautiful rounded canopy
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Bletia purpurea
Retain if present in natural setting. Can be grown in a wildflower garden.
  • Width often exceeds height
  • Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
  • Colorful older leaves
  • Attractive contrast between flowers and foliage
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Rosa carolina
Information on salt tolerance comes from northern nurseries and likely relates to tolerance of salt used for de-icing or roadways.  The extent to which it would apply to Florida is unknown. Good hedge plant. Rose garden. Rear of a wildflower garden.
  • Uncommon edible fruit
  • Can be grown indoors
  • Attractive dark green leaves
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Viburnum acerifolium
Specimen shrub, woodland understory shrub, screen, shrub border, mass plantings
  • Can be trimmed into manicured shapes
  • Beautiful sweeping fronds with drooping leaflets
  • Narrow canopy
  • Narrow crown
  • Relatively uncommon in South Florida
  • Pyramidal crown
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Helianthus debilis subsp. vestitus
Despite the appearance of the county-based range map, the actual range is limited to the coastal areas. Wildflower garden. Groundcover.
  • Fruit eaten by birds
  • Extremely popular
  • Swollen, succulent branches
  • Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
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Vaccinium myrsinites
The range includes all of peninsular Florida and the southern parts of Georgia, and Alabama. Best used as a wildflower as it has a relatively short lifespan.
  • Dense, full crown
  • Does poorly oceanside
  • Raised diamond-shaped trunk pattern
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Rhexia spp.
Wildflower in moist garden. Forms colonies.
  • Does best in warmer areas of South Florida
  • Drought tolerant
  • Flowers year round
  • Compact and versatile
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Celtis occidentalis
Further north, this can be a moderately large tree. Not typically grown but worth retaining if present as an understory tree.
  • Attractive variegated foliage
  • Elegant
  • Cold tolerant
  • Fast growth
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Coreopsis lanceolata
In central Florida, lanceleaf has a relatively short blooming period compared to Leavenworth's tickseed - wrapping things up by mid-summer, whereas C. Leavenworthii is still flowering come Fall. Coreopsis is the state wildflower. Wildflower beds, butterfly gardens or meadows.
  • Unique foliage and silhouette
  • Briefly bare for about a month in the winter
  • Elegant, dense canopy
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Myrcia neopallens
Foliage may be fragrant. Listed as Threatened by the state of Florida.  Please acquire only from reputable suppliers with appropriate permits and licenses. Useful as a screen or hedge plant. Typically used in natural landscapes. Used for dense foliage and shiny leaves.
  • Striking silhouette
  • Cold tolerant
  • Attracts butterflies
  • Highly nutritious fruit
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Asclepias lanceolata
Don't confuse this native with the non-native tropical or scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), that is often sold in big box stores, which has red and yellow flowers. Wet wildflower garden.
  • Narrow crown
  • Fragrant clusters of flowers in fall
  • Easy/Carefree