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.

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).

Endemic to Florida Listed as Endangered by the USFWS and FL Specimen plant. Screen plant. Can be grown in a mass under trees.

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

Specimen shrub, woodland understory shrub, screen, shrub border, mass plantings

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.