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.

Restoration. Backdrop for a pond. Useful for water quality treatment.

Endemic to western peninsular Florida from Tampa south to Charlotte County. Wildflower garden.

It can be difficult to maintain habitat for this plant.  Keeping the competition down seems to be critical (mow, burn, etc.). We know of no Florida nursery carrying this. Wildflower garden, formal garden

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.

If a single plant of similar stature and flowers is desired, consider flatwoods plum, Prunus umbellatus. Based on BONAP and ISB maps, the range of this species covers much of the southern and south central US with some outliers to the north and west. In Florida, it has been documented in many counties in the northern half of the state, and this author is aware of it being in others.  It appears to be appropriate to consider this species native throughout this part of the state. Plant as a screen where its suckers are welcome (woodland edges, casual but large garden settings)

Wildflower in moist garden. Forms colonies.

Moist wildflower garden, especially acidic gardens oriented toward sphagnum, pitcher plants, and similar bog species.

Persimmon wood is very hard and nearly black--it's in the ebony family. Typically grown for its fruit. Plant in full sun. Also useful as an early successional tree in old field restoration.

Predominantly a Florida plant, but it has also been recorded in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas. The species name "tomentosa" refers to the dense, matted (tomentose) hairs on the leaves. Aphids are often a "problem" with milkweed plants -- they are a natural preditor on Asclepias, but we don't like them. Wildflower garden, dry wildflower meadow