Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency

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St. Johns River Water 

South Florida Water 

Southwest Florida Water 

Waterwise 

Management District 


Northwest Florida Water 

Suwannee River Water 



81 Water Management Drive 

9225 County Road 49 

Havana, FL 32333 

Live Oak, FL 32060 

F l o(850) r 539-5999 i d a L a n d s c(800) a226-1066 p e s 

Landscaping to Promote Water Conservation 

Using the Principles of Xeriscape 

This guide was produced by Florida's water management districts to inform 

from Florida’s water management districts

Credits 

Northwest Florida 

Water Management District 

This publication is provided to you by Florida's five regional water management districts. 

Principal staff involved in preparing this guide include Bruce Adams, Daniel Boyar, 

Linda Burnette, David Clayton, Sylvia Durell, Amy Ferriter, Martha Friedrich, Lisa Grant, 

Beth Hickenlooper, Jo Ann Hyres, Cindy Johnson, Lou Kavouras, Jan Loftin, Mat O'Malley, 

Sandra McGee, Marc Minno, Brian Nelson, Georgann Penson, Katherine Pordeli, 

Carolyn Purdy, Eileen Tramontana, Daniel Thayer, John Thompson and Garrett Wallace. 

The districts offer special thanks to the Association of Florida Native Nurseries, Janice Broda, 

David Chiappini, Betsy Davis, Debbie Butts, the Florida Native Plant Society, Joel Jackson, 

K.A. Langeland, Charles Lippi, Maria Minno, Richard Moyroud, the Sarasota Audubon 

Society and the University of Florida, IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture. 

Cover photographs 

Florida's water management districts 

Southwest Florida 


Suwannee River 


South Florida 

Water Management 

District 

Left to right 

Top: Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrids); Crinum-lily (Crinum x powellii); Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) 

Second row: Iris, blue flag (Iris hexagona); Confederate-rose (Hibiscus mutabilis); Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybrids) 

Third row: Sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans); Ginger, peacock (Kaempferia spp.); Dotted horsemint (Monarda punctata) 

Bottom: Milkweed, scarlet (Asclepias curassavica); Passion flower, incense (Passiflora x ‘Incense’); Firebush (Hamelia patens) 

St. Johns River 

Water Management 

District

W A T E R W I S E 

Contents 

F l o r i d a L a n d s c a p e s 

Landscaping to Promote Water Conservation 

Using the Principles of Xeriscape 

from Florida’s water management districts 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

What Is Waterwise Landscaping? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

1. Plan and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

2. Obtain a Soil Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

3. Choose Proper Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Florida’s Plant Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

4. Use Turf Wisely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

5. Irrigate Efficiently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

6. Use Mulches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

7. Perform Proper Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

A Landscape Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

The Plant Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Lists and Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 

Scientific Cross-Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 

Plant Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Introduction 

Florida is surrounded on three sides by water. 

The state’s sources of surface water are wetlands, 

thousands of lakes, and many rivers and streams. 

With all this water around, many people may not 

realize there is a need to conserve water. Even 

though Florida is surrounded by water and has many 

interior water bodies, not all of that water is available 

for drinking or other uses by humans. In addition, 

Florida’s weather is fickle — long periods of wet 

weather may be followed by long periods of dry 

weather. The state’s leaders recognize the need to 

conserve water as a means to ensure the continued 

availability of this vital resource for everyone from 

year to year. 

Preserving and protecting Florida’s water 

resources is a main focus of the state’s five water 

management districts. This guide is brought to you 

by the water management districts in an effort to 

help you work with nature in the state’s unique 

environment to establish a landscape that conserves 

water resources and protects water quality. Through 

use of waterwise landscaping (based on the 

principles of Xeriscape), everyone 

2 

can help conserve resources. Florida’s water 

management districts have permission to use 

the concepts of Xeriscape, which is a registered 

trademark of Denver Water. 

Achieving a natural, healthy balance in your 

landscape starts by putting the right plant in the 

right place. Matching plants to conditions that exist 

in your area helps them thrive, once established, with 

little or no irrigation or chemicals. The seven 

principles of Xeriscape are explained in this guide. 

Scientific or other special terms appear in bold. 

These terms are listed in the glossary at the end of 

this guide and are defined in the context in which 

they are used in this guide. A plant list is included to 

help you choose the best plants for your landscape. 

Resources and references for more information are 

listed at the back of the guide. 

Through this guide, we hope you’ll find that 

when you work with nature, nature will work for 

you. And you’ll be doing your part to ensure that 

our natural resources can be enjoyed today and 

by future generations.

What Is Waterwise Landscaping? 

Waterwise is a common sense way to landscape 

that conserves water and protects the environment. 

The main objective of waterwise landscaping is to 

establish and maintain a healthy landscape by 

matching the right plants with existing site conditions 

so that the use of additional resources, such as water, 

fertilizer, pesticides and labor, is minimized. In 

addition to helping conserve water resources, 

waterwise landscaping practices reduce the amount of 

pollutants reaching water bodies because fewer yard 

chemicals are used. Fertilizers and pesticides can 

contaminate water bodies when they are washed out of 

the yard with the rain, in stormwater runoff. 

The best time to establish a drought-tolerant 

water-conserving landscape for your home or 

commercial property is long before a drought. Once 

established, the right plant in the right place will be 

highly self-sufficient, needing little help to survive 

nature’s extremes. Healthy, well-placed plants with 

deep, established root systems will need less help to 

survive a drought. 

Conserving our water supply and reducing 

water pollution have become important issues in 

our growing communities. Despite Florida’s humid 

climate and abundant surface water bodies, water 

shortages do occur here. Demand can overtake 

supply, and regional droughts force Floridians to 

practice water conservation as a way of life. 

In many Florida households, as much as half of 

household water is used outdoors, mostly for lawn 

and garden irrigation. Ninety percent of all public 

water supply in Florida comes from underground 

sources, primarily the Floridan aquifer. The aquifer’s 

resources are limited. Each day we pump billions of 

gallons of water from the Floridan aquifer, but the 

rate at which the groundwater system refills, or 

recharges, from rain is far less. On average, Florida 

receives 54 inches of rainfall yearly. 

Taking too much water out of the aquifers, 

known as overpumping, threatens potable water 

3 

supplies, but it also increases the occurrence of 

sinkhole formations. Because the aquifer system is 

connected to surface water bodies in some areas, 

overpumping the aquifers causes lowered water 

levels — or drawdowns — of our vital wetlands 

and lakes. 

Inches 

44 

48 

52 

56 

60 

64 

Average Annual Rainfall 

1961—1990 

1961–1990 

Likewise, fresh groundwater sources can be 

threatened by saltwater intrusion. Saltwater 

intrusion occurs when too much freshwater is 

pumped from an aquifer, allowing salt water to 

move into voids in the aquifer from the ocean or 

the Gulf of Mexico; ancient brackish seawater 

below the freshwater level of the aquifer can also 

move into these voids. 

Florida’s water management districts have 

declared water resource caution areas throughout 

the state in areas where overpumping or saltwater 

intrusion has occurred. A water resource caution area 

is an area where the current source of public water 

supply is not adequate or may not be adequate to 

meet public water supply demands in 20 years.

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape 

The seven simple principles of 

Xeriscape landscaping have been 

used by landscape professionals for 

years. Here is an overview of the 

seven principles; details of each 

principle are given in the 

following pages. 

1. PLAN AND DESIGN — 

Make a sketch of the landscape site. 

Base the plan on site conditions, 

existing vegetation and 

topography — the natural 

features of the land. Assess the 

area’s growing conditions and 

think through intended uses 

of the landscape. Landscapes 

are dynamic, so include 

elements of growth, time 

and change in your plan. 

2. OBTAIN A SOIL ANALYSIS — 

Determine the soil’s composition, 

from sandy to clay, and test for the 

pH of the soil — its level of acidity 

or alkalinity. This information will 

help you decide which plants are 

best suited to the conditions of 

your yard. 

3. CHOOSE PROPER PLANTS — When choosing 

new plants, match each spot in your landscape with 

plants that thrive in the specific conditions of that 

spot. Look for plants known to be resistant to disease 

and pests. Consider each plant’s mature height and 

width, its need for sun, shade, soil and water, and its 

tolerance to cold or salt. Preserve as many existing 

trees and shrubs as possible, provided they’re 

healthy and the root systems are not significantly 

4 

impacted by construction. Native vegetation 

appropriately placed will remain healthy with 

minimal supplemental irrigation and care, 

once established. 

4. USE TURF WISELY — Grass is often a yard’s 

largest water user, but it can still play a role in a 

water-conserving landscape. Use turf where it is 

most functional in the landscape plan, such as where 

children or pets will play, or for erosion control. In 

other areas, consider more water-thrifty alternatives 

such as groundcovers or mulched walkways. 

5. IRRIGATE EFFICIENTLY — Group plants based 

on their water needs. Put moisture-loving plants in 

moist areas and plants that prefer well-drained sites 

in drier areas. Group together plants that may need 

irrigation so that water is only used in limited areas. 

Only irrigate when plants need water or when rain 

has been inadequate, and use the right irrigation 

system and proper sprinkler head for each area. 

6. USE MULCHES — Mulches help hold moisture 

in the soil, moderate temperature, slowly release 

nutrients, reduce weed growth and slow erosion. 

Spread mulch around shrubs and trees and on 

flower beds, 2 to 4 inches thick, keeping mulch 

from coming into direct contact with plant stems. 

7. PERFORM PROPER MAINTENANCE — 

Keep plants healthy. Too much water and fertilizer 

promote weak growth, as well as increase pruning 

and mowing requirements. Remove weeds by hand 

before they get established and crowd out the plants 

you want. Watch for pests and make sure they’re 

truly a problem before waging war, then do it 

organically whenever possible.

1. Plan and Design 

The first step of design is to identify growing 

conditions and any vegetation or structures already 

in place. Next, decide how the property will be used. 

Be sure to check city and county landscaping codes 

for restrictions in your community. Also, some 

neighborhood associations have landscape 

specifications in the deed restrictions. 

Inventory the site, identifying 

• Growing conditions 

— Hardiness zone (for cold and heat) 

— Direction/aspect (north, south, east, west) 

— Areas that are sunny or shady throughout the 

day and the seasons 

— Areas that drain well or that collect water 

• Existing vegetation (Is it healthy? Is it native? 

Is it appropriate for site conditions?) 

• Hardscape (walkway, driveway, pool, fence) 

• Views and adjacent features (Frame a pleasing view, 

or screen an undesirable view. Watch out for 

underground utilities and overhead power lines.) 

KNOW HOW IT GROWS 

Understanding a site’s growing conditions is the 

most important factor in choosing plants. Regional 

growing zones in Florida range from 8a to 11 

(see map on page 21). 

Within a regional growing zone, climatic 

variations can be influenced by specific site 

conditions such as shade or direct sun. These specific 

site conditions are referred to as microclimates. 

There may be dry areas and moist or wet areas on 

the same property. All of these conditions must be 

assessed to match them with the plants that will 

do well in each. 

Sunny and shady areas will vary, depending on 

the time of day and the season. For example, a plant 

may get more sun in winter than in summer due to 

the changed angle of the sun or because a deciduous 

tree has lost its leaves and no longer provides shade. 

5 

The south side of a building has more sun than the 

north side, so heat-sensitive plants can be placed on 

the north side of a building where it’s cooler. More 

cold-sensitive plants can be placed on the south side 

of a building for protection from winter’s north wind. 

HOW WILL YOU USE IT? 

The next step in the planning process is to determine 

what functions you want the landscape to serve. 

Answer these questions: 

• How will you use your yard? 

• What are the best places for entries, walkways, 

sitting areas and play areas? 

• Where do you want to frame existing views or 

to establish privacy? 

• Where do you want to create views or accent areas? 

Start with the plat (map, or plan) of your 

property, or draw your site to scale (e.g., 1 half inch 

= 1 foot). Computer software and lined/grid paper 

are readily available at computer or office supply 

stores. Put existing plants and site conditions on the 

master drawing. Make multiple copies so you can 

sketch in different ideas, or lay tracing paper over 

your master drawing to try out different ideas. 

On your drawing, arrange plants to create and 

define spaces, direct or screen views, and influence 

Put your ideas on paper to plan your landscape.

direction of movement. Plants can modify climate — 

a shade tree cools and protects, creating microclimates 

that determine the kinds of plants that can live in that 

shade. Take out the tree and you change the micro- 

climate — different plants can now live in that space. 

Your plant choices can also attract and support 

wildlife and beneficial insects. Plants can be 

specifically selected as nectar and larval food plants 

for butterflies and caterpillars or as food and 

nesting habitat for birds, or to add vibrant 

beauty to the landscape. 

Take your time and learn as much as possible 

about the area to be landscaped. A year of 

observation is recommended to study, reflect on 

and tune in to seasonal changes and other 

variables that exist in the area. 

THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER 

When combining plants, the most important 

considerations are mature size and how the 

plants look and exist together. Experiment 

with how different combinations look 

together, considering color, shape, texture 

and mature size. 

Plants combined in groups of odd 

numbers often look better than plants 

combined in groups of even numbers. Use 

repetitive elements — the same color in 

different shapes, for example. Other aesthetic 

uses for plants are to complement, soften, 

frame or emphasize elements within the 

landscape or architectural features of 

a building. 

Plan for different seasons of the year to ensure 

year-round interest through blooms, color, foliage 

and shapes in the landscape. And, because landscapes 

are forever changing, plan accordingly. While waiting 

for that young live oak to grow into a dominant 

landscape element, plant sunny areas with annuals 

or perennials that will eventually be shaded out by 

the growing oak. 

Lye 

6 

2. Obtain a Soil Analysis 

Florida soils have varying textures, colors, water- 

holding capabilities and nutrient levels for plants. It 

is important to examine and analyze your soil at the 

beginning of a landscaping project. Most Florida 

soils typically do a good job of supporting plant life 

— just look around at the variety of plants growing 

naturally in Florida. When choosing plants, be aware 

that some may require a lot of feeding and then may 

still have deficiency problems. It’s best to choose 

plants suited to existing soil conditions. 

A soil’s pH level — acid, neutral or alkaline — 

is one factor to analyze before selecting plants. 

Most plants grow best in soil that has a pH that is 

somewhat acidic (pH 5.5–6.5). Some plants, such as 

beach sunflower, will tolerate alkaline soils (high pH, 

above 7), while other plants simply can’t. Coastal 

areas frequently have alkaline conditions — the 

presence of salt and shell fragments can be an 

indication of alkalinity. 

Milk of magnesia 

Ammonia 

Some plants can tolerate acidic soils (lower than 

pH 5.5), and there are some plants that require acidic 

soil to thrive, for example, camellia, blueberry, 

gardenia and azalea. 

pH Scale 

Average seawater 

Alkaline 

soil Neutral 

(above 7) 

Baking soda 

Milk 

Human 

blood 

Theoretical pH 

of rain 

Acidic soil 

(5.5–6.5) 

If your landscape is in a low-lying area such as 

pine flatwoods, different kinds of soils may have been 

brought in as fill material to raise the building’s 

foundation. Thus, soil samples will need to be taken 

from several areas around the yard. 

Vinegar 

Tomato juice 

Apples 

Most acidic rainfall 

recorded in U.S. 

Lemon juice 

Battery acid

Soil can be improved 

in planting beds with 

amendments such as peat 

or compost, added several 

weeks before planting and 

then again periodically. 

But because amendments 

break down, it is difficult 

to significantly change 

soil over the long term. 

Adding organic matter 

does improve nutrient 

levels and basic soil 

conditions, but will not drastically change 

extreme conditions permanently. For more 

information about mulches and the rates at 

which they break down, contact your local 

County Cooperative Extension Service office. 

WHAT’S IN THE SOIL? 

The County Cooperative Extension Service can 

test pH in soil or irrigation water for a small fee, or 

you may wish to purchase a simple kit at your 

neighborhood garden center. The address and the 

telephone number of your local extension office are 

listed in the telephone book under county offices. 

A wealth of information about soils for each 

county in Florida can be found in your county’s 

soil survey, published by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service 

(listed in the telephone book under federal 

government offices). Soil surveys are frequently 

in the reference section of local libraries. 

In a county soil survey, exact properties can be 

pinpointed on aerial photographs. Specific soil types 

are described as being good for certain kinds of 

plants, for residential development, for septic tanks, 

etc. A survey also includes information such as depth 

of the water table throughout the year; water table 

depth can be key in determining growing conditions 

for trees and other plants. 

7 

Remember to take into account any fill material 

that may have been brought in. Try to learn from the 

builder if local soils were used. It is common to dig 

retention pond areas and use that dirt for the 

foundation fill. But remember that even then, soils 

that are altered through disturbances can’t necessarily 

be equated to undisturbed soils from the same area. 

Also be aware that substances may have been spilled 

or buried during construction. If there’s an 

apparently unplantable area in the landscape, dig 

for debris or excavate the problem area and replace 

with topsoil. 

Knowing the following about your soil conditions is 

fundamental to matching the right plants to your site: 

• pH 

Getting ready for a soil test. 

• Sand, clay or rich soil 

• Drainage 

To determine drainability, fill a hole with water 

and note how quickly it drains. Knowing the water 

table level can also be important; a high water table 

(close to the surface) could influence growing 

conditions. The highest water table level of the 

year is generally in August. 

To determine a high water table, dig a hole and 

see if water seeps into it. 

Once you understand your soil analysis, the fun 

really begins — looking for plants!

3. Choose Proper Plants 

Try to keep as much of the existing vegetation as 

possible. If a plant grew in an area without your help, 

then conditions there are obviously right for it. 

Choose plants that can survive on normal rainfall in 

your area or that require minimal irrigation. Existing 

native-plant communities are an example of the 

“right plant in the right place.” There are also 

nonnative plants cultivated specifically for Florida 

conditions that are water-efficient and resistant to 

disease and pests. However, there are also some 

plants that do too well because they don’t have any 

natural balances in the Florida environment, and 

they become highly invasive. 

And remember, the success of your waterwise 

landscape depends as much on where you locate 

plants as on what plants you use. Plant it smart! 

Learn each plant’s 

• Mature size (height and width) 

• Sun and shade requirements 

• Soil needs 

• Water needs 

• Salt and cold tolerances 

Match these factors with your soil and climatic 

conditions. 

Coastal upland 

8 

DO YOU NEED SALT-TOLERANT PLANTS? 

Many areas in Florida have salt prevalent in the 

air and the water; this is particularly true near the 

coast and salt marshes. Salt can even find its way into 

wells. Exposure to salt may severely damage or kill 

some plants, so if necessary, choose plants that can 

tolerate such exposure. Salt is alkaline, so a plant’s 

tolerance for salt indicates its tolerance to alkalinity. 

Where does this salt originate? Homes near the 

beach experience salt spray, with stiff winds blowing 

fine particles of salt and sand onto plants. Different 

plants can take varying degrees of this salt exposure. 

Some can’t tolerate it at all. Consult the County 

Cooperative Extension Service for a list of additional 

salt-tolerant plants. 

Irrigation water may also be salty, or saline. 

In some areas, the water taken from the ground 

is naturally high in salt. Other areas suffer from 

saltwater intrusion, where salt water moves 

underground into freshwater aquifers due to 

overpumping of the aquifer. If the salinity level in 

irrigation water is too high, the water can kill plants. 

Also, be aware that some household water treatment 

systems add salt to the water to remove iron or other 

minerals. Don’t use this water for plants. 

Use this guide and consult a plant specialist to 

determine if a plant is salt-tolerant. If you suspect 

salt problems, have your water tested for salt content. 

Contact your County Cooperative Extension Service 

for more information about testing water for salt. 

The general vegetation map of Florida (on page 9 

of this guide) indicates the original native-plant 

communities throughout the state. Different plant 

communities often converge gradually in what is 

called ecotones — regions where one ecosystem 

blends into another. Sometimes pockets of one 

community are surrounded by another. 

Observing the differences in ecotones can help 

determine differences in the landscape, helping 

to identify the best plants for the microclimates 

throughout the landscape.

General Vegetation Map 

FLORIDA’S PLANT COMMUNITIES 

Pine Flatwoods 

The most common plant community in Florida. 

Acidic, sandy soil that commonly has a hardpan layer 

1–3 feet below the surface. Moisture levels vary from 

dry to nearly saturated during the wet season. Fires 

caused naturally by lightning occur every 2–10 years, 

leaving ash to fertilize new growth. In earlier 

decades, the pine flatwoods floor was cleared by fire. 

Now, without regular fires, a shrub strata 

dominates. In managed conservation areas, 

controlled burns are conducted to reduce the 

amount of fuel plants on the forest floor and to 

encourage growth of herbaceous species. 

The most dominant species include longleaf pine, 

slash pine or pond pine (depending on hydric 

conditions), saw palmetto, gallberry, fetterbush and 

tarflower. The forest floor has herbaceous species 

such as wiregrass, muhly grass, blazing star, violets 

and lilies — species adapted to both wet and dry 

conditions. Occasionally there are dahoon holly, 

persimmon, maple trees, loblolly bay and sweetbay. 

9 

Coastal Uplands 

BEACH DUNE SYSTEMS — 

Alkaline to neutral soils of coarse 

sand and shell; well drained, with 

some salt; low fertility; dry, hot, sunny 

and windy conditions. Common species 

include Spanish bayonet, saw palmetto, 

seaside purslane, saltmeadow cordgrass, 

beach morning glory, blanket flower 

and beach dune sunflower. 

MARITIME FORESTS — Soil pH moderately alkaline 

to neutral; sandy with some shell and periodic shell 

mounds. Retains some moisture though well 

drained, with humus, organic material. Plants 

indigenous to this community will tolerate some salt, 

wind, shade and drought. Some common plants 

include southern red cedar and magnolia, redbay, 

sand live oak, cabbage palm, American holly, 

Hercules’-club, saltbush and coontie.

Hardwood forest 

Sandhills 

High pinelands of open longleaf pine with 

wiregrass and shrubs and turkey oaks, over rolling 

uplands and sand ridges, with deep, acidic sandy soil 

that is very well drained. Sandhills grade into pine 

flatwoods and are often adjacent to, or interspersed 

with, islands of scrub throughout Florida. 

Hardwood Forests 

Hardwood hammocks occur in patches in 

temperate areas of Florida. The soils are acidic and 

sandy; the range is through the three moisture zones: 

xeric, hydric and mesic. 

UPLAND MIXED FORESTS — Occur throughout 

Florida’s northern panhandle region on upland clay 

soils over limestone bedrock. The canopy and 

understory are highly diverse, dominated by 

hardwoods, mostly oaks, with some pine species which 

are more prominent in earlier successional phases. 

UPLAND MESIC HARDWOOD FORESTS — Oak-hickory 

to pine-oak-hickory; range is through central to west- 

central Florida on rich upland soils and clay hills. 

10 

Cabbage Palm Hammock 

Sand over marl; flat hammocks of cabbage 

palms and live oaks; rarely flooded. 

Rocklands 

The uplands of southern peninsular Florida and 

the Keys; highly impacted by human development. 

PINE ROCKLANDS — Porous limestone with sandy 

humus and marl; good drainage. Plant species 

include South Florida slash pine, cabbage palm and 

saw palmetto, with ferns, sedges and more than a 

hundred herbaceous species. 

TROPICAL HARDWOOD HAMMOCKS — Alkaline 

limestone with moist humus. The diverse canopy 

carries many epiphytes, such as bromeliads, orchids 

and ferns. The canopy includes live oak, gumbo 

limbo, black ironwood and mahogany. The understory 

ranges from temperate to tropical species and 

includes white, red and Spanish stoppers, spicewood, 

beautyberry and wild coffee.

Prairies 

DRY PRAIRIES — Similar to pine flatwoods without 

the pine overstory; dry prairies occur in central and 

southern Florida. Sandy, acidic soil is present, often 

with hardpan and a high water table, becoming 

inundated only after heavy rain. Dominant species 

are wiregrass and broomsedges. 

MARL/ROCKLAND PRAIRIES — Wet grassy areas on 

alkaline soils intermixed with forests on porous 

limestone with an understory of palms and shrubs. 

WET PRAIRIES — Often intermingles in ecotones 

with pine flatwoods, with few sparse pines, if any, 

allowing the sun through to stimulate a flourishing 

of herbaceous flora. Wet prairies are inundated by 

water 50–150 days of the year. 

Scrub 

Consists of Florida’s rarest plants and animals. 

The land area of this endangered habitat was reduced 

by more than 90 percent during the 20th century, 

leaving fragments, often in degraded condition. 

Infertile, sandy, excessively drained soils are high 

aquifer recharge areas, making scrub a particularly 

important ecosystem. These forests consist of scrub 

sand pine, small scrub oaks, rosemary shrubs and 

scrub palmetto. 

SCRUB CYPRESS — Occurs in south Florida with 

thin marl soils over limestone; dwarfed pond cypress 

with sedges and grasses. Adjacent to the Everglades; 

often flooded. 

Cypress Swamp Forests 

Inundated by water most of the year. Can border 

rivers and lakes or be isolated; dominated by bald 

cypress in flowing systems and pond cypress in 

stagnant systems. 

Wetland Forests 

SWAMP FORESTS — Flooded most of the year along 

rivers and basins; characterized by pond cypress, bald 

cypress, red maple, water hickory, ashes and tupelo. 

11 

HYDRIC HAMMOCKS — Moist sites flooded 

occasionally, with evergreen and deciduous 

hardwoods of red maple, loblolly bay, water oak, 

Florida elm and cabbage palm. 

Freshwater Marsh 

Shallow wetlands that contain a variety of grasses 

and sedges on peat soil which may be dry during 

certain conditions. Common plants found are 

grasses, saw grass, pickerelweed, arrowhead and 

water lilies. 

Coastal Saline Wetlands 

Water levels in coastal wetlands are under the 

constant influence of tides, thus the degree of salinity 

varies from salt water to brackish. 

COASTAL SALT MARSHES — Mostly occur in north 

and west Florida; characterized by grasses and rushes. 

MANGROVE SWAMPS — Occur in central and south 

Florida coastal areas that flood, then drain, creating 

thick, nutritious muck. 

Pine flatwoods

Seagrapes and coonties fill this coastal landscape. 

WHAT TO PLANT 

Plant lists should be generated for the different 

areas of the landscape based on growing conditions 

and desired characteristics. 

Plantings should be placed with consideration for 

changes which will take place over time. In natural 

plant communities, these changes are called 

succession. Succession is the orderly process 

of community change. It is the sequence of 

communities which replace one another in 

a given area. 

In most landscapes, succession is halted by 

deliberate maintenance practices. Yet plants tend to 

strive toward succession. By planning for each plant’s 

mature state, a dynamic landscape can be planned to 

include natural changes. 

When plants are first put into a landscape, the 

area should look unfinished, as the landscape must 

be given space and time to grow. Plan to replace 

sun-loving plants with shade-tolerant plants as the 

larger elements in the landscape such as trees and 

shrubs grow and create shade. 

12 

Remember, many so-called shrub species are 

actually 20-foot multi-trunked trees. Select plant 

species that will mature to a height and width that 

will fit the planting location. If you want a shrub that 

only grows 2–4 feet tall, find a dwarf variety or use 

ornamental bunch grasses or flowering perennials 

like pentas and scarlet milkweed. 

Publications about Florida’s plant communities 

are available through your local library. 

PLANTING FOR EFFICIENT WATER USE 

Group plants according to their water needs and 

soil conditions. If plant placement is done correctly, 

once plants are established, little to no supplemental 

irrigation will be necessary. 

NATURAL ZONE — In this area, place plants that have 

adapted to the wet and dry extremes of Florida’s 

climate so that regular watering (once plants are 

established) won’t be necessary, except during 

prolonged drought.

DROUGHT-TOLERANT ZONE — In this area, place plants 

that can survive extended periods of time without 

rain or supplemental irrigation. 

OASIS ZONE — In this area, place plants that may 

require some watering. 

Plants native to Florida can play a very 

dependable role in the landscape. Many of Florida’s 

plants have evolved through periods of extreme wet 

and then dry weather, so they survive through 

drought and don’t get root rot standing in water. 

They have also developed defenses to the diseases, 

fungi and insects which originate in Florida. Many 

have proven wind tolerances in areas that experience 

tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Strive to establish a yard that is largely sustained 

by existing conditions, then if specialty plantings 

such as vegetables or roses are desired, a more labor- 

and resource-intensive planting bed can be created in 

one or two areas. 

Remember, the overriding guidance should be to 

put the right plant in the right place. 

Oaks and palmettos 

13 

4. Use Turf Wisely 

Grass can be a practical part of your landscape in 

the right place, for example, in a play area for 

children. Follow these simple tips for a healthy lawn 

and to reduce maintenance: 

• GO LIGHT ON THE FERTILIZER. Fertilization stimulates 

growth and increases water needs. If you do fertilize, 

use a slow-release product. Water-insoluble products 

won’t be washed away like liquid or fast-release 

fertilizers, which can contaminate waterways through 

stormwater or irrigation runoff. The slow-release 

products stay in the soil to supply nutrients to plants 

on a gradual basis, over a longer period of time. 

• LEAVE SHORT GRASS CLIPPINGS WHERE THEY FALL WHEN 

YOU MOW. This reduces the lawn’s need for both water 

and fertilizer. However, remove thick patches of 

clippings, which will decay and kill the grass. 

• RISE TO NEW HEIGHTS. That is, raise the height of 

your lawnmower blades to the highest setting. When 

you mow the grass, remove no more than one-third 

of the leaf blade. Cutting grass shorter than this may 

stress the grass and may also decrease the depth to 

which roots will grow, increasing the need for water. 

Most St. Augustine grass and bahia grass varieties 

should not be mowed below 3 inches in height. 

• KEEP A SHARP CUTTING EDGE. When your lawnmower 

blades are sharp, they give a clean cut. Grass torn and 

shredded by dull blades suffers stress and requires 

more water. 

• CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES TO GRASS. Grass can be a 

useful plant. Use grass in areas where children or pets 

play, or for erosion control. In low-use areas, 

consider drought-tolerant-plant beds, groundcovers, 

mulch, walkways or other alternatives that require 

little or no water.

5. Irrigate Efficiently 

The major oasis area in most yards is the grass. 

In some Florida locations, rainfall may be adequate 

for turf, but some supplemental water may 

be required. 

If an irrigation system is needed, manual 

methods may be the most thrifty. If the landscape is 

planted with species suited to existing conditions, 

little or no irrigation will be needed once the 

landscape is established, so an automatic system isn’t 

necessary. For occasional, manual irrigation of grass 

areas, a rain gauge is a valuable tool. It can tell you 

how much rain has occurred and can be used to 

measure the needed 1/2 to 3/4 inch recommended 

for grass areas. 

Inground irrigation systems are convenient, but 

often waste water. While the goal of these systems is 

to uniformly and efficiently irrigate lawns, some may 

be used to overwater. 

Florida law requires an automatic rain sensor 

shut-off device that is properly installed and 

functioning on all automatic irrigation systems 

installed after May 1, 1991 (section 373.62, FS). The 

rain sensor overrides the irrigation system settings 

when there has been sufficient rain. Some local laws 

also require older systems to be retrofitted with 

shut-off switches. 

In addition to having a properly functioning 

irrigation system, the system’s efficiency will depend 

on you having the correct spray-head types for the 

various zones to be irrigated and how your landscape 

has been planted. 

For example, turf areas and planting beds should 

be separated into different irrigation zones because 

they have different moisture needs. 

Select the emitter head that will deliver water to 

the plant roots as efficiently as possible. For planting 

beds, microirrigation system emitters deliver water 

directly to the plant. Microirrigation types include 

“drip,” “trickle,” “microsprays” and “bubblers.” 

Microsprays or microjets are often used in 

14 

shrubbery or on groundcovers. Bubblers are 

normally used on trees or large shrubs. 

Within a zone, all the heads should have the same 

precipitation rate — the rate at which an irrigation 

head delivers water — in order to have even 

distribution within the zone. 

Microirrigation delivers water at rates of 60 

gallons per hour (gph) or less. Usually, bubblers emit 

1 gph and a single-drip emitter, 2 gph. For drip line, 

45 gph per foot of line is delivered and up to 60 gph 

for microsprays. High volume heads are rated at 

60 gph or more. 

Irrigation System Installation 

If installing an 

inground automatic 

irrigation system, 

follow these guidelines 

to optimize the 

system’s efficiency: 

1. Properly install automatic rain sensor shut-off 

device and check regularly to ensure it is 

functioning properly. 

2. Install a back-flow valve. 

3. Separate zones for turf and non-turf areas. 

4. Match precipitation rates on all heads within 

a zone (e.g., rotors and spray heads on 

separate zones). 

5. Choose each device based on what will most 

efficiently water each group of plants. 

6. Use pressure-regulated valve heads. 

7. Use rotors in turf areas, spaced for 

“head-to-head” coverage. 

8. Check valves on rotors and sprays in 

low-lying areas. 

9. Verify that the system design meets state 

specifications for landscape irrigation installation 

as found in Florida Building Code, Appendix F. 

10. Schedule appropriate irrigation that supplements 

rainfall to no more than 1.5 inches of water per 

week for turf areas, and less in planting beds, in 

the spring. Water less during the other seasons. 

11. Conduct regular inspection and maintenance to 

detect leaks, clean filters and realign or replace 

rotors and spray heads, as needed.

Turf areas need rotors or spray heads. These 

sprinkler heads should deliver water “head-to-head,” 

meaning that heads are properly placed to ensure 

uniform application of water, with one head’s spray 

reaching the closest neighboring head. 

To test for distribution uniformity and to 

determine how long it takes the irrigation system to 

deliver 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of water — the amount 

recommended for lawns — use the “can” method. 

Place tuna (or similar sized) cans around the yard 

and measure the water collected in half an hour. If 

some cans have more water than others, distribution 

is not even. If you get 1 inch of water, you know you 

only need to run that zone for 15 minutes to get 

half an inch. 

• USE A RAIN GAUGE. Keep track of how much rain has 

fallen in your yard. Do not adhere to a rigid irrigation 

schedule. When it rains, you probably don’t need to 

water. During periods of extended rainy weather, 

irrigation systems should be turned off. 

• IRRIGATE ONLY WHEN PLANTS OR GRASS NEED IT. Water 

plants that begin to show signs of stress. Signs of stress 

for grass include leaves wilting or grass blades folding 

in half, or soil from the root zone feeling dry. Your 

lawn needs watering if grass blades start turning a 

bluish-gray color or if footprints linger after being 

made. Overwatering is often the cause of many 

common problems, such as dollar weed and 

fungal growth. 

Example of shallow 

roots and deeper, 

healthier roots 

15 

Microspray 

• WATER IF IT HASN’T RAINED. St. Augustine grass only 

needs rain or watering once or twice a week in 

summer and once every 8–14 days from December 

through February. Bahia grass needs water less often. 

• HELP GRASS AND PLANTS DEVELOP DEEP ROOT SYSTEMS. 

It is better to water your lawn and plants well once a 

week than it is to water lightly each day, but apply 

water only as quickly as the soil can absorb it. 

Thorough watering encourages roots to establish 

themselves deeper in the soil, which makes them more 

drought-tolerant. Frequent light watering causes roots 

to stay too close to the surface, where they are 

dependent on regularly recurring precipitation or 

irrigation and are more likely to suffer in dry times. 

The exception to deep watering is for newly installed 

plants, where the roots are still closer to the surface. 

These plants need light, more-frequent waterings until 

they adjust to the new location, generally about 30 to 

60 days. Larger plants, shrubs and trees may need 

frequent waterings longer to become established. 

• WATER EARLY IN THE DAY. To minimize loss of water 

through evaporation, water early in the morning, 

before sunrise. When the sun rises, it will dry plants, 

reducing the potential for fungal growth or diseases. 

Leaving plants wet overnight creates conditions for 

fungal growth. Watering in the heat of the day is 

prohibited in some areas of Florida under rules 

established by the water management districts. In 

addition, watering in the middle of the day results in 

water loss through evaporation.

• OBSERVE WATER RESTRICTIONS IN YOUR AREA. Under 

Florida law, the water management districts have 

established water conservation rules. Where there is a 

year-round watering rule, it applies to everyone who 

uses water outdoors — homes, businesses, nurseries, 

golf courses — regardless of the water source, whether 

private well, public utility or surface water. There are 

some exceptions to the water restrictions, such as 

when reclaimed or reuse water is being used. Any local 

water restrictions that are more strict than the water 

management districts’ must be followed. Violating 

Florida’s water restrictions is punishable with penalties 

of up to $500, with additional fees as applicable. 

• SWEEP SIDEWALKS OR DRIVEWAYS INSTEAD OF HOSING 

THEM DOWN. If your chore requires water, use an 

automatic shut-off nozzle at the end of a 

hand-held hose. 

• INSPECT YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM REGULARLY. Check 

all hoses, pipes and fittings for leaks, which can waste 

hundreds or thousands of gallons of water every 

week. Repair broken or clogged spray heads and 

emitters and adjust them to keep from watering the 

pavement. Clean microirrigation filters regularly and 

change as needed. Also, use a rain gauge in the yard 

to make sure the rain shut-off switch is working. 

Mulch helps hold moisture in the soil. 

16 

6. Use Mulches 

If you already use mulches in your yard, you’re 

ahead of the game. Placing a layer of mulch directly 

around shrubs and trees and on flower beds helps to 

conserve water. In fact, mulch 

• Helps retain moisture in the soil 

• Decomposes slowly, adding nutrients 

to the soil 

• Provides habitat or cover for beneficial 

soil organisms 

• Shades soil from the baking sun, reducing 

the need for water 

• Protects against soil erosion and 

compaction caused by rain 

• Reduces weed growth 

• Reduces maintenance chores; keeps lawn 

mowers and weed trimmers from 

damaging trees and other plants 

• Looks good in the landscape 

Mulch can include bark chips, pine needles or 

leaves. Using leaves for mulch eliminates having to 

burn or bag the leaves for landfill disposal. Cypress 

mulch, although widely available, is not a good 

environmental choice because cypress are slow- 

growing native wetland trees that are often taken as 

whole, mature trees and chipped into mulch just to 

help meet market demand. Cypress are far more 

valuable to us in their environment than as mulch in 

the landscape. Alternative sources of mulch, such as 

melaleuca, eucalyptus, Australian pine and recycled 

matter from yard cuttings, are suggested instead. 

Some of these environmentally friendly alternatives 

are obtained from nonnative pest trees and are 

becoming increasingly available. 

For best results, spread 2–4 inches of mulch on 

plant beds. Keep the mulch several inches away from 

the plant stems to protect the stems from rotting. 

Gradually increase the thickness of the mulch layer

Seagrapes and cabbage palms 

going out from the plant. Add new mulch as needed, 

stirring the old mulch to promote air and moisture 

circulation to avoid matting. 

Don’t use compost or mulch that has diseased 

material. Get mulches from a reputable dealer, as 

mulches can contain contaminants such as 

undesirable seeds or insect pests. Mulching holds 

moisture and may attract termites, so should not be 

piled up right next to a building’s foundation. 

Be aware that inorganic mulch such as gravel or 

colored rocks will not hold moisture. Moreover, 

white rock reflects heat, which is stressful to plants. 

7. Perform Proper Maintenance 

An environmentally balanced, low-maintenance 

landscape starts with the previous steps of analysis, 

planning and selecting the plants suitable for the site. 

17 

A diverse array of plant species will attract a variety 

of insects to the area, helping to create a balanced 

food chain so that no one species can become 

dominant enough to become a major pest problem. 

This way, nature works for you to make landscaping 

and maintenance easy and rewarding. 

NATURAL PEST MANAGEMENT 

Only a fraction of a percent of all insects known 

to humans are considered pests, and these species are 

generally herbivores, eating plants we want for 

ourselves — either for food or for ornamental value. 

A food chain always has carnivores looking to eat 

herbivores. Predators — including predatory insects 

— that eat our “pests” are called “beneficial” 

organisms. But it doesn’t stop there. Birds, bats, 

lizards and frogs also eat insects. As a part of the 

food chain, this diversity of life creates a living 

balance and will do so in the landscape if allowed.

If we try to eradicate an organism that is 

pestering us, we risk poisoning not only the pest, but 

also the beneficial organisms that would decrease the 

pest populations. If broad-spectrum pesticides are 

applied to the landscape, many beneficial organisms 

could be killed. 

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a proven 

concept for controlling pests. IPM is also a good way 

to protect water quality. 

The basic premise is to use the least toxic method 

and to limit any treatments to affected areas, not the 

entire yard. Observation, or scouting, is the basis to 

understanding what the most effective method will 

be. First, determine if there really is a problem. 

Consider tolerating some plant damage as part of 

nature’s process. For example, caterpillars that 

become butterflies can eat the leaves off certain 

plants before forming a chrysalis, only to have the 

plant come back later as healthy as before. 

If observation proves there is a problem, learn 

about the pest organism’s life cycle so you can 

disrupt that cycle. For example, mosquitoes need 

18 

standing water to lay eggs. During mosquito season, 

removal of even the smallest standing pools of water 

— in pots, or even in bromeliads — will help 

decrease mosquito populations in an area. 

When using chemicals, spot-treat the affected 

area only, at a time when the pest is most vulnerable. 

Rather than routinely applying chemicals to the 

entire lawn, spot-treat pests and problem areas 

while problem areas are small and localized. This 

will minimize pesticide use and avoid killing 

beneficial organisms. Contact your local County 

Cooperative Extension Service for more 

information on lawn pests, their life cycles 

and control. 

WEEDS 

Weeds are often the hardy annuals and perennials 

that lead succession. Soil left bare will soon be 

growing something. To minimize the growth of 

unwanted plants, mulch and/or keep areas planted. 

Remove any weeds as they emerge, before they 

develop seed heads or extensive root systems that 

compete for moisture and nutrients. 

COMPOSTING 

Plant leaves manufacture sugar from sunlight, 

water and carbon dioxide. Other nutrients and 

minerals are drawn from the soil where they have 

built up from decayed leaves and other material that 

falls in natural settings. Frequently, cultivated areas 

are stripped clean of these wastes, then petroleum- 

based fertilizers are applied to replace the natural 

food source. 

Compost is the cheapest and most effective 

fertilizer available. Leaves and pine needles piled or 

left as mulch to decay under plants and trees slowly 

return essential elements to the soil, while helping 

retain moisture. Mulch and compost help soil 

maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms and 

other soil builders, such as earthworms. 

A helper in the garden, the golden garden spider.

FERTILIZING 

Once established, your water-conserving yard 

may require only moderate amounts of supplemental 

fertilizer. Overfertilizing aggravates pest problems, 

stimulates excessive growth and requires frequent 

watering. Fertilizers carried by irrigation water or 

rain can leach into groundwater and our waterways. 

When needed, the best choice for plants and the 

environment is slow-release fertilizer. The package 

label on the fertilizer will say organic, slow-release or 

controlled release, water-insoluble nitrogen, sulfur- 

coated, IBDU, or resin-coated. Check the label for 

inclusion of trace minerals. 

Fertilization should be used when specific nutrient 

deficiency symptoms are evident. Natural sources of 

these nutrients are available and inexpensive. 

Nitrogen — grass clippings, compost, cottonseed meal 

Phosphorus — compost, rock phosphate (many 

Florida soils are already phosphorus-rich) 

Potassium — compost, aged manure, fireplace wood 

ashes (raises soil pH) 

Some plants can make nutrients available in the 

soil for the benefit of other plants. Clover, for 

example, “fixes” nitrogen (takes in nitrogen from the 

air), making it available for grass. Thus, leaving 

clover mixed in with lawn grasses is actually healthier 

than trying to eliminate it. 

PRUNING 

If a plant is placed in the right location and given 

enough room to mature, pruning should be minimal. 

Prune to retain the natural shape, or structure, of 

trees and shrubs and to promote or maintain strong 

structure. Less pruning is usually better because 

pruning is stressful to a tree or shrub, which causes it 

to require more water. Also, pruning at the wrong 

time of the year can stress plants. 

Your County Cooperative Extension Service 

office has brochures with simple graphics showing 

how to make proper pruning cuts. 

19 

An example of “hat racking,” a pruning practice that 

stresses a plant and increases the plant’s water needs. 

• Trees — Prune carefully to promote strong 

development in the trunk and main branches. Don’t 

prune the first year after transplanting. Never cut off 

the top of a tree to control height. 

• Palms — Only dead and diseased fronds should be 

removed. If a palm frond is living and green, it is 

producing energy for the plant and should not be cut. 

• Shrubs — Shearing shrubs results in foliage 

forming only at the outer, sheared surface, with no 

internal foliage. By selectively thinning branches 

following the natural shape of a shrub, you can open 

the shrub foliage to permit light penetration while 

retaining some control over its size.

A Landscape Example 

1. Our drought-tolerant zone next to the driveway 

has mulch and low-water shrubs instead of grass. 

This zone continues along the length of the house 

and eliminates watering, mowing and edging chores 

in low-use areas. Notice how the shrubs serve as a 

buffer to our northern neighbor and as camouflage 

for the storage area. 

2. Our turf area in the backyard is located in the 

landscape’s lowest spot, which is where there is 

plenty of naturally occurring moisture. Alternatives 

to grass include mulched walkways, a deck or a 

screened patio. These additions don’t need water 

and reduce landscape maintenance chores. 

20 

3. More drought-tolerant groundcovers and shrubs 

hug the back of our practical turf area. These plants 

give privacy to our patio and deck while providing 

shade, and they are water-efficient. 

4. Native vegetation, including drought-tolerant 

shrubbery, is used in the side yard. This further 

reduces watering and maintenance. 

5. Our practical turf area in the front yard, like that 

in the back, is round in shape to reduce its perimeter, 

making it easier to irrigate and maintain. Long, 

narrow strips of grass are hard to irrigate efficiently. 

A brick walkway, border grass and a mulched flower 

bed further reduce watering and edging chores and 

add colorful accents.

The Plant Lists 

The plant lists, a common name/scientific 

name plant cross-reference and an index that follow 

were put together with the general gardener in mind. 

Readers who want more detailed or expanded 

information may refer to one of the references 

listed at the end of this guide. 

The plants listed in this guide are recommended 

by the water management districts because they are 

either Florida natives or are Florida-friendly. The 

focus was to list plants that fit the waterwise theme 

— those meeting site requirements and needing little 

water, fertilizer, maintenance or other special care 

once they are established in a landscape. This list 

was not intended to be all-inclusive. 

While some plants may be found and will survive 

in areas other than those indicated in the matrixes 

that follow, they require additional care and 

maintenance to ensure their survival. The hardiness 

zones listed are the areas in which the plant is most 

commonly found. The growth rates, soil moisture 

and light requirements listed are also the 

most common. 

Escambia 

Santa Rosa 

Okaloosa 

8a 

Walton 

Holmes 

Washington 

21 

Bay 

Jackson 

Calhoun 

Gulf 

Liberty 

Franklin 

Gadsden 

Leon 

Wakulla 

Florida’s 

Hardiness 

Zones 

Due to space limitations in this 

printed guide, we are unable to show 

a photograph of every plant listed. 

However, as the districts continue to 

gather photographs of these plants, they are 

being added to the Web sites, www.sjrwmd.com 

and http://www.state.fl.us/nwfwmd/. 

Passion flower, incense 

Passiflora x ‘Incense’ 

Jefferson 

Madison 

Taylor 

8b 

Lafayette 

Dixie 

Hamilton 

Suwannee 

Gilchrist 

Pinellas 

Columbia 

L e v y 

Union 

Citrus 

Sumter Lake 

Hernando 

Pasco 

Baker 

Bradford 

A l a c h u a 

M a r i o n 

Hillsborough 

Manatee 

Sarasota 

Clay 

Nassau 

Duval 

Putnam 

9a 

Hardee 

De Soto 

P o l k 

C h a r l o t t e 

Lee 

St. Johns 

Flagler 

O r a n g e 

Osceola 

Brevard 

Highlands 

Glades 

Collier 

Volusia 

Seminole 

Hendry 

9b 

Monroe 

Indian River 

Okeechobee St. Lucie 

10a 

Palm Beach 

Broward 

10b 

Dade 

Martin 

11

T R E E S 

Common Name 

Scientific Name 

Acacia, sweet Acacia farnesiana 8b–11 – 15x20 

Allspice Pimenta dioica 10b–11 40 

Ash, green Fraxinus pennsylvanica 8a–8b – 30x75 

Ash, pop Fraxinus caroliniana 8a–10a – 20x40 

Atemoya Annona x ‘Atemoya’ 10a–10b – 30 

Avocado Persea americana 10a–11 20–60 

Banana, Cavendish Musa acuminata ‘Cavendish’ 10b–11 5–7 

Bangar nut Sterculia foetida 10a–11 75 

Basswood Tilia americana var. caroliniana 8a–9b 35x80 

Beech, American Fagus grandifolia 8a–8b 60x90 

Big leaf snowbell Styrax grandifolia 8a–9a – 18x10 

Birch, river Betula nigra 8a–9a – 25x50 

Bird-of-paradise tree Strelitzia nicolai 9a–11 20 

Black olive Bucida buceras 10a–11 30x45 

Black sapote or Diospyros digyna 10a–11 25 

chocolate pudding fruit 

Blackgum or swamp tupelo Nyssa biflora 8a–9a – 80 

Blolly Guapira discolor 9b–11 30x40 

Bradford pear Pyrus calleryana 8a–9a – 20x30 

Buckthorn, Carolina Rhamnus caroliniana 8a–9b 20x25 

Bulnesia Bulnesia arborea 10b–11 – 20x30 

Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus 9b–11 – – 15–25 

Carambola Averrhoa carambola 10b–11 25 

Catalpa or Indian cigar Catalpa bignonioides 8b–9b 35x40 

Cedar, red or southern red Juniperus virginiana (= J. silicicola) 8a–9b – 25x60 

Cherry laurel Prunus caroliniana 8a–9b 35 

Chinquapin Castanea pumila 8a–9a – 15x40 

Colville’s glory Colvillea racemosa 10a–11 45 

Copperpod Peltophorum pterocarpum 10a–11 – 25x50 

Crabapple, southern Malus angustifolia 8a–8b – 20–30 

Crabwood Gymnanthes lucida 10a–11 – 20 

Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica 8a–11 – 15x25 

Cuban tamarind Lysiloma sabicu 10b–11 – 25x50 

Custard apple Annona reticulata 10a 40x15 

Cypress, bald Taxodium distichum 8a–11 – 25x80 

SOIL MOISTURE Dry Moist Wet 

22 

Florida 

Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet)** 

LIGHT Full Sun Partial Sun Shade 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Small thorny, bushy tree; fragrant flowers; subject to wind damage, will suffer frost damage; likes sandy to clay soil; evergreen; salt-tolerant; native 

Beautiful small tree with exfoliating bark; source of allspice; evergreen; low salt 

Deciduous; medium salt; native 

Crooked, multi-trunked tree; deciduous; low salt; usually subcanopy or understory; native 

Hybrid; likes well-drained, alkaline soil; evergreen; medium salt 

Easily cold-damaged; Brogdon is a hardier variety; many varieties available; evergreen; medium salt 

Needs heavy mulching; spectacularly large flowers; will die back with freeze; low salt 

Stinky flowers; deciduous; low salt 

Leaves similar to mulberry without lobes; likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Smooth bark; large, full tree; likes acidic soil; deciduous; wildlife value; native 

Deciduous; multi-stemmed shrub or small tree; alternate obovate leaves; showy fragrant white flowers borne in spring; medium salt tolerance; native 

Attractive peeling bark; likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Banana-like leaves easily tattered by wind; purple or white flowers; suckers will form large clump; likes acidic soil; low salt 

Drops leaves and seeds that can stain surfaces; subject to freeze damage; evergreen; high salt 

Can’t tolerate drought; evergreen; low salt 

Dark blue fruit in pairs on stalk; likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; wildlife food; native 

Drought-tolerant; smooth gray bark, attractive leaves, purple fruit; wildlife food; evergreen; high salt; native 

White spring flowers, colorful fall foliage; lives about 30 years; evergreen; high salt 

Fleshy red fruit; native 

Beautiful flowering tropical tree; pot-bound plants produce weak-rooted trees; evergreen; high salt 

Good seaside plant; silver- and green-leaved varieties widely grown; high salt; evergreen; native 

Edible orange star-shaped fruits produced year-round; can’t tolerate flooding; evergreen; low salt 

Large, velvet, heart-shaped leaves; abundant clusters of slightly fragrant bell-shaped flowers, white with orange stripes and purple spots; 

fruit, 6- to 12-inch capsules; deciduous; low salt; native 

Adaptable; long-lived; planting near hawthorns may cause cedar apple rust disease; dense evergreen foliage; high salt; wildlife value; native 

Messy tree, suckers from root; does better in moist, well-drained soil; poisonous to livestock; hardy to 10°F; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Spiny fruit with sweet edible nut; white spiked blooms on males; likes dry, alkaline soil; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Beautiful orange-red late fall flowers; deciduous; low salt 

Shallow-rooted large tree, easily blown over; likes well-drained soil; deciduous; high salt 

Shrub or small thorny tree; fragrant pink spring flowers; sour fruit; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Small, densely branched; not readily available; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Attractive bark, showy summer flowers; don’t prune branches larger than 1/2-inch diameter; deciduous; moderate salt 

Deciduous; high salt 

Selected varieties available; deciduous; low salt 

Branchlets turn brown in fall and winter; knees can emerge aboveground in root zone; deciduous; high salt; native 

GROWTH RATE Slow Medium Fast 

* Soil moisture and light listed in order of plant preference 

** Mature size = width x height 

23

T R E E S 

Common Name 



Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Cypress, pond Taxodium ascendens 8a–11 – 15x75 

Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides 8a – 20x90 

Dogwood, flowering Cornus florida 8a–9a – 20–25 

Dogwood, Japanese Cornus kousa 8a 20x25 

Dragon tree Dracaena draco 10a – 45 

Eggfruit, Canistel Pouteria campechiana 10b–11 20 

Elm, American Ulmus americana 8a–9b – 50x90 

Elm, Chinese Ulmus parvifolia 8a–10a – 35x65 

Elm, winged Ulmus alata 8a–9a – 5x40 

Fiddlewood Citharexylum spinosum (= C. fruticosum) 9b–11 – 10x35 

Fig, edible Ficus carica 8a–10b 12 

Firewheel tree Stenocarpus sinuatus 10a–11 – 25x60 

Florida soapberry Sapindus marginatus 8a–9b 25x50 

Floss-silk tree Chorisia speciosa 10a–11 – 45 

Frangipani Plumeria spp. 10b–11 15x25 

Fringe tree Chionanthus virginicus 8a–9a – 10x25 

or granny graybeard 

Geiger tree Cordia sebestena 10b–11 – 15x25 

Golden shower Cassia fistula 10a–11 25x50 

Grapefruit Citrus x paradisi 9a–11 20 

Gumbo limbo Bursera simaruba 10a–11 – 35x60 

Hercules’-club Zanthoxylum clava-herculis 8a–10b – 15x45 

or toothache tree 

Hickory, mockernut Carya alba (= C. tomentosa) 8a–9b – 35x60 

Hickory, pignut Carya glabra 8a–9a – 25x75 

Hickory, scrub Carya floridana 9a–10a 25 

Holly, American Ilex opaca 8a–9b – 15x45 

Holly, Carolina or sand Ilex ambigua 8a–9b – 15 

Holly, dahoon Ilex cassine 8a–10b – 10x50 

Holly, East Palatka Ilex x attenuata ‘East Palatka’ 8a–9b – 10x30 

Holly, myrtle-leaved Ilex myrtifolia 8a–9a – 10x25 

Holly, weeping yaupon Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’ 8a–10b – 20x8 

Holly, yaupon Ilex vomitoria 8a–9b – 15x20 

Hong Kong orchid tree Bauhinia x blakeana 9b–11 – 15x40 

Hop hornbeam Ostrya virginiana 8a–9a – 40 

Mature 

Size 

(feet)** 

SOIL MOISTURE Dry Moist Wet LIGHT Full Sun Partial Sun Shade 

24 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Branchlets turn brown in fall and winter; knees can emerge aboveground in root zone; deciduous; high salt; native 

Evergreen; low salt 

Best in rich soils, likes acidic to neutral soils; deciduous; low salt; native 

Deciduous; moderate salt 

Tree-like agave; lance-shaped foliage, red sap; evergreen; high salt 

Sweet-tasting yellow fruit; requires minimal care; evergreen; high salt 

Vase-shaped; semi-evergreen; low salt; native 

Weeping growth habit; cold-hardy, but foliage drops at 25°F; likes fertile, moist conditions; semi-evergreen; low salt 

Small with oval crown; interesting corky, winged bark; deciduous; low salt; native 

Small fragrant flowers, spring through autumn; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Tolerant of widely varying soils; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt 

Attractive glossy leaves; columnar growth habit; evergreen; low salt 

Small tree or shrub; tolerates alkalinity; deciduous; high salt; native 

Spiny green trunk, spectacular flowers; deciduous; high salt 

White, yellow or orange sweet-smelling flowers in spring, summer and fall; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy white, wispy flowers; drought-tolerant; likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; wildlife food; native 

Round crown, showy orange blossoms; attracts caterpillars; likes sandy soil; evergreen; high salt 

Very attractive, showy flower; deciduous; moderate salt 

Edible fruit; likes acidic soil; needs good mulching; swallowtail butterfly host plant; evergreen; low salt 

Large branches will root directly; attractive copper and green peeling bark; easily freeze-damaged; deciduous; high salt; native 

Round crown, interesting compound leaves, tall clusters of greenish flowers; thorny; deciduous; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Yellow autumn leaves; deciduous; low salt; native 

Likes sandy and clay soils; deciduous; low salt; native 

Rarely cultivated; likes sandy soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Very spiny, stiff leaves; gray to white bark; prefers acidic soil; male and female plants; wildlife value, evergreen; moderate salt 

Shrubby; bright-red 1/3-inch fruits; male and female plants; tolerant of varying conditions and sites; evergreen; native 

Red berries; male and female plants; grows in boggy sites; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Red berries; cross between American and dahoon hollies; male and female plants; prefers acidic soil; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Shrubby; small narrow leaves, 1/4-inch fruits; male and female plants; evergreen; wildlife food; moderate salt; native 

Small tree, weeping form; white spring flowers; dark red-black or yellow berries in fall; male and female plants; low salt; native 

Small, bushy, with many branches; red fruits, small leaves; male and female plants; evergreen; high salt; native 

Large attractive flowers; semi-evergreen; moderate salt 

Common to woodlands with good drainage; shreddy bark; deciduous; low salt; wildlife value; native 




25

T R E E S 

Common Name 


Hornbeam, American, Carpinus caroliniana 8a–9a – 15x50 

or ironwood or bluebeach 

or musclewood 

Jaboticaba Myrciaria cauliflora 10b–11 15x25 

Jacaranda Jacaranda acutifolia 9b–11 – 40x50 

Jamaican dogwood Piscidia piscipula 10b–11 – 25x45 

Jerusalem thorn Parkinsonia aculeata 8b–11 15x25 

Joewood Jacquinia keyensis 10a–11 6x15 

Key lime Citrus aurantifolia 10b–11 10–15 

Lancewood Ocotea coriacea 10a–11 – 25 

Lemon Citrus limon 9a–11 15 

Lignum vitae Guajacum sanctum 10b–11 – 20x30 

Loblolly bay Gordonia lasianthus 8a–9b – 15x75 

Loquat Eriobotrya japonica 8b–11 – 25–30 

Lychee Litchi chinensis 10a–11 35 

Madagascar olive Noronhia emarginata 10b–11 15x25 

Magnolia, southern Magnolia grandiflora 8a–10a – 35x80 

or bullbay 

Mahogany Swietenia mahagoni 10a–11 – 35x50 

Mango Mangifera indica 10b–11 – 60 

Mangrove, black Avicennia germinans 9b–11 25 

Mangrove, red Rhizophora mangle 9b–11 15x40 

Mangrove, white Laguncularia racemosa 9b–11 30 

Maple, Florida sugar Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum 8a–9a – 15x30 

Maple, red Acer rubrum 8a–10a – 30x60 

Mastic Sideroxylon foetidissimum 9b–11 – 25x60 

(= Mastichodendron foetidissimum) 

May haw Crataegus aestivalis 8a–9a – 15x15 

Mimusops Manilkara roxburghiana 10a–11 – 30x20 

Mulberry, red Morus rubra 8a–10a 30x70 

Oak, bluejack Quercus incana 8a–9b 20x40 

Oak, Chapman Quercus chapmanii 9a–10a 20 

Oak, diamond leaf Quercus laurifolia 8a–10b – 45x80 

Oak, laurel Quercus hemisphaerica 8a–10a – 40x80 

Oak, live Quercus virginiana 8a–11 – 40x60 

Oak, myrtle Quercus myrtifolia 8a–10a 15x35 


26 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet)** 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Yellow to red fall color; smooth, slate-gray bark; deciduous; low salt; native 

Large shrub size; attractive bark, delicious fruit; likes moist but well-drained soil; evergreen; low salt 

Fragrant lavender flowers in spring and summer; young trees damaged at 25°F, older trees slightly more tolerant of cold; prefers loose, sandy soil; deciduous; low salt 

Bluish-purple flowers; deciduous; high salt; native 

Open-growth habit; small, spiny; young trees damaged at 18°F, older trees slightly more cold-tolerant; gets root rot on wet soil; prefers sandy soil; deciduous; high salt 

Round, compact; wonderfully fragrant flowers; blue-gray bark; tolerant of dry soil; evergreen; high salt; native 

Edible but very acidic fruit; swallowtail butterfly host plant; evergreen; medium salt; wildlife value 

Small; evergreen; low salt; native 

Edible but very acidic fruit; swallowtail butterfly host plant; don’t mulch around base; evergreen; medium salt; wildlife value 

Drought-tolerant, but responds well to moist conditions; blue flowers, attractive foliage; gnarled, white bark; evergreen; high salt; native 

Attractive white flower; good for wet areas; evergreen; low salt; native 

Edible orange fruit may become infested with Caribbean fruit fly; evergreen; high salt 

Beautiful shade tree with delicious fruit; prefers somewhat acidic soil; evergreen; low salt 

Excellent small tree for coastal areas; evergreen; high salt 

Hardy; large glossy leaves, often with fuzzy brown undersides; large showy white flowers, red 4-inch seed cones; drought-tolerant; evergreen; 

wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

Mahogany webworm often defoliates tree briefly; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Many varieties available; excellent fruit; butterfly host plant; touching or eating fruit may case allergic reaction; prefers sandy soil; evergreen; medium salt 

Grows in warm brackish water; legal restrictions on pruning; evergreen; salt-tolerant; native 

Unusual fruit; grows in warm brackish water; stilt-like roots; legal restrictions on pruning; evergreen; salt tolerant; native 

Grows in warm brackish water; legal restrictions on pruning; evergreen; salt-tolerant; native 

Squarish lobed leaves turn gold in fall; bell-shaped flowers; deciduous; low salt; native 

Excellent fall color; red to brown male flowers, red to green to brown winged fruit on female; likes moist to wet soil, tolerates acidic soil; 

deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Female trees have messy fruit; wildlife food; evergreen; high salt; native 

Edible fruit; highly disease-resistant; spreading, dense symmetrical crown; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Good for coastal landscapes; evergreen; high salt 

Edible berries stain; large showy leaves; may be damaged by freezes; deciduous; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

Grayish leaves; likes sandy soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Shrubby; likes sandy soil; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Fast-growing, well-shaped; messy; semi-evergreen; low salt; native 

Round crown; dislikes alkaline soil; small and short-lived; semi-evergreen; low salt; native 

Wind-resistant; long-lived; when mature, often wider than tall; hardy to 0°F; evergreen; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Good for dry, sandy sites; shrubby; evergreen; moderate salt; native 




27

T R E E S 

Common Name 


Oak, overcup Quercus lyrata 8a–8b – 35x70 

Oak, sand live Quercus geminata 8a–10b 20x40 

Oak, Shumard Quercus shumardii 8a–9a – 25x80 

Oak, swamp chestnut Quercus michauxii 8a–9a 35x80 

Oak, turkey Quercus laevis 8a–9b – 20x50 

Oak, water Quercus nigra 8a–9a – 50x80 

Oak, white Quercus alba 8a–8b 50x70 

Oak, willow Quercus phellos 8a–8b – 35x75 

Orange, sweet Citrus sinensis 9b–11 15 

Osage orange Maclura pomifera 8a–9a 25x50 

Paradise tree Simarouba glauca 9b–11 35 

Peach Prunus persica 8a–8b 12–20 

Pear, Hood Pyrus communis ‘Hood’ 8a–9a – 20 

Pecan Carya illinoinensis 8a–9b 50 

Persimmon, common Diospyros virginiana 8a–10 – 15x50 

Persimmon, Japanese Diospyros kaki 8a–10b 25 

Pigeon plum Coccoloba diversifolia 10a–11 – 15x30 

Pine, loblolly Pinus taeda 8a–9b – 25x100 

Pine, long-leaf Pinus palustris 8a–10a – 35x90 

Pine, sand Pinus clausa 8a–10a 25x30 

Pine, slash Pinus elliottii 8a–10a – 25x120 

Pine, South Florida slash Pinus elliottii var. densa 8b–9b – 25x100 

Pine, spruce Pinus glabra 8a–8b – 25x75 

Pink-and-white shower Cassia javanica 10a–11 25x40 

Pitch apple Clusia rosea 10a–11 – 15x25 

Plum, Chickasaw Prunus angustifolia 8a–9a 15x25 

Plum, flatwoods Prunus umbellata 9a–9b 10x25 

Pond-apple Annona glabra 10a–11 – 15x30 

Red buckeye Aesculus pavia 8a–9a – 15–25 

Red stopper Eugenia rhombea 9b–11 – 10x20 

Redbay Persea borbonia 8a–11 – 35x50 

Redberry stopper Eugenia confusa 10a–11 – 10x30 

Redbud Cercis canadensis 8a–9b – 15x25 

Royal poinciana Delonix regia 10a–11 50x50 

Sassafras Sassafras albidum 8a–9a 20x45 


28 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet)** 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Likes sandy soil; evergreen; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Handsome lobed leaves turn bright red in fall; does well in sandy or acidic soil; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Can grow to 100 feet; large acorns, 1–1.5 inches; tolerates brief floods; prefers moist woodland soil; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Brilliant scarlet leaves in fall; does well in dry, sandy soil; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Smooth, slightly furrowed bark; straight trunk; prefers moist sites, but can survive dry periods; semi-evergreen; low salt; native 

Well-drained acidic soil; bird food; deciduous; low salt; native 

Willow-like linear leaves; wildlife food; deciduous; high salt; native 

Needs to be grafted for best fruit; swallowtail butterfly host plant; needs fertile soil; evergreen; low salt 

Nice ornamental with edible fruit; deciduous; moderate salt 

New red foliage, attractive compound leaves, yellow spring flowers; wildlife food; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Some varieties available for central and north Florida; needs cold; poisonous parts; vulnerable to pests; prefers well-drained soil; deciduous; low salt 

Needs rich, well-drained soil; prefers pH 5.0 to 7.0; deciduous; low salt 

Prefers well-drained soil; deciduous; low salt 

Edible fruit; grows best in central and north Florida; male and female plants; deciduous; low salt; native 

Many varieties available; only female produces fruit; deciduous; medium salt 

Attractive bark, variable leaf shape and size, edible purple fruit, white spring flowers; evergreen; high salt; native 

Prefers moist areas; evergreen; low salt; native 

Slow-growing; long needles, very large cones; prefers sandy, dry sites; evergreen; low salt; native 

Smaller pine; short needles, small cones; prefers well-drained, sandy sites; evergreen; high salt; native 

Intolerant of root compaction or grade changes; needs little fertilizing; prefers acidic sandy soil; tolerant of flooding; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Intolerant of grade changes, traffic above root system; needs little or no fertilizing; prefers acidic, sandy soil; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Long, narrow crown; tiny cones, dark gray bark; does poorly in south Florida; evergreen; low salt; native 

Very showy blooms; deciduous; moderate salt 

Leathery, tough leaves, showy pink and white spring flowers; evergreen; high salt; native 

Very early bloomer with fragrant white flowers; edible sweet yellow fruit; suckering or thicket-forming; deciduous; high salt; native 

Dense showy clusters of white flowers bloom before leaves appear; crooked trunk; edible sour purple fruit; deciduous; low salt; native 

Dense, upturned branches, apple-shaped fall fruits; prefers wet or swampy sites; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Seeds poisonous; red flowers attract hummingbirds; wildlife value; deciduous; low salt; native 

Endangered; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Fragrant leaves, good in cooking; lower leaf surface grayish white; prefers sandy, acidic sites; evergreen; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Evergreen; high salt; native 

Purple spring flowers, heart-shaped leaves; deciduous; low salt; native 

Large spreading tree, brilliant flowers; messy; subject to freeze damage; deciduous; moderate salt 

Different-shaped leaves; bark smells like root beer; popular tea made from leaves; deciduous; low salt; native 




29

T R E E S 

Common Name 


Satinleaf Chrysophyllum oliviforme 10b–11 – 15x40 

Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera 9b–11 – 25x30 

Silkbay Persea humilis 9a–9b 30 

Sourgum Nyssa sylvatica 8a–9a – 80 

Soursop or guanabana Annona muricata 10b–11 15x25 

Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum 8a–8b – 15x50 

Spanish stopper Eugenia foetida 9b–11 – 10x15 

Spiny black olive Bucida spinosa 10b–11 – 15x25 

Star-apple Chrysophyllum cainito 10a–11 50 

Sugarberry or hackberry Celtis laevigata 8a–10b 35x70 

Summer haw Crataegus flava 9a–9b 15 

Swampbay Persea palustris 8a–10b – 50 

Sweetbay Magnolia virginiana 8a–9b – 60x90 

Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua 8a–9b – – 80 

Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 8a–9a 70x100 

Tamarind Tamarindus indica 10a–11 50x65 

Tangelo Citrus x tangelo 9a–11 15 

Tangerine Citrus reticulata 9b–11 15 

Trumpet tree, Caribbean Tabebuia spp. 10a–11 10x25 

Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera 8a–9a 35x90 

Tulip tree, African Spathodea campanulata 10b–11 – 50 

Tupelo, water Nyssa aquatica 8a–8b – 25x100 

Velvet-apple, Mabolo Diospyros discolor 10a–11 40 

Viburnum, blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum 8a–9a – 15x20 

or rusty blackhaw 

White sapote Casimiroa edulis 10a–11 40 

Wild dilly Manilkara bahamensis 10a–11 – 25 

Wild lime Zanthoxylum fagara 9b–11 – 15x25 

Wild tamarind Lysiloma latisiliqua 10b–11 – 25x50 

Willow, weeping Salix babylonica 8a–9b – 40x50 

Ylang-ylang Cananga odorata 10a–11 25x40 


Tulip tree 

Liriodendron tulipifera 

30 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet)** 


Sweetbay 

Magnolia virginiana 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Dark, glossy green leaves with bronzy fuzz on bottom side; subject to freeze damage; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Edible fruits used for jelly; broad, spreading seaside plant; dinner plate-sized leaves; subject to freeze damage; evergreen; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Black bark; leaves rusty and shiny underneath; likes sandy soil; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Grows in warmest parts of Florida; spiny edible fruit; evergreen; moderate salt 

Fragrant white bell-shaped flowers in spring and summer; gray bark has touch of red; good fall color; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Mildly fragrant flowers; evergreen; high salt; native 

A small, spiny cousin of the black olive; evergreen; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

No serious pests; leaves golden underneath; star-shaped edible fruit; evergreen; low salt 

Best for central and north Florida; fruits; wildlife value; deciduous; low salt; native 

Fragrant flowers; fruits used for jams and jellies; deciduous; wildlife value; native 

Hairy underleaf; leaves frequently have insect galls which cause no harm; likes moist areas; evergreen; high salt; native 

Tall cylinder shape; white summer flowers; evergreen; low salt; native 

Pyramidal shape; attractive fall color; spiny brown seeds, star-shaped leaves; fast-growing; does well in sandy or acidic soil; wildlife value; deciduous; low salt; native 

Large leaves can be a problem in fall; exfoliating bark; tolerates wet and dry conditions; deciduous; moderate salt; native 

Edible fruit; extremely wind-resistant; evergreen; moderate salt 

Edible fruit; swallowtail butterfly host plant; evergreen; low salt; native 

Edible fruit; swallowtail butterfly host plant; evergreen; low salt 

Asymmetrical growth habit; corky bark, spectacular yellow spring flowers; deciduous; moderate salt 

Fragrant yellow flowers; oval crown; needs rich soil; long-lived; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Low-maintenance, messy tree; orange and yellow flowers during winter and spring; evergreen; medium salt 

Blue to purple fruit on long stalks; likes moist to wet sites; deciduous; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

Brown, fleshy, edible fruit; no serious pests; evergreen; low salt 

Shrub or small tree with irregular crown; white flowers in flat-topped clusters; purple fruits; reddish underleaf and buds; semi-evergreen; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Five palmately arranged leaflets; large edible fruit; prefers acidic soil; evergreen; medium salt 

Small tree or shrub; drooping clusters of yellow flowers; evergreen; high salt; native 

Recurved thorns, lime-scented foliage; larval food plant for giant swallowtail butterfly; suffers from freeze damage; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Small weeping tree; deciduous; high salt; native 

Aggressive roots — avoid sewer and water lines; drooping branches; deciduous; low salt 

Very fragrant flowers used in perfume; open-growth habit; evergreen; low salt 


Maple, Florida sugar 

Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum 



31 

Catalpa 

Catalpa bignonioides

T R E E S 

Dogwood, flowering 

Cornus florida 

Cypress, pond 

Taxodium 

ascendens 

Oak, live 

Quercus virginiana 

32 

Plum, flatwoods 

Prunus umbellata 

Jerusalem thorn 

Parkinsonia aculeata 

Fiddlewood 

Citharexylum spinosum

Sweetgum 

Liquidambar styraciflua 

Cypress, bald 

Taxodium distichum 

33 

Elm, winged 

Ulmus alata 

Paradise tree 

Simarouba glauca

PA L M-LI K E 

Common Name 


Alexandra palm Archontophoenix alexandrae 10b–11 40 

Bamboo palm Chamadorea microspadix 8a–10b – 4x3 

Bismarck palm Bismarckia nobilis 10a–11 – 60 

Bluestem palmetto Sabal minor 8a–10b – 6 

Buccaneer palm Pseudophoenix sargentii 10b–11 – 10 

Cabbage palm or sabal palm Sabal palmetto 8a–11 – 40 

Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis 9a–11 – 40 

Cardboard palm Zamia furfuracea 10a–11 – 4 

Cat palm Chamaedorea cataractarum 10b–11 5 

Chinese fan palm Livistona chinensis 9a–11 – 25 

Cliff date palm Phoenix rupicola 10a–11 – 25 

Clustering fishtail palm Caryota mitis 10a–11 – 18 

Coconut palm Cocos nucifera 10b–11 – 60 

Cycad, Dioon or Mexican sago Dioon edule 8b–11 10 

European fan palm Chamaerops humilis 8a–11 – 10 

Florida royal palm Roystonea regia 10a–11 80 

Hurricane palm Dictyosperma album 10b–11 30 

Lady palm or rhapis Rhapis excelsa 9a 10 

Licuala palm Licuala grandis 10b–11 8 

Macarthur palm Ptychosperma macarthurii 10b–11 25 

Needle palm Rhapidophyllum hystrix 8a–10b – 10 

Paurotis palm Acoelorrhaphe wrightii 9b–11 – 20 

Pindo palm or jelly palm Butia capitata 8a–10b – 15 

Ponytail palm Nolina recurvata 10a–11 – 10 

Queen palm Syagrus romanzoffiana 9a–11 40 

Sago, king, or sago-palm Cycas revoluta 8b–11 – 10 

Sago, queen Cycas rumphii 9b–11 – 15 

Saw palmetto Serenoa repens 8a–11 – 20 

Scrub palmetto Sabal etonia 8a–10b 10 

Silver palm Coccothrinax argentata 10b–11 – 10 

Spanish bayonet Yucca aloifolia 8a–11 15 

Thatch palm, Florida Thrinax radiata 10a–11 20 

Thatch palm, Key Thrinax morrisii 10a–11 20 

Triangle palm Neodypsis decaryi 10b–11 – 25 

34 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Also called king palm; new leaves may be bronze; doesn’t transplant well; low salt 

Cold-hardy throughout Florida; best grown in shade; clump-forming similar to other bamboo palms; low salt 

Massive fan palm with large silver-blue leaves; slow to form trunk, moderate growth after trunk development; likes sandy soil; moderate salt 

Shade-tolerant; widely adaptable to most soils; underground stem; moderate salt; native 

Also called cherry palm; bright red fruit; very slow-growing; endangered; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

State tree; very wind-resistant; fronds removed when transplanted; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Sharp spines; large; overwatering causes fungal disease; if stressed, invaded by palmetto weevil; susceptible to lethal yellowing; 

magnesium deficiencies common; heavily damaged at 20°F; moderate salt 

Sturdy, slightly fuzzy stiff leaves; red seeds in female plants are poisonous; suffers heavy freeze damage 

Moderate drought tolerance in shade; virtually trunkless; clumping palm; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Long leaftip segments droop gracefully; spiny; slightly susceptible to lethal yellowing; potassium deficiencies; survives 20°F with some leaf damage; 

other Livistona species available 

Graceful, moderately sized palm; bright-green arching pinnate leaves; spiny; moderate salt 

Stems die after fruiting, are replaced by suckers; fruit contains irritating crystals; susceptible to lethal yellowing; spider mites are a problem; low salt 

“Malayan” and “Maypan” are only lethal-yellowing-resistant varieties; high salt 

Sharp, stiff, shiny dark-green leaflets; long-lived; very slow-growing; trunk forms after many years; needs good drainage; low salt 

Cold-tolerant to 12°F; spiny; much variation in leaf color; moderate salt 

Grows tall; has uniform trunk diameter; tolerant of wet conditions; moderate salt; native 

Also called princess palm; moderately susceptible to lethal yellowing; drying winds can burn foliage; likes sandy soil; moderate salt 

Palmate leaves yellow in sun; forms dense clusters; manganese deficiency on alkaline soil; moderate salt 

Small; unique corrugated, circular leaves need protection from drying winds; likes wet, sandy soils; low salt 

A slender, multiple-trunked palm; small leaves and thin trunk; lethal-yellowing-resistant; low salt 

Short trunk; fiber-matted crown with sharp needle-like fibers; moderate salt 

Spiny, multi-trunked; manganese deficiency in alkaline soil; moderate salt; native 

Stiff, blue-green pinnate leaves; cold-hardy to 15°F; does best in central and north Florida; moderate salt 

Tree-like agave; large swollen base; branching with age; micro-nutrient deficiencies are common; evergreen; low salt 

Freezes back but returns in north regions; large, messy fruits; weak-rooted; poor wind resistance; prefers acidic soil or manganese deficiency develops; low salt 

Stiff, dark-green foliage; prone to magnesium deficiency; cold-tolerant to 10°F; small, confined root system; needs good drainage; low salt 

Upright soft, fern-like leaves; forms visible trunk; cold-tolerant to 28°F; susceptible to scale; needs good drainage; moderate salt 

Very adaptable; striking silver-blue form available; berries; excellent drought tolerance; difficult to transplant; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Occurs only on Florida peninsula, on dry sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Dark fruit, palmate leaves with striking silver undersides; endangered; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Often planted to deter unwanted foot traffic; sharp-tipped leaves, edible flowers; good drought tolerance; needs good drainage; likes sandy soil; high salt 

Tolerant of high alkalinity; does best in full sun; high salt; native 

Tolerant of high alkalinity and coastal conditions; slow-growing; leaves silvery underneath; endangered in Florida; high salt; native 

Blue-green leaves uniquely arranged in three planes; low salt 

GROWTH RATE Slow Medium Fast * Soil moisture and light listed in order of plant preference 

35

PA L M-LI K E 

Common Name 


Washington palm Washingtonia robusta 8b–11 – 80 

Wild date palm Phoenix sylvestris 9a–11 40 

Windmill palm Trachycarpus fortunei 9a–10b 40 

Yucca, spineless Yucca elephantipes 9b–11 – 20 


36 


Hardiness 

Range 

European fan palm 

Chamaerops humilis 

Cardboard palm 

Zamia furfuracea 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Saw palmetto 

Serenoa repens 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Very tall, slender; spiny leaves damaged at 20°F; overwatering causes root rot; moderate salt 

Also called toddy palm or India date palm; variable blue-green cast to leaves; moderate salt 

Very cold-hardy palm; does not thrive in hot, tropical conditions; soft, disorganized brown fiber on trunk; moderate salt 

Harmless, soft leaftips, variegated forms available; moderate salt 


Canary Island date palm 

Phoenix canariensis 

Sago, king 

Cycas revoluta 

Thatch palm, Florida 

Thrinax radiata 

37 


Cabbage palm 

Sabal palmetto

S H R U B S 

Common Name 


Adam’s needle Yucca filamentosa 8a–9b 6 

American beautyberry Callicarpa americana 8a–11 – 6–9 

Angel’s-trumpet Brugmansia x candida 8b–11 14 

Anise, Florida Illicium floridanum 8a–10a – 15 

Anise, yellow Illicium parviflorum 8a–9b 15 

Anise-tree Illicium anisatum 8a–10b 20 

Apple, seven-year Genipa clusiifolia (= Casasia clusiifolia) 10a–11 – 10 

Aralia, lacy-lady Evodia suaveolens var. ridleyi 10b–11 6 

Arbor-vitae, Oriental Platycladus orientalis 8a–10b – 30 

Arrow-wood Viburnum dentatum 8a–8b 10 

Azalea, Florida flame Rhododendron austrinum 8a–9b 10 

Azalea hybrids Rhododendron spp. 8a–10a 10 

Azalea, wild or Pinxter Rhododendron canescens 8a–10a 10 

or Piedmont 

Bahama coffee Psychotria ligustrifolia 10b–11 4 

Barberry, ‘crimson pygmy’ Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ 8a–9b 4 

Barberry, wintergreen Berberis julianae 8a–9b 5 

Bay cedar Suriana maritima 10b–11 10 

Beach elder Iva imbricata 9a–10b 7 

Black torch Erithalis fruticosa 10a–11 8 

Blackberry Rubus cultivar Brazos 8a–9a 4 

Blueberry Vaccinium cultivars 8a–10b 8 

Blueberry, Darrow’s Vaccinium darrowii 8a–11 2 

Blueberry, highbush Vaccinium cormybosum 8a–11 – 10 

Blueberry, shiny Vaccinium myrsinites 8a–11 – 2 

Bottlebrush, lemon Callistemon citrinus 9a–11 20 

Bottlebrush, stiff Callistemon rigidus 9a–11 15 

Bougainvillea, paper flower Bougainvillea glabra 9a–11 8 

Boxthorn Severinia buxifolia 9a–10b 6 

Buckthorn, tough Sideroxylon tenax (= Bumelia tenax) 8b–9b 20 

Bush clock vine Thunbergia erecta 8b–11 5 

or king’s mantle 

Butterfly bush or Buddleja Buddleja spp. 9b–11 10 

Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 8a–10a – 15 

Buttonwood, silver Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus 10b–11 – 35 

Calamondin orange x Citrofortunella microcarpa 10b–11 10–25 

38 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Spine-tipped leaves with filamentous edges, white spring flowers; prefers sandy soil; evergreen; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Pink spring flowers, stunning purple berries; one variety has white berries; wildlife value; deciduous; low salt; native 

Showy fragrant flowers; poisonous; perennial throughout state; shrub in south Florida; evergreen; low salt 

Distinctive red or purple flowers in spring, fragrant foliage; grows on seepage slopes; threatened; evergreen; low salt; native 

Distinctive yellow spring flowers; fragrant foliage; rare and endangered; evergreen; low salt; native 

Needs good, moist soil; yellow spring flowers; evergreen; low salt 

Fragrant white flowers, large glossy leaves; fruit edible but poor taste; good seaside plant; prefers sandy soil; evergreen; high salt; native 

Good hedge material; yellow summer flowers; evergreen; low salt 

Can be small tree; evergreen; low salt 

Good hedge material; showy white flowers in spring and summer, blue-black fruit; tolerates a wide range of soil; deciduous; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Showy yellow or orange flowers appear in spring before leaves; prefers acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; endangered; native 

Showy spring and fall flowers, wide variety of colors; dwarf variety less than 3 feet tall; needs acidic soil; evergreen; low salt 

Showy fragrant spring flowers appear before leaves in spring; needs acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

White flowers in spring and summer; wildlife value; evergreen; moderate salt; endangered; native 

Showy yellow spring flowers, spiny leaves, green and red foliage; deciduous; moderate salt 

Spiny; yellow spring flowers; evergreen; moderate salt 

Good coastal plant; evergreen; high salt; native 

Perennial; fleshy leaves; both male and female flowers on plant; prefers sandy, alkaline soil; high salt; native 

Black fruit, white flowers; prefers sandy soil; rounded shape becomes dense in sun; evergreen; high salt; native 

Sprawling, vining, thorny; white summer flowers; wildlife value; low salt 

Edible fruit; likes acidic soil; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Edible fruit, white spring flowers; spreads by runners; needs acidic soil; wildlife value; evergreen; low salt; native 

Edible fruit in early summer, white spring flowers; likes acidic soil; wildlife value; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Edible fruit, white or pink spring flowers; spreads by runners; needs acidic soil; wildlife value; evergreen; low salt; native 

Showy red flowers in spring; can become small tree; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy red flowers in spring; can become small tree; evergreen; moderate salt 

Very drought-tolerant; showy flowers in variety of colors; grows well in sandy soil; needs protection in northern zones; 

overwatering and overfertilizing will reduce blooms; evergreen; high salt 

Spiny; good hedge material; white spring flowers; evergreen; moderate salt 

Thorny; white spring flowers; leaves with shiny, rusty hairs beneath; prefers sandy soil; evergreen; high salt; native 

Can be hedge with pruning; purple or white flowers; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy fragrant flower clusters, variety of colors; spring and winter blooms; leaves white underneath; wildlife value; evergreen; low salt 

Survives in standing water; white spring flowers; deciduous; low salt; native 

Good coastal plant; silver-blue foliage, purple or white flowers; good hedge plant; evergreen; high salt; native 

Needs well-drained soil; edible sour fruit; evergreen; low salt 


39

S H R U B S 

Common Name 


Camellia, sasanqua Camellia sasanqua 8a–9b – 15 

Caper, Jamaican Capparis cynophallophora 10b–11 – 9 

Caricature plant Graptophyllum pictum 10b–11 5 

Carolina silverbell Halesia carolina 8a–9b 25 

Cassia, Bahama Senna mexicana var. chapmanii 10a – 8 

Century plant or maguey Agave americana 9a–11 6+ 

Chaste-tree Vitex agnus-castus 8a–10b 12 

Chenille plant or red-hot cattail Acalypha hispida 9b–11 10 

Christmas berry Lycium carolinianum 8a–11 7 

Cleyera Ternstroemia gymnanthera 10a–11 15 

Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco 10b–11 20 

Confederate-rose Hibiscus mutabilis 8a–10a – 5–15 

Coontie Zamia floridana (Z. pumila) 8b–11 – 2 

Copperleaf Acalypha wilkesiana 10b–11 8 

Coral bean or Cherokee bean Erythrina herbacea 8a–11 – 15 

Crape jasmine Tabernaemontana divaricata 10b–11 7 

Croton Codiaeum variegatum 10a–11 8 

Dracaena Dracaena spp. 9a–11 – 2–15 – 

Elderberry Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis 8a–11 15 

Fetterbush or Leucothoe racemosa 8a–9b 6 

swamp doghobble 

Fiddlewood Citharexylum spinosum (= C. fruticosum) 10b–11 – 25 

Firebush Hamelia patens 8a–11 3–10 

Firecracker plant Russelia equisetiformis 9a–11 – 4 

Firespike Odontonema cuspidata 8b–11 6 

Firethorn, red Pyracantha coccinea 8a–10a 10–15 

Florida boxwood Schaefferia frutescens 10b–11 25 

Gallberry Ilex glabra 8a–10a 8 

Gama grass, Eastern, or Tripsacum dactyloides 8a–11 – 8 

Fakahatchee grass 

Gama grass, Florida, or Tripsacum floridanum 10a–11 – 6 

dwarf Fakahatchee grass 

Garberia Garberia heterophylla 9a–10a 6 

Gardenia, Cape jasmine Gardenia augusta 8a–10a 6 

Glorybush or tibouchina Tibouchina spp. 8b–10b 10 

or princess flower 

Glossy abelia Abelia x grandiflora 8a–9b 6 

(A. chinensis x A. uniflora) 

40 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Not finicky about drainage; showy fragrant flowers in fall; likes acidic soil; evergreen; low salt 

Rusty leaf undersides; showy pink or white flowers in spring; grows on shellrock; evergreen; high salt; native 

Showy red flowers in spring, variety of leaf colors and shapes; vulnerable to nematodes; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; low salt 

Flowering shrub for partial shade; yellow winter flowers; grows on lime areas; deciduous; low salt; native 

Showy yellow flowers in fall and winter; evergreen; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Spiny succulent; takes years to mature; yellow flower; blooms sporadically; very drought-tolerant; likes sandy soil; evergreen; high salt 

Needs mulching and pruning; showy blue flowers in spring; deciduous; moderate salt 

Long pendulous spikes, white or red flowers in summer and fall; evergreen; needs protection in northern zones; low salt 

Grows in salt marshes; bright red berries, unusual foliage, lavender or white flowers in summer and fall; evergreen; high salt; native 

Flowering shrub, small tree, or hedge; evergreen; low salt 

Good hedge material; coastal plant; “red tip” inland variety not salt-tolerant; dark fruit, small white flowers; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Small tree-like hibiscus relative; 6-inch flowers open pink and fade to white; dies to ground in north Florida, retains size in south Florida 

Grows on shell areas; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Good coastal plant; white flowers in spring and fall, edible purple fruit; evergreen; moderate salt; needs protection in northern zones 

Colorful fruits, poisonous beans, red spring flowers; thorny; wildlife value; evergreen; freezes back in northern zones; moderate salt; native; tree in south Florida 

Showy fragrant white flowers in spring and fall; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy multicolored leaves; sap is an irritant and stains clothes; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Can be tree, shrub or herbaceous perennial; white, yellow and green flowers in spring; evergreen; low salt 

Flowers and fruit edible; white spring flowers; wildlife value; evergreen; low salt; native 

Likes wet; evergreen; native 

Small fragrant white flowers, orange fruit, glossy leaves; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Small tree in southern range; reddish tubular flowers; winter dieback in cold areas; needs protection in northern zones; grows on shell areas; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Showy red flowers; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; high salt 

Perennial; large red flower spikes in fall; needs fertile soil; needs protection in northern zones; hummingbird attractor; low salt 

Good hedge material; white flowers in spring and summer, showy orange-red berries; thorny; subject to fire blight; evergreen; moderate salt 

Good hedge material; endangered; likes alkaline soil; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

White spring flowers, black fruit; male and female plants; high drought tolerance; likes acidic soil; evergreen; moderate salt; wildlife value; native 

Large bunchgrass; perennial; interesting flowers and fruit; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

Perennial; threatened; moderate salt; native 

Showy pink or purple fall flowers; prefers acidic, sandy soil; evergreen; wildlife value; native; threatened 

Very fragrant, showy white flowers in spring; needs rich acid soil with mulch and good drainage; evergreen; low salt 

Showy purple flowers in spring and fall; prefers well-drained acid soil of central Florida; needs protection in northern zones; small tree in southern range; evergreen; low salt 

Variety of flower colors in spring; prefers loamy, well-drained clay soil of northwestern Florida; semi-evergreen; low salt 


41

S H R U B S 

Common Name 


Golden dewdrop Duranta evecta (= Duranta repens) 8a–11 – 15 

Guava, pineapple Feijoa sellowiana 8b–11 – 14 

Hawthorn, Indian Rhaphiolepis indica 8a–11 5 

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 9b–11 7 

Hibiscus, red, Hibiscus coccineus 8a–10b – 6–8 

or swamp mallow 

Holly, Burford or Chinese Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’ 8a–8b 5–20 

Holly, dwarf yaupon Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ and ‘Shellings’ 8a–10a – 5 

Holly, Japanese Ilex crenata 8a–9b 6 

Honeysuckle, Cape Tecoma capensis 9a–11 6 

Huckleberry, dwarf Gaylussacia dumosa 8a–10b – 1.5 

Hydrangea, French Hydrangea macrophylla 8a–9b 5 

Hydrangea, oakleaf Hydrangea quercifolia 8a–9b – 8 

Hydrangea, wild Hydrangea arborescens 8a 5 

Inkberry Scaevola plumieri 10a–11 4 

Ixora Ixora coccinea 10b–11 5 

Jasmine, downy Jasminum multiflorum 10b–11 5 

Jasmine, primrose or yellow Jasminum mesnyi 8a–10a 8 

or Japanese 

Juniper, Chinese Juniperus chinensis 8a–10b 50 

Juniper, Pftizer Juniperus chinensis ‘Pftizeriana’ 8a–10b – 6 

Kumquat Fortunella spp. 10a–11 15 

Lady-of-the-night Brunfelsia americana 10b–11 10 

Licuala, spiny Licuala spinosa 10b–11 12 

Lyonia, rusty Lyonia ferruginea 8a–10b 15 

Lyonia, shiny Lyonia lucida 8a–9b – 6 

Maidenbush Savia bahamensis 10b–11 9 

Marlberry Ardisia escallonioides 10a–11 – 10–20 

Mock orange Philadelphus coronarius 8a–9b 12 

Myrsine Rapanea punctata 8b–11 15 

Natal plum Carissa macrocarpa 10b–11 10 

Night-blooming jessamine Cestrum nocturnum 9b–11 10 

Oleander Nerium oleander 8a–11 15 

Oregon grape-holly or Mahonia spp. 8a–9b 5 

Chinese Mahonia 


42 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Small blue or white flowers in spring and fall, showy golden fruit; poisonous; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt; wildlife value 

Can be hedge; white or red spring flowers; petals edible, fruit delicious; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy pinkish-white flowers in spring and winter; high drought tolerance; good hedge material; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy flowers, many varieties; needs very fertile soil; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Perennial; large showy red flowers in spring and summer; needs protection in northern zones; likes wet soil; low salt; native 

Shiny leaves with spines; good hedge material; white spring flowers, red berries; male and female plants; evergreen; moderate salt 

Different cultivars have different heights; white flowers in spring and summer; female plants have berries; evergreen; low salt; native 

Good hedge material; prefers acidic soil; male and female plants; evergreen; low salt 

Needs good drainage; needs frequent pruning to make a shrub; yellow, orange and red flowers in summer and fall; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Elliptic leaves to 1 inch; small clustered, white, bell-shaped flowers in spring; edible fleshy fruit; excellent in dry conditions; tardy deciduous; low salt; native 

Needs pruning; hedge material; flowers change color with soil pH; needs fertile soil, likes acidic soil; deciduous; low salt 

Large branched clusters of white spring flowers; fruits attractive; fall foliage; prefers acidic soil; deciduous; low salt; native 

Endangered; low salt; native 

Groundcover for dunes; can be used for low hedge; evergreen; high salt; native 

Showy flowers in yellow, red or pink; requires well-drained, fertile, acidic soil; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Shrub or vine; white flowers in spring and fall; evergreen; low salt 

Showy yellow flowers in spring and winter; requires chilling before flowering; sprawling shrub for central and north Florida; evergreen; low salt 

Prefers fertile soil; evergreen; moderate salt 

Conifer; grows best in north Florida; looks best on fertile, well-drained soil; likes sandy soil; moderate salt 

Edible citrus fruit; thornless or with few spines; resistant to citrus canker; can tolerate colder temperatures than most citrus 

Showy white flower in spring and fall; evergreen; moderate salt 

Spiny palm; evergreen; low salt 

Rusty pubescence on leaves; clusters of small urn-shaped white flowers in spring attract insects; likes acidic soil; evergreen; low salt; native 

Grows in flatwoods and swamps; can sucker; pink urn-shaped flowers in spring; likes acidic soil but tolerates alkaline soil; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Good hedge material; evergreen; high salt; native 

Fragrant white flowers in spring and fall, black fruits; tolerates alkaline soil; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Fragrant white spring flowers, exfoliating orange to red-brown bark; needs pruning; deciduous; low salt 

Can get leggy; small white spring flowers; small fleshy fruits occur along stem; does well in coastal counties; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Spiny hedge plant; tolerates seasides; fragrant white flowers in spring and fall; large fruit, good for cooking; evergreen; high salt 

Cream flowers in spring and summer, white fruits; poisonous foliage; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

All parts highly poisonous; drought-tolerant; many flower colors; blooms in spring and fall; needs protection in northern zones; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt 

Spiny; good hedge material; blue-black fruit, yellow fall flowers; winter foliage turns bronze or purple; evergreen; moderate salt 



43

S H R U B S 

Common Name 


Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana 8a–11 – 6 

Pawpaw Asimina spp. 8b–10a – 3–5 

Peregrina Jatropha integerrima 10b–11 8 

Philodendron Philodendron selloum 9a – 10 

or tree philodendron 

Photinia or red-tip Photinia glabra 8a–9b 8 

Pipestem Agarista populifolia 8b–9a – 10 

Plumbago Plumbago auriculata 8b–11 5 

Podocarpus, yew Podocarpus macrophyllus 8a–11 35 

Pomegranate Punica granatum 8a–8b 15 

Red powderpuff Calliandra haematocephala 10a–11 – 15 

Rhododendron, Chapman’s Rhododendron minus var. chapmanii 8a–9a 5 

Rose, Cherokee Rosa laevigata 8a–10b 10+ 

Rose-of-Sharon or Althaea Hibiscus syriacus 8a–9b 10 

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis 8a–11 3 

Scrub conradina Conradina canescens 8a–9b 4 

or wild rosemary 

Scrub mint, large-flowered Conradina grandiflora 9b–10a 4 

Sea lavender Argusia gnaphalodes 9b–11 6 

Seagrape Coccoloba uvifera 9b–11 – 20 

Shrimp plant Justicia brandegeana 8b–10b – 4 

Silverthorn Elaeagnus pungens 8a 18 

Simpson stopper Myrcianthes fragrans 10a–11 25 

Snail seed Cocculus laurifolius 9a–10b 13 

Snow bush Breynia disticha 10b–11 6 

Spanish bayonet Yucca aloifolia 8a–11 14 

Sparkleberry Vaccinium arboreum 8a–9b – 15 

Spicewood Calyptranthes pallens 10b–11 15 

Spiraea, Chinese or Reeves Spiraea cantoniensis 8a–9a 5 

Spiraea, Thunberg Spiraea thunbergii 8a–8b 5 

Sweet olive Osmanthus fragrans 8a–9b 20 

Sweet pepperbush Clethra alnifolia 8a–9a – 20 

Sweet shrub Calycanthus floridus 8a–10a 10 

Sweetspire or Virginia-willow Itea virginica 8a–11 – 7 

Tallow-wood Ximenia americana 9a–10b 8 

Tetrazygia Tetrazygia bicolor 10b–11 10 


44 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Bunchgrass; likes dry conditions; sharp serrations on leaves; grows in large clumps; tolerates a wide soil range; moderate salt 

Multi-stemmed shrub; drought-tolerant; attracts butterflies; deciduous; low salt; native 

Showy red flowers; poisonous; evergreen; moderate salt 

Enormous leaves; sap irritant; good in poor soils, tolerant of a wide range of soils; evergreen; moderate salt 

Good hedge material; white spring flowers; new red growth; prefers rich soil, chilly winters; evergreen; low salt 

Showy white flowers in spring; likes acidic soil; can’t be pruned without ruining shape; evergreen; native 

Showy, fragrant blue or white flowers in spring and fall; irritant; mineral deficiency on alkaline soil; good hedge plant; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Invasive; gets scales and sooty mold; needs pruning when grown as a hedge; evergreen; moderate salt 

Does better in low humidity; may sucker; needs well-drained soil, pH 5.5 to 7.0; deciduous; low salt 

Red or white flowers in winter; likes sandy soil; evergreen; low salt 

Endangered; needs acidic soil; evergreen; low salt; native 

Thorny stems, large fragrant spring flowers in pink or white; climbs; requires moist, well-drained soil, likes sandy soil; evergreen; low salt 

Many colors; blooms in spring and fall; needs very fertile soil; deciduous; low salt 

Aromatic; linear leathery leaves; needs protection in northern zones; high salt 

Aromatic foliage; small lavender flowers in spring; excellent drought tolerance; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Very drought-tolerant; blue flowers in spring and fall; needs sandy soil; evergreen; high salt; native; threatened 

Good coastal plant; endangered; white flowers in winter and spring, silvery-gray foliage; evergreen; high salt; native 

Good coastal plant; edible fruit; dinner plate-sized leaves; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; high salt; wildlife value; native 

Best grown in clumps; reddish-brown drooping flower clusters resemble shrimp; attracts hummingbirds; moderate salt 

Thorny; fragrant brown flowers, edible fruit; good hedge plant; intolerant of alkaline soil; evergreen; high salt 

Interesting bark; white flowers; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Hedge or shrub; tiny yellow spring flowers; poisonous leaves; evergreen; low salt 

White spring flowers; evergreen; low salt 

Spine-tipped leaves; white flowers in spring and fall; excellent drought tolerance; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt 

Attractive reddish bark; crooked trunk; seedy, blueberry-like fruit in early fall; in some areas, can be tree; likes acidic soil; semi-evergreen; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Rare south Florida plant; threatened; white spring and fall flowers; good hedge material; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Showy flowering shrub; does best in Panhandle; white spring flowers; deciduous; low salt 

White winter flowers; requires well-drained, loamy soil; evergreen; low salt 

Intensely fragrant small white flowers in fall and winter; cultivated for fragrance; likes sandy soil; evergreen; low salt 

Good hedge plant; showy white flowers in spring and summer; likes acidic soil; wildlife value; deciduous; low salt; native 

Showy fragrant flowers, aromatic leaves; can be weedy; deciduous; low salt; native 

Can sucker; fall color; tassels of tiny fragrant white flowers in spring; evergreen; low salt; native 

Edible fruit but not good tasting; prefers sandy soil; evergreen; low salt; native 

Good hedge material; white spring flowers, attractive foliage; evergreen; moderate salt; native; threatened 



45

S H R U B S 

Common Name 

Texas sage Leucophyllum frutescens 8a–10b 5 

Thryallis Galphimia gracilis 8b–11 5 

Ti plant Cordyline terminalis 10b–11 5 

Titi Cyrilla racemiflora 8a–9a – 20 

Torchwood Amyris elemifera 9a–11 – 15 

Tropical snowflake Trevesia palmata 10b 15 

Turk’s-cap Malvaviscus arboreus 8a–11 7 

Two-winged silverbell Halesia diptera 8a–8b 30 

Varnish leaf Dodonaea viscosa 9a–11 – 6 

Viburnum, sandankwa Viburnum suspensum 8a–10b 6 

Viburnum, sweet Viburnum odoratissimum 8a–10b 8 

Viburnum, Walter’s Viburnum obovatum 8a–10a – 20 

Wax myrtle or Myrica cerifera 8a–11 – 20 

southern bayberry 

White indigo berry Randia aculeata 10a–11 – 8 

Wild coffee Psychotria nervosa 9a–11 5 

Wild sage, button sage, Lantana involucrata 9a–11 6 

or white sage 

Yellow necklace pod Sophora tomentosa var. truncata 9b–11 8 

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow Brunfelsia grandiflora 9a–11 8 

or morning-noon-and-night 


American beautyberry 

Callicarpa americana 


46 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Sweet olive 

Osmanthus fragrans 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Hedge material; gray-green foliage, lavender spring flowers; will die if over-watered; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy yellow flowers in summer and fall; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Showy fragrant white flowers in fall; shrub or tree; many colorful foliage forms; needs protection in northern zones; evergreen; moderate salt 

Pendulous white flowers in spring and summer attract insects; likes acidic soil; evergreen; native 

White flowers; needs protection in northern zones; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

New leaves resemble snowflakes; white spring flowers; needs fertile, slightly acidic soil; evergreen; low salt 

Red flowers in spring and fall; wildlife value; evergreen; low salt 

Showy white spring flowers; deciduous; native 

Shiny leaves, white spring flowers; showy, winged fruit; evergreen; high salt; native 

Hedge material; white or pink spring flowers; vulnerable to nematodes; tolerates alkalinity; evergreen; low salt 

Hedge material; white spring flowers; evergreen; low salt 

Informal hedges, may form thickets; upright and spreading forms; showy white spring flowers; red to black edible berries; tolerates drier conditions; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Good hedge material in full sun; can root-sucker; berries; likes moisture; male and female plants; wildlife value; evergreen; high salt; native 

Spiny, dense plant; fragrant small white flowers; female has white berries; evergreen; high salt; native 

Needs moisture; white flowers in spring and summer, small fruits; evergreen; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

White flowers; needs sandy soil; wildlife value; evergreen; moderate salt; native 

Showy yellow flowers; poisonous; evergreen; high salt; native 

Showy purple flowers with white centers; evergreen; moderate salt 


Anise, Florida 

Illicium floridanum Plumbago 

Plumbago auriculata 

47 

* Soil moisture and light listed in order of plant preference

S H R U B S 

Seagrape 

Coccoloba uvifera 

Simpson stopper 

Myrcianthes fragrans 

Coral bean 

Erythrina herbacea 

48 

Azalea, Florida flame 

Rhododendron austrinum 

Gallberry 

Ilex glabra 

Firebush 

Hamelia patens

Buttonbush 

Cephalanthus occidentalis 

Firecracker plant 

Russelia equisetiformis 

49 

Marlberry 

Ardisia escallonioides 

Confederate-rose 

Hibiscus mutabilis

G R O U N D C O V E R S 

Common Name 


Adam’s needle Yucca filamentosa 8a–9b 3 

Ajuga or carpet bugleweed Ajuga reptans 8a–9a 6”x6’ 

Aloe Aloe vera (= A. barbadensis) 10a–11 1.5 

Beach morning glory Ipomoea imperati (= I. stolonifera) 8–10b 0.5 

Bean, beach Canavalia maritima (= C. rosea) 10b–11 0.5 

Blue daze Evolvulus glomerata 8a–10b – 1–2x1 

Broomsedge Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus 8a–10a 3–5 

or chalky bluestem 

Cast-iron plant Aspidistra elatior 9a–11 – 2 

False heather Cuphea hyssopifolia 8b–11 – 1.5 

Fern, bird’s nest Asplenium nidus 9a–11 2.5 

Fern, cinnamon Osmunda cinnamomea 8a–11 – 4 

Fern, giant leather Acrostichum danaeifolium 9a–11 – 8 

Fern, giant sword Nephrolepis biserrata 9b–11 – 4 

Fern, holly Cyrtomium falcatum 9a–11 1.5 

Fern, leatherleaf Rumohra adiantiformis 10a–11 2 

Fern, royal Osmunda regalis 8a–10b 5 

Fern, southern shield or woods Thelypteris kunthii 8a–10b – 2.5 

Fern, swamp Blechnum serrulatum 9a–11 2 

Fig, creeping Ficus pumila 8a–11 – NA 

Foxtail-fern Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Myers’ 8b–11 2 

Ginger, peacock Kaempferia spp. 10b–11 0.5 

Golden creeper Ernodea littoralis 10b–11 2 

Gopher apple Licania michauxii 8a–11 1 

Grass, Aztec Ophiopogon spp. 8a–11 – 1 

Grass, bahia Paspalum notatum 8a–11 – 2 

Grass, Bermuda Cynodon dactylon 8a–11 0.5 

Grass, bitter panic Panicum amarum 8a–9b 3.5 

Grass, broadleaf spike, or Chasmanthium latifolium 8a–9b – 2 

broadleaf woodoats 

Grass, centipede Eremochloa ophiuroides 8a–9a – 0.5 

Grass, lopsided Indian Sorghastrum secundum 8a–11 – 4 

Grass, mondo Ophiopogon japonicus 8–10b – 0.5 

Grass, muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris 8a–11 – 4 

Grass, purple love Eragrostis spectabilis 8a–10b – 2.5 


50 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Leaf margins fray; large showy white flower spikes every few years; depends on yucca moth for pollination; likes sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Perennial; dark green to bronze foliage; blue flower spikes in spring; moderate salt 

Succulent, fleshy leaves; yellow winter flowers; sap soothes burns and cuts; looks good in rock gardens; high salt 

Showy flowering vine; purple or white flowers; good coastal herbaceous plant; poisonous; good drought tolerance; likes sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Herbaceous perennial; a widespread, vining dune plant; purple flowers; needs sandy soil; high salt; native 

Perennial; deep-green foliage, intense blue flowers; best planted in groups; high drought, heat and salt tolerance; needs protection in northern zones 

Bunchgrass; good drought tolerance; grows in moist, acidic to neutral, sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Herbaceous; requires shade; drought-tolerant; likes sandy soil; needs protection in northern zones; moderate salt 

White and pink flowers; needs protection in northern zones; winter diebacks in north Florida; low salt 

Can be epiphytic; likes acidic soil; needs protection in northern zones; low salt 

Cinnamon-colored spike bloom; native 

Huge leaves; good in wet areas; high salt; native 

Can form a dense groundcover in shady, moist areas; low salt; native 

Prefers moist, shady area; glossy green foliage; likes acidic soil; moderate salt 

Dark green, leathery leaves used for cut foliage; moderate salt 

Large leaves; likes acidic soil; low salt; native 

Grows on rocks and in shade; likes alkaline soil; low salt; native 

Likes shady, moist areas and acidic soil; low salt; native 

Vine attaches to masonry and climbs trees; sap is irritant; moderate salt 

Herbaceous; red berries, spine-tipped leaves; moderate salt 

Herbaceous; green to purple leaves, spotted or striped; dies back November–December; white, pink and purple flowers; low salt 

Likes sandy soil; evergreen; high salt; native 

Woody; edible fruits, white flowers; thrives in very well drained soil; high salt; evergreen; native 

Low-growing grass-like lily; variegated leaves and white flowers; spreads by stolons 

Low-maintenance turf grass; several cultivated forms, sometimes used for forage 

Drought-tolerant turf grass; good for sandy soil; many cultivated forms; sometimes used for forage; wildlife value; high salt 

Bluish leaves; good for stabilizing dunes; bunchgrass; high salt; native 

Bunchgrass; seedheads similar to sea oats; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Turf grass; likes acidic soil; develops iron deficiencies; wildlife value; low salt 

Tall bunchgrass; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; moderate salt; native 

Herbaceous; damaged by foot traffic; white or purple flowers; avoid alkaline soil; moderate salt 

Bunchgrass; mixes well with wildflowers; lovely purple plumes in fall; good in alkaline to neutral soil; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Bunchgrass; purple flowers in spring and fall, purple fall plumes; likes dry areas with high pH; wildlife value; low salt; native 



51


Common Name 


Grass, St. Augustine Stenotaphrum secundatum 8a–11 – 0.5 

Grass, salt Distichlis spicata 8–11 – 1.5 

Grass, saltmeadow cord Spartina patens 8a–9b – 2 

Grass, sand cord or Baker cord Spartina bakeri 8a–11 – 3–6 

Grass, smooth cord Spartina alterniflora 8a–11 – 6 

Grass, wire Aristida beyrichiana 8a–10a – 2–3 

Grass, zebra or eulalia Miscanthus sinensis 8a–9a – 6 

Grass, zoysia or Japanese Zoysia japonica 8a–11 – 0.5 

Groundcover rose Rosa x ‘Red Carpet’ 8a–10b – 2x2 

Hosta Hosta spp. 8a 1x2 

Ivy, Algerian Hedera canariensis 8–10b – NA 

Jasmine, Asiatic Trachelospermum asiaticum 8a–10b 0.5 

Jasmine, Carolina, or Gelsemium sempervirens 8a–11 – 0.5 

yellow jessamine 

Juniper, blue rug Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Rug’ 8a–9a – 0.5 

Juniper, Japanese garden Juniperus procumbens 8a–10b – 2 

Juniper, Parson Juniperus chinensis ‘Parsonii’ 8–10b – 3 

Juniper, shore Juniperus conferta 8a–10a – 2 

Lantana, gold mound Lantana camara ‘Gold Mound’ 9b–11 3 

Lantana, trailing Lantana montevidensis 9a–11 2 

Liriope Liriope spp. 8a–10b – 1 

Maidencane Panicum hemitomon 8a–11 – 2 

Porterweed, blue Stachytarpheta jamaicensis 9a–11 – 1.5 

Powderpuff or Mimosa strigillosa 8a–9b 0.5 

mimosa-vine 

Purple queen Tradescantia pallida 9a–10a – 1 

Quailberry Crossopetalum ilicifolium 10b–11 2 

Railroad vine Ipomoea pes-caprae 9a–11 0.5 

St. John’s wort, matted Hypericum reductum 8a–9b 1.5 

sandweed, or sandwort 

Sea oats Uniola paniculata 8a–11 4 

Sea purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum 9–10b 1–3 

Seashore dropseed Sporobolus virginicus 8a–11 – 1 

Seashore paspalum Paspalum vaginatum 8–11 2 

Smooth water-hyssop Bacopa monnieri 8a–11 0.5 

Snowberry, pineland Chiococca alba (= C. pinetorum) 9b–11 – 2.5 


52 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Turf grass; many cultivated forms available; high salt 

Warm-season perennial grass; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Spreading grass; likes sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Robust perennial bunchgrass of salt marshes and dunes; high salt; native 

Herbaceous; coastal, salt-tolerant spreading grass; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Bunchgrass; flowers following fire; ideal for mixing with wildflowers in dry areas; wildlife value; native 

Variegated leaves; gets rust but it goes away; silvery gold flowers in spring and fall; likes sandy soil 

Grass; high salt 

Perennial; glossy dark green leaves; near-continuous dark red flowers; disease-resistant; low salt 

Perennial; clump-forming; variety of colors and varigations in leaves; prefers fertile soil; low salt 

Vine; can be invasive; sap is irritant; moderate salt 

Vine; forms a thick mat; invades surrounding areas; yellow or white flowers; evergreen; moderate salt 

Attractive shiny green leaves; showy yellow flowers in very early spring; all parts are poisonous if ingested; 

can be trained to grow on trellis or fence; evergreen; low salt; native 

Blue-toned foliage; extremely low-growing; takes time to fill in; drought-tolerant 

Conifer; ‘Nana’ is a slow-growing dwarf cultivar, ‘Variegata’ has yellow and green foliage; good in sandy soil; moderate salt 

Low-growing conifer; gray-green foliage; needs well-drained soil conditions; moderate salt 

Blue-green conifer; subject to fungal problems in wet areas; high salt 

Perennial; gold mound is sterile variety; too much water and fertilizer reduce blooming; foliage damaged at 25°F, freezes to ground at 20°F; does well in sandy, dry sites; high salt; evergreen 

Perennial; won’t tolerate foot traffic or mowing; foliage damaged at 25°F, freezes to ground around 20°F; purple flowers; does well in sandy, dry sites; high salt; evergreen 

Herbaceous; forms dense clumps; intolerant of foot traffic; foliage yellows in sun, tips may burn from soil salts; many cultivars available; purple, white, pink or blue flowers; moderate salt 

Spreading grass; excellent drought tolerance; dune stabilizer and lawn grass; high salt; native 

Herbaceous; blue flowers; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Herbaceous; fern-like leaves, sensitive to touch; similar to exotic Schrankia microphylla; pink flowers in spring and summer; native 

Herbaceous; sprawling, open growth; invasive; will tolerate poor sites; high salt 

Shrub-like, spiny; red fruit, red flowers; evergreen; wildlife value; low salt; native; threatened 

Creeping, flowering dune vine; poisonous; purple flowers in spring and fall; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Reclining, bushy-branched flowering shrub; likes sandy soil; small yellow flowers in spring and summer; evergreen; high salt; native 

Protected grass species; excellent for dunes; flower and seed heads are distinctive; high salt; wildlife value; native 

Herbaceous; succulent beach wildflower; pink flowers; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Bunchgrass; coastal plant; wildlife value; high salt; native 

Coastal turf grass; dune stabilizer; some varieties are fine-textured; high salt 

Herbaceous; flowering groundcover for wet areas; white or pink flowers; high salt; native 

Vining shrub with attractive white flowers, showy white fruit; leans on other vegetation; grows on shell areas; evergreen; low salt; native 



53


Common Name 

Spider plant Chlorphytum comosum 9a–10b – 1x1 

Sunflower, beach Helianthus debilis 8a–10b – 1.5 

Thyme Thymus vulgaris 8a–11 1.5 

Vinca Vinca spp. 8a–8b – 3x3 


Purple queen 

Tradescantia pallida 


54 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Powderpuff 

Mimosa strigillosa 

Light 

Range* 

Ginger, peacock 

Kaempferia species 

Sea oats 

Uniola paniculata 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Perennial; number of variegated and green forms; best used in clumps; moderate salt 

Herbaceous annual or perennial in south Florida; showy yellow flowers; very drought-tolerant; good for dunes and sunny spots; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Plant in fall, winter or spring and re-plant every 3 or 4 years; low salt 

Perennial; mat-forming, dark green foliage; lavender-blue flowers; low salt 


Juniper 

Juniperus species 

Grass, saltmeadow cord 

Spartina patens 


55 

False heather 

Cuphea hyssopifolia 

Grass, Aztec 

Ophiopogon species

V I N E S 

Common Name 


Allamanda, yellow Allamanda cathartica 9b–11 

Ape-ivy Tetrastigma voinerianum 9a–11 

Black-eyed Susan vine Thunbergia alata 8a–11 – 

Bleeding heart Clerodendrum thomsoniae 8a–11 – 

Bower vine Pandorea jasminoides 10b–11 

Brazilian golden vine Stigmaphyllon littorale 9b–11 

Bridal bouquet Stephanotis floribunda 10b–11 

Confederate jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides 8a–11 – 

Cross vine Bignonia carpeolata 8a–11 – 

Grape, muscadine or wild Vitis rotundifolia 8a–11 – 

Grapes Vitis spp. 8a–11 – 

Herald’s-trumpet Beaumontia grandiflora 10a–11 

Honeysuckle, coral or trumpet Lonicera sempervirens 8a–10 – 

Mandevilla or pink allamanda Mandevilla spp. 9b–11 

Monstera or splitleaf Monstera deliciosa 10a–11 

philodendron 

Morning-glory Ipomoea spp. 9b–11 

Passion flower or maypop Passiflora incarnata 8a–10 – 

Passion flower, corky-stem Passiflora suberosa 9b–11 – 

Passion flower, incense Passiflora x ‘Incense’ 9a–11 – 

Passion flower, purple Passiflora edulis 9b–11 – 

Passion flower, scarlet Passiflora coccinea 10a–11 – 

Queens wreath Petrea volubilis 10a–11 

Sky vine Thunbergia grandiflora 8a–11 – 

Trumpet vine or cow itch vine Campsis radicans 8a–9 – 

Virginia creeper or woodbine Parthenocissus quinquefolia 8a–11 – 

White sky vine or Thunbergia fragrans 9b–11 

Bengal clock vine 

Wisteria, American Wisteria frutescens 8a–9a 


56 


Hardiness 

Range 

Mandevilla 

Mandevilla species 

Honeysuckle, coral 

Lonicera sempervirens 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Growth 

Rate 

LIGHT Full Sun Partial Sun Shade

Comments 

Requires support; can get leggy; poisonous milky sap; large, showy flowers; susceptible to magnesium deficiency; low salt; evergreen 

Non-flowering; very bold texture; limited hardiness in north Florida; evergreen 

Annual flowering vine; orange, yellow or white; may reseed 

Named for its flowers; susceptible to nematode damage; killed to ground by freezes; low salt; evergreen 

White flowers with pink throats; needs protection from wind; prefers rich, fertile soil; medium salt; evergreen 

Small flower clusters; requires support to climb; needs little care once established; low salt; evergreen 

Fragrant, waxy flowers; low salt; evergreen 

Intensely fragrant spring blooms; evergreen; variegated forms available; low salt 

Climbs by tendrils and adhesive disks; large, long-throated, reddish flowers; cross sections of stems are cross-shaped; evergreen; low salt; native 

Grows slowly at first; many varieties; disease-resistant; self-fertile; purple fruit in August; deciduous; low salt; native 

There are many types of grapes well suited to growing in Florida. Contact your local County Cooperative Extension Service 

Large, heavy vine requires strong support; low salt; evergreen 

Reddish tubular flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds; red fall berries; evergreen; wildlife value; medium salt; native 

Trumpet-shaped large, showy pink flowers with darker throats; cold-sensitive; evergreen; medium salt 

Edible fruit with pineapple-banana taste; large leaves, variegated varieties available; not frost-tolerant; low salt; evergreen 

Beach dune pioneer; can be trained over a trellis; high salt; evergreen; native 

Will sucker some distance away; dies back to ground after freeze; showy flowers; large edible fruit that pop when squashed; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Older vines have deeply grooved, corky stems; tiny flowers, small purple fruits; variation in leaf shape; butterfly attractor; evergreen; medium salt; native 

Showy flowers are self-sterile; butterfly attractor; evergreen; wildlife value; low salt 

Subtropical species; tolerates cool periods and slight frosts for short time; many varieties available; butterfly attractor; edible fruit; evergreen; low salt 

Exotic, bright scarlet flowers; more tropical than P. edulis; heavily damaged by nematodes; vigorous vine requires strong support; butterfly attractor; evergreen; low salt 

Woody vine; persistent showy flower; used in south Florida as wisteria substitute; prefers rich, sandy soil; low salt; evergreen 

Best in hot, sunny locations; wintering flower, but some color in all Florida zones; deciduous in north Florida, evergreen in south Florida; low salt 

Large orange tubular flowers; sap is a mild skin irritant; may become invasive and very weedy; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Five leaflets distinguish it from poison ivy; purple fruit; fall foliage; climbs by adhesive pads which may cause damage; deciduous; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Large white flowers with white throats; vigorously aggressive; evergreen; low salt 

Small leaves and flowers; suited to small areas; grows best in north Florida; low salt; deciduous; native 


Confederate jasmine 

Trachelospermum jasminoides 

Virginia creeper 

Parthenocissus quinquefolia 

57 

* Soil moisture and light listed in order of plant preference

F L O W E R S 

Common Name 


Agapanthus Agapanthus africanus 8b–11 – 2 

Ageratum or floss flower Ageratum houstonianum 8a–11 – 1 

Alder, yellow, or sage rose Turnera ulmifolia 10b–11 3 

Amaryllis Hippeastrum hybrids 8a–9b 2 

Aster, bushy Aster dumosus 8a–10b – 1x3 

Aster, climbing Aster carolinianus 8a–11 – 8 

Aster, Stokes’ Stokesia laevis 8a–10a – 1 

Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus 8a–10b – 1x1 

Beardtongue, white, Penstemon multiflorus 8a–11 3 

or pineland penstemon 

Begonia Begonia spp. 9a–11 – 2 

Begonia, wax Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum 8a–11 – 1 

Bird-of-paradise Strelitzia reginae 9a–11 4 

Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 8a–11 3 

Blanket flower Gaillardia pulchella 8a–11 2 

Blazing star Liatris spicata 8a–11 – 3 

or dense gayfeather 

Blue curls, forked Trichostema dichotomum 8a–11 – 2 

Blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium 8a–11 – 0.5 

or narrowleaf-grass 

Butterfly weed or pleurisy root Asclepias tuberosa 8a–9b – 2 

Button rattlesnake master Eryngium yuccifolium 8a–11 – 3 

or button snakeroot 

Canna, garden Canna x generalis 8a–11 – 5 

Canna, yellow Canna flaccida 8a–11 – 4 

Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis 8a–11 – 3 

Chrysanthemum, garden Chrysanthemum x morifolium 8a–9b 3 

or florist’s 

Cigar flower Cuphea spp. 9a–11 – 3 

Cockscomb Celosia argentea (= C. cristata) 8a–11 – 2 

Coleus Coleus x hybridus 8a–11 2 

Common tickseed Coreopsis leavenworthii 8a–11 4 

Coreopsis or calliopsis Coreopsis tinctoria 8a–11 – 3 

Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 8a–11 1–5 

Cream narcissus Narcissus tazetta 8a–9a 1.5 


58 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Herbaceous; showy blue and white flowers; short-lived in south Florida; needs protection in northern zones; low salt 

Not very heat-resistant; cold-tender; problems with aphids, red spiders and leafhoppers; varied spring and summer flowers; requires well-drained soil 

Showy yellow flowers; annual in north Florida, perennial in central Florida; evergreen; high salt 

Perennial; varied spring flowers; may require winter rest to flower well; medium salt 

Perennial; clump-forming; pale-blue to sky-blue flowers, late summer through winter; low salt; native 

Perennial; sprawling; flower color varies; fall blooms; likes sand; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Low-growing perennial; flowers from deep to pale blue and pink in color; spreads by stolons 

Perennial; medium green leaves; flower bud resembles an inflated balloon; star-like flowers, 2–3 inches, in blue, pink and white; slow to emerge in spring; low salt 

Perennial; basal rosette; snapdragon family; white spring, summer and fall flowers; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; needs good drainage; succulent star-shaped leaves, pink flowers, green and purple foliage; needs protection in northern zones; low salt 

Cold-tender; sun-adapted cultivars available; leaves can be green, bronze or mahogany red; damaged by nematodes; does best during cooler months; likes acidic soil; low salt 

Perennial; plant in protected locations in central Florida; spreads laterally with age; old clumps may be 10 feet across; orange or blue flowers; likes acidic soil; low salt 

Annual; not damaged by root-knot nematodes; yellow petals with brown centers; spring, summer and fall flowers; native 

Annual or perennial; does well in sand; reseeds readily; bi-color rayed flowers; great color variation; few insect problems; high salt; native 

Perennial; dramatic spikes of small, thread-like clusters of purple or white flowers in spring, summer and fall; low salt; native 

Annual; blue flowers in summer and fall; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Herbaceous; weak, short-lived perennial; lovely blue or white flowers; native 

Perennial; important nectar and larval plant; orange or red spring, summer and fall flowers; likes poor, acidic, well-drained soil; wildlife value; medium salt; native 

Perennial; branched stalks of white, button-like flowers from weakly spiny, yucca-like leaves; blooms in spring, summer and fall; 

likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; colors can be striped or splashed; dwarf cultivars available; problems with canna leaf roller; frost-sensitive; low salt 

Perennial; good all-around groundcover; comes back from freezes; yellow spring and summer flowers; prefers wet sites and sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; stalks of intensely red flowers in spring, summer and fall; wildlife value; low salt; native; threatened 

Perennial; hardiness varies with cultivar; divide in spring; pinching increases bushiness and flowering; problems with nematodes, mites, thrips and aphids; 

not recommended for south Florida; fall blooms; low salt 

Weak, short-lived perennial; long, tubular, varied-colored flower tipped with black and white; spring and summer blooms; needs protection in 

northern zones; wildlife value; low salt 

Annual; bright spring flowers; many cultivars available; damaged by root-knot nematodes; cold-tender; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Herbaceous; short-lived perennial; multicolored leaves; not drought-tolerant; likes fertile, well-drained soil; low salt 

Perennial; found on disturbed sites; yellow petals with brown centers; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; also called tick-seed; not damaged by root-knot nematode; remove faded flowers to prolong bloom; reseeds; yellow spring and summer flowers; 

tolerant of well-drained, poor soil; low salt 

Annual; mutliple colors, spring and summer blooms; cold-tender; may need staking; reseeds; prefers dry, infertile soil; low salt 

Perennial; cold-hardy; amaryllis family; white or yellow flowers in winter and spring; prefers clay or alkaline soil; low salt 



59

F L O W E R S 

Common Name 


Crinum-lily Crinum spp. 8a–10b – 4 

Daisy, African bush Euryops chrysanthemoides 9b–11 3 

Daisy, sea oxeye Borrichia frutescens 8b–11 – 3 

Daylily Hemerocallis hybrids 8a–10b – 2 

Dicerandra Dicerandra linearifolia 8a–9a 1.5x1 

Dotted horsemint Monarda punctata 8a–11 – 4 

or spotted bee balm 

Dusty-miller Senecio cineraria 8a–11 – 1 

Fancy-leaved caladium Caladium x hortulanum 8a–11 1.5 

Florida green eyes Berlandiera subacaulis 8a–11 1.5 

Four-o’clock or Mirabilis jalapa 8a–11 – 2 

marvel-of-Peru 

Gaura or whirling butterflies Guara lindheimeri 8a–9b 2x4 

Gerbera daisy Gerbera jamesonii 8b–11 1.5 

Ginger, butterfly Hedychium coronarium 8a–11 – 5 

Ginger, shell Alpinia zerumbet 9a–11 8 

Globe amaranth Gomphrena globosa 8a–11 – 2 

Goldenrod, seaside Solidago sempervirens 8a–11 – 5 

Heliotrope Heliotropium spp. 9b–11 – 2 

Impatiens Impatiens spp. 9a–11 2 

Indian paint brush Carphephorus corymbosus 8a–11 4 

Iris, African Dietes spp. 9b–10b – 3 

Iris, blue flag, anglepod, Iris hexagona 8a–11 3 

Dixie or prairie 

Iris, walking Neomarica spp. 8b–11 – 1–2 

Ironweed Veronia spp. 8a–9b – 6 

Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum 8a–10b 1x1 

Jacobinia Justicia spp. 9a–10b 2x4 

Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 9b–11 1.5 

Lantana, Florida, or Lantana depressa 9a–11 – 2 

shrub verbena 

Lantana, gold mound Lantana camara ‘Gold Mound’ 9b–11 3 

Lantana, trailing Lantana montevidensis 9a–11 2 

Lizard’s tail Saururus cernuus 8b–11 – 3 

Lupine, sky-blue Lupinus diffusus 8a–10b 1.5x1.5 

Marigold Tagetes spp. 8a–11 2 


60 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Not a true lily; white, pink and red forms, some striped or multi-colored; blooms in spring and summer; problem with chewing insects and caterpillars; 

prone to leaf spot in south Florida; likes sandy soil; medium salt 

Showy yellow flowers; evergreen; low salt 

Perennial; forms extensive colonies; silvery foliage, yellow flowers; in southeast Florida, Borrichia arborescens—has dark green leaves; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Herbaceous; showy yellow, pink or orange flowers in spring, summer and fall; high salt 

Perennial; attractive purple flowers in spring, fall or early winter; low salt; native 

Perennial; aromatic foliage; likes sandy soil; high salt; wildlife value; native 

Annual; tolerates heat; versatile border plant; silver/gray woolly foliage, yellow spring blooms; must re-plant every few years; does well in dry or sandy soil; low salt 

Herbaceous; arrowhead-shaped multicolored leaves, green spring flower; needs protection in northern zones; low salt 

Perennial; greenish-yellow flower; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; tunnel-shaped flowers open overnight; often reseeds; blooms in spring, summer and fall; can be weedy; low salt 

Perennial; open form; dark green small linear leaves; best if grown in masses; red, pink or white flowers occur on long spikes; drought-tolerant; moderate salt 

Perennial; daisy-type flowers; single and double flowers available; can’t be planted too deep—sand in crown rots plant; low salt 

Perennial herb; large white spring flowers; needs protection in northern zones; moderate salt 

Herbaceous; dark green foliage, white and yellow flowers on canes; blooms in spring and winter; doesn’t bloom when frozen; moderate salt 

Annual; showy, clover-like flower heads; cold-tender; blooms in spring and summer; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Perennial; doesn’t cause allergies; yellow spring and fall blooms; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Perennial; many colors of flowers; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Annual; reseeds in moist areas; not frost-hardy; may require watering during hottest months; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Perennial; aster family; flattish heads of tubular rose-colored flowers; fall blooms; prefers acidic soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; spreads by rhizomes; flowers in many colors; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Perennial; found in swamps and wet prairies in north and central Florida; blue spring flowers; likes acidic or sandy soil; low salt; native 

White, blue or yellow iris-like flowers on a grass-like mass of leaves; spreads by plantlets; low salt 

Perennial; intense purple-pink flowers in flat-topped clusters in summer and fall; low salt; native 

Perennial; palmately compound leaf; bright red berries; colony-forming; prefers alkaline soils; low salt; native 

Perennial; used as a background in masses; showy inflorescence in shades of pink, white and yellow; low salt 

Perennial; succulent, often invasive; spring and summer scarlet blooms; prefers sandy soil; medium salt 

Perennial; excellent drought tolerance; yellow flowers; prefers sandy soil; high salt; native 

Perennial; gold mound is sterile variety; too much water and fertilizer reduce blooming; foliage damaged at 25°F, freezes to ground at 20°F; does well in sandy, dry sites; high salt; evergreen 

Perennial; won’t tolerate foot traffic or mowing; foliage damaged at 25°F, freezes to ground around 20°F; purple flowers; does well in sandy, dry sites; high salt; evergreen 

Annual; nodding spikes of white flowers; rhizomatous; forms extensive colonies; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; leaves covered with silvery silky hairs; sky-blue flowers mid-winter to spring; low salt; native 

Annual; summer heat causes temporary decline in flowering; not damaged by nematodes; yellow or orange flowers in spring, summer and fall; tolerates dry soil; low salt 



61

F L O W E R S 

Common Name 


Mexican sunflower Tithonia diversifolia 9b–11 – 6 

Mexican zinnia Tithonia rotundifolia 8a–11 – 3–5 

Milkweed, scarlet or Asclepias curassavica 9b–11 – 4 

blood flower or tropical 

Mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum 8a–11 – 2 

Moss-rose or portulaca Portulaca grandiflora 8a–11 – 0.5 

Pentas Pentas lanceolata 8a–11 – 4 

Periwinkle Catharanthus roseus 8a–11 – 1.5 

Petunia Petunia x hybrida 8a–11 1.5 

Phlox, garden Phlox drummondii 8a–11 – 0.5 

Phlox, moss Phlox subulata 8a–9b – 3 

Phlox, woodland Phlox divaricata 8a–9a – 1 

Poppy mallow Callirhoe papaver 8a–9a – 1.5x1 

Porterweed Stachytarpheta spp. 9a–11 – 1.5 

Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea 8a–11 – 2 

Rain-lily Zephyranthes spp. 8a–11 – 1 

Sage, lyre-leaved Salvia lyrata 8a–11 – 1.5 

Sage, scarlet Salvia splendens 8a–11 2 

Sage, tropical Salvia coccinea 8a–11 – 2 

Scrub mints Conradina spp. 8a–9a 3x3 

Sedum or ice plant Sedum spp. 8a–10b – 2x2 

Shrub rose Rosa x ‘Knock Out’ 8a–10b – 3x3.5 

Silkgrass Pityopsis graminifolia 8a–11 – 3 

Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus 8a–11 2 

Society garlic Tulbaghia violacea 8a–11 2 

Spider-lily or beach-lily Hymenocallis spp. 9a–11 – 3 

Spiderwort, blue Tradescantia ohiensis 8a–11 – 3 

Spiral ginger Costus barbatus 8a–11 – 5 

String-lily Crinum americanum 8a–11 – 1.5 

Sunflower, narrow-leaved Helianthus angustifolius 8a–9b – 6 

Sweet William Dianthus barbatus 8a–9b – 1.5 

Twinflower Dyschoriste oblongifolia 8b–11 0.5 

Verbena, Florida native Glandularia spp. 8a–11 – 1.5 

or coastal mock 

Verbena, moss Glandularia pulchella (Verbena tenusecta) 8a–11 – 0.5 

62 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Perennial; can be invasive; roots easily; heat- and drought-resistant; yellow spring and summer flowers smell like honey; likes sandy soil; medium salt; wildlife value 

Annual flowering; large orange-to-gold daisy; may reseed; usually dies back in summer; butterfly attractor 

Perennial; orange, red or yellow flowers in spring, summer and fall; can become leggy; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; low salt 

Perennial; fluffy blue flowers on stalks; hardy, adaptable; plant in north Florida April–May, in central Florida March–April and September–October, in south Florida 

November–February; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Annual; excellent groundcover; low-growing, fleshy succulent, often with reddish stems; flowers in many colors, short-lived but prolific; cold-tender; likes sandy soil; medium salt 

Perennial; magenta, pink, lilac or white showy flower clusters; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; low salt 

Herbaceous; can be invasive; needs protection in northern zones; variety of flower colors; good in dry sandy or coastal sites; high salt 

Popular annual; many forms and colors available; fall, winter and spring flowers; cold-hardy to 20°F, can’t tolerate heat; problems with crown rot, aphids and nematodes; low salt 

Annual; clusters of 1-inch flowers of varied colors; used along roadways and large open areas for effect; reseeds; cold-hardy; low salt 

Perennial; spreading and mat-forming; blue, purple or lavender spring flowers; cold-hardy; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Perennial; rich purple-pink flowers in spring; prefers some protection from midday sun 

Perennial; slender herb; flowers, 2–3 inches wide, bright purple-pink and poppy-like; low salt; native 

Perennial; many different-colored flowers available; needs protection in northern zones; likes sandy soil; attracts butterflies; high salt; S. jamaicensis is native 

Perennial; clumping; long-lasting cut flowers; purple flowers in spring and summer; prefers well-drained soil; medium salt; native 

Perennial; herbaceous; grass-like foliage; purple, white and pink flowers; blooms after rains during warm weather; high salt; native 

Perennial; lyre-shaped red markings on leaves; slender stalks, purple spring flowers; mint family; many species available; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Annual or perennial; red spring and summer blooms; cut back for multiple flowering; attracts hummingbirds; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; low salt 

Perennial; reseeds profusely; likes sandy soil but tolerates alkalinity; wildlife value; medium salt; native 

Small evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves; attractive white-to-pink flowers from spring to fall; moderate salt; native 

Perennial; clump-forming; dark green 5-inch leaves; in early autumn, dense clusters of flowers turn deep pink, then copper-red; moderate salt 

One of the “care-free” roses; disease- and black spot-resistant; near constant flowering; single, cherry red flowers; low salt 

Perennial; grass-like, narrow linear leaves with silvery pubescence; yellow spring, summer and fall flowers; likes acidic soil; low salt; native 

Annual; many cultivars available; remove spent flowers for re-bloom; damaged by root-knot nematodes; winter and spring flowers 

Herbaceous; garlic-scented purple flowers in spring, summer and fall; doesn’t bloom well in shade; moderate salt 

Perennial; showy white fragrant flowers that attract hawkmoths; stalks grow from strap-like leaves; native 

Perennial; rhizomatous; forms clumps; blue flowers; native 

Perennial; also called red torch ginger; showy, waxy red flowers atop tall stalks in spring, summer and fall; large spiral-arranged leaves; sprawling, spreading clump; likes sandy soil; medium salt 

Herbaceous; forms solid cover in wet areas; fragrant white spring and summer flowers; poisonous; likes sandy soil; needs protection in northern zones; high salt; native 

Perennial; bright-yellow rayed flowers in summer and fall; prefers acidic and sandy soil; low salt; native 

Annual; hardy, grows in north Florida winter; lightly damaged by root-knot nematodes; purple or red flowers in spring, fall and winter; likes sandy soil; low salt 

Perennial; also called oblongleaf twinflower; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Annual or perennial; reseeding; doesn’t like mulch; variety of flower colors; prefers sandy soil; G. maritima good for beach areas; native 

Annual; finely divided leaves; prostrate growth habit; drought-tolerant; can sustain itself with infrequent mowing; purple spring, summer and fall flowers; likes sandy soil; low salt 


63

F L O W E R S 

Common Name 


Verbena, purpletop or roadside Verbena bonariensis 8a–9b 4 

Verbena, Tampa Glandularia tampensis (Verbena tampensis) 9b–11 – 2 

Violet, Florida or common blue Viola spp. 8a–11 0.5 

Wild columbine Aquilegia canadensis 8a–9a – 3 

Wild-petunia Ruellia caroliniensis 8a–11 – 1.5 

Wishbone flower or bluewing Torenia fournieri 9a–11 1 

Woodland pinkroot Spigelia marilandica 8a–9a 2 

or Indian pink 

Yarrow Achillea millefolium 8a–9b – 1.5 

Yellow buttons Balduina angustifolia 8a–10b – 2x3 

Yellowtop Flaveria linearis 8b–11 – 4 

Yucca Yucca spp. 8a–11 4–5 

64 


Hardiness 

Range 

Soil 

Moisture 

Range* 

Light 

Range* 

Mature 

Size 

(feet) 


Silkgrass 

Pityopsis graminifolia 

Cigar flower 

Cuphea species 

Daylily 

Hemerocallis hybrids 

Mexican sunflower 

Tithonia diversifolia 

Growth 

Rate

Comments 

Perennial; upright; attracts butterflies; purple flowers in spring and summer; low salt; wildlife value 

Perennial; purple flower clusters atop long stalks; blooms in spring, summer and fall; likes sandy soil; wildlife value; high salt; native; endangered 

Perennial; also known as common blue violet; blue spring blooms; likes sandy soil; low salt; native 

Perennial; dainty plant with nodding blooms; red or yellow spring flowers; endangered; prefers alkaline soil; low salt; wildlife value; native 

Perennial; showy pale-blue spring and summer flowers; good for shady areas; freezes to ground in north Florida; low salt; native 

Annual; escaped cultivation is found on disturbed sites; blooms in spring, fall and winter 

Perennial; red and yellow blooms in spring and summer; prefers acidic and sandy soil; wildlife value; low salt; native 

Weak, short-lived perennial; white or pink spring flowers; clumping growth habit; cold-hardy; low salt; native 

Annual; rounded growth form; yellow aster-like flowers appear in fall and winter; well adapted to sandy soil; moderate salt; native 

Perennial; goldenrod relative with showy flat-topped clusters of small yellow flowers; likes sandy soil; high salt; native 

Erect succulent plant; many cultivars and species; leaves often have spines at tips 


Amaryllis 

Hippeastrum hybrids 

65

F L O W E R S 

Iris, walking 

Neomarica species 

Verbena, moss 

Glandularia pulchella 

66 

Crinum-lily 

Crinum species 

Purple coneflower 

Echinacea purpurea

Pentas 

Pentas lanceolata 

67 

Dotted horsemint 

Monarda punctata 

Porterweed 

Stachytarpheta species

F L O W E R S 

Iris, blue flag 

Iris hexagona 

Blanket flower 

Gaillardia pulchella 

68 

Mistflower 

Conoclinium coelestinum 

Sage, tropical 

Salvia coccinea

Wild-petunia 

Ruellia caroliniensis 

Butterfly weed 

Asclepias tuberosa 

Wild columbine 

Aquilegia canadensis 

69 

Rain-lily 

Zephyranthes species 

Milkweed, scarlet 

Asclepias curassavica

Glossary 

acid — A condition which is derived by partial 

exchange of replaceable hydrogen; an element that is 

sour; on the pH scale, acid conditions are any pH 

below 7.0, which is neutral. 

alkaline — The condition of water or soil that 

contains an amount of alkali substances (various 

soluble salts) to raise the pH above 7.0; when 

extreme, alkalinity is caustic. 

aquifer — A layer of underground rock or sand 

which stores and carries water. 

brackish — Somewhat salty. 

conserve — To use only what is needed. 

deciduous — Losing foliage in autumn or winter. 

drawdown — Lowered water level. 

ecotones — Regions where one ecosystem blends 

into another. 

epiphyte — A plant that gets its moisture and 

nutrients from the air and rain. 

groundcover — Small plants that live close to the 

ground. 

groundwater — Water below the earth’s surface. 

hammock — Forest of broad-leafed trees and 

cabbage palms. 

herbaceous — Having the texture, color or 

appearance of a leaf, with little or no woody tissue. 

humus — Decomposed plant or animal matter; the 

organic portion of soil. 

hydric — Characterized by abundant moisture. 

inorganic — Composed of matter other than plant 

or animal. 

leach — To pass through by percolation. 

marl — A loose earthy deposit containing a 

substantial amount of calcium carbonate; used for 

soils deficient in lime. 

mesic — Moist conditions; characterized by a 

moderate amount of moisture. 

70 

microclimate — A small-scale site of special 

conditions within a larger climate. 

plat — A plan or map of a piece of land. 

potable — Water suitable for human consumption. 

practical turf area — A place where grass serves a 

function, such as a child’s or pet’s play area. 

recharge area — A place where water is able to seep 

into the ground and replenish an aquifer because no 

confining layer is present. 

saline — Containing salt. 

saltwater intrusion — When salt water moves into 

the freshwater zone of an aquifer, making the water 

unfit for drinking. 

shrub strata — The shrub layer of a forest community, 

under the canopy and understory tree species. 

sinkhole — A hole in the ground caused by erosion 

of underground limestone. 

stormwater runoff — Rainwater that runs off 

surfaces into water bodies. 

succession — A series of ecosystem changes where 

plants compete, succeeding and displacing each other 

as they respond to, and so modify, their environment. 

topography — Natural features of land. 

understory — The vegetative layer under a forest 

canopy, but above the shrub and groundcover layers. 

water resource caution areas — Areas identified by 

the water management districts where existing 

sources of water may not be adequate to supply 

water for future human needs while maintaining 

water resources and related natural systems. 

water table — The upper limit of where groundwater 

permeates the ground. 

wetlands — Areas containing much soil moisture. 

xeric — Characterized by dry conditions; requiring 

only a small amount of moisture.

Bibliography 

Bailey, Liberty Hyde. Manual of Cultivated Plants. New 

York: Macmillan, 1949. 

Bell, C. Ritchie, and Bryan J. Taylor. Florida Wild 

Flowers and Roadside Plants. Chapel Hill, N.C.: 

Laurel Hill Press, 1982. 

Black, Robert J., and Edward F. Gilman. Your Florida 

Guide to Bedding Plants: Selection, Establishment 

and Maintenance. Gainesville: University Press of 

Florida, 1997. 

Brandies, Monica Moran. Herbs and Spices for Florida 

Gardens. Wayne, Pa.: B.B. Mackay Books, 1996. 

Broschat, Timothy K., and Alan W. Meerow. Betrock’s 

Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants. 

Hollywood, Fla.: Betrock Information Systems, 1996. 

Dehgan, Bijan. Landscape Plants for Subtropical Climates. 

Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998. 

Gilman, Edward F. Betrock’s Florida Plant Guide. 


———. Horticopia: Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers. 

2d ed. CD-ROM. Purcellville, Va.: Horticopia, 1998. 

———. Horticopia: Perennials and Annuals. 2d ed. 

CD-ROM. Purcellville, Va.: Horticopia, 1998. 

Gilman, Edward F., and Robert J. Black. Your Florida 

Guide to Shrubs. Gainesville: University Press of 


Haehle, Robert G., and Joan Brookwell. Native Florida 

Plants. Houston, Texas: Gulf Publishing Company, 

1999. 

Jameson, Michael, and Richard Moyroud, eds. Xeric 

Landscaping With Florida Native Plants. N.p. 

Association of Florida Native Nurseries, 1991. 

Langeland, K.A., and K. Craddock Burks, eds. 

Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in 

Florida’s Natural Areas. Gainesville: Institute of Food 

and Agricultural Sciences Publications, University of 


Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to 

North American Trees, Eastern Region. New York: 

Alfred A. Knopf, 1980. 

Mabberley, D.J. The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary 

of the Higher Plants. Cambridge, Mass.: University 

Press, 1987. 

MacCubbin, Tom, and Georgia Tasker. Florida 

Gardener’s Guide. Franklin, Tenn.: Cool Springs 

Press, 1997. 

71 

Maxwell, Lewis S. Florida Fruit. Tampa, Fla.: Lewis S. 

Maxwell, 1967. 

McGeachy, Beth. Handbook of Florida Palms. 

St. Petersburg, Fla.: Great Outdoors Publishing 

Company, 1977. 

Meerow, Alan W. Betrock’s Guide to Landscape Palms. 


Morton, Julia F. Fruits of Warm Climates. Winterville, 

N.C.: Creative Resource Systems, 1987. 

Myers, Ronald L., and John J. Ewel, eds. Ecosystems of 

Florida. Orlando, Fla.: University of Central Florida 

Press, 1991. 

Nelson, Gil. The Trees of Florida. Sarasota, Fla.: 

Pineapple Press, 1994. 

———. The Shrubs and Woody Vines of Florida. 

Sarasota, Fla.: Pineapple Press, 1996. 

Ruppert, Kathleen C., and Robert J. Black. Florida Lawn 

Handbook. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 

1998. 

Stresau, Frederic. Florida, My Eden. Port Salerno, Fla.: 

Florida Classics Library, 1986. 

Suncoast Native Plant Society. The Right Plants for Dry 

Places: Native Plant Landscaping in Central Florida. 

St. Petersburg, Fla.: Great Outdoors Publishing 


Taylor, Walter Kingsley. The Guide to Florida 

Wildflowers. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing 


———. Florida Wildflowers in Their Natural 

Communities. Gainesville: University Press of 


Wasowski, Sally. Gardening With Native Plants of the 

South. Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing Company, 

1994. 

Watkins, John, and Thomas J. Sheehan. Florida 

Landscape Plants. Revised edition. Gainesville: 

University Press of Florida, 1975. 

Wunderlin, Richard. Guide to the Vascular Plants of 

Florida. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 

1998. 

Yarlett, Lewis L. Common Grasses of Florida and the 

Southeast. Spring Hill, Fla.: Florida Native Plant 

Society, 1996.

Scientific Cross-Reference 

Abelia x grandiflora 

(A. chinensis x A. uniflora) . . . . . . . . . . . .Glossy abelia 

Acacia farnesiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Acacia, sweet 

Acalypha hispida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chenille plant 

Acalypha wilkesiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Copperleaf 

Acer rubrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maple, red 

Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum . . . . .Maple, Florida sugar 

Achillea millefolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yarrow 

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paurotis palm 

Acrostichum danaeifolium . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, giant leather 

Aesculus pavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Red buckeye 

Agapanthus africanus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agapanthus 

Agarista populifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pipestem 

Agave americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Century plant 

Ageratum houstonianum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ageratum 

Ajuga reptans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ajuga 

Allamanda cathartica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allamanda, yellow 

Aloe vera (= A. barbadensis) . . . . . . . . . . .Aloe 

Alpinia zerumbet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ginger, shell 

Amyris elemifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Torchwood 

Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus . . . . . .Broomsedge 

Annona glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pond-apple 

Annona muricata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Soursop 

Annona reticulata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Custard apple 

Annona x ‘Atemoya’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Atemoya 

Antirrhinum majus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Snapdragon 

Aquilegia canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild columbine 

Archontophoenix alexandrae . . . . . . . . . .Alexandra palm 

Ardisia escallonioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marlberry 

Argusia gnaphalodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sea lavender 

Arisaema triphyllum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack-in-the-pulpit 

Aristida beyrichiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, wire 

Asclepias curassavica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Milkweed, scarlet 

Asclepias tuberosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butterfly weed 

Asimina spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pawpaw 

Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Myers’ . . . . . . . . .Foxtail-fern 

Aspidistra elatior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cast-iron plant 

Asplenium nidus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, bird’s nest 

Aster carolinianus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aster, climbing 

Aster dumosus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aster, bushy 

Averrhoa carambola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carambola 

Avicennia germinans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mangrove, black 

Bacopa monnieri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Smooth water-hyssop 

Balduina angustifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yellow buttons 

Bauhinia x blakeana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hong Kong orchid tree 

Beaumontia grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Herald’s-trumpet 

Begonia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Begonia 

Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum . . . . . .Begonia, wax 

Berberis julianae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barberry, wintergreen 

Berberis thunbergii 

‘Atropurpurea Nana’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barberry, ‘crimson 

pygmy’ 

Berlandiera subacaulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida green eyes 

Betula nigra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Birch, river 

Bignonia carpeolata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cross vine 

Bismarckia nobilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bismarck palm 

Blechnum serrulatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, swamp 

Borrichia frutescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daisy, sea oxeye 

72 

Bougainvillea glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bougainvillea, 

paper flower 

Breynia disticha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Snow bush 

Brugmansia x candida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Angel’s-trumpet 

Brunfelsia americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lady-of-the-night 

Brunfelsia grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yesterday-todayand-tomorrow 

Bucida buceras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black olive 

Bucida spinosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiny black olive 

Buddleja spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butterfly bush 

Bulnesia arborea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bulnesia 

Bursera simaruba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gumbo limbo 

Butia capitata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pindo palm 

Caladium x hortulanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fancy-leaved caladium 

Calliandra haematocephala . . . . . . . . . . .Red powderpuff 

Callicarpa americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .American beautyberry 

Callirhoe papaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poppy mallow 

Callistemon citrinus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush, lemon 

Callistemon rigidus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bottlebrush, stiff 

Calycanthus floridus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet shrub 

Calyptranthes pallens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spicewood 

Camellia sasanqua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Camellia, sasanqua 

Campsis radicans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trumpet vine 

Cananga odorata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ylang-ylang 

Canavalia maritima (= C. rosea) . . . . . . .Bean, beach 

Canna flaccida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canna, yellow 

Canna x generalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canna, garden 

Capparis cynophallophora . . . . . . . . . . . .Caper, Jamaican 

Carissa macrocarpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natal plum 

Carphephorus corymbosus . . . . . . . . . . . .Indian paint brush 

Carpinus caroliniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hornbeam, American 

Carya alba (= C. tomentosa) . . . . . . . . . .Hickory, mockernut 

Carya floridana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hickory, scrub 

Carya glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hickory, pignut 

Carya illinoinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pecan 

Caryota mitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clustering fishtail palm 

Casimiroa edulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .White sapote 

Cassia fistula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Golden shower 

Cassia javanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pink-and-white shower 

Castanea pumila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chinquapin 

Catalpa bignonioides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Catalpa 

Catharanthus roseus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Periwinkle 

Celosia argentea (= C. cristata) . . . . . . . .Cockscomb 

Celtis laevigata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sugarberry 

Cephalanthus occidentalis . . . . . . . . . . . .Buttonbush 

Cercis canadensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redbud 

Cestrum nocturnum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Night-blooming jessamine 

Chamadorea microspadix . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bamboo palm 

Chamaedorea cataractarum . . . . . . . . . . .Cat palm 

Chamaerops humilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .European fan palm 

Chasmanthium latifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, broadleaf spike 

Chiococca alba (= C. pinetorum) . . . . . . .Snowberry, pineland 

Chionanthus virginicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fringe tree 

Chlorphytum comosum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spider plant 

Chorisia speciosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Floss-silk tree 

Chrysanthemum x morifolium . . . . . . . . .Chrysanthemum, garden 

Chrysobalanus icaco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cocoplum 

Chrysophyllum cainito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Star-apple


Chrysophyllum oliviforme . . . . . . . . . . . . .Satinleaf 

Citharexylum spinosum 

(= C. fruticosum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fiddlewood 

Citrus aurantifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Key lime 

Citrus limon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lemon 

Citrus reticulata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tangerine 

Citrus sinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orange, sweet 

Citrus x paradisi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grapefruit 

Citrus x tangelo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tangelo 

Clerodendrum thomsoniae . . . . . . . . . . . .Bleeding heart 

Clethra alnifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet pepperbush 

Clusia rosea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pitch apple 

Coccoloba diversifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pigeon plum 

Coccoloba uvifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seagrape 

Coccothrinax argentata . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silver palm 

Cocculus laurifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Snail seed 

Cocos nucifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coconut palm 

Codiaeum variegatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Croton 

Coleus x hybridus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coleus 

Colvillea racemosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Colville’s glory 

Conocarpus erectus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Buttonwood 

Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus . . . . . . .Buttonwood, silver 

Conoclinium coelestinum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mistflower 

Conradina canescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scrub conradina 

Conradina grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scrub mint, 

large-flowered 

Conradina spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scrub mints 

Cordia sebestena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Geiger tree 

Cordyline terminalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ti plant 

Coreopsis leavenworthii . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Common tickseed 

Coreopsis tinctoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coreopsis 

Cornus florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dogwood, flowering 

Cornus kousa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dogwood, Japanese 

Cortaderia selloana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pampas grass 

Cosmos bipinnatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cosmos 

Costus barbatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiral ginger 

Crataegus aestivalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .May haw 

Crataegus flava . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Summer haw 

Crinum spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crinum-lily 

Crinum americanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .String-lily 

Crossopetalum ilicifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quailberry 

Cuphea hyssopifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .False heather 

Cuphea spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cigar flower 

Cycas revoluta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sago, king 

Cycas rumphii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sago, queen 

Cynodon dactylon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, Bermuda 

Cyrilla racemiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Titi 

Cyrtomium falcatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, holly 

Delonix regia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Royal poinciana 

Dianthus barbatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet William 

Dicerandra linearifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dicerandra 

Dictyosperma album . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hurricane palm 

Dietes spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iris, African 

Dioon edule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cycad, Dioon 

Diospyros digyna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black sapote 

Diospyros discolor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Velvet-apple, Mabolo 

Diospyros kaki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Persimmon, Japanese 

Diospyros virginiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Persimmon, common 

Distichlis spicata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, salt 

73 

Dodonaea viscosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Varnish leaf 

Dracaena draco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dragon tree 

Dracaena spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dracaena 

Duranta evecta (= Duranta repens) . . . . .Golden dewdrop 

Dyschoriste oblongifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Twinflower 

Echinacea purpurea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Purple coneflower 

Elaeagnus pungens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silverthorn 

Eragrostis spectabilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, purple love 

Eremochloa ophiuroides . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, centipede 

Eriobotrya japonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Loquat 

Erithalis fruticosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black torch 

Ernodea littoralis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Golden creeper 

Eryngium yuccifolium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Button rattlesnake master 

Erythrina herbacea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coral bean 

Eugenia confusa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redberry stopper 

Eugenia foetida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spanish stopper 

Eugenia rhombea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Red stopper 

Euryops chrysanthemoides . . . . . . . . . . . .Daisy, African bush 

Evodia suaveolens var. ridleyi . . . . . . . . . .Aralia, lacy-lady 

Evolvulus glomerata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue daze 

Fagus grandifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beech, American 

Feijoa sellowiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Guava, pineapple 

Ficus carica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fig, edible 

Ficus pumila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fig, creeping 

Flaveria linearis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yellowtop 

Fortunella spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kumquat 

Fraxinus caroliniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ash, pop 

Fraxinus pennsylvanica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ash, green 

Gaillardia pulchella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blanket flower 

Galphimia gracilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thryallis 

Garberia heterophylla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Garberia 

Gardenia augusta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gardenia, Cape jasmine 

Gaylussacia dumosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Huckleberry, dwarf 

Gelsemium sempervirens . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jasmine, Carolina 

Genipa clusiifolia (= Casasia clusiifolia) . . .Apple, seven-year 

Gerbera jamesonii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gerbera daisy 

Glandularia pulchella 

(Verbena tenusecta) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Verbena, moss 

Glandularia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Verbena, Florida native 

Glandularia tampensis 

(Verbena tampensis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Verbena, Tampa 

Gomphrena globosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Globe amaranth 

Gordonia lasianthus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Loblolly bay 

Graptophyllum pictum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caricature plant 

Guajacum sanctum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lignum vitae 

Guapira discolor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blolly 

Guara lindheimeri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gaura 

Gymnanthes lucida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crabwood 

Halesia carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carolina silverbell 

Halesia diptera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Two-winged silverbell 

Hamelia patens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firebush 

Hedera canariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ivy, Algerian 

Hedychium coronarium . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ginger, butterfly 

Helianthus angustifolius . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sunflower, narrow-leaved 

Helianthus debilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sunflower, beach 

Heliotropium spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Heliotrope 

Hemerocallis hybrids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daylily 

Hibiscus coccineus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hibiscus, red 

Hibiscus mutabilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Confederate-rose


Hibiscus rosa-sinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hibiscus 

Hibiscus syriacus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose-of-Sharon 

Hippeastrum hybrids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amaryllis 

Hosta spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hosta 

Hydrangea arborescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hydrangea, wild 

Hydrangea macrophylla . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hydrangea, French 

Hydrangea quercifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hydrangea, oakleaf 

Hymenocallis spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spider-lily 

Hypericum reductum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. John’s wort 

Ilex ambigua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, Carolina 

Ilex cassine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, dahoon 

Ilex cornuta ‘Burford’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, Burford 

Ilex crenata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, Japanese 

Ilex glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gallberry 

Ilex myrtifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, myrtle-leaved 

Ilex opaca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, American 

Ilex vomitoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, yaupon 

Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ and ‘Shellings’ . . . .Holly, dwarf yaupon 

Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holly, weeping yaupon 

Ilex x attenuata ‘East Palatka’ . . . . . . . . .Holly, East Palatka 

Illicium anisatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anise-tree 

Illicium floridanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anise, Florida 

Illicium parviflorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anise, yellow 

Impatiens spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Impatiens 

Ipomoea imperati (= I. stolonifera) . . . . . .Beach morning glory 

Ipomoea pes-caprae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Railroad vine 

Ipomoea spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Morning-glory 

Iris hexagona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iris, blue flag 

Itea virginica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweetspire 

Iva imbricata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beach elder 

Ixora coccinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ixora 

Jacaranda acutifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacaranda 

Jacquinia keyensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joewood 

Jasminum mesnyi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jasmine, primrose 

Jasminum multiflorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jasmine, downy 

Jatropha integerrima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peregrina 

Juniperus chinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Juniper, Chinese 

Juniperus chinensis ‘Parsonii’ . . . . . . . . . .Juniper, Parson 

Juniperus chinensis ‘Pftizeriana’ . . . . . . . .Juniper, Pftizer 

Juniperus conferta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Juniper, shore 

Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Rug’ . . . . . . .Juniper, blue rug 

Juniperus procumbens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Juniper, Japanese garden 

Juniperus virginiana (= J. silicicola) . . . . . .Cedar, red 

Justicia brandegeana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shrimp plant 

Justicia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacobinia 

Kaempferia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ginger, peacock 

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kalanchoe 

Lagerstroemia indica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crape myrtle 

Laguncularia racemosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mangrove, white 

Lantana camara ‘Gold Mound’ . . . . . . .Lantana, gold mound 

Lantana depressa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lantana, Florida 

Lantana involucrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild sage 

Lantana montevidensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lantana, trailing 

Lantana montevidensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lantana, trailing 

Leucophyllum frutescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Texas sage 

Leucothoe racemosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fetterbush 

Liatris spicata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blazing star 

Licania michauxii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gopher apple 

Licuala grandis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Licuala palm 

74 

Licuala spinosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Licuala, spiny 

Liquidambar styraciflua . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweetgum 

Liriodendron tulipifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tulip tree 

Liriope spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Liriope 

Litchi chinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lychee 

Livistona chinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chinese fan palm 

Lobelia cardinalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cardinal flower 

Lonicera sempervirens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Honeysuckle, coral 

Lupinus diffusus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lupine, sky-blue 

Lycium carolinianum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christmas berry 

Lyonia ferruginea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lyonia, rusty 

Lyonia lucida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lyonia, shiny 

Lysiloma latisiliqua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild tamarind 

Lysiloma sabicu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cuban tamarind 

Maclura pomifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Osage orange 

Magnolia grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Magnolia, southern 

Magnolia virginiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweetbay 

Mahonia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oregon grape-holly 

Malus angustifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crabapple, southern 

Malvaviscus arboreus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turk’s-cap 

Mandevilla spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mandevilla 

Mangifera indica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mango 

Manilkara bahamensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild dilly 

Manilkara roxburghiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mimusops 

Metasequoia glyptostroboides . . . . . . . . . .Dawn redwood 

Mimosa strigillosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Powderpuff 

Mirabilis jalapa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Four-o’clock 

Miscanthus sinensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, zebra 

Monarda punctata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dotted horsemint 

Monstera deliciosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monstera 

Morus rubra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mulberry, red 

Muhlenbergia capillaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, muhly 

Musa acuminata ‘Cavendish’ . . . . . . . . .Banana, Cavendish 

Myrcianthes fragrans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Simpson stopper 

Myrciaria cauliflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jaboticaba 

Myrica cerifera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wax myrtle 

Narcissus tazetta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cream narcissus 

Neodypsis decaryi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Triangle palm 

Neomarica spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Iris, walking 

Nephrolepis biserrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, giant sword 

Nerium oleander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oleander 

Nolina recurvata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ponytail palm 

Noronhia emarginata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Madagascar olive 

Nyssa aquatica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tupelo, water 

Nyssa biflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blackgum 

Nyssa sylvatica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sourgum 

Ocotea coriacea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lancewood 

Odontonema cuspidata . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firespike 

Ophiopogon japonicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, mondo 

Ophiopogon spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, Aztec 

Osmanthus fragrans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sweet olive 

Osmunda cinnamomea . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, cinnamon 

Osmunda regalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, royal 

Ostrya virginiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hop hornbeam 

Oxydendrum arboreum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sourwood 

Pandorea jasminoides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bower vine 

Panicum amarum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, bitter panic 

Panicum hemitomon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maidencane 

Parkinsonia aculeata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jerusalem thorn


Parthenocissus quinquefolia . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia creeper 

Paspalum notatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, bahia 

Paspalum vaginatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seashore paspalum 

Passiflora coccinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passion flower, scarlet 

Passiflora edulis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passion flower, purple 

Passiflora incarnata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passion flower 

Passiflora suberosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passion flower, 

corky-stem 

Passiflora x ‘Incense’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Passion flower, incense 

Peltophorum pterocarpum . . . . . . . . . . . .Copperpod 

Penstemon multiflorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beardtongue, white 

Pentas lanceolata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pentas 

Persea americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Avocado 

Persea borbonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redbay 

Persea humilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silkbay 

Persea palustris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Swampbay 

Petrea volubilis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Queens wreath 

Petunia x hybrida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Petunia 

Philadelphus coronarius . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mock orange 

Philodendron selloum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philodendron 

Phlox divaricata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phlox, woodland 

Phlox drummondii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phlox, garden 

Phlox subulata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Phlox, moss 

Phoenix canariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Canary Island date palm 

Phoenix rupicola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cliff date palm 

Phoenix sylvestris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild date palm 

Photinia glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Photinia or red-tip 

Pimenta dioica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allspice 

Pinus clausa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, sand 

Pinus elliottii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, slash 

Pinus elliottii var. densa . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, South Florida slash 

Pinus glabra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, spruce 

Pinus palustris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, long-leaf 

Pinus taeda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine, loblolly 

Piscidia piscipula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jamaican dogwood 

Pityopsis graminifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silkgrass 

Platanus occidentalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sycamore 

Platycladus orientalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arbor-vitae, Oriental 

Platycodon grandiflorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Balloon flower 

Plumbago auriculata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Plumbago 

Plumeria spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Frangipani 

Podocarpus macrophyllus . . . . . . . . . . . . .Podocarpus, yew 

Portulaca grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Moss-rose 

Pouteria campechiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eggfruit, Canistel 

Prunus angustifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Plum, Chickasaw 

Prunus caroliniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cherry laurel 

Prunus persica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peach 

Prunus umbellata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Plum, flatwoods 

Pseudophoenix sargentii . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Buccaneer palm 

Psychotria ligustrifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bahama coffee 

Psychotria nervosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild coffee 

Ptychosperma macarthurii . . . . . . . . . . . .Macarthur palm 

Punica granatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pomegranate 

Pyracantha coccinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firethorn, red 

Pyrus calleryana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bradford pear 

Pyrus communis ‘Hood’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pear, Hood 

Quercus alba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, white 

Quercus chapmanii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, Chapman 

Quercus geminata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, sand live 

75 

Quercus hemisphaerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, laurel 

Quercus incana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, bluejack 

Quercus laevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, turkey 

Quercus laurifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, diamond leaf 

Quercus lyrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, overcup 

Quercus michauxii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, swamp chestnut 

Quercus myrtifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, myrtle 

Quercus nigra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, water 

Quercus phellos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, willow 

Quercus shumardii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, Shumard 

Quercus virginiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak, live 

Randia aculeata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .White indigo berry 

Rapanea punctata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Myrsine 

Rhamnus caroliniana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Buckthorn, Carolina 

Rhaphiolepis indica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hawthorn, Indian 

Rhapidophyllum hystrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Needle palm 

Rhapis excelsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lady palm or rhapis 

Rhizophora mangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mangrove, red 

Rhododendron austrinum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Azalea, Florida flame 

Rhododendron canescens . . . . . . . . . . . . .Azalea, wild 

Rhododendron minus var. chapmanii . . . .Rhododendron, 

Chapman’s 

Rhododendron spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Azalea hybrids 

Rosa laevigata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rose, Cherokee 

Rosa x ‘Knock Out’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shrub rose 

Rosa x ‘Red Carpet’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Groundcover rose 

Rosmarinus officinalis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rosemary 

Roystonea regia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida royal palm 

Rubus cultivar Brazos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blackberry 

Rudbeckia hirta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black-eyed Susan 

Ruellia caroliniensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild-petunia 

Rumohra adiantiformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, leatherleaf 

Russelia equisetiformis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firecracker plant 

Sabal etonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scrub palmetto 

Sabal minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bluestem palmetto 

Sabal palmetto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cabbage palm 

Salix babylonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Willow, weeping 

Salvia coccinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sage, tropical 

Salvia lyrata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sage, lyre-leaved 

Salvia splendens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sage, scarlet 

Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis . . . . .Elderberry 

Sapindus marginatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida soapberry 

Sassafras albidum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sassafras 

Saururus cernuus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lizard’s tail 

Savia bahamensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maidenbush 

Scaevola plumieri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inkberry 

Schaefferia frutescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida boxwood 

Sedum spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sedum 

Senecio cineraria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dusty-miller 

Senna mexicana var. chapmanii . . . . . . . .Cassia, Bahama 

Serenoa repens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Saw palmetto 

Sesuvium portulacastrum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sea purslane 

Severinia buxifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Boxthorn 

Sideroxylon foetidissimum 

(= Mastichodendron foetidissimum) . . . .Mastic 

Sideroxylon tenax (= Bumelia tenax) . . . .Buckthorn, tough 

Simarouba glauca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paradise tree 

Sisyrinchium angustifolium . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue-eyed grass 

Solidago sempervirens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Goldenrod, seaside


Sophora tomentosa var. truncata . . . . . . .Yellow necklace pod 

Sorghastrum secundum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, lopsided Indian 

Spartina alterniflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, smooth cord 

Spartina bakeri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, sand cord 

Spartina patens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, saltmeadow cord 

Spathodea campanulata . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tulip tree, African 

Spigelia marilandica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodland pinkroot 

Spiraea cantoniensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiraea, Chinese 

Spiraea thunbergii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiraea, Thunberg 

Sporobolus virginicus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seashore dropseed 

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis . . . . . . . . . . .Porterweed, blue 

Stachytarpheta spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Porterweed 

Stenocarpus sinuatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Firewheel tree 

Stenotaphrum secundatum . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, St. Augustine 

Stephanotis floribunda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bridal bouquet 

Sterculia foetida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bangar nut 

Stigmaphyllon littorale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brazilian golden vine 

Stokesia laevis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aster, Stokes’ 

Strelitzia nicolai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bird-of-paradise tree 

Strelitzia reginae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bird-of-paradise 

Styrax grandifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Big leaf snowbell 

Suriana maritima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bay cedar 

Swietenia mahagoni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mahogany 

Syagrus romanzoffiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Queen palm 

Tabebuia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trumpet tree, Caribbean 

Tabernaemontana divaricata . . . . . . . . . .Crape jasmine 

Tagetes spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marigold 

Tamarindus indica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tamarind 

Taxodium ascendens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cypress, pond 

Taxodium distichum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cypress, bald 

Tecoma capensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Honeysuckle, Cape 

Ternstroemia gymnanthera . . . . . . . . . . . .Cleyera 

Tetrastigma voinerianum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ape-ivy 

Tetrazygia bicolor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tetrazygia 

Thelypteris kunthii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fern, southern shield 

Thrinax morrisii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thatch palm, Key 

Thrinax radiata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thatch palm, Florida 

Thunbergia alata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black-eyed Susan vine 

Thunbergia erecta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bush clock vine 

Thunbergia fragrans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .White sky vine 

Thunbergia grandiflora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sky vine 

Thymus vulgaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thyme 

Tibouchina spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glorybush 

Tilia americana var. caroliniana . . . . . . . .Basswood 

Tithonia diversifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mexican sunflower 

Tithonia rotundifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mexican zinnia 

Torenia fournieri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wishbone flower 

Trachelospermum asiaticum . . . . . . . . . . .Jasmine, Asiatic 

Trachelospermum jasminoides . . . . . . . . .Confederate jasmine 

Trachycarpus fortunei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Windmill palm 

Tradescantia ohiensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spiderwort, blue 

Tradescantia pallida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Purple queen 

Trevesia palmata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tropical snowflake 

Trichostema dichotomum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue curls, forked 

Tripsacum dactyloides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gama grass, Eastern 

Tripsacum floridanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gama grass, Florida 

Tulbaghia violacea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Society garlic 

Turnera ulmifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alder, yellow 

Ulmus alata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elm, winged 

76 

Ulmus americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elm, American 

Ulmus parvifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elm, Chinese 

Uniola paniculata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sea oats 

Vaccinium arboreum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sparkleberry 

Vaccinium cormybosum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blueberry, highbush 

Vaccinium cultivars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blueberry 

Vaccinium darrowii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blueberry, Darrow’s 

Vaccinium myrsinites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blueberry, shiny 

Verbena bonariensis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Verbena, purpletop 

Veronia spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ironweed 

Viburnum dentatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arrow-wood 

Viburnum obovatum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viburnum, Walter’s 

Viburnum odoratissimum . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viburnum, sweet 

Viburnum rufidulum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viburnum, blackhaw 

Viburnum suspensum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viburnum, sandankwa 

Vinca spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vinca 

Viola spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Violet, Florida 

Vitex agnus-castus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chaste-tree 

Vitis rotundifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grape, muscadine 

Vitis spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grapes 

Washingtonia robusta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Washington palm 

Wisteria frutescens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wisteria, American 

x Citrofortunella microcarpa . . . . . . . . . . .Calamondin orange 

Ximenia americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tallow-wood 

Yucca aloifolia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spanish bayonet 

Yucca elephantipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yucca, spineless 

Yucca filamentosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adam’s needle 

Yucca spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Yucca 

Zamia floridana (Z. pumila) . . . . . . . . . . .Coontie 

Zamia furfuracea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cardboard palm 

Zanthoxylum clava-herculis . . . . . . . . . . .Hercules’-club 

Zanthoxylum fagara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wild lime 

Zephyranthes spp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rain-lily 

Zoysia japonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grass, zoysia

Plant Index 

Acacia, sweet 22 

Adam’s needle 38, 50 

Agapanthus 58 

Ageratum 58 

Ajuga 50 

Alder, yellow 58 

Alexandra palm 34 

Allamanda, yellow 56 

Allspice 22 

Aloe 50 

Althaea. See under Rose-of-Sharon 

Amaryllis 58 

American beautyberry 38 

Angel’s-trumpet 38 

Anise, Florida 38 

yellow 38 

Anise-tree 38 

Ape-ivy 56 

Apple, seven-year 38 

Aralia, lacy-lady 38 

Arbor-vitae, Oriental 38 

Arrow-wood 38 

Ash, green 22 

pop 22 

Aster, bushy 58 

climbing 58 

Stokes’ 58 

Atemoya 22 

Avocado 22 

Azalea hybrids 38 

Florida flame 38 

Piedmont. See under Azalea, wild 

Pinxter. See under Azalea, wild 

wild 38 

Bahama coffee 38 

Balloon flower 58 

Bamboo palm 34 

Banana, Cavendish 22 

Bangar nut 22 

Barberry, ‘crimson pygmy’ 38 

wintergreen 38 

Basswood 22 

Bay cedar 38 

Beach elder 38 

Beach morning glory 50 

Beach-lily. See under Spider-lily 

Bean, beach 50 

Beardtongue, white 58 

Beech, American 22 

Begonia 58 

wax 58 

Bengal clock vine. See under 

White sky vine 

Big leaf snowbell 22 

Birch, river 22 

Bird-of-paradise 58 

Bird-of-paradise tree 22 

Bismarck palm 34 

Black olive 22 

Black sapote 22 

Black torch 38 

Blackberry 38 

Black-eyed Susan 58 

Black-eyed Susan vine 56 

Blackgum 22 

Blanket flower 58 

Blazing star 58 

Bleeding heart 56 

Blolly 22 

Blood flower milkweed. See under 


Blue curls, forked 58 

Blue daze 50 

Bluebeach. See under Hornbeam, 

American 

Blueberry 38 

Darrow’s 38 

highbush 38 

shiny 38 

Blue-eyed grass 58 

Bluestem palmetto 4 

Bluewing. See under Wishbone flower 

Bottlebrush, lemon 38 

stiff 38 

Bougainvillea, paper flower 38 

Bower vine 56 

Boxthorn 38 

Bradford pear 22 

Brazilian golden vine 56 

Bridal bouquet 56 

Broadleaf woodoats. See under 

Grass, broadleaf spike 

Broomsedge 50 

Buccaneer palm 34 

Buckthorn, Carolina 22 

tough 38 

Buddleja. See under Butterfly bush 

Bulnesia 22 

Bush clock vine 38 

Butterfly bush 38 

Butterfly weed 58 

Button rattlesnake master 58 

Button sage. See under Wild sage 

Button snakeroot. See under Button 

rattlesnake master 

Buttonbush 38 

Buttonwood 22 

silver 38 

Cabbage palm 34 

Calamondin orange 38 

Calliopsis. See under Coreopsis 

Camellia, sasanqua 40 

Canary Island date palm 34 

Canistel. See under Eggfruit 

Canna, garden 58 

yellow 58 

Caper, Jamaican 40 

Carambola 22 

77 

Cardboard palm 34 

Cardinal flower 58 

Caricature plant 40 

Carolina silverbell 40 

Carpet bugleweed. See under Ajuga 

Cassia, Bahama 40 

Cast-iron plant 50 

Cat palm 34 

Catalpa 22 

Cedar, red 22 

Century plant 40 

Chalky bluestem. See under Broomsedge 

Chaste-tree 40 

Chenille plant 40 

Cherokee bean. See under Coral bean 

Cherry laurel 22 

Chinese fan palm 34 

Chinese Mahonia. See under 

Oregon grape-holly 

Chinquapin 22 

Chocolate pudding fruit. See under 

Black sapote 

Christmas berry 40 

Chrysanthemum, florist’s. See under 

Chrysanthemum, garden 

garden 58 

Cigar flower 58 

Cleyera 40 

Cliff date palm 34 

Clustering fishtail palm 34 

Cockscomb 58 

Coconut palm 34 

Cocoplum 40 

Coleus 58 

Colville’s glory 22 

Common tickseed 58 

Confederate jasmine 56 

Confederate-rose 40 

Coontie 40 

Copperleaf 40 

Copperpod 22 

Coral bean 40 

Coreopsis 58 

Cosmos 58 

Cow itch vine. See under Trumpet vine 

Crabapple, southern 22 

Crabwood 22 

Crape jasmine 40 

Crape myrtle 22 

Cream narcissus 58 

Crinum-lily 60 

Cross vine 56 

Croton 40 

Cuban tamarind 22 

Custard apple 22 

Cycad, Dioon 34 

Cypress, bald 22 

pond 24

Plant Index 

Daisy, African bush 60 

sea oxeye 60 

Dawn redwood 24 

Daylily 60 

Dense gayfeather. See under Blazing star 

Dicerandra 60 

Dogwood, flowering 24 

Japanese 24 

Dotted horsemint 60 

Dracaena 40 

Dragon tree 24 

Dusty-miller 60 

Dwarf Fakahatchee grass. See under 

Gama grass, Florida 

Eggfruit, Canistel 24 

Elderberry 40 

Elm, American 24 

Chinese 24 

winged 24 

European fan palm 34 

Fakahatchee grass. See under 

Gama grass, Eastern 

False heather 50 

Fancy-leaved caladium 60 

Fern, bird’s nest 50 

cinnamon 50 

giant leather 50 

giant sword 50 

holly 50 

leatherleaf 50 

royal 50 

southern shield 50 

swamp 50 

woods. See under Fern, southern shield 

Fetterbush 40 

Fiddlewood 24, 40 

Fig, creeping 50 

edible 24 

Firebush 40 

Firecracker plant 40 

Firespike 40 

Firethorn, red 40 

Firewheel tree 24 

Florida boxwood 40 

Florida green eyes 60 

Florida royal palm 34 

Florida soapberry 24 

Floss flower. See under Ageratum 

Floss-silk tree 24 

Four-o’clock 60 

Foxtail-fern 50 

Frangipani 24 

Fringe tree 24 

Gallberry 40 

Gama grass, Eastern 40 

Florida 40 

Garberia 40 

Cape jasmine 40 

Gaura 60 

Geiger tree 24 

Gerbera daisy 60 

Ginger, butterfly 60 

peacock 50 

shell 60 

Globe amaranth 60 

Glorybush 40 

Glossy abelia 40 

Golden creeper 50 

Golden dewdrop 42 

Golden shower 24 

Goldenrod, seaside 60 

Gopher apple 50 

Granny graybeard. See under Fringe tree 

Grape, muscadine 56 

wild. See under Grape, muscadine 

Grapefruit 24 

Grapes 56 

Grass, Aztec 50 

bahia 50 

Baker cord. See under Grass, sand cord 

Bermuda 50 

bitter panic 50 

broadleaf spike 50 

centipede 50 

eulalia. See under Grass, zebra 

Japanese. See under zoysia 

lopsided Indian 50 

mondo 50 

muhly 50 

purple love 50 

salt 52 

saltmeadow cord 52 

sand cord 52 

smooth cord 52 

St. Augustine 52 

wire 52 

zebra 52 

zoysia 52 

Groundcover rose 52 

Guanabana. See under Soursop 

Guava, pineapple 42 

Gumbo limbo 24 

Hackberry. See under Sugarberry 

Hawthorn, Indian 42 

Heliotrope 60 

Herald’s-trumpet 56 

Hercules’-club 24 

Hibiscus 42 

red 42 

Hickory, mockernut 24 

pignut 24 

scrub 24 

Holly, American 24 

Burford 42 

Carolina 24 

Chinese. See under Holly, Burford 

dahoon 24 

dwarf yaupon 42 

78 

East Palatka 24 

Japanese 42 

myrtle-leaved 24 

weeping yaupon 24 

yaupon 24 

Honeysuckle, Cape 42 

coral 56 

trumpet. See under Honeysuckle, coral 

Hong Kong orchid tree 24 

Hop hornbeam 24 

Hornbeam, American 26 

Hosta 52 

Huckleberry, dwarf 42 

Hurricane palm 34 

Hydrangea, French 42 

oakleaf 42 

wild 42 

Ice plant. See under Sedum 

Indian cigar. See under Catalpa 

Indian paint brush 60 

Indian pink. See under Woodland pinkroot 

Inkberry 42 

Iris, African 60 

anglepod. See under Iris, blue flag 

blue flag 60 

Dixie. See under Iris, blue flag 

prairie. See under Iris, blue flag 

walking 60 

Ironweed 60 

Ironwood. See under 

Hornbeam, American 

Ivy, Algerian 52 

Ixora 42 

Jaboticaba 26 

Jacaranda 26 

Jack-in-the-pulpit 60 

Jacobinia 60 

Jamaican dogwood 26 

Jasmine, Asiatic 52 

Carolina 52 

downy 42 

Japanese. See under Jasmine, primrose 

primrose 42 

yellow. See under Jasmine, primrose 

Jelly palm. See under Pindo palm 

Jerusalem thorn 26 

Joewood 26 

Juniper, blue rug 52 

Chinese 42 

Japanese garden 52 

Parson 52 

Pftizer 42 

shore 52 

Kalanchoe 60 

Key lime 26 

King’s mantle. See under Bush clock vine 

Kumquat 42 

Lady palm 34 

Lady-of-the-night 42

Plant Index 

Lancewood 26 

Lantana, Florida 60 

gold mound 52, 60 

trailing 52, 60 

Lemon 26 

Licuala palm 34 

spiny 42 

Lignum vitae 26 

Liriope 52 

Lizard’s tail 60 

Loblolly bay 26 

Loquat 26 

Lupine, sky-blue 60 

Lychee 26 

Lyonia, rusty 42 

shiny 42 

Macarthur palm 34 

Madagascar olive 26 

Magnolia, bullbay. See under 

Magnolia, southern 

southern 26 

Maguey. See under Century plant 

Mahogany 26 

Maidenbush 42 

Maidencane 52 

Mandevilla 56 

Mango 26 

Mangrove, black 26 

red 26 

white 26 

Maple, Florida sugar 26 

red 26 

Marigold 60 

Marlberry 42 

Marvel-of-Peru. See under Four-o’clock 

Mastic 26 

Matted sandweed. See under 

St. John’s wort 

May haw 26 

Maypop. See under Passion flower 

Mexican sago. See under Cycad, Dioon 

Mexican sunflower 62 

Mexican zinnia 62 

Milkweed, scarlet 62 

Mimosa-vine. See under Powderpuff-vine 

Mimusops 26 

Mistflower 62 

Mock orange 42 

Monstera 56 

Morning-glory 56 

Morning-noon-and-night. See under 

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow 

Moss-rose 62 

Mulberry, red 26 

Musclewood. See under Hornbeam, 

American 

Myrsine 42 

Narrowleaf-grass. See under 

Blue-eyed grass 

Natal plum 42 

Needle palm 34 

Night-blooming jessamine 42 

Oak, bluejack 26 

Chapman 26 

diamond leaf 26 

laurel 26 

live 26 

myrtle 26 

overcup 28 

sand live 28 

Shumard 28 

swamp chestnut 28 

turkey 28 

water 28 

white 28 

willow 28 

Oleander 42 

Orange, sweet 28 

Oregon grape-holly 42 

Osage orange 28 

Pampas grass 44 

Paradise tree 28 

Passion flower 56 

corky-stem 56 

incense 56 

purple 56 

scarlet 56 

Paurotis palm 34 

Pawpaw 44 

Peach 28 

Pear, Hood 28 

Pecan 28 

Pentas 62 

Peregrina 44 

Periwinkle 62 

Persimmon, common 28 

Japanese 28 

Petunia 62 

Philodendron 44 

Phlox, garden 62 

moss 62 

woodland 62 

Photinia 44 

Pigeon plum 28 

Pindo palm 34 

Pine, loblolly 28 

long-leaf 28 

sand 28 

slash 28 

South Florida slash 28 

spruce 28 

Pineland penstemon. See under 

Beardtongue, white 

Pink allamanda. See under Mandevilla 

Pink-and-white shower 28 

Pipestem 44 

Pitch apple 28 

Pleurisy root. See under Butterfly weed 

79 

Plum, Chickasaw 28 

flatwoods 28 

Plumbago 44 

Podocarpus, yew 44 

Pomegranate 44 

Pond-apple 28 

Ponytail palm 34 

Poppy mallow 62 

Porterweed 62 

blue 52 

Portulaca. See under Moss-rose 

Powderpuff 52 

Princess flower. See under Glorybush 

Purple coneflower 62 

Purple queen 52 

Quailberry 52 

Queen palm 34 

Queens wreath 56 

Railroad vine 52 

Rain-lily 62 

Red buckeye 28 

Red powderpuff 44 

Red stopper 28 

Redbay 28 

Redberry stopper 28 

Redbud 28 

Red-hot cattail. See under Chenille plant 

Red-tip. See under Photinia 

Rhapis. See under Lady palm 

Rhododendron, Chapman’s 44 

Rose, Cherokee 44 

Rosemary 44 

Rose-of-Sharon 44 

Royal poinciana 28 

Rusty blackhaw. See under Viburnum, 

blackhaw 

Sabal palm. See under Cabbage palm 

Sage rose. See under Alder, yellow 

Sage, lyre-leaved 62 

scarlet 62 

tropical 62 

Sago, king 34 

queen 34 

Sago-palm. See under Sago, king 

Sand holly. See under Holly, Carolina 

Sandwort. See under St. John’s wort 

Sassafras 28 

Satinleaf 30 

Saw palmetto 34 

Scrub conradina 44 

Scrub mint, large-flowered 44 

Scrub mints 62 

Scrub palmetto 34 

Sea lavender 44 

Sea oats 52 

Sea purslane 52 

Seagrape 30, 44 

Seashore dropseed 52 

Seashore paspalum 52

Plant Index 

Sedum 62 

Shrimp plant 44 

Shrub rose 62 

Shrub verbena. See under 

Lantana, Florida 

Silkbay 30 

Silkgrass 62 

Silver palm 34 

Silverthorn 44 

Simpson stopper 44 

Sky vine 56 

Smooth water-hyssop 52 

Snail seed 44 

Snapdragon 62 

Snow bush 44 

Snowberry, pineland 52 

Society garlic 62 

Sourgum 30 

Soursop 30 

Sourwood 30 

Southern bayberry. See under Wax myrtle 

Southern red cedar. See under Cedar, red 

Spanish bayonet 34, 44 

Spanish stopper 30 

Sparkleberry 44 

Spicewood 44 

Spider plant 54 

Spider-lily 62 

Spiderwort, blue 62 

Spiny black olive 30 

Spiraea, Chinese 44 

Reeves. See under Spiraea, Chinese 

Thunberg 44 

Spiral ginger 62 

Splitleaf philodendron. See under 

Monstera 

Spotted bee balm. See under 

Dotted horsemint 

St. John’s wort 52 

Star-apple 30 

String-lily 62 

Sugarberry 30 

Summer haw 30 

Sunflower, beach 54 

narrow-leaved 62 

Swamp doghobble. See under Fetterbush 

Swamp mallow. See under Hibiscus, red 

Swamp tupelo. See under Blackgum 

Swampbay 30 

Sweet olive 44 

Sweet pepperbush 44 

Sweet shrub 44 

Sweet William 62 

Sweetbay 30 

Sweetgum 30 

Sweetspire 44 

Sycamore 30 

Tallow-wood 44 

Tamarind 30 

Tangelo 30 

Tangerine 30 

Tetrazygia 44 

Texas sage 46 

Thatch palm, Florida 34 

Key 34 

Thryallis 46 

Thyme 54 

Ti plant 46 

Tibouchina. See under Glorybush 

Titi 46 

Toothache tree. See under Hercules’-club 

Torchwood 46 

Tree philodendron. See under 

Philodendron 

Triangle palm 34 

Tropical milkweed. See under 


Tropical snowflake 46 

Trumpet tree, Caribbean 30 

Trumpet vine 56 

Tulip tree 30 

African 30 

Tupelo, water 30 

Turk’s-cap 46 

Twinflower 62 

Two-winged silverbell 46 

Varnish leaf 46 

Velvet-apple, Mabolo 30 

Verbena, coastal mock. See under 

Verbena, Florida native 

Florida native 62 

moss 62 

purpletop 64 

roadside. See under Verbena, purpletop 

Tampa 64 

Viburnum, blackhaw 30 

sandankwa 46 

sweet 46 

Walter’s 46 

Vinca 54 

Violet, common blue. See under 

Violet, Florida 

Florida 64 

Virginia creeper 56 

Virginia-willow. See under Sweetspire 

Washington palm 36 

Wax myrtle 46 

Whirling butterflies. See under Gaura 

White indigo berry 46 

White sage. See under Wild sage 

White sapote 30 

White sky vine 56 

Wild coffee 46 

Wild columbine 64 

Wild date palm 36 

Wild dilly 30 

Wild lime 30 

Wild rosemary. See under Scrub conradina 

80 

Wild sage 46 

Wild tamarind 30 

Wild-petunia 64 

Willow, weeping 30 

Windmill palm 36 

Wishbone flower 64 

Wisteria, American 56 

Woodbine. See under Virginia creeper 

Woodland pinkroot 64 

Yarrow 64 

Yellow buttons 64 

Yellow jessamine. See under 

Jasmine, Carolina 

Yellow necklace pod 46 

Yellowtop 64 

Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow 46 

Ylang-ylang 30 

Yucca 64 

spineless 35

Printed on recycled paper 

St. Johns River Water 


4049 Reid Street 

P.O. Box 1429 

Palatka, FL 32178-1429 

(800) RALLY-22 

Florida's water management districts 

Northwest Florida Water 


81 Water Management Drive 

Havana, FL 32333 

(850) 539-5999 

South Florida Water 


P.O. Box 24680 

West Palm Beach, FL 

33416-4680 

(800) 432-2045 

This guide was produced by Florida's water management districts to inform 

the public of landscape methods that support water conservation. 

First printing, February 2001. Second printing, December 2001. 

Second edition, February 2003. Second Printing, April 2004. 

Suwannee River Water 


9225 County Road 49 

Live Oak, FL 32060 

(800) 226-1066 

Southwest Florida Water 


2379 Broad Street 

Brooksville, FL 34604 

(800) 423-1476

Florida Waterwise Landscapes - Alliance for Water Efficiency

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