FLORIDA NATIVE AND FLORIDA-FRIENDLY PLANTS

Sweet Mimosa. One of the most useful tropical plants that is very cold tolerant, blooms all winter through spring with honey-fragrant flowers - canary yellow powder puffs, attracting bees and butterflies. This is a large size, multi-stem thorny shrub 15x15 ft that requires some space. It is very fast growing, can be used as a good screen plant. It will bring you joy with pretty flowers and sweet fragrance even during freeze snaps when other trees lose leaves and suffer. This one will continue blooming and stays evergreen - a real survivor! Tolerates poor soils and drought too. Provide regular water to establish quicker.

Aster Tree, Snow Bush, White Cloud Tree. This unique plant is the only tree in Asteraceae family. The persistent white pappus of the infructescences remains showy for months after the plants stop blooming. The plant looks like a white cloud or covered with snow. Winter bloomer. Unusual shape leaves 1-2" wide. Can be grown as a large bush, trained into a small standard tree, or kept in a pot. Very hardy plant, tolerates drought and poor soils, and some freeze.

Cocoplum. Easy care shrub that is used often as ornamental or a hedge; it produces edible fruit. The mature fruits are 1 to 2 inches in length and ovoid or globular. The thin skin of the fruit varies from pinkish white, to red, to purplish black. The white, cottony pulp adheres to the single large ridged seed and is somewhat insipid in taste. The cocoplum is generally stewed with sugar after the skins have been removed. It can also be used for jelly and jam, and the seeds can be roasted as nuts.
The plant is highly tolerant of salt, so it is often planted to stabilize beach edges and prevent erosion.

Bougainvillea arborea is a thornless and fragrant species. Free-standing small bushy tree with lavender-pink blooms. Very rare variety very much wanted because its compact and slow growth habit. The tree usually doesn

Golden shower tree, Indian Laburnum - To many tropical gardeners, the most beautiful of cassias is Cassia fistula. This is a medium to large tree with ovate, pointed leaflets; when these drop, usually in the dry season, masses of bright gold flower clusters appear on almost every branch. This tree drops leaves in fall/winter.

Rare in collections! Chiococca alba - David's Milkberry, West Indian Milkberry, West Indian Snowberry - is from Gardenia family - Rubiaceae - and sure it has fragrant flowers! A rare Florida native vine or shrub with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers like lily-of-the-valley, followed by bright white berries that glow against the leaves. Birds eat the fruit and butterflies love the blooms. Tough and adaptable, it grows in sun or shade, tolerates salty breezes, and can sprawl, climb, or be trimmed as a shrub. A graceful, unusual plant with a long history of traditional use.

Seagrape. Popular plant used as an ornamental in gardens or indoors, subjected to salty winds and drought. It has stiff, rounded platter-like leaves shading from yellowish to olive green with prominent veins. Long clusters of berry-like fruit which follow are striking and give the tree its popular name. Somewhat acid in taste, the fruit can be used to make jelly. Very easy to grow and undemanding plant.

Monkey Ear, Ear Pod Tree, Elephant Ear Tree. Looking for a cool looking tree that grows faster than your to-do list? This large, feathery beauty is one of the quirkiest members of the subtropics.
This fast-growing, cold-hardy giant provides ample shade in no time, making it perfect for anyone seeking instant relaxation under a canopy. But here's the real kicker - the tree's pods curl up to resemble ears! These unique legume pods aren't just fun to look at, they're also great for crafts and decorations. Nature's art project, anyone?
So, if you're looking for a curious tree with personality (and maybe a bit of ear charm), the Monkey Ear Tree is ready to impress. Grow it, shade it, and get crafty with its ear-shaped pods!

Coral tree. Bright dark pink flowers in late winter - spring. Can be trimmed as compact shrub or used for bonsai. Great for locations with poor soil and limited irrigation, very easy to grow. Great butterfly and hummingbird attractor!
Seeds are poisonous, but young leaves and flowers may be cooked and safely eaten.

See article about this plant: Coral Bean - Hummingbird Delight.

Lignum Vitae, Tree of Life, Gaiac tree. This tree is sometimes referred to as the "tree of life" because of its many uses. Abundant flowers range in color from purple to blue, it is the national flower of Jamaica. Rare and slow growing small tree, hard to propagate.

Fire Bush, full size variety. Grows into a small tree. Small, tubular red-orange flowers. Pruning inhibits the blooms, which appear at the ends of the branches. One of the best butterfly attractors.

Peregrina is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and clusters of star shaped bright scarlet flowers about 1 in across that are borne in multi-flowered terminal clusters almost all year round. Compacta is a smaller, more compact cultivar. Peregrina is tolerant of a wide variety of soils as long as they are well drained. Blooms on the current year's growth so it can be pruned at any time of the year.

Looking for a cold-hardy tree with stunning flowers and a heavenly scent? The Little Gem Magnolia is a compact variety of the Southern Magnolia that delivers all the beauty without the towering height. Its large white blooms emit a divine fragrance, and its fluffy, teddy bear-like leaves add extra charm. Perfect for small gardens or containers, this slow-growing beauty still reaches up to 8-10 feet wide, offering plenty of blooms even when young. Ideal for those who want elegance, fragrance, and manageable size in one gorgeous package!

Iris Regina. This variety was discovered in Brazil near the ocean in shady sandy soil, introduced by Sid Gardino, and named after his wife, Regina.
The plant is salt tolerant. Plants mature to flowering size from seed in less than a year. Cold hardy only to about 30F.

Nephrolepis species are easily grown in mild areas from full shade to partial sun. They are widely cultivated as indoor plants.
A lush, tropical favorite, Sword Fern brings a burst of fresh green foliage with its long, arching fronds that look like nature's feathered swords. Perfect for shady spots, hanging baskets, or as a groundcover, it thrives in humidity and indirect light, but can also take some sun. Easy to grow, fast to fill in, and loved for its classic, jungle-like look, this fern is a great ground cover for Southern landscapes.
In cooler climates, if they are grown in heated indoor situations, ensure they receive plenty of bright filtered light and ample water.
It is also one of the best over all plants at removing gaseous toxins from the air, including formaldehyde.

Corky Stem Passion Flower is a compact, fast-growing, tough little Florida native that gives back to everyone - butterflies, birds, and even you. Its tiny flowers and half-inch fruits create a mighty habitat, feeding Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Longwing, and Julia butterflies, while birds love the berries. People can enjoy them too as a small exotic treat.
Unlike aggressive passion vines, this one stays compact, perfect for a trellis or small tree. Cold hardy, drought tolerant, and able to thrive in poor soils with little care, it's an easy, resilient addition to your garden that brings beauty, wildlife, and joy all year long.

Native American Persimmon. Smaller, 2-3" fruit, astringent, doesn't need cold to bloom, eaten soft.
A plum-like berry that is green before ripening, turning orange to black when ripe, 3/4 to 2 inches in diameter. Cold hardy.
Astringent cultivars have water-soluble tannins in the flesh of the fruit at maturity (harvest) and do not normally lose their astringency until soft and ripe.
Learn more: Growing Persimmon trees.

Red mangrove. Great for purifying ponds. These are seedlings grown in soil.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Royal poinciana - one of the most popular tropical trees covered with bright red orchid-like flowers from late winter through early summer. A must for any tropical garden, this tree however requires space since it spreads its branches 30-40 ft wide or more.
"The Royal Poinciana is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the USA, and probably among the top 10 on this planet. In full bloom, it is like a regal elephant caparisoned in red and yellow brilliance." (Larry M. Schokman, The Kampong, National Tropical Botanic Garden)
Watch video about this tree.

Abicola, Arboricola, Trinette, Hawaiian Umbrella Tree, Hawaiian Elf Schefflera. This is one of the easiest shrubs to care for and is a very beautiful "trouble-free" evergreen. This versatile tree is great for home, office, dorm or anywhere and does well in low to high lighting conditions. Tiny umbrella shaped leaves forming a dense green canopy. Very popular and easy indoor care. Perfect low maintenance landscape plant.

Silver trumpet tree, blooms in winter with bright yellow flowers that cover the tree completely, before new leaves appear. Hardy and easy to grow.