FLORIDA NATIVE AND FLORIDA-FRIENDLY PLANTS

Red Maple is a fast growing tree, best known for its brilliant deep scarlet foliage in December-January in Florida and autumn elsewhere. It is is adaptable to a very wide range of site conditions. It can be found growing in wet sites, swamps, on poor dry soils, and most anywhere in between. Due to its attractive fall foliage and pleasing form, it is often used as a shade tree for landscapes. In Florida it grows much shorter than in colder region, reaching 20-40 ft.
This plant is grown from seed collected in Florida, so it is suited for planting in Florida. It may perform worse up North.

Variegated ginger - this species is valued for its variegated foliage, and beautiful flowers.

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.

Spiny Black Olive, Ming Tree. Exotic small tree that is valuable as unusual bonsai subject or specimen plant. This delicate tree grows into a bonsai almost by itself! Can be used as a potted indoor tree. It is very salt tolerant, making it a good choice for bonsai lovers by the sea. Bonsai shapes are awesome. They have small leaves and thorns and and grow out erratically in all directions, forming diamond-like lace.

The beautyberries are packed tightly together in clusters that encircle the stem. Spring flowers and beautiful fall fruit make this an attractive landscape plant. This Florida Native is easy to grow: pretty hardy and very drought tolerant.

Jamaica Caper Tree, Mustard Tree. Jamaica caper produces large quantities of flowers with white petals and many purple stamens, which extend beyond the petals. Fruit are slender, rust-colored pods which split open to expose orange-red seeds. The dense, strong Jamaica caper is very wind resistant and extremely salt tolerant.

Cinnamon Oak, Sandjack Oak, Bluejack Oak, Shin Oak Turkey Oak - is a hardy, low-maintenance tree perfect for adding character to your garden. Native to the coastal plains, it grows up to 40 feet tall with a relaxed, open crown of glossy green leaves. Its unique, rugged shape and dark, textured bark make it a standout in any landscape. Great for shade and easy to care for, this oak is a reliable choice for gardeners who appreciate natural native beauty with a touch of coastal charm.
Cinnamon Oak is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the United States, from Virginia around Florida to Texas and inland to Oklahoma and Arkansas

Fiddlewood, Boo-nge Saaree. Beautiful small tree with long tassels of richly scented white flowers. Flowers are pendant and cover the tree from spring to fall. Great butterfly and bee attractor.

Cordia sebestena - Scarlet (Orange) Geiger tree. Showy small tree with bright scarlet flowers followed by white edible fruit. According to the legend, the tree was named in memory of John Geiger a Key West 19th century pilot and wrecker. Flowers appear scattered over the tree, most of warm season. Popular landscape tree, however it is cold sensitive and won't tolerate any frost; other than that, it is easy to grow and undemanding.

Dwarf Golden Tabebuia. Small tree, good for container culture. Late winter to spring the leafless tree is covered with bright yellow flowers. Perfect for small yard or patio. Very cold hardy, at least to upper 20s, these trees survived Florida Record freeze (25F for 2 nights) with no damage.

Dwarf Golden Tabebuia. Small tree, good for container culture. Late winter to spring the leafless tree is covered with bright yellow flowers. Perfect for small yard or patio.

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!

A fascinating terrestrial orchid that surprises many gardeners with how easy it is to grow, Chinese Crown Orchid produces tall, elegant spikes of unusual greenish-yellow to brownish miniature flowers with a striking purple lip, giving each bloom a delicate, exotic look. Unlike many orchids that cling to trees, this one grows in the ground from underground bulbs, forming attractive clumps of grassy foliage.
Native to Asia and now naturalized in parts of Florida, Eulophia graminea thrives in warm climates and adapts well to containers or garden beds. Flower spikes can rise 2-4 ft above the foliage in summer, creating a graceful display that looks almost wild and tropical at the same time. It enjoys bright light to partial shade and regular watering, and once established it proves surprisingly tough and easygoing.
An unusual orchid for collectors and tropical gardeners alike - perfect for adding something unexpected to your garden or patio collection.
Keep in a dry side; plant in orchid mix. Do not overeater. Bright light.

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.

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.
This plant is leafless in fall-winter.
Learn more: Growing Persimmon trees.

A classic Southern pine, Slash Pine features super long, slender needles and straight trunks that add elegance to the landscape. It's tough, wind-resistant, and thrives in sandy, well-drained soil. Great for creating natural screens, attracting wildlife, or restoring native habitats. A low-maintenance evergreen that brings year-round beauty and shade to your garden! Slow growing, interesting specimen pine. Can be grown in a pot as a miniature Christmas tree year after year. Has excellent drought resistance once established.

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.