Oh, and I, this article\u2019s author, am a Florida native, too, having grown up in Milton, about 40 minutes from Pensacola.<\/p>
- Native Florida Flowers<\/a><\/li>
- Native Florida Shrubs<\/a><\/li>
- Native Florida Trees<\/a><\/li>
- What Are Native Plants?<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of Native Plants<\/a><\/li>
- Ask the Experts<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
But first, what are native Florida plants? These hardy Florida plants grow naturally and thrive in Florida\u2019s heat, humidity, and occasional overnight freeze.<\/p>
Landscaping with plants native to Florida supports your local ecosystem and prevents the spread of invasive, non-native species. If you\u2019re looking for low-maintenance plants that grow well in Florida, look no further.<\/p>
Native Florida Flowers<\/strong><\/h2>
Beach Sunflower (<\/strong>Helianthus debilis<\/em><\/strong>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"yellow](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/777px-Miami_Beach_-_South_Beach_Sand_Dune_Flora_-_Helianthus_debilis_Dune_Sunflower_29.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Daniel Di Palma<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Beach sunflower makes a perfect ground cover<\/a> for coastal areas because it loves sandy soils and tolerates high levels of salt. This drought-tolerant plant sprouts bright yellow, sunflower-like blooms year-round and attracts butterflies<\/a>.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8b \u2013 10b<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil<\/strong>: Sandy soils<\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial (annual in areas with freezing temperatures)<\/li>
- Height:<\/strong> 2-10 inches<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: Water occasionally during dry spells, but make sure not to overwater<\/li> <\/ul>
Black-Eyed Susan (<\/strong>Rudbeckia hirta<\/em><\/strong>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Field](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/black-eyed-susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Black-eyed susans are another salt and drought-tolerant plant that thrives in coastal landscapes. These wildflowers feature vibrant yellow, orange, or red petals that last through the sweltering heat of summer, even after most other flowers have wilted. <\/p>
- Hardiness zones: <\/strong>3a \u2013 9b<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Tolerates most soil types<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Height: <\/strong>1-3 feet<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Remove dead or faded flowers to encourage more blooms<\/li> <\/ul>
Blanket Flower (<\/strong>Gaillardia)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/blanket-flower-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Peter D. Tillman<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Blanket flowers can grow anywhere in Florida because they tolerate heat, sandy soils, and high salt levels. These flowers grow in a spreading mound that can function as a ground cover, with blooms in bright summer colors like orange, yellow, red, and reddish purple.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 3a \u2013 10b<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Any well-draining soil<\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial <\/li>
- Height:<\/strong> 12-18 inches <\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: Remove dead flowers to encourage more blooms<\/li> <\/ul>
Blazing Star (<\/strong>Liatris)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Field](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/blazing-star-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Blazing star is a stellar example of native Florida flora. The Sunshine State has more than 13 native species of blazing star (aka gayfeather and colic root), a flower tough enough to survive even the most disaster-prone gardeners. The blazing star\u2019s vibrant bottlebrush-shaped flowers bloom in fall and attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees<\/a>.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8a \u2013 10b<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Any well-draining soil<\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial<\/li>
- Height<\/strong>: Up to 5 feet<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong> Water regularly during growing season, ensure plants get sufficient air circulation to avoid leaf spots, mold, and similar problems<\/li> <\/ul>
Carolina Jessamine <\/strong>(Gelsemium sempervirens)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"yellow](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Carolina-Jessamine-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Homer Edward Price<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Carolina jessamine, aka yellow jessamine, grows as a vine, so it\u2019s a perfect choice to climb up a landscape feature such as a trellis, arbor, or pergola<\/a>. These butter yellow trumpet-shaped flowers release a sweet fragrance, but beware: They are poisonous and can be fatal if eaten. <\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 7a \u2013 9b<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun <\/li>
- Soil<\/strong>: Rich soils <\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial<\/li>
- Heigh<\/strong>t: 10 \u2013 20 feet (climbing)<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: Water regularly <\/li> <\/ul>
Columbine (<\/strong>Aquilegia canadensis)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/columbine-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> In general, columbine is a wildflower that comes in many colors, but Florida\u2019s native species has interesting red and yellow blossoms that attract hummingbirds. Columbine is native to the Panhandle and best for North Florida landscapes.<\/p>
- Hardiness<\/strong> zones: 3a \u2013 8b<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Soil<\/strong>: Well-draining soils, even sandy soils <\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial<\/li>
- Height<\/strong>: 6 inches to 4 feet depending on growing conditions<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: Water regularly, but don\u2019t let the soil stay wet <\/li> <\/ul>
Coral Bean <\/strong>(Erythrina herbacea)<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/762px-Cherokee_Bean_Erythrina_herbacea_25203076648.jpg\")
Photo Credit: gailhampshire<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Coral bean grows differently in different parts of the state: In North and Central Florida, it\u2019s a large flower, but in South Florida, it can grow into a shrub or even a small tree. This plant is gorgeous in spring, when its bright red tubular flowers bloom, and in fall, when its seed pods burst to reveal shiny red seeds (which are poisonous).<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8a \u2013 11b<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil<\/strong>: Well-draining or sandy soils <\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Height<\/strong>: 5 \u2013 15 ft<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: If growing as an ornamental tree, prune into shape and remove dead branches<\/li> <\/ul>
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02.jpg\")
Photo Credit: <\/a>Zeynel Cebeci<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> Also known as trumpet honeysuckle, this flowering vine<\/a> can climb up trellises, pergolas, fences, walls, or any other surface in your landscape that needs a pop of color. Its bright red tubular flowers bloom in spring and summer, attracting hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 4a \u2013 9b<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Soil<\/strong>: Any well-draining soil<\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial<\/li>
- Height:<\/strong> 3 to 20 feet (climbing)<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: Prune occasionally if you don\u2019t want the vine to get too long<\/li> <\/ul>
Elliott\u2019s Aster (<\/strong>Symphyotrichum elliottii)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"pink](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Elliotts-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doughlas Goldman<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Elliott’s aster is a favorite among the many flowering plants in Florida. This is because, in late fall, Elliott\u2019s aster produces clumps of small lavender flowers with yellow centers, which attract pollinators<\/a>, including bees and butterflies. You can use this wildflower for a pop of color in your fall\/winter landscape and, if pruned carefully, the foliage can even function as a hedge.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 8a \u2013 11b<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Moist soils<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Height:<\/strong> 4 to 5 feet<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong> Prune regularly to keep it contained <\/li> <\/ul>
Milkweed (<\/strong>Asclepias)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Clusters](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/milkweed-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Several species of milkweed are native to Florida, including butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa<\/em>) (pictured), which is probably the most popular and widely available variety. Milkweed produces brightly colored flowers in summer, and it\u2019s famous for housing butterflies, especially monarch butterflies. <\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 4a \u2013 10a depending on the species<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Dry, sandy soils <\/li>
- Duration<\/strong>: Perennial<\/li>
- Height<\/strong>: 1 to 4 feet<\/li>
- Maintenance<\/strong>: May need to discourage aphids, but don\u2019t use pesticides because milkweed is popular with pollinators <\/li> <\/ul>
Passion Flower (<\/strong>Passiflora)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/passion-flower-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PumpkinSky<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Five species of passion flower are native to Florida, including the popular and extremely showy purple passion flower (Passiflora incarnata<\/em>) (pictured), which produces flowers with a pretty fringe around its lavender petals and an interesting pattern in the center. The passion flower grows on a vine that\u2019s good for climbing up structures and blooms in summer or early fall.<\/p>
- Hardiness zones<\/strong>: 6a \u2013 10b<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun <\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun<\/li>
- Native Florida Shrubs<\/a><\/li>