- What are Native Plants?<\/a><\/li>
- Native Shrubs<\/a>
- Southern Wax Myrtle or Bayberry (Morella cerifera)<\/a><\/li>
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)<\/a><\/li>
- Florida Privet or Florida Swamp Privet (Forestiera segregata)<\/a><\/li>
- Buttonsage (Lantana involucrata)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Flowers<\/a>
- Wand or Slender Goldenrod (Solidago stricta)<\/a><\/li>
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)<\/a><\/li>
- Swamp Mallow or Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Vine<\/a>
- Yellow or Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Fern<\/a>
- Wood or Southern Shield Fern (Thelypteris kunthii)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Trees<\/a>
- Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)<\/a><\/li>
- Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Choose Native Plants for Your Sarasota Landscape<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What are Native Plants?<\/strong><\/h2>
According to the National Wildlife Federation<\/a>, \u201cA plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction.\u201d Native plants thrive in their particular region and are a low-maintenance landscaping idea for Sarasota<\/a>.<\/p>
Some of the advantages of native landscapes include the following:<\/p>
- They are adapted to local climate and soil conditions<\/strong> and are more resistant to damage from that area\u2019s conditions (e.g., drought, diseases).
<\/li>- They provide food sources<\/strong> (e.g., nectar, pollen, seeds, leaves, stems) for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.
<\/li>- They reduce energy consumption and pollution<\/strong> (e.g., limited need for mowing).
<\/li>- They reduce the need for pesticides.<\/strong>
<\/li>- They enhance aesthetics and visual quality.<\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>
Native Shrubs<\/h2>
Southern Wax Myrtle or Bayberry (Morella cerifera<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Morella-cerifera.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also known as Myrica cerifera<\/em>, Southern wax myrtle may be placed in many types of gardens, including sensory gardens<\/a>, and used as a barrier shrub, hedge, or tree. This rapid grower attracts butterflies, bees, and songbirds.<\/p>
The Southern wax myrtle<\/a> has no serious insect or disease problems. If you\u2019re crafty, you can make bayberry-scented candles, soaps, and sealing wax with the berries. However, because of the fruits\u2019 small size, you\u2019ll need 5,000 or more to make a 2-ounce candle.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub (or small tree)<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 7-11<\/li>
- Sun<\/strong>: Full sun, part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Not particular but prefers well-drained deep sands, loams, and clays; pH <6<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Long-lived perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Bayberry<\/a> scent when leaves are crushed. Fragrant flowers.<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> White and green inconspicuous blooms in spring. Blue fruits ripen in late summer to early fall.<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Water well until established and then provide little additional care.<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 10-15 feet tall (can reach 20 feet or more) by 8 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> Southern wax myrtles are considered potential fire hazards, so don\u2019t plant them close to your home.<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Prune annually to maintain a tree shape.<\/li> <\/ul>
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Saw](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/saw-palmetto-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michael Rivera<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Good in a drought-tolerant or even a winter garden, you can use saw palmetto as a specimen plant. With its creeping growth pattern, it can have multiple trunks and grow up to 10 feet wide, according to the University of Florida<\/a>. It attracts butterflies, birds, and bees, who make high-grade honey from what they collect from the plant.<\/p>
Some people believe an extract of the berries lowers levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer, although the American Cancer Society<\/a> says no evidence exists for this.<\/p>
Saw palmetto is used as a supplement, but don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to make a mint off your plant. Anyone who harvests<\/a> and sells saw palmetto berries in Florida must acquire a permit.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 8a-11<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Dry loam and sand; pH <6-8<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Long-lived perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Sweet<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> Small yellow-white flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Small yellow berries that turn dark blue and mature in early fall and persist into the winter.<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Water regularly when first planted but very drought tolerant once established.<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> Typically 3-8 feet tall by 4-6 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> Fine, sharp, saw-like teeth or spines along the stems can scratch. Don\u2019t choose saw palmetto if you practice firewise landscaping<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Remove dead fronds and fruit stems.<\/li> <\/ul>
Florida Privet or Florida Swamp Privet (Forestiera segregat<\/em>a)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Florida-Privet.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> Birds eat the Florida privet\u2019s<\/a> fruit because the fruit ripens early, before most others. You can plant this shrub as a specimen plant or a hedge. It can be used along foundations if you regularly prune it.<\/p>
Arranged in clusters, the flowers look like a single bloom; they attract bees and butterflies. This shrub has no serious disease or insect issues.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 8a-11<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Well-drained sandy, loamy, or calcareous soils; pH 5.1-8.5.<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Long-lived perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Intensely sweet<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> Showy yellowish-green blooms in early spring. Purplish or dark blue fruit ripens in late spring.<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Does not require supplemental water once established.<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 5-15 feet tall by 5-10 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> Foul-tasting berries stain clothing and skin, but more important, they are toxic to humans and dogs.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong> Low. Remains virtually maintenance-free once established.<\/li> <\/ul>
Buttonsage (Lantana involucrata<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Small](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buttonsage-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Butterflies adore the flowers of the buttonsage, or wild sage, shrub. The birds and the bees like it, too. It is a good choice for a low hedge, foundation planting, or ground cover. Ensure that you don\u2019t confuse Lantana involucrata<\/em> with Lantana camara<\/em><\/a>, which is widely sold commercially but is nonnative and considered invasive in Florida.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>8b-11<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained limestone or sandy soils; pH 6.5-7.5<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Long-lived perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Very fragrant. Crushed leaves smell like sage.<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> Year-round blooming of white to lavender showy flowers in clusters. Year-round purple showy fruit.<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> Low. Does not require supplemental water once established but will blossom more if watered.<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> Up to 5 feet high by 1-5 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>The sap can irritate the skin, so wear gloves and eye protection while working with the buttonsage. All parts of the plant can be very toxic to pets and people if ingested.<\/li>
- Maintenance:<\/strong> Low. Can be pruned without fear, even (almost) to the ground. Benefits from light fertilization.<\/li> <\/ul>
Native Flowers<\/h2>
Wand or Slender Goldenrod (Solidago stricta<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Yellow](\"https:\/\/wp.wikilawn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Goldenrod-Solidago-species-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bob Peterson<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Once thought to cause hay fever (ragweed is the true villain here), goldenrod<\/a> attracts many native bees, birds, and Monarch and other butterflies. Therefore, it makes a good addition to wildflower gardens but can be planted anywhere in your South Florida landscape, especially in xeriscape<\/a> gardens.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 5-9<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun, part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Sand but tolerates clay; pH 6-8<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Fragrance:<\/strong> Rich anise scent<\/li>
- Bloom time:<\/strong> Yellow clusters of flowers blooming in late summer and early fall<\/li>
- Water needs:<\/strong> No watering needed unless drought conditions exist<\/li>
- Mature height:<\/strong> 3-6 feet tall by 2-4 feet wide<\/li>
- Potential hazards:<\/strong> None<\/li>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>Low. Cut back annually because it spreads. Don\u2019t fertilize, which makes the stems droopy.<\/li> <\/ul>
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Field](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/black-eyed-susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The black-eyed Susan is a cheerful-looking flower that looks good in bud vases or flower arrangements. It can be a colorful addition to wildflower<\/a>, prairie, and meadow gardens. It also grows well in containers. Black-eyed Susan attracts bumble bees, butterflies, and birds. Birds<\/a> like the seeds within the \u201cblack eye\u201d of this flower from the aster family.<\/p>
- Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 3-10<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Part sun<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained sandy soil; pH <6.8<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Short-lived perennial<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 3-10<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 5-9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>8b-11<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 8a-11<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 8a-11<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 7-11<\/li>
- They provide food sources<\/strong> (e.g., nectar, pollen, seeds, leaves, stems) for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.
- Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Trees<\/a>
- Native Fern<\/a>
- Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)<\/a><\/li>
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)<\/a><\/li>
- Native Shrubs<\/a>