Garden Club of Cape Coral | Incorporating native plants in your landscape
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As the temperatures start to climb and the humidity levels skyrocket, you might find yourself thinking, "How can I plan my garden to provide beauty and variety while minimizing my time in this heat?" There really is an easy answer - add more native plants to your landscape!
Native plants are classified as plants that are adapted to local climate and soil conditions where they naturally occur. A "Florida Native Plant" refers to a species that occurred within the state boundaries prior to European contact; most native plants were spread by wind, birds or other natural means. These beneficial plants produce nectar, pollen and seeds that provide food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals.
In addition, native plants do not need fertilizers (which are prohibited in Lee County from June 1 to Sept. 30) and generally require fewer pesticides than other plants. Native plants also require less water and are more apt to help prevent erosion. Encompassing a wide range of species, from wildflowers to ferns, groundcovers to grasses, palms to vines, trees and shrubs, native plants offer an expansive selection of plants you can easily incorporate in your existing landscape. One of the primary reasons to install native plants is that they preserve the character of the Florida landscape.
Familiar native plants include Buccaneer, Royal, Florida Thatch and Silver Saw Palmetto palms; Florida Maple, Gumbo Limbo, Live Oak, Mahogany and Slash Pine trees; Carolina Jasmine and Coral Honeysuckle vines; Fakahatchee and Muhly grasses; Beautyberry, Clusia, Cocoplum, Coontie, Firebush, Sea Grape and Wax Myrtle shrubs, and Beach Sunflower, Peperomia, and Sunshine Mimosa groundcovers.
How do you go about identifying appropriate native plants for your landscape? There are several excellent Florida specific resources available to help you:
• Florida Friendly Landscaping provides resources to help you plan your garden with native plants. You can start with the Florida-friendly landscaping Interactive Tutorial and Quiz and download the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods handbook for more detailed information. The site also includes an excellent photo gallery of Florida-friendly yard examples and links to resources offered through your local UF/IFAS County Extension office.
• The Florida Native Plant Society is dedicated to promoting the preservation, conservation and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Their web site provides maps of native gardens and native plant "Hotspots" throughout Florida as well as resources including books and downloadable documents. A comprehensive list of native plants by county also allows you to select plants that are appropriate for your area. You can also browse the database by viewing all plants, find specific plants, find plants for a specific county, site conditions or purpose, or plants that are helpful in attracting butterflies or wildlife.
• The University of Florida/IFAS Gardening Solutions site provides many general publications on Native Plants as well as a comprehensive list of native plants with specific information on purchasing, planting, and maintaining the plants.
• Plant Real Florida is dedicated to helping you add native plants to your landscape and bring home the beauty of real Florida. Their website includes a large database of Florida native plants, numerous publications about native plants, and a listing of professional native plant landscapers and native nurseries for the entire state.
• Visit a local Native Plant Center to view native plants and discuss options with knowledgeable staff members. Lee County has three excellent native plant centers: All Native Garden Center in Fort Myers; Natives of Corkscrew in Buckingham; and SCCF Native Landscapes and Garden Center on Sanibel.
Incorporating Florida native plants into your landscape will provide rewards for you, your neighbors and our native birds, butterflies and wildlife. Who wouldn't support plants that mean less work for you, more compliments from your friends, and the added benefit of sustaining our native wildlife? I hope you will be inspired to explore our many native plants and give your garden the true Florida touch!
Cathy Dunn is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer, Garden Club of Cape Coral member, and president of the James E. Hendry Hibiscus Chapter Visit gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like us on our Facebook page!