• Topics: Environmental Horticulture  | Groundcover Selection  | Landscape Plant Selection -- South Florida  |  Meerow, Alan W  | Native Groundcovers 

Native Ground Covers for South Florida¹

Ground covers are low-growing plants that are used in the landscape to blanket an area of bare ground. Living vegetation provides a substantial cooling effect when water released through the leaves is evaporated. Temperatures over ground cover plants can be as much as 15°-25° F lower than temperatures over paved surfaces. Turf grass is probably the most widely used ground cover, but some studies suggest that the energy demands of lawns, including maintenance costs, are significantly high. Where foot traffic will be heavy, turf grass is still the best possible choice of ground cover. However, in areas where traffic will be minimal, alternative ground covers are available that require little upkeep once established, and that may be adaptable to a wider range of environmental conditions than turf.

South Florida's various plant communities contain a number of native species suitable for ground cover use. In recent years, interest in the use of native plants for Florida landscaping has greatly increased. Some of the reasons for this include the loss to development of natural areas in the state, coastal deterioration due to disturbance of native vegetation, and concern about water use to support exotic landscapes composed of introduced species, some of which require considerably more irrigation than some native plants. The introduction of exotic plants that naturalize and, in some cases, outcompete native species, has become of great concern in various parts of Florida, and a great deal of money and resources are spent in efforts to eradicate such plant pests. Many counties are considering landscape ordinances that require a percentage of native plant materials be used in all future developments. Several have already implemented such ordinances. This will result in a need for wider availability of native plant materials. Landscape plant producers, landscape architects, and home gardeners in Florida need to become informed about, and prepared for, the production and cultural needs of this type of plant material.

Native plants are sometimes better adapted to Florida landscape conditions than many exotic species, and thus may require significantly less energy inputs such as fertilizer, water, and maintenance labor once they are established. This is especially true if the site conditions duplicate closely those experienced by a particular species in its natural environment. This is perhaps most critical in the harsh environments of the coastal strand, where excess salinity in the soil, air, and water can limit the choices of plant material. A sizable number of native species are well adapted to this environment and will outperform most exotic ground covers. Beach plum (Scaevola plumieri), sea lavender (Mallotonia gnaphalodes), sea oats (Uniola paniculata), and golden creeper (Ernodea littoralis) are four species of native ground cover useful for seaside landscaping.

Considering Site Factors

Careful consideration must be paid to the characteristics of the planting site when choosing native ground covers for landscaping. First, some concerns relating to the past history of the site must be answered.

What was the original vegetation of the area? This knowledge will indicate which native plants will perform best on the site. Assuming that the answer to the next question is no, native species that once grew in a given location are likely to do best when replanted in comparison with species from very different types of native vegetation.

Have the native soil and hydrology been modified? During development, topsoil is often removed, and original drainage patterns disturbed. Fill soil of very different quality may have been brought in to replace the topsoil. If such is the case, it may be impossible to re-establish the same species that once grew on the site, or it may require a great deal of maintenance to do so.

Consider the present condition of the site. Does the site accumulate standing water? What is the soil type: muck, white sand, coral rock? Is the soil exposed to salt spray? Will the landscape plants have to be integrated with turf, and possibly be subjected to irrigation best suited to turf? All of these factors will influence a particular native species' performance in a landscape.

Establishing Native Ground Covers

Ground covers generally take two years to become established. Some species will require more or less time. During this period, a regular program of irrigation, fertilization, and weed control will ensure strong and rapid growth. A mulch will aid in water retention in new plantings, reduce weed competition, and facilitate the spread of ground covers that root along their stems. Once established, many species will require only an occasional trimming to keep them tidy and within bounds. For further ground cover maintenance information, refer to ENH30, "Ground Covers for Florida Homes" available from your county cooperative extension office.

Obtaining Native Plants

Native plants should not be transplanted from the wild without the permission of the landowner, and never from public lands. In general, it is best to leave wild populations intact, unless the plants face destruction from development. Superior individuals in native populations should be identified where possible, and nursery stock propagated vegetatively or by seed from them. The advantage of seed over cutting propagation is that a degree of the genetic diversity of the species is maintained in cultivation.

How to Use the Selection Tables

The tables of native ground cover species suitable for use in south Florida will help in making the right choices for various landscape situations. The list is by no means a complete inventory of the subtropical or tropical ground cover species native to the state, but it is representative of those native ground covers that have proven themselves in the landscape, are available from nurseries, or are judged worthy of wider use and availability.

The tables are arranged alphabetically by scientific name, accompanied by one or more common names. Table 1 lists environmental needs such as soil pH and light requirements, as well as drought and salt tolerances.

Drought tolerance refers to south Florida conditions only and should be interpreted as follows: High - will not require supplemental irrigation after establishment; Medium - may require occasional irrigation during periods of unusual water stress; and Low - will require supplemental irrigation during periods of drought.

Salt tolerance should be interpreted as follows: High - will withstand direct salt spray and soil salinity; Medium - should be protected from direct salt spray but will withstand moderate saline conditions; and Low - is sensitive to salt.

Under the category of Hardiness Zone, sub-tropical refers to the transitional area between central and tropical Florida where an occasional winter frost will occur. Tropical refers to southernmost mainland Florida and the Keys where winter frosts are rare to nonexistent. Before installing a large-scale landscape using native ground covers listed as tropical only, it is best to confer with your county cooperative extension agent about expected winter minimums in your area. If a particular species can be used in central and north Florida as well, this has been indicated.

Table 2 lists the same plants as Table 1, but details characteristics such as height, foliage color, flower color/season, and includes uses and notes for each plant.

Tables

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

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