Recommended Native Landscape Plants for Florida's Treasure Coast

Sea ox-eye daisy

Moderate to fast

2–4 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Pubescent gray-green foliage; large yellow daisy-like flowers attract butterflies; salt-tolerant plants spread by rhizomes and can be hedged.

Bird pepper

Moderate to fast

1.5–3 ft tall

1.5–3 ft wide

Evergreen, dwarf and densely branched small leaved shrub; green ripening to red small fire-hot chili peppers are savored by birds.

Cocoplum

Moderate

5–15 ft tall

3–10 ft wide

Shiny, green dense foliage can be hedged; salt- and drought-tolerant; provides wildlife cover; varying colors of purple to white fruit are edible.

Spanish stopper

Slow to medium

15–20 ft tall

8–15 ft wide

Large shrub or small tree; can be pruned and may have a rounded appearance; small oval leaves and small red fruits are desirable to wildlife.

Spider lily

Moderate after well established

2–3 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Dark green, clumping, maintenance-free perennial with strap-like leaves producing large showy white flowers; salt-tolerant plant self maintains its height; also used as a ground cover and for borders.

Schilling's dwarf holly

Slow

3–4 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Very compact, dense with small leaves; drought-tolerant; dwarf forms are male and do not produce fruit.

Wild lantana, wild sage

Moderate

3–5 ft tall

1–3 ft wide

Coarse, spoon-shaped leaves; dainty, white to light pink lace-like flower clusters are attractive to butterflies; dark pink to blue fruit are edible by wildlife.

Simpson's stopper

Slow

5–20 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Densely branched leaves are variable in shape and color; some plants have reddish new growth; dainty, fragrant white flowers followed by wildlife-edible orange-red berries; distinctive reddish flaking bark on mature plants; salt-tolerant plants can be hedged and shaped.

Southern wax myrtle

Moderate

4–15 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Short lived, salt tolerant; densely branched, multi-trunked and sometimes sucking shrub or small tree; soft, serrated, narrow leaves; female plants produce waxy berries on stems that are eaten by birds; prefers moist conditions but adaptable to dryer conditions; tolerates some pruning.

Wild coffee

Moderate to fast

5–15 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Multi-stemmed bush with shiny, dark green, puckering leaves; clusters of tiny white flowers that attract bees and butterflies are followed by red to maroon fruit eaten by birds; can be hedged to desired height.

White indigo berry

Slow

3–6 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Densely foliated, rounded to oval, leathery leaves; stiff branches, small white flowers and white berries with blue pulp; some ecotypes bear spines; indestructible and drought tolerant once established.

Myrsine

Slow

5–10 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Versatile to dry or moist conditions and sun or shade; salt tolerant; dark green shiny leaves have lighter mid-vein; small, greenish white inconspicuous flowers; female plants produce small dark brown or black fruits that attract birds; plants can be pruned.

Chapman's senna

Fast

3–6 ft tall

2–4 ft wide

Short lived, drought- and salt-tolerant woody perennial; loosely branching evergreen is host for sulphur butterfly caterpillars; prominent clusters of large yellow flowers borne on the leaf axils give rise to flat brown capsules containing seeds that are easily propagated.

Adam's needle

Slow

2–3 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Flower panicle can reach up to 12 feet but usually under 7 feet

The leafy basal rosette of leathery grass-like leaves of this stout perennial make a great foundation plant; annual, showy panicles of white flowers that can soar to 12 feet should be considered; adds a southwestern desert-like look to the garden; salt- and drought-tolerant.

Coontie

Slow

2–3 feet tall

2–4 feet wide

Dark green, stiff, fern-like leaves; this cycad resembles a trunk-less palm; salt- and drought-tolerant; when used as a foundation planting will not need hedging.

Callicarpa americana

Beautyberry

Moderate

4–6 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Deciduous or semi-deciduous shrub with pink to lavender flowers followed by persistent purple fruit.

Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Needle palm

Slow

4–6 ft tall

4–6 ft wide

Single-stemmed evergreen fan palm having spiny stems; inconspicuous flowers are followed by reddish brown fruit; prefers moist conditions.

Serenoa repens

Saw palmetto

Slow

Height and width vary with form, but usually less than 8 ft

Recumbent, spiny, clumping palm producing white flower clusters followed by dark purple fruit; silver and green forms available; drought and salt tolerant.

Tripsacum dactyloides

Fakahatchee grass

Fast

4–8 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Clumping perennial grass producing brownish flower spikes above the foliage.

Yucca filamentosa

Adam's needle

Slow

3 ft tall

3 ft wide

Basal, somewhat twisted foliage with erect, large, cream-colored flower panicles protruding several ft. above foliage.

Ardisia escallonioides

Marlberry, Marbleberry

Moderate

20 ft tall in sun

10 ft in shade

Large evergreen shrub suitable for a hedge in shady locations; can be trimmed to desired height; dark green, glossy, large leaves with light mid vein; clusters of small, white fragrant flowers followed by fruit turning purple to black when ripened.

Capparis cynophallophora

Jamaican caper

Slow

Up to 18 ft tall

Small, densely branched evergreen tree with glossy, dark green leaves that can be clipped in to a hedge; fragrant, white spider-like flowers that open in the evening and wither by noon the next day.

Chrysobalanus icaco

Cocoplum

Moderate

5–15 ft tall

3–10 ft wide

Salt- and drought-tolerant shrub with dense foliage that makes an excellent plant for screening.

Coccoloba uvifera

Sea grape

Moderate

3–35 ft

Very large round leaves with prominent and attractive venation; can be sheered to form a hedge or trained and trimmed to tree form; leaves have some fall-like foliage color; large grape-like fruit attract wildlife; salt and drought tolerant.

Conocarpus erectus

Green buttonwood

Moderate

40–50 ft tall

5–10 ft wide

Upright tree that branches outward with age and can be trimmed to form a thick dense hedge; dark green, shiny leaves with contrasting lighter venation; strong dense wood; salt and drought tolerant; also tolerant of wet conditions.

Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus

Silver buttonwood

Moderate

20 ft tall

4–20 ft wide

Low-branched shrub or small tree can be clipped into a hedge and used as an attractive screen; leaves high pubescent, appearing gray; highly tolerant of full sun, salt, and dry and wet conditions; plant in seaside or well- ventilated conditions to avoid sooty mold.

Cordia globosa

Bloodberry, Butterfly sage

Fast

4–9 ft tall

4–6 ft wide

Dense branching to the ground makes this an ideal plant for privacy; can be trimmed into almost any shape or height; leaves have rough texture; small white flowers produce abundant nectar attracting numerous bees and butterflies; small red berries attract birds.

Dodonaea viscosa

Varnish leaf

Fast

8–12 ft tall

6 ft wide

Multi-trunked and naturally open habit with a denser look when trimmed for a screen or hedge; attractive, glossy leaves are coated with a natural resin which protects the plant from salt spray and drought; Winged fruit are very showy and change color from light green to creamy yellow to pink as they mature; seeds are eaten by songbirds.

Eugenia foetida

Spanish stopper

Slow

15–20 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Small evergreen tree or tall shrub with oval leaves, small white inconspicuous flowers and small berries turning from reddish orange to black.

Forestiera segregata

Wild olive, Florida privet

Fast

4–15 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Large shrub or small tree, dense foliage that can be hedged; female plants produce copious amounts of blue-black fruit relished by songbirds.

Illicium parviflorum

Yellow anise

Slow to moderate

6–15 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Evergreen shrub with dark green licorice-scented, aromatic leathery leaves; prefers moist acidic soils; small, pale yellow flower followed by an interesting star-shaped fruit.

Juniperus virginiana

Southern juniper, southern red cedar

Moderate

20–60 ft tall

10–30 ft wide

This large, coniferous tree makes an excellent tall thick hedge along a property border; small, scale-like leaves; male and female cones borne on separate trees, female cones are attractively bluish and berrylike and eaten by birds.

Myrcianthes fragrans

Simpson's stopper

Slow to moderate

5–12 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Evergreen, densely branched, variable in habit and leaf shape; small delicate, fragrant white flowers followed by orange to red fruit, which is enjoyed by birds. Note: compact/dwarf cultivars are available; choose the proper selection for your intended use.

Randia aculeata

White indigo berry

Slow

3–10 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Oval to round leathery dark green leaves, small white, tubular, fragrant flowers; when ripe, fruit is white with dark purple to black pulp; salt tolerant with stems having varying presence of spines.

Myrsine cubana

Myrsine

Slow to moderate

8–20 ft tall

3–5 ft wide

Large shiny, thick leaves clustering at the ends of branches; female plants bear small dark blue to black fruit along the leafless portions of the stems; fruit attracts songbirds; highly versatile, tolerates dry or wet conditions

Viburnum obovatum

Walter's viburnum

Slow

6–30 ft tall

6–12 ft wide

Densely branched and vegetated shrub that can tolerate shearing. Forms a dense thicket of underground suckers; flowering is profuse in spring with tiny white flowers borne in clusters; small berries red to black in autumn; provides cover and food for birds and wildlife. Note: compact/dwarf cultivars are available; choose the proper selection for your intended use.

Borrichia frutescens

Sea ox-eye daisy

Fast

2–3 ft tall

Colony forming

Large evergreen shrub suitable for a hedge in shady locations; can be trimmed to desired height; dark green, glossy, large leaves with light mid vein; clusters of small, white fragrant flowers followed by fruit turning purple to black Herbaceous, stoloniferous perennial; leaves have silvery grey pubescence; solitary flowers have attractive ray and disk petals; salt spray tolerant.

Coreopsis leavenworthii

Tickseed coreopsis

Fast, reseeding

1-2 ft tall

Herbaceous annual or short- lived perennial with glabrous basal leaves, yellow ray flowers and a dark center disk.

Dodonaea viscosa

Varnish leaf

Fast

8–12 ft tall

6 ft wide

Evergreen shrub having elliptic to spatulate, resinous leaves; inconspicuous flowers are followed by clusters of winged fruit that change color from light green to creamy yellow to pink as they mature.

Flaveria linearis

Yellowtop

Fast

2–3 ft and spreading

Herbaceous perennial having linear leaves, reddish stems and showy yellow corymbs.

Gaillardia pulchella

Blanketflower

Fast, reseeding

1–2 ft tall

Herbaceous, short-lived perennial with brilliant flower rays in shades of orange, red and yellow; drought and salt tolerant.

Glandularia tampensis

Tampa verbena

Fast

1–2 ft tall

3–4 ft wide

Sprawling, short-lived perennial having pink/purple flowers borne in terminal corymbs.

Hamelia patens

Firebush

Fast

6–12 ft tall (compact forms available)

Small tree or large shrub having glabrous green leaves turning to shades of red; tubular showy red to orange flowers are followed by red fruit turning purple in time.

Helianthus angustifolius

Swamp sunflower

Fast, self sowing

3–5 ft tall

Herbaceous perennial with narrow long leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers; tolerant of wet conditions.

Lantana depressa

Pineland lantana

Moderate

3–6 ft tall

4 ft wide

Evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves and yellow flowers appearing in bracteate heads.

Monarda punctata

Monarda, horsemint

Fast, self sowing

3 ft tall

3 ft wide

Herbaceous perennial with pubescent, aromatic leaves and purple spotted flower petals offset by showy purple bracts.

Pityopsis graminifolia

Silkgrass

Fast

1–2 ft tall

Clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with linear, silvery pubescent leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers borne on elongated stems.

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan

Fast, self sowing

2–3 ft tall

Herbaceous perennial with hirsute leaves and having yellow/orange/red ray petals surrounding a dark brown, raised central disk.

Ruellia caroliniensis

Wild petunia

Moderate, self sowing

1 ft tall

Herbaceous perennial with strigose leaves and stems and 5-petaled purple flowers.

Salvia coccinea

Tropical sage

Fast, self sowing

2–4 ft tall

Herbaceous perennial with bilabiate red flowers produced on determinate spikes.

Senna mexicana var. chapmanii

Chapman's senna

Fast

6–8 ft tall

5–6 ft wide

Multi-trunked evergreen shrub having pinnately compound leaves and abundant yellow flowers in axillary clusters of 4 to 9 blooms.

Solidago sempervirens

Goldenrod

Fast

4–5 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Herbaceous perennial with smooth strap-like leaves and attractive golden yellow flowers occurring well above the foliage on spike-like racemes.

Sophora tomentosa

Necklace pod

Moderate

4–10 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Evergreen shrub having pinnately compound, tomentose leaves; yellow inflorescences occur above foliage in long spikes; fruit is pronouncedly constricted between seeds; salt, drought and wind tolerant.

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Porterweed

Fast, reseeding

3–4 ft tall

3 ft wide

Evergreen, sprawling shrub becoming woody with age; having serrated leaf margins and purple flowers borne on long spikes.

Stokesia laevis

Stokes' aster, stokesia

Moderate

1–2 ft tall

1 ft wide

Herbaceous perennial having basal, glabrous leaves and large solitary, purple flowers with fringed petals.

Canavalia maritima

Beach bean, bay bean

Fast

Low climbing vine and/or ground cover

Large trifoliate leaves with pink, pea-like flowers; produce large seed pods, can be used as ground cover and will climb structures; wind, drought, heat and salt tolerant.

Dyschoriste oblongifolia

Twin flower

Slow

Ground cover

6 to 12 in tall

Delicate small plants with pale lavender flowers spreading by underground rhizomes; semi-dormant in winter.

Eragrostis elliottii

Elliott's love grass

Fast

Ground cover 1–2 ft tall

1–2 ft wide

A bunch grass with fine bluish or silvery green leaves and delicate masses of flower spikes that can be produced at any time of year but with the most abundance in the autumn.

Ernodea littoralis

Golden creeper

Moderate

Ground cover

1–2 ft tall, spreading from 2 to 6 ft wide

Glossy green, fleshy leaves becoming tinged with yellow as leaves age; small tubular white to pinkish flowers; salt, drought and heat tolerant; good for erosion control

Gelsemium sempervirens

Carolina yellow jessamine

Moderate

High climbing and/or ground cover

Twining vine with shiny leaves and bright yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies; blooms late winter/early spring.

Helianthus debilis

Beach sunflower, dune sunflower

Fast

Ground cover

1–2 ft tall spreading up to 6 ft wide

Drought- and salt-tolerant perennial with triangular leaves and 2-inch yellow ray flowers with brown disks that attract insects.

Hymenocallis latifolia

Spider lily

Fast

Ground cover

2–3 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Clumping, herbaceous, low-maintenance perennial forming dark green linear leaves from a central bulb base; large white flowers with golden anthers are elevated above the foliage.

Ipomoea pescaprae

Railroad vine

Fast

Ground cover

6–8 in tall

Salt- and drought-tolerant, non-climbing perennial with large leaves and showy purple flowers; good for stabilization of dry, sandy areas.

Geobalanus oblongifolius

Gopher apple

Slow

Ground cover

1–2 ft tall

Salt- and drought-tolerant woody ground cover forming dense populations from underground stems; not tolerant of moisture; does best in full sun; 1–2 inch white to brown fruit is attractive to wildlife, hence the common name “gopher apple.”

Lonicera sempervirens

Coral honeysuckle

Slow to establish but grows quickly thereafter

Vine up to 15 ft

Woody twining vine; oval to oblong dark green leaves with silvery undersurface; trumpet-shaped, bright pink flowers with protruding yellow stamens attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies; produces small red berries attractive to wildlife.

Melanthera nivea

Squarestem; nonpareil

Moderate to Fast

Ground cover

1–3 ft tall

1–4 ft wide

Two forms of Squarestem are found in cultivation: An open, loosely coarse form that grows to about 3 feet tall, and a low-growing compact form that grows to about 12–18 inches and spreads in a dense clump. Flowering most of the year, this later form makes an excellent ground cover that is tough, and attractive to insects and people.

Mimosa strigillosa

Sunshine mimosa; sensitive plant

Moderate to Fast

Ground cover

6–9 in tall

Beautiful pink flowers that are shaped like puff balls and delicate leaflets that fold when touched give this plant its common names; can be mowed and is drought tolerant once established; stems creep and root when they touch the ground.

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Muhly grass

Fast

Ground cover

1–4 ft tall

1–3 ft wide

Clumping grass with tightly rolled, thread-like leaves producing tall panicles of pink to purplish flowers in late summer or early fall.

Nephrolepsis exaltata

Boston fern

Fast

Ground cover

2–4 ft tall

Long, tapering fronds with numerous leaflets arranged pinnately possessing kidney-shaped clusters of spore cases; an excellent groundcover for shady areas; not to be confused with several species of non-native invasive sword ferns.

Pentalinon luteum

Wild allamanda

Moderate

Vine

3–12 ft

Twining, salt-tolerant vine with glossy leaves and large, showy yellow flowers; plants are deciduous or semi-deciduous in winter.

Pityopsis graminifolia

Silkgrass, silver-leaved aster, golden aster

Fast

Ground cover

1–2 ft tall

Attractive silvery green grass-like foliage; yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom heaviest in spring and fall; varying habit with some forming a single clump while others spread and form several colonies from underground rhizomes.

Salvia lyrata

Lyre-leaf sage

Fast

Ground cover

6–12 in wide with 1–2 ft flower spikes

Colorful, green- and red-tinged, usually lobed leaves forming basal rosettes; blue or purple flowers borne on spikes; variable habit, may act as either annual or perennial, seeding abundantly.

Symphyotrichum carolinianum

Climbing aster

Fast

Vine

3–10 ft

Woody perennial with a vine-like habit but climbs without tendrils. Light pink, dainty flowers with yellow centers form abundantly at the ends of each branch; flowers attract butterflies, bees and numerous other insects.

Tripsacum floridanum

Florida gamagrass

Fast

Ground cover

2–3 ft tall

2–3 ft wide

Clumping grass with dense, dark green leaves and insignificant flowers.

Yucca filamentosa

Adam's needle

Slow

Ground cover

3 ft tall

3 ft wide

Space 3–4 ft on center

Leaves have spiny apices; in summer, showy flower spikes (to 15 feet tall) emerge for several weeks; requires sandy, well drained soils.

Zamia integrifolia

Coontie

Slow

1–3 ft tall

1–3 ft wide

Stiff, fern-like leaves that mound from a center stalk; new leaves are lime green while older leaves are a dark green creating a particularly pleasing color contrast.

Acer rubrum

Red maple

moderate

45 ft tall

25–30 ft canopy

Large, singled-trunked, deciduous tree preferring open moist areas but will tolerate shade and drought conditions.

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

Paurotis palm

slow

20–30 ft tall

15–20 ft canopy

Tall, multi-trunked palm, preferring moist conditions; makes a magnificent specimen tree as long as it's not confined to a small area.

Bursera simaruba

Gumbo limbo

fast

60 ft tall, but usually found 25-40 ft tall with a 25–30 ft canopy in the urban landscape

Semi-evergreen, salt-tolerant tree that is resistant to high winds and drought; exfoliating, coppery bark makes for interesting appearance and contrast in the landscape.

Magnolia grandiflora

Southern magnolia

moderate

80 ft tall

30–40 ft canopy

Evergreen tree with large, beautiful, saucer-shaped, fragrant flowers; does not do well in highly alkaline soils and prefers occasionally wet, well-drained soils.

Persea borbonia

Sweet bay

moderate

3–50 ft tall; 30–50 ft canopy; somewhat shorter and wider in urban landscapes

Evergreen tree with glossy, leathery leaves that emit a spicy fragrance when crushed; inconspicuous flowers followed by dark blue, globose fruit; thrives with little care in full sun or partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of soils; allow ample area for growth.

Pinus elliottii var. densa

Southern slash pine

fast

75–100 ft tall

35–50 ft canopy

Evergreen, heavily branched gymnosperm that can be planted in groups to provide a natural setting; adapted to most soils as long as they are occasionally wet and well drained.

Quercus laurifolia

Laurel oak

fast

60–70 ft tall

35-45 ft canopy

Semi-evergreen, dense-growing shade tree with an upright growth and tolerance to wet sites.

Quercus virginiana

Live oak

moderate

60–80 ft tall

80–100 ft canopy

Mostly evergreen tree growing under variable conditions in moist to dry soils in full sun or light shade; majestic horizontal branching habit with cupped leaves.

Taxodium distichum

Bald cypress

moderate

30–60 feet tall

25–30 ft canopy

Deciduous gymnosperm ideal for wet locations; however, will grow remarkably well on almost any soil and is also drought tolerant.

Sabal palmetto

Cabbage palm

slow

40–60 ft tall

15 ft canopy

Tall, single-trunked palm which when grouped in threes or fives can provide shade and depth to a landscape.

Ulmus alata

Winged elm

fast

40–50 ft tall

30–40 ft canopy

Deciduous tree found growing in wet sites as well as dry; very adaptable tree for urban planting.

Acacia farnesiana

Sweet acacia

Fast

20 ft tall

20 ft canopy

Long, cascading, zig-zagging branches of soft bi-pinnately compound leaves flow from a straight trunk of furrowed bark; fragrant, yellow, globose flowers often occur throughout the year and are followed by cylindrical seed pods.

Ardisia escallonioides

Marlberry, marbleberry

Moderate

20 ft tall in sun

10 ft tall in shade

3–8 ft canopy

Large, glossy dark green leaves; prefers light to considerable shade; thick and compact in sun with a more open habit in shade; panicles of fragrant white tinged with purple flowers throughout the year followed by clusters of small, marble-sized blue-black fruits; tolerant of alkaline "marl" soils.

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush

Moderate

15–25 ft tall

8–12 ft canopy

Requires moist or wet conditions. Sputnik-shaped, 1½-inch-wide, fragrant, nectar-bearing white flowers displayed throughout the summer.

Citharexylum spinosum

Fiddlewood

Fast

25 ft tall

18–10 ft canopy

Glossy leaved and very drought tolerant with long drooping spikes of fragrant white flowers throughout the year; fruits change color from pale green to orange to dark blue-black; prefers sun or light shade.

Guaiacum sanctum

Lignum vitae

Slow

25 ft tall

15–20 ft canopy

Characteristic gnarled, stout trunks with slender, drooping branches; small but striking truly blue flowers in late spring on new growth; wood so heavy that it sinks in water.

Ilex cassine

Dahoon holly

Moderate to fast

25–35 ft tall

8–20 ft canopy

Evergreen tree with glabrous leaves and red berries forming on female plants.

Magnolia virginiana

Sweet bay magnolia

Fast

25–40 ft tall

15–20 ft canopy

Grayish bark, erect branches, and leaves with silvery undersides; fragrant white flowers primarily during spring and early summer; wide native range from Massachusetts to Texas; prefers moist, fresh conditions.

Rapanea punctata

Myrsine

Moderate

6–20 ft tall

4–6 ft canopy

Evergreen shrub or small tree that maintains pyramidal shape if not pruned; thick and compact in sun with a more open habit in shade; small black fruits borne directly on branches are attractive to birds.

Myrcianthes fragrans

Simpson's stopper

Slow to moderate

12–20 ft tall

6–8 ft canopy

Evergreen shrub or multi-trunked small tree with fragrant leaves, reddish new foliage, attractive bark, fragrant white flowers and showy red fruit.

Quercus myrtifolia

Myrtle oak

Slow to moderate

20–40 ft tall

20 ft canopy

Evergreen shrub or small tree; salt and drought tolerant; small, obovate and folding leaves and shallow cupped acorns.

Suriana maritima

Bay cedar

Slow to moderate

15 ft tall

6–10 ft canopy

Clusters of downy, fleshy grey-green leaves along slender, flexible branches; very salt tolerant; small yellow flowers produced throughout the year.

Zanthoxylum fagara

Wild lime

Moderate to fast

15–25 ft tall

10–20 ft canopy

Evergreen tree with glabrous compound leaves, winged petioles, curved spines, and attractive yellow, globose flowers; larval food source for swallowtail butterflies.