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Beauty Berry is a small to medium sized shrub
that is evergreen in southern Florida. It grows in a variety of conditions
and thrives with no care. It has small pink flowers and the large amount
of purple berries is an attractant for butterflies and birds. Grows from
seeds or cuttings.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Native butterfly wildflower. Enjoys wet sites though is drought tolerant
through the dry season. Yellow daisy-like flowers, loves neglect.
Cassia has beautiful yellow blossoms and is a
butterfly attractant. Does very well with neglect, you may prune to
maintain desired height. Is an evergreen and flowers in the fall and
spring, might have blossoms in the winter if not too cold. Likes sandy dry
to moist soil. Produces brown seed pods.
Coral Bean has red tubular flowers attractive to
hummingbirds. Also called Cherokee Bean, it was used by Indians in making
necklaces of it's bright colored beads. Though attractive, these beads are
POISONOUS. The shrub is odd shaped and dies back in winter. It also has
prickly leaves. The plant is lovely with it's brilliant red flowers on all
tips of it's branches. It grows a variable height of 3 to 6 feet or higher
depending upon the part of Florida it is grown. Flowers grow into brown
pods that open to reveal the beads. Virtually carefree. Thrives in sunny
sandy conditions as well as moist shade. For best results, scarify or soak
the seeds before planting.
Corky-stemmed Passionvine (Passiflora suberosa)
Native small vine which is larval butterfly plant for the Zebra LOngwing,
Julia and Gulf Fritillary. Tolerates drought as well as moist soils in
full sun or shade. Has tiny green flower with small purple-black berries
which birds eat. Flowers and fruits year-round in warm sections of
Florida.
Dune Sunflower or beach sunflower is a sprawling groundcover of
green with yellow daisy-like flowers. Not to be confused with the exotic
invasive wedelia, this groundcover is wonderful in sandy sunny areas but
does not like wet feet. Virtually carefree,12" tall or less, spreads into
3 foot area. Self seeds.
Firebush is a beautiful plant that ranges in
height from 3 to 6 ft tall (sometimes taller in southern Florida) with
dark green leaves tinged on the edges with reds and yellows. The bountiful
tubular flowers are combinations of yellow and red and an attractant to
both butterflies as well as hummingbirds. They also produce juicy berries
which attract small mammals. They thrive in sunny locations as well as
shade and can be pruned to control their rapid growth. Might freeze back
in severe cold but bounces back easily.
Gaillardia or Blanketflower is another virtually
carefree plant. It has daisy-like flowers of variations in orange, red and
yellow and is called blanket flower due to it's ability to cover an area
with itself. Is self seeding and might be considered an annual as well as
a perennial depending upon the zone. Always long lasting season of flowers
and wonderful for a sunny sandy area that is best left undisturbed.
Horsemint has aromatic mint leaves when crushed. The lilac blossoms
are long lasting, blooming spring through autumn. It is also called
Spotted Beebalm.
Wild Aster is a sprawling vine with light purple
flowers that resemble a daisy. It flowers year round, throughout state;
likes wet areas, though will live in dry sandy conditions. It selfseeds
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Ironweed is in the aster or daisy family. The flowers are tubular
purple. Thin stalked plant leaves. Does well in wet pinelands and sunny
sandy location.
Mistflower or Ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Florida Native butterfly nectar source wildflower. Pretty blue flower
heads. Loves neglect and requires no care once established. Small plant
usually 1 ft. tall. Sun or partial sun in dry sandy soil.
Necklace Pod is a rounded shrub of varying
heights from 3-6 feet. Evergreen that flowers year round with long stalks
of long lasting yellow flowers which eventually produce seed pods
resembling a necklace. Full sun to light shade, survives drought and
neglect, throughout Florida. Attracts butterflies as well as hummingbirds.
Purple Passion-Vine (Passiflora incarnata)
Large Florida Native Perennial vine with beautiful purple flowers and
delicious yellow edible fruit,used for Hawaiian Punch. Also, a host larval
butterfly plant for the Florida State Butterfly, Zebra Longwing. Thrives
with neglect in somewhat dry sunny or partial shade. For butterfly use
plant in the partial shade.
Railroad Vine is a long sprawling evergreen vine
with large pink or light purple flowers, thrives with neglect. Spreads
well underground through rhizomes. Loves hot sunny sandy conditions;
throughout Florida. Is great plant for holding soil in dunes or sides of
swells in ponds or ditches. For best results soak seeds overnight or
scarify before planting.
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
3-4 ft tall with beautiful golden long stemmed blossoms. Loves neglect-
moist to dry sandy native soils.Full sun. Butterfly nectar plant.
Sweet Acacia (Acacia farmesiana)
Native host butterfly shrub which is drought tolerant for sunny or partial
sun location. Is lanky with small green leaves and many small yellow
pom-pom shaped flowers with nice fragrance. Height varies from 4 to 9
feet. Carefree; loves neglect but does have thorns so plant away from
walkways.
(Florida) Tropical Sage has spikes of brilliant
red blossoms. Butterflies and hummingbirds are both attracted to this
plant of 12 to 24 inches. Sun to moderate shade. Self seeds. Pinch off
spent blossoms to promote more flowering or collect seeds. Fla. Native |
