Plant Florida Natives for Florida Wildlife
Jim E. Davis is the UF/IFAS Multi-County Extension Director for Sumter and Hernando Counties spoke at The Villages FNPS meeting in April 2023. Here is a list of the plants he recommends.
Palms:
Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) (also known as Everglade Palm). Grows 20’ high by 20’ wide. Typically used in commercial landscaping and is not suitable for residences because it spreads too much for the average home landscape.
Cabbage Palm (Sabal Palmetto) - a favorite native and wildlife magnet, grows 50’ high by 10’wide. Slow grower, can be 200 years old when only 20’ high; typically transplanted from another location. Historically used by native peoples as roofing material and also as a bat for native ball games, Toli, and dolls. Can be subject to lethal bronzing which also attacks Sylvester Palm and the larva that causes lethal bronzing is found in grass. Can be treated.
Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal Minor) - grows 8’ high by 8’wide. Found near wetlands. Wildlife feed on berries. Growing Information
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) - grows 6’ high by 12’ wide. Clumping. Green or silver color. Wonderful honey is made from the nectar gathered by bees. Doesn’t transplant well. Salt and wind tolerant. UF/IFAS
Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) - grows in shade, 6’ high by 6’ wide, clumping, very cold hardy, but has large needles, provides privacy UF/IFAS
Coontie (Zamia Floridana) - has poisonous seeds. A cycad, grows 2-5’ high. attracts Atala (also known as Coontie Hairstreak) butterfly UF/IFAS
Shrubs and Trees:
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) – full sun, deciduous, has white fragrant flowers. Grows 6-20’ high. Foliage is poisonous to livestock. Larval host to hydrangea sphinx, titan sphinx, and royal walnut moth. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Paw Paw (Asiminaspp.) – full sun, a slow grower in sandy soil. Is a larva source for the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly. The dwarf version grows to 5’ high. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Florida Privet (Forestiera segregata) - A favorite of Jim. Full sun, 1-15’ high. Great hedge. Flowers in spring, fruit for songbirds. Slow grower. Avoid Chinese Privet which is invasive. Wilcox Nursery
Firebush (Hamelia patens)- full sun/part shade. Attracts Zebra Longwing, various Sulphur butterflies, and hummingbirds, 3-10’ high. Dies back to the ground in winter and blooms in spring. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) – 3-8’ high, lavender flowers and purple fruit, bird favorite. Fragrant leaves when crushed are a natural mosquito repellant. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Dwarf Walters Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)- full sun/part shade. 3-4’ high. White flowers attract bees. The Withlacoochee variety grows up to 20’ high. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)- 20-30’ high. Deciduous. Flowers in spring. Takes time to bud. Acid/slightly alkaline soil. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Red Trees
Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus (virginiana) silicicola) - a favorite of Jim. Grows 50’ high by 20” wide. Drought tolerant. Attracts birds. UF/IFAS
White Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virgininicus)– 6-12’ high. Deciduous. Slow grower. White flowers, purple fruit. Attracts birds. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Wax Myrtle-Dwarf () or tree - 10-40’ high. Full sun/part shade. Attracts wildlife with berries. Resin is very aromatic and can be a fire hazard. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
East Palatka Holly (Myrica cerifera) – 30-45’high. 10-15’ wide. White flowers and red berries. Male and female needed to make fruit. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Holly
Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) – 40-80’ high and 60-120’ wide. Wind resistant and drought tolerant. A keystone plant that is necessary to Florida's environment. Jim does not recommend Laurel or Water Oaks, both are bad for yards.
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) - evergreen, deciduous. 100’ high. Large white flowers. Little Gem variety grows up to 40’ high. Prefers moist soil. Pollinated by beetles. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) - Evergreen. 20-30’ high, fragrant white flowers and red berries, slow grower. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
