What are best starter plants n flowers for south Florida?
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I just moved here and I am buying my very first home. I have a huge backyard. I want to plant trees, flowers, and plants. All different colors, I want to start easy because we are very busy. Any ideas???
9 answers
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Haven't done any gardening myself in S Fla, but a lot of my family lives in the Keys and are avid gardeners. Here's a site that may be helpful: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/south/florida-plants/ My aunts and grandma both have beautiful gardens, but I feel your pain! It can be hard getting used to the temps, rain, sandy soil, etc. Hope some others can give you more experienced advice! Happy Growing!
Leah Belverd
on Mar 06, 2015
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Where n Florida? I live in the Tampa Bay area and could probably GIVE you enough for a good start. I have a large yard full of plants and will be selling soon. It is commercial property and the buyers want to make it a parking lot. Send me a private message if you are interested.
Jackie Campbell
on Mar 06, 2015
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A good start is Southern Living Magazine. Online - www.southernliving.com. Also, check with your local extension office. Florida has several different growing zones with different soil issues depending on exactly where you are at. No matter where you are at, chances are you will need to start by improving the soil. Now to your question - Palms, hibiscus (flowering shrub), Hawaiian Ti (colorful plant), vincas (flower) are some plants which do well and don't need much work. For flowers I would stick with perennials because they don't have to be replanted year after year. Then again, many flowers in FL end up being perennials even if listed as annuals!. And remember that Palms are not trees! :))
Sandy
on Mar 07, 2015
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If you want plants that are virtually no maintenance you can start with some elephant ears, hostas and for a flowering plant try plumeria. I'm in Virginia and have all of these. I love that on several acres, at least around the house the plants take care of themselves. And every year they just get bigger and bigger!
Jaxon
on Mar 07, 2015
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If you want easy, I suggest you make Florida natives the backbone of your planting. These are plants that have evolved to cope with the vicissitudes of our climate over time, so, once they get established, need very little intervention on your part to thrive. Many of them are also strikingly beautiful. Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) has wonderful yellow blooms, for example. Jamaican caper (Capparis cynophallophora) has flowers that look like pale pink starbursts. Firebush (Hamelia patens) will have butterflies flocking to your yard. With a foundation of plants like these, you can then add "Florida Friendly" (non-invasive) plants for accents and extra splashes of color. I would strongly recommend your paying a visit to Meadow Beauty Nursery in Lake Worth. They know their stuff and offer design services in the Palm Beach area as well. Also check out the Institute for Regional Conservation's "Natives for Your Neighborhood" program at: http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/ You can put in your Zip Code and find plants appropriate for your location. Happy gardening!
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 07, 2015
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I really like the colorful croton bushes that grow in south Florida.
Darla
on Mar 07, 2015
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We moved from New England to Florida 3 years ago , and have made many costly mistakes, so my advice is to Contact your local Extension service for information on their "right plant, right place " program for Florida.. and for a list of the Florida native plants, it will save you a lot of time and money and aggravation. They are great to work with . Growing things in Florida is vastly different than other places ! Good luck and Happy Gardening
Deborah Swan
on May 10, 2016
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Walk your neighborhood. Become your 'self' welcome wagon' and ask the neighbors about plants you like in their yard. (Most people love to brag bout their plants) If they are doing well in your development, they will do well in your yard. Also go to the local nursery, they know what works in your particular area. Just because it is beautiful in a magazine does not mean it will work in your soil, region, or neighborhood. Also remember many developments 'brought in' their soils so what you see close by is the best bet.
Johnchip
on May 10, 2016
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Lantanas are very hardy, along with Pentas and Sweet Peas. Sweet Peas are climbers and I have a bunch of them growing. Beautiful!!
Barbara underwood
on May 10, 2016
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