This is a question many people are asking, Julia, after the last couple of winters we have had
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when so many people lost so many plants. But you actually have many choices, and I would encourage you to start by looking at Florida native plants. These are plants that are used to the extremes our weather can bring: full sun and intense heat in the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter. They also are used to our fluctuations in water. Some of my favorites are wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), Simpson stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans), Walter's viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) and coontie (Zamia pumila). If you are looking for a tree, consider one of our native hollies or the Southern magnolia. All of these will thrive in your yard, even with a freeze.