If you plant it, it will grow!
In Southwest Florida, my husband and I learned that most everything will grow if you just put it in the ground. Native plants thrive better with the heat, lack of water and wind but a trip to your local garden center will convince you to try everything your heart desires. Have you been to #MRTLawnandGarden? They are super friendly and the garden staff is very knowledgeable.
I will confess that when we first moved here, we were excited about replanting and changing our beds around the house. In Texas, with clay soil about a foot down, you have to amend the soil. That’s probably the same if you moved here from Kentucky or Minnesota. So we drove down to #GoMulchFastLandscapeSolutions and asked the man at the desk what kind of top soil we should use to amend our garden beds. He looked at me like I was “off my rocker” and asked, “Why?”
We explained moving from Texas and he said “You’re now in Florida and we have sand here, even if you amend it with good top soil, it will still be sand in a few months.” Wow, was that refreshing to hear, and I felt a bit foolish but Florida gardening is different.
We are in Gardening Zone 10A so your zone might be a bit different so here are some native plants that have done well in our area. The best advice I can give you is to shop local, most garden centers bring in what can thrive here. Check out your local extension office for some great advice. Here’s the one for Charlotte County, https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotte/
Native Plants that Thrive Florida
This is an amazing application where you can feel comfortable about what you’re planting and where.
https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/apps/plant-guide
It includes:
Beautiful color photographs of trees, shrubs, palms, groundcovers, vines, ferns, annuals, perennials and ornamental grasses.
Light, soil, water requirements, and much more.
Plant characteristics such as shape, color, and size.
We hope you tell us about your favorite plants and why. What hasn’t worked for you? Have you taken advantage of your local extension office? Tell us about your experience.
