The Importance of Native Plants in Our Environment & Gardens - Danny Cox & Andee Naccarato
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The Importance of Native Plants
in Our Environment & Gardens
Presented by:
Danny Cox & Andee Naccarato
Naples Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
Mission & Benefits
• Mission: To preserve, conserve, and restore
Florida’s native plants & native plant communities
• Naples Chapter = Naples Native Plants
• Monthly meetings (online) with guest speakers
• Previous recordings available on YouTube
• Networking & community engagement
• One hour-long native landscaping consultations –
free for chapter members!
• Field trips, volunteer days, & more
Websites: www.FNPS.org, www.FNPSNaples.org
Outline • What is a native plant? • Reasons to use native plants in gardens • Which plants are native in your neighborhood? • 10 outstanding natives for gardens • Container gardening & cut arrangements • Resources & Questions
What is a Native Plant?
• A plant species that occurred within
Florida prior to European contact
• A plant that occurs in natural
Wild coffee Tropical royal blue waterlily
associations in habitats that existed
prior to significant human impacts
• ~3,300 species in Florida
Pine lily Buttonbush
Sources: https://www.fnps.org/natives/definition; https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/
Which Plants are Not Native?
Bougainvillea, native to tropical South America Croton, native to Indonesia & Australia Mussaenda, native to tropical Asia & Africa
South Florida temperatures allow us to grow many
tropical (exotic) ornamentals
Which Plants are Not Native?
• Invasive Plants = species that
take over and disrupt natural
ecosystems
• ~300 species in Florida
• At least $45 million/year
spent to manage invasive
plants in natural areas
• Resource: Center for Aquatic
Brazilian pepper, native to Brazil, Argentina, & Paraguay
and Invasive Plants
Source: https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/
Why should I use Native Plants
in my Garden?
• Native plants are beautiful!
• Native plants are adapted to our local
environmental conditions
• Native plants have excellent wildlife value
• Native plants in landscaping help provide
corridors connecting our natural areas
Native Plants are Beautiful! ~3,300 native plant species in Florida
Native Plants are Adapted
to our Local Environment
• Adapted to local conditions:
• Soils
• Temperature
• Rainfall (wet & dry season)
• Thunderstorms & hurricanes
Pine lily (Lilium catesbaei) blooms after fire
Sustainable Landscaping
• Better for our environment
• Less need for:
• Soil amendments
• Supplemental irrigation (after
root establishment)
• Fertilizer
• Pesticides (against native pests)
Right plant in the right place!
Source: UF/IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/eh157Native Plants have
Excellent Wildlife Value
Native plants need native wildlife,
& native wildlife need native plants!
• Evolved with native wildlife:
• Pollinators
• Seed dispersers
• Foraging
• Gathering nesting material
• Host plantsNatural Corridors
• Planting natives in your garden can:
• Reintroduce some native plants that
were previously present
• Create a natural corridor (especially
with like-minded neighbors!)
• Help pollinators, birds, and other
wildlife as they travel between
natural areasNatural Corridors A great result when native landscaping is adopted by a whole community!
Which native plants can I grow? *Refer to nearby preserves, even within your community
Fnps.org/plants Source: https://www.fnps.org/plants
Fnps.org/plants Source: https://www.fnps.org/plants
Fnps.org/plants Source: https://www.fnps.org/plants
Which plants grow in my zip code?
The Institute for
Regional Conservation’s
Natives for Your
Neighborhood Program
provides native plant
lists by zip code in South
Florida!Natural Vegetation Communities in South Florida (1967) Source: University of Florida - https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000505/00001/1x
https://www.regionalconservation.org/
10 Outstanding Natives for
Eye-catching Landscapes
● Bahama Coffee ● Fiddlewood
● Bahama Senna ● Railroad Vine
● Cocoplum ● Seagrape
● Coral honeysuckle ● Silver Buttonwood
● Dune Sunflower ● West Indian Lilac
Source: https://www.fnps.org/plants Wildflowers: https://flawildflowers.org/20-easy-wildflowers/Bahama Coffee (Psychotria ligustrifolia)
• Long-lived shrub
• Family Rubiaceae (coffee)
• Native to tropical hammocks & pine
flatwoods
• Part shade
• Moist to slightly dry soils
• Showy white flowers & red fruits,
peak spring-summer
• Attracts pollinators; birds eat fruits
• Specimen or hedge
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/psychotria-ligustrifolia
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=PsycliguBahama Senna (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii)
• Long-lived shrub
• Family Fabaceae (peas)
• Native to pinelands, hammocks,
dunes
• Full sun
• Moist to moderately dry soils
• Showy yellow flowers bloom
year-round
• Butterfly host plant (sulphurs)
• Specimen shrub
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/senna-mexicana-var-chapmanii
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=SennmexichapCocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)
• Long-lived shrub
• Tall form & horizontal form
• Family Chrysobalanaceae
• Native to beaches, coastal swamps,
cypress domes
• Full sun to part shade
• Moist to dry soils
• Small white flowers & dark purple-
black fruits, peak winter-spring
• Attracts pollinators; birds eat fruits
• Hedge or screen
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/chrysobalanus-icaco
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=ChryicacCoral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Long-lived vine
• Family Caprifoliaceae
• Native to upland hardwood
forests, floodplains
• Full sun to shade
• Moist to slightly dry soils
• Showy coral flowers
• Attracts hummingbirds,
birds eat seeds
• Grow on trellis or fence
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/lonicera-sempervirensDune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
• Annual groundcover (self-seeds)
• Family Asteraceae (composites)
• Native to beach dunes, dynamic
coastal areas
• Full sun
• Dry soils
• Large yellow flowers bloom year-
round
• Attracts pollinators; birds eat seeds
• Groundcover; wildflower garden
FNPS: (West Coast variety) https://www.fnps.org/plant/helianthus-debilis-subsp-vestitus
Natives for Your Neighborhood: (East Coast variety)
https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=HelidebidebiFiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum)
• Small tree
• Family Verbenaceae
• Native to pinelands,
maritime/subtropical hammocks
• Full sun to part shade
• Moist to very dry soils
• Showy, fragrant flowers bloom all
year; shiny fruits
• Attracts pollinators, wildlife eat
fruits
• Specimen or mixed hedge
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/citharexylum-spinosum
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=CithspinRailroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
• Short-lived perennial vine
• Family Convolvulaceae
(morning glories)
• Native to beach dunes
• Full sun
• Moderate to very dry soils
• Showy purple flowers &
interesting foliage
• Attracts pollinators
• Groundcover
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/ipomoea-pes-caprae-subsp-brasiliensis
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Ipompes-brasSeagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
• Long-lived shrub to 50 ft tall
• Family Polygonaceae (buckwheat)
• Native to coastal uplands
• Full sun to part shade
• Moist to very dry soils
• Interesting foliage, showy fruits
• Attracts pollinators, wildlife eat
fruits
• Specimen plant
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/coccoloba-uvifera
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=CoccuvifSilver Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
• Tree
• Family Combretaceae
• Green form native to beach
dunes, mangrove swamp edges
• Full sun
• Moderate to very dry soils
• Silver leaves, interesting fruits
• Attracts pollinators
• Specimen plant
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/conocarpus-erectus
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=ConoerecWest Indian Lilac (Miconia bicolor)
• Shrub
• Family Melastomataceae
• Native to tropical rockland
hammocks
• Full sun
• Moderate to very dry soils
• Interesting foliage, showy flowers,
peak spring-summer
• Attracts pollinators, birds eat fruits
• Specimen plant
FNPS: https://www.fnps.org/plant/miconia-bicolor
Natives for Your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=TetrbicoVisualize Blooming Schedule
Charting Bloom Color and Phenology
Chart by Wade Gurley (Conservation Chair)Container Gardening
with Florida Native Plants
By Danny Cox (Naples Botanical Garden), in coordination with Naples Garden Club Idea Garden VolunteersNaples Garden Club: Idea Garden
Naples Garden Club: Idea Garden
Theme a Study of Pollinator Friendly Plants and Color
Full Sun Plant Selection
Thriller
• Tea Bush (Melochia tomentosa)
Filler
• Pink Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
• Rouge Plant (Rivina humilis)
• False Rosemary (Conradina canecens)
Spiller
• Fog Fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
• Verbena (Glandularia maritima)Scarlet sage False rosemary
Turkey tangle fogfruitRouge plant Teabush
Theme a Study of Native Plant Textures
Shade Plant Selection
Thriller/ specimen
• Horsetail, Scouring Rush (Equisetum hyemale var.
affine)
Fillers
• Florida peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia)
• Low peperomia (Peperomia humilis)
• Elliot’s love grass (Eragrostis elliottii)
• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)
• Whisk Fern (Psilotum nudum)
Spillers
• Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)
• Swamp Twinflower (Dyschoriste humistrata)Horsetail
Elliott’s
Lovegrass
Florida
PeperomiaConsiderations • Require consistent watering and regular feeding • Smaller impact for ecosystem services • Finding specific colors and textures can be more challenging than with traditional container plantings • There isn’t as much information supporting container gardening with natives as with traditional container plantings
Advantages • To familiarize gardeners with different native plants they may try to use in their landscape later • To show others native plants are just as, if not more, beautiful than trendy plants • To connect visitors with distant landscapes or garden elements by having containers in engaging areas • To have unique and sustainable plants for cut flower arrangements • Can support pollinating insects
Native Arrangement
Important Note: Collect native plant cuttings from your own property only
or with landowner permission and proper permits. Remember to leave
resources for wildlife & harvest no more than 1/3 of the needed plant parts
(e.g. leaves, flowers, seeds, etc.)Native Arrangement by Katie Vance
“I started out with some Oasis
because I knew I wanted to use
very small-stemmed wildflowers
and I wanted them to stay fixed in
place. I added leaves from the
Bahama Coffee (Psychotria
ligustrifolia) around the edges.”
Contributed by Katie Vance (Naples Botanical Garden)Native Arrangement by Katie Vance
“Then, I added Walter's viburnum
(Viburnum obovatum) – additional
white clusters - and a flowering
sedge – light green clusters.”
Contributed by Katie Vance (Naples Botanical Garden)Native Arrangement by Katie Vance “Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicense) added some height, and blue mistflower (Conoclinium) added pops of color.” Contributed by Katie Vance (Naples Botanical Garden)
Native Arrangement by Katie Vance
“Spanish needles can be a
whimsical addition to a spring
bouquet and can last a few days.”
Contributed by Katie Vance (Naples Botanical Garden)Native Arrangement “I cannot get enough of Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus). They're available all year long, whether it's the large cream-colored feathery blooms or the brown and wispy dried flowers that seem to stay on the plant forever.” For details, contact Katie Vance at Kvance@naplesgarden.org
How can Naples Garden Club Members
contribute to the Native Plant Movement?
• Tell your friends about the importance and
benefits of native plants
• Become involved with your HOA landscaping
committee
• Attend a Naples Chapter meeting
• Become a member of FNPS
• Speak/vote on behalf of native plantsBecome a Member
• Contribute to the long-term viability of Florida’s
native plants
• Starting at $35/year
• Member perks, including one free native
landscaping consultation & field trip spots
• Receive Palmetto & Sabal Minor publications
• Annual conference – Virtual (May 14-16, 2021)
https://www.fnps.org/support/membershipLocal Native Plant Nurseries • Subtropical Native Trees (wholesale), Naples • Cutting Horse Eco-Center, Bonita Springs (Coccoloba Chapter) • Good Roots, Estero • All Native Garden Center, Fort Myers • SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center, Sanibel
Upcoming Presentations
Naples Chapter Zoom Meeting:
Wednesday, March 3rd, 6:30pm
Native Orchid
Propagation & Restoration at
Naples Botanical Garden
Presented by: Nick Ewy,
Director of Collections
Free & open to the public
Register at www.FNPSNaples.orgUpcoming Presentations
FNPS Lunch and Learn Series:
Friday, March 12th, 12:00pm
10 Native “Weeds” For
19 Butterflies
YouTube Live link:
http://youtu.be/Py1rcVshwDk
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/1w74oWXBsResources: Books https://www.fnps.org/resources/books
Recommended Reading https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
Resources: Websites Florida Native Plant Society: www.fnps.org Naples Native Plants: www.fnpsnaples.org Florida Plant Atlas: http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu Florida Association of Native Nurseries: www.fann.org Institute for Regional Conservation: www.regionalconservation.org
Website: Fnpsnaples.org E-mail: Naplesnativeplants@fnps.org
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