Twelve Shapely Native Plants for South Florida

Presented at the South Florida Native Plant Seminar October 18-19, 2023 Naples Botanical Garden

Thank you to our sponsors

Well maintained Seagrape tree uplit at night

Learning Objectives: We will look at 12 trees and shrubs native to South Florida that can be trimmed into manicured shapes for cleaner and more formal landscapes.

We will discuss: a) some definitions and concepts related to landscaping, plants and maintenance; b) the plant’s characteristics, needs and natural growth habits or forms; and, c) the best techniques, tools and timing to trim or prune each plant.

Definition & Concept Review Trimming – using manual or mechanical tools to superficially shape a plant between prunings to keep a plant tidy looking.

Pruning – using manual or mechanical tools to shape a plant structurally to determine it’s mature shape and size.

Manual and Mechanical Trimming Tools – hand clippers, loppers, hedge trimmers – manual and mechanical, pole saw Sun Exposures – Full Sun Morning, Midday and Afternoon Sun Partial Sun or Partial Shade Light, Medium, and Deep Shade Summer and Winter Sun Site Conditions – soil type (wet/dry/well-drained, sand, rock or muck), irrigation abilities (is there a system?), sun exposure (location - NSEW - & existing or future shade) , salt/ocean exposure, and wildlife interactions Hedge – one plant used in a line to block or screen a view or access, especially along a property line or to separate an area. Plants with larger leaves do not look good if hedge trimmers are used as they cut the larger leaves up making the hedge look choppy and disfigured.

Screen – multiple plant species used along an area, either in a line or offset, to block or screen a view or access

RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT PLACE!

Please don’t trim your clumping grasses into balls. Instead “comb’ them out. With this technique, you will need to replace less plants.

Regarding Maintenance: Please don’t do this!

Please make sure to prune the tops of hedges at different spots each time so you don’t get the bird’s nest effect. This way there is no place for debris to fall and create areas that can rot the plant.

Please trim your hedges with a wider bottom than top to help the lower branches and leaves get sunlight. This will help them stay full from the top to the bottom of the bush.

Please make sure that you remove any debris from trimming hedges so it doesn’t lay on the top of a hedge and rot.

Resources & References: The Plants: Bahama Coffee - https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Psycligu Beach Creeper - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP196 Cocoplum - https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/cocoplum.html & https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/cocoplum.html Dahoon Holly - https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-dahoon-holly & 4802237#:~:text=Berry%2Dproducing%20evergreen%20hollies%20like,during%20the%20summer%20growing%20season & https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST299 Florida Privet - https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/forestiera_segregata.shtml Green Buttonwood - https://green-infos.com/library/lecture/read/156933-how-do-you-prune-a-green-buttonwood-tree & https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST179 Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ - https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/ilevomb.pdf & https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/ilevomb.pdf Jamaican Caper - https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/monroe/docs/Jamaica-caper_final.pdf & https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP104 Maiden Bush - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP536 Pigeon Plum - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST174 Sea Grape - https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/sea-grape.html & https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/sea-grape.html Silver Buttonwood - https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/silver-buttonwood.html & https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST180 Simpson Stopper - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/simpsons-stopper.html & https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/simpsons-stopper.html

General Pruning Advice: https://askthegreengenie.com/pruning-florida-fruit-trees https://www.tcpalm.com/story/life/columnists/2022/06/09/florida-privet-superb-addition-home-attractingwildlife/9821841002/

Reference Websites: Florida Association of Native Nurseries – https://fann.org Florida Native Plant Society - https://www.fnps.org/ Florida Wildflower Foundation - https://www.flawildflowers.org/ Institute for Regional Conservation / Natives for Your Neighborhood https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/ South Florida Plant Guide - https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/ UF/IFAS Publications - https://ifas.ufl.edu/search-result/?q=publications

Reference Books:

Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners & Professionals by Gil Nelson (UPF: 2003) A Gardener’s Guide to Florida’s Native Plants by Rufino Orsorio (UPF: 2001) Florida Wildflowers in Their Natural Communities by Walter Kingsley Taylor (UPF: 1998)

Thanks for joining us!

Janine Griffiths www.GreenThumbInc.com GreenThumb.go.native@gmail.com