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NATIVE PLANTS (AND INVASIVE SPECIES) [The following is an excellent article by Anita S. Neal, EAI, St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension Service Environmental Horticulture Agent, that appeared in 1998 in the St. Lucie Tribune.] Most of us coming from other areas across the country have questions about what is the right plant to add to our Florida landscape. Very few of us can be considered natives. It is the native Floridian that can best describe the way our backyards used to look and what types of flora were in abundance yesterday. Florida has the greatest abundance of native plants that can be used in the rural or urban landscape. The state has almost 50 percent of the native species of trees available in North America (that is, north of the Mexican border). Native plants are practical and attractive additions to any landscape. A native plant is a species that occurred in Florida at the time of the arrival of Europeans in the early 1500s. Native plant materials are often better adapted to Florida landscape conditions than some commonly used exotic species. This is especially true if the site conditions duplicate closely those experienced by a particular species in its natural environment. Once native plants are established in the right location, most require little, if any, supplemental water, fertilizers or pesticides. In recent years interest in the use of native plants for Florida landscaping has greatly increased. Some of the reasons for this include the loss of development of natural areas, coastal deterioration due to the disturbance of native vegetation, and the concern about water use to support exotic landscapes composed of introduced plant species. Fortunately, relatively few of the hundreds of introduced exotics become invasive noxious weeds. The Australian pine, Brazilian pepper and the punk tree, or melaleuca, are listed on many counties' landscape codes as plants that must not be planted. Some of the other exotics you may want to avoid or at least gain a better understanding of their invasive abilities before planting include: carrotwood, chinaberry, Chinese tallow tree, schefflera, asparagus fern and water hyacinth. The Exotic Pest Plant Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Division of Plant Industry both have produced lists of invasive plant species. Some plants have specific growth requirements, others thrive under a variety of climatic and soil conditions. You will need to consider the native habitat of a plant and plan for its use in a similar environment in your landscape. One way that you can observe native plants in their natural setting is to visit parks and preserves. Also, undisturbed areas near your home may be a good source and will suggest plants that will grow well in your area. Some of us are already familiar with some "natives." The oaks, red maple, sea grape, hickory, bald cypress, sabal palm, wilde coffee, wax myrtle, saw palmetto and hollies are some that come to mind. Live oak, laurel oak and water oak are not only natives, but are some of the most widely used shade trees in Florida. Red maple, bald cypress and pond cypress are commonly found in wetland sites. Gumbo-limbo, sea grape and pigeon plum are very popular picks for landscape plants. A lesser-known native to Florida is the red buckeye. Although it can grow to 20 feet, it is more often seen growing as a shrub. It has large clusters of showy red flowers appearing in late spring. It is fast growing and will prosper in the shade. The fringe tree is a small tree or large shrub, 10 to 13 feet tall, deciduous and naturally occurring on acid soils in a pine/hardwood forest mixture. The fringe tree is covered with clusters of white, fragrant flowers in the spring, followed by a crop of black fruits in the summer. Simpson's stopper is a slow-growing shrub or small tree with small, aromatic leaves. The small, white, feathery flowers give way to orange berries that mockingbirds will defend to their death. Scarlet firebush is a fast-growing member of the coffee family. It can develop into a multi-trunked tree. The red tubular flower is most attractive to butterflies and the black berries are readily eaten by many birds. This plant adapts to partial shade or full sun. Many of us are looking for a landscape that is "low maintenance." Some are also looking for ways to attract wildlife to their yards. Many of our native plants are better adapted to diverse soil conditions, require less fertilizer or pesticides and provide an excellent source of food and shelter for wildlife. An important consideration is that all plants need to be watered, even native plants. The natives need watering initially, until they are established and then Mother Nature will provide for them. For more information, contact the St. Lucie County Cooperative Extension at (561) 462-1660, or stop in at 8400 Picos Road, Suite 101, Fort Pierce. |