When planning a new natural landscaping project, we can become overwhelmed with all of the options. There are so many plants to choose from and so many details such as how far to space them, what goes well together, and other factors that we just don’t realize until we’ve begun the process. This is why a professional company is the best way to go if you want to come out with the best-looking landscape possible. However, we do like to encourage homeowners to consider using native plants in their landscaping. Not only is this environmentally friendly it’s also beneficial to the homeowner.
Why Use Native Plants
Native plants are slowly dying. This is because of reduced habitat and homeowners replace existing native plants with more common varieties found throughout the US. Here in Florida, we have some beautiful native plants that can be just as easy if not easier to care for than some of the more basic varieties. Not only are there many options but there’s also some big benefits to planning natural landscaping with native plants.
Low Maintenance
Although it takes more knowledge of plants, their needs, and landscape design, native plants are very low maintenance for homeowners. This is because they are meant to thrive in our climate and require less attention.
Beautiful and Unique
By choosing to go with more native plants you also make your yard stand out. With so many amazing varieties available there’s no reason to choose the more basic plants you see at the larger stores.
Beneficial for Native Wildlife
Along with being beautiful and easy to maintain native plants are good for native wildlife. By removing native plants, the native wildlife that feeds from them are not able to thrive. Those who decide to have natural landscaping are helping to preserve Florida’s ecology for future generations.
Best Natural Landscaping Plants in South Florida
Like we said, there are a lot of amazing native plants to choose from here in South Florida. Although we can’t go through all of them in this post, we wanted to highlight some of our favorites and those we think that you will enjoy as well.
Trees
· Buttonwood
Buttonwood trees are formed from multiple trunks that intertwine to create a beautiful display. Planting a stand-alone Buttonwood tree creates a unique focal point for your yard. When these trees are young, they typically look like shrubs but will grow to be 30 to 45 feet. Once they are established, they require little to no maintenance, a great thing for those with less of a green thumb.
· Chickasaw Plumb
The Chickasaw Plum tree is another one of our favorites. It produces small white flowers every spring which grow tart plums that both wildlife and people can enjoy. These trees stay on the smaller size and are typically between 6 and 12 feet tall.
Shrubs
· Oakleaf Hydrangea
The Oakleaf Hydrangea is a fun shrub that grows about 6-10 feet tall. It has large leaves that look like oakleaves and produces clusters of small white flowers in summer. These do best in shade and look great planted around the base of larger trees.
· Beautyberry
Beautyberries are a smaller shrub option and grow to be about 3-8 feet. These shrubs grow lavender flowers during spring and summer which then turn into purple berries giving this plant its name. These clusters of berries add a fun pop of color to your yard while still being low maintenance.
Flowers
· Powderpuff Mimosa
This groundcover lives up to its name, it makes puff shaped flowers that are light pink. These bloom from spring to fall and spread quickly, so they are perfect for more impatient homeowners.
· Passion Flower
There are several types of Passion Flowers that are native to Florida but one of the most impressive is the Purple Passion Flower. This flower has purple petals and fringe petals that layer on top of them to create a dimensional flower. These grow on vines and are great for decorating the sides of our homes, fences, or gazebos.
The options really are limitless. Let us help you design a beautiful, natural landscape that requires little maintenance and will thrive for years. With our knowledge of native plants and the best landscaping practices we can promise that you will love your new and improved yard, and so will all of Florida’s native residents.
