Nature Park Plant List
We are Growing!
After the inundation of saltwater destroyed the plants in our Nature Park we are ready to restore the beautiful park with Florida Friendly plants. These plants were selected with the advice of UF/IFAS for their contributions to the local environment and migrating birds and insects – and they look great!
Gaillardia Blanket Flower with its vibrant red and yellow flowers is an excellent nectar and pollen plant. Gaillardia is an excellent ground cover/border plant that tolerates extreme heat, sun, sandy soil and salt. A great choice for coastal areas.
Red Pentas, with their bright red blooms are a great source of food for hummingbirds and butterflies. Pentas love bright sun and well drained soil making it a perfect addition to our open space Nature Park.
Muhly Grass is an ornamental grass that is native to Florida. This showy plant grows 3-4 feet high with feathery pink blooms. Muhly grass is extremely drought tolerant, requiring little water once established.
Fire Bush attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its bright red flowers. Songbirds love to eat its berries. Fire Bush is native to Florida making it a perfect choice for our sunny climate. Once established it requires little maintenance. Its height will add variety to our planting beds.
Silver Buttonwood Shrubs are native to coastal Florida and can grow in tough conditions such as sandy soil and near salt-water areas. The silver-gray leaves provide a contrast to other green and flowering plants. Buttonwood shrubs are of medium height and make a nice transition in planting beds.
Cassia Trees are incredibly beautiful with bright yellow cascading flowers! In the center of the beds, Cassia will be a focal point as it attracts butterflies and other pollinators. This fast-growing tree is salt tolerant and loves sun.
Jatropia Trees bloom year-round! With its brilliant scarlet clusters it is one of south Florida’s most consistent butterfly attracting plants, making it a treat for insects and humans alike.
Finally, the beds will be layered with sustainable mulch!
For more information visit the IFAS website https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/
