If you're looking to create a low-maintenance landscape in Central Florida, native plants are the way to go. Not only are they beautiful and easy to care for, but they also provide a range of benefits for the local environment. From Yucca plants to Bahamian casias, there's a wide variety of native plants that can thrive in the Sunshine State's humid subtropical climate. The Yucca plant is a great choice for Central Florida landscaping.
Its sharp, blade-shaped leaves come in a variety of colors, and it blooms with vertical clusters of white flowers in mid-summer or early fall. Coreopsis, also known as the state's wildflowers, come in 12 different species and can add a splash of color to your garden. The railroad vine, or beach morning glory, is an excellent ground cover plant that spreads quickly and can grow up to a foot in a day. The yellow star anise is an especially unique native plant that is endemic to a small part of Central Florida.
The aguileña wildflower comes in many colors, but species native to Florida have striking red and yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. Myrcianthes fragrans is an evergreen shrub that produces small fragrant white flowers in spring and small orange-red fruits that attract birds. It's also a great nesting plant for birds and is tolerant to drought and humid soils. For North Florida and coastal areas, Bahamian casias are an excellent choice.
These fast-growing plants can be pruned into shrubs or trees and bloom with light orange, tubular flowers in late summer through fall. Plus, since native plants evolved along with their native wildlife, they can improve biodiversity in the area and provide important resources for pollinators. Florida's native plants are perfect for creating a stunning landscape without much effort on your part. With their natural resistance to the state's warm, humid climate, you can enjoy their beauty without having to worry about watering or weeding them.
