Tick flowers are like tiny sundrops, so it makes sense that they would be the official wildflower of the Sunshine State. There are more than 100 different species and cultivars of ticks, but most are bright yellow with a brown ring around the center. These blooms typically appear in spring and summer, making them a welcome sight in the warmer months. To ensure that you're selecting plants that will thrive in your area, it's important to understand the USDA's plant hardiness zones.
The zones range from 1a (the coldest) to 13b (the hottest). Central Florida falls within hardiness zones 8a to 11a, so it's important to make sure that any plants you choose are suitable for your area. Otherwise, they may not survive the winter. When it comes to native plants in Central Florida, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Beautyberry, Muhly Grass, Coontie, and Southern Magnolia are all popular choices. The manta flower is another great option - while Gaillardia pulchella is not native to Florida, its lanceolate counterpart is found in North and Central Florida. The red horse chestnut is another great choice for Central Florida gardens. This evergreen plant produces flowers in sturdy spikes on its leaves in late spring and comes in several colors, such as white, yellow, pink or rust.
It's also quite hardy and can tolerate a variety of soil types - however, it does need regular watering during dry seasons. This season, some of the most popular native wildflowers in Central Florida include ray-free sunflower, White Crownbeard and Slender Blazing Star. These plants can be used as a hedge or windbreak when allowed to grow tall or as an ornamental plant when pruned shorter. White swamp violet (Viola Lanceolata) is another great option - this tiny plant is found along the waterline of swamps, ponds and swamps across the state.
Longleaf pine trees are also native to Central Florida and provide a home for various types of wildlife such as gophers frogs, Florida mice, the endangered red-tailed woodpecker and the Eastern rattlesnake. If you're looking for trees that will thrive in your area, Atamasco lily, wild white indigo and blue phlox are all great options for North and Central Florida gardens. In South Florida, Gumbo-Limbo trees are a popular choice - these large semi-evergreen tropical trees can reach sixty feet in height.
