Pollinator-FriendlyPlants
Attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your Zone 9b garden.
ShrubAbelia
Abelia grandiflora
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a semi-evergreen shrub of garden origin, prized for its graceful arching branches, glossy dark green foliage that bronzes in cool weather, and an abundance of small funnel-shaped white to blush-pink flowers from summer through fall. It is a classic landscape shrub and pollinator magnet.
From $12.95
ShrubAlmond Bush
Aloysia virgata
Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) is a fast-growing shrub native to South America that produces long wands of tiny white flowers with an intense, sweet almond fragrance, particularly pronounced in the evening. It is a butterfly magnet and a striking backdrop shrub in warm-climate gardens.
From $59.95
SucculentAloe
Aloe
Aloe (Aloe spp.) encompasses a diverse group of succulent perennials that thrive outdoors year-round in Northeast Florida, forming evergreen rosettes of fleshy, spined leaves and producing tubular orange, red, or yellow flower spikes from winter through spring that attract hummingbirds and bees. Extremely drought tolerant, they are ideal for sunny, dry beds, rock gardens, and containers in well-drained sandy soil.
From $12.95
PerennialAlternanthera
Alternanthera brasiliana
Alternanthera (Alternanthera dentata) is a tropical perennial from South America grown as a warm-season annual in Northeast Florida for its vivid burgundy, chocolate-red, or purple foliage. Its compact, mounding habit and intensely colored leaves — best in full sun — make it a staple for tropical bedding displays, borders, and container combinations from spring through first frost.
From $6.95
HerbBasil
Ocimum basilicum
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an aromatic annual herb native to tropical Asia and Africa, grown worldwide for its intensely fragrant leaves used fresh or dried in cooking. Dozens of cultivars offer foliage ranging from large-leafed Genovese types to compact globe forms and purple-leaved varieties.
From $1.89
VineBeach Morning Glory
Ipomoea imperati
Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea imperati) is a trailing coastal vine that forms dense mats across sandy beaches and dunes, with white funnel-shaped flowers featuring a yellow throat that open in the morning. A native of tropical and subtropical shorelines, it spreads via long stolons and is an important dune-stabilizing plant.
From $4.95
PerennialBeardtongue
Penstemon australis
Beardtongue (Penstemon australis) is a native perennial of the southeastern United States, bearing upright stems of tubular, lavender-pink to purple flowers with a characteristic hairy staminode that gives the genus its common name. It is a pollinator-friendly wildflower well suited to dry, well-drained native plant gardens.
From $7.95
ShrubBeautyberry
Callicarpa americana
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a native deciduous shrub from the southeastern United States, spectacular in fall when its arching branches are lined with dense clusters of vivid magenta-purple berries. The berries are highly attractive to birds and other wildlife, making it a top choice for native habitat gardens.
From $7.95
AnnualBell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a warm-season vegetable native to the Americas, producing thick-walled, blocky fruits that mature from green through yellow, orange, or red. A staple of home vegetable gardens, it is grown as an annual and is prized for its crisp texture and sweet flavor.
From $2.29
AnnualBidens
Bidens ferulifolia
Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) is a Mexican annual or tender perennial producing a profusion of bright golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers on finely textured, ferny foliage. Its trailing, spreading habit and nonstop bloom make it a popular choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed container plantings.
From $6.95
GroundcoverBlue Daze
Evolvulus glomeratus
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus) is a low-spreading perennial native to Brazil in the morning glory family, producing abundant sky-blue flowers against soft, silvery-green leaves throughout the warm season. Rated hardy to USDA zone 9b by UF/IFAS, it is an excellent Florida-friendly groundcover and container plant that blooms reliably from spring through fall in NE Florida.
From $6.95
PerennialBlue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), formerly Eupatorium coelestinum, is a native perennial of eastern North America producing fluffy, ageratum-like clusters of lavender-blue flowers on branching stems in late summer and fall. It spreads by rhizomes to form colonies and is an exceptional late-season nectar plant for butterflies and native bees.
From $9.95
TreeBottlebrush
Callistemon
Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.) is an Australian evergreen shrub or small tree producing distinctive bright red, brush-like flower spikes that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Note: avoid the weeping form Melaleuca viminalis, which is considered potentially invasive in Florida; Callistemon citrinus (Red Bottlebrush) is the recommended species for NE Florida landscapes, hardy in zones 9a–11.
From $12.95
ShrubButterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii) is a fast-growing, evergreen-in-Florida shrub bearing long, fragrant panicles of purple, pink, white, or yellow flowers that draw butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds from summer through fall. In NE Florida (zone 9b) it stays evergreen and can reach 6–12 ft if unpruned — regular hard pruning keeps it tidy and maximizes bloom; choose sterile cultivars to prevent invasive spread.
From $9.95
ShrubCamellia
Camellia japonica
Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a classic evergreen shrub or small tree from East Asia celebrated for its large, formal rose-like blooms in red, pink, white, or bicolor that appear in late fall through early spring. With lustrous dark green foliage year-round and thousands of named cultivars, it is among the most treasured flowering shrubs in Southern gardens.
From $14.95
PerennialCardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a North American native perennial bearing tall spikes of vivid scarlet-red flowers with a distinctive two-lipped form. It naturally colonizes stream banks and moist woodland edges across eastern North America. An outstanding hummingbird plant and bold accent for rain gardens and wet borders.
From $9.95
PerennialCat Whiskers
Orthosiphon aristatus
Cat whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) is a tropical perennial native to Southeast Asia and Australia, bearing upright spikes of white to pale lavender flowers with dramatically long, thread-like stamens that give the plant its common name. The foliage has a pleasant minty-herbal fragrance. Popular as an ornamental perennial and also used in traditional herbal medicine.
From $6.95
HerbCatnip
Nepeta cataria
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family native to Europe and Asia, with soft, heart-shaped gray-green leaves and spikes of small white to pale lavender flowers. It is widely known for its euphoric effect on cats and has a long history of use in herbal teas and folk medicine.
From $2.29
PerennialCelestial Lily
Nemastylis floridana
Celestial Lily (Nemastylis floridana) is a rare Florida endemic wildflower in the iris family, producing deep blue to lavender blooms in late summer and fall that open for only a few hours each afternoon. Native to wet pinelands and marsh edges of peninsular Florida, it is a state-listed endangered species prized for conservation and native wildflower gardens.
From $14.95
TreeChaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), commonly called Chaste Tree or Lilac Chaste Tree, is a deciduous large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree native to the Mediterranean region and central Asia, bearing aromatic, palmately compound leaves and long, showy spikes of small lavender, violet, or white flowers from summer into fall. The fragrant foliage and flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It has a long history of herbal use, and dried berries have been used since antiquity as a spice and medicinal herb.
From $34.95
HouseplantChinese Evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum) is a tropical foliage plant native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, celebrated for its large, lance-shaped leaves patterned in shades of green, silver, red, and pink. A leading choice for interior plantscaping, it tolerates low light and adapts well to indoor conditions.
From $14.95
TreeChinese Pistache
Pistacia chinensis
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is a medium to large deciduous shade tree prized for one of the most vibrant fall color displays of any tree suited to the South — brilliant orange, red, and yellow foliage that persists well into winter. Hardy through USDA Zone 6b–9b, it thrives in full sun, tolerates drought and poor soils, and is virtually pest-free, making it an outstanding street and specimen tree for NE Florida landscapes.
From $29.95
AnnualCleome
Cleome hassleriana
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana), or Spider Flower, is a tall, stately South American annual bearing large, airy heads of pink, purple, or white flowers with long, spidery stamens atop branching stems that can reach 4–5 feet. It self-seeds freely and adds dramatic vertical interest to informal borders and cottage gardens.
From $7.95
ShrubCoastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa
Westringia (Westringia fruticosa), commonly called Coast Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub with silvery-gray, needle-like foliage that closely resembles culinary rosemary. It produces small white to pale lavender flowers nearly year-round and is exceptionally tolerant of salt spray, wind, and dry conditions. Widely used in coastal Florida landscapes as a low-maintenance hedge, border plant, or ground cover.
From $14.95
PerennialCoastalplain Palafox
Palafoxia integrifolia
Coastal plains palafox (Palafoxia integrifolia) is a slender Florida native annual or short-lived perennial of coastal scrub and sandy soils, bearing small pink to white composite flower heads on wiry branching stems. It is endemic to Florida's coastal counties and is an important nectar source for native bees and butterflies. An excellent plant for dry, sandy, native landscapes.
From $14.95
ShrubCopper Plant
Acalypha wilkesiana
Copper plant (Acalypha wilkesiana) is a fast-growing tropical shrub from the Pacific Islands prized for its striking foliage in shades of copper, red, orange, and bronze. Insignificant catkin-like flowers appear throughout the season, but the colorful leaves are the main ornamental feature.
From $14.95
VineCoral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native evergreen twining vine of the eastern US, bearing slender, unscented tubular flowers in vivid coral-red to orange with yellow interiors. Unlike the invasive Japanese honeysuckle, this well-behaved native is a favorite of hummingbirds and produces small red berries for birds in fall.
From $9.95
AnnualCosmos
Cosmos
Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is a Mexican annual bearing semi-double, daisy-like flowers in vivid orange, red, and yellow on upright, feathery-leaved stems. Exceptionally heat-tolerant and fast-growing, it thrives in full sun and poor soils, blooming prolifically from spring through fall in NE Florida and attracting butterflies and bees throughout the season.
From $2.29
TreeCrape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous flowering tree or large shrub native to China and Korea, celebrated for its long-lasting summer flower clusters in shades of white, pink, red, and purple, plus exfoliating mottled bark and vivid fall foliage. It is one of the most widely planted ornamental trees across the American South.
From $24.95
ShrubCuphea
Cuphea
Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a compact tropical shrub from Mexico and Guatemala smothered nearly year-round in tiny purple, pink, or white flowers along its fine-textured stems. It is widely used as a low border plant and pollinator garden staple in warm climates.
From $6.95
VineDutchman's Pipe
Aristolochia macrophylla
Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) is a vigorous deciduous vine native to the Appalachian region, grown for its large, heart-shaped leaves that create dense shade and its unusual curved, pipe-shaped yellowish-green flowers. It is a larval host plant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly.
From $24.59
ShrubFatsia
Fatsia japonica
Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) is a bold, tropical-looking evergreen shrub from Japan and South Korea with very large, deeply lobed glossy leaves and round clusters of small white flowers in fall. It is grown as a dramatic shade specimen and is a popular indoor foliage plant in cooler climates.
From $19.95
TreeFiddlewood
Citharexylum spinosum
Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) is a Florida-native evergreen to semi-evergreen tree or large shrub prized for fragrant white flower racemes, glossy foliage, and orange-to-black berries that attract birds. Hardy through zone 9b, it is an excellent drought-tolerant landscape tree for NE Florida coastal and inland sites.
From $24.95
ShrubFirecracker Plant
Russelia equisetiformis
Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis) is a tropical shrub from Mexico with slender, weeping rush-like stems and a year-round display of small, bright red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Its cascading habit makes it ideal for banks, containers, and retaining walls.
From $9.95
ShrubFirespike
Odontonema tubiforme
Firespike (Odontonema strictum) is a fast-growing tropical shrub producing tall spikes of vivid red tubular flowers in fall and winter — a critical nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies during the cooler months. Hardy to zone 8b, it thrives in NE Florida landscapes in sun or shade and rebounds readily from freeze dieback.
From $4.50
PerennialFlax Lily
Dianella tasmanica
Flax lily (Dianella tasmanica) is an Australian perennial forming graceful, arching clumps of narrow, strap-like foliage in green or variegated forms. Small star-shaped blue flowers appear in spring, followed by attractive glossy purple berries on branching stems. A tough, low-maintenance accent plant used in borders, foundations, and mass plantings.
From $6.95
ShrubFlorida Pennyroyal
Piloblephis rigida
Florida pennyroyal (Piloblephis rigida) is a low-growing, aromatic native shrub endemic to Florida's scrub and sandhill habitats, with needle-like leaves that are intensely fragrant when crushed and small lavender to pink flowers that attract native bees. It is the sole species in its genus and an important plant in Florida's dry, fire-maintained upland ecosystems.
From $9.95
PerennialFoxglove
Digitalis hybrida
Foxglove (Digitalis hybrida) is grown as a cool-season annual in NE Florida, producing tall spikes of tubular flowers in white, pink, purple, or rose from late winter through spring. Start transplants in November for February–April blooms; plants decline as summer heat arrives. All parts are highly toxic if ingested.
From $3.50
GroundcoverFrogfruit
Phyla nodiflora
Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) is a native creeping perennial found across the southeastern United States and tropics, forming a dense low mat with tiny pink-and-white clover-like flower heads that bloom prolifically in warm weather. It is an outstanding butterfly larval host plant and nectar source, widely used as a lawn alternative.
From $9.95
ShrubGolden Dewdrop
Duranta erecta
Duranta (Duranta erecta) is a fast-growing tropical shrub from the Caribbean and Central America bearing trailing clusters of lavender-blue or white flowers followed by chains of golden-yellow berries. It is widely used as a hedge or specimen in warm-climate gardens and is highly attractive to butterflies.
From $6.95
ShrubGrayleaf Teabush
Melochia tomentosa
Grayleaf teabush (Melochia tomentosa) is a tropical shrub native to Florida, the Caribbean, and tropical America with soft, gray-green velvety foliage and small pink to lavender flowers produced almost continuously in warm weather. It is an underutilized native with strong pollinator value.
From $9.95
FernHolly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
Cyrtomium falcatum, holly fern, is an East Asian fern with bold, arching fronds of glossy, deep green, holly-shaped pinnae that give it a distinctly leathery and lustrous appearance. More tolerant of dry conditions and lower humidity than most ferns, it is a reliable choice for shaded borders, containers, and indoor spaces.
From $44.95
ShrubHydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a deciduous flowering shrub native to Japan, famous for its large, rounded mophead or flat lacecap flower clusters in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. Flower color is influenced by soil pH, with acidic soils producing blue tones and alkaline soils producing pink.
From $29.95
ShrubIxora
Ixora coccinea
Ixora (Ixora coccinea) is a tropical evergreen shrub from South Asia bearing dense, rounded clusters of small tubular flowers in brilliant shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow nearly year-round. It reaches its northern hardiness limit in zone 9b NE Florida, where it thrives in acidic soil and full sun as a long-blooming butterfly nectar source.
From $14.95
PerennialLanceleaf Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is a cheerful North American native perennial bearing bright golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with slightly notched petals atop slender stems. It forms low clumps of narrow, lance-shaped leaves and blooms prolifically in late spring and early summer. A tough, drought-tolerant wildflower suited to sunny borders, meadows, and naturalistic plantings.
From $6.95
PerennialLantana
Lantana camara
Lantana (Lantana camara) is a vigorous tropical shrub producing dense clusters of small flowers that shift color as they age. A major butterfly and pollinator nectar source, it thrives in NE Florida with full sun, heat, and dry conditions. Note: UF/IFAS recommends planting only certified sterile cultivars to prevent invasive spread into natural areas.
From $6.95
PerennialLavender
Lavandula
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is a fragrant, drought-tolerant Mediterranean subshrub with silvery foliage and aromatic flower spikes that attract bees and butterflies. English lavender (L. angustifolia) struggles in NE Florida's heat and humidity; heat-tolerant species such as French lavender (L. dentata), Sweet lavender (L. heterophylla), or the hybrid 'Phenomenal' perform best in zone 9b.
From $2.49
HerbLemon Verbena
Aloysia triphylla
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora) is a woody deciduous shrub native to South America, prized for its intensely lemon-scented lance-shaped leaves and spikes of tiny lavender-white flowers in summer. The dried leaves retain their fragrance for years and are used in teas, sachets, cocktails, and cooking.
From $2.50
PerennialLizard's Tail
Saururus cernuus
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus) is a native North American aquatic and marginal perennial that grows in shallow water and wet soils along stream banks, pond edges, and wetlands. It produces heart-shaped, aromatic leaves and distinctive arching white flower spikes that droop at the tip, resembling a lizard's tail. A valuable native plant for rain gardens, bog gardens, and water features throughout the eastern United States.
From $6.95
VineMandevilla
Mandevilla sanderi
Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi) is a tropical twining vine from Brazil, prized for its large, glossy leaves and a profusion of funnel-shaped flowers in shades of rose-pink, red, or white with a yellow throat. A vigorous warm-season grower, it climbs readily on trellises and fences and blooms prolifically from spring through fall.
From $9.95
GrassMat Rush
Lomandra longifolia
Lomandra (Lomandra longifolia) is a tough, clumping, strap-leafed perennial native to eastern Australia, forming fountains of stiff, arching yellow-green foliage. It is widely used in low-maintenance landscapes for its exceptional drought tolerance, architectural form, and fragrant cream flower spikes.
From $12.95
VineMaypop
Passiflora incarnata
Passion Vine (Passiflora incarnata) is a vigorous native vine of the eastern US with intricate, three-inch lavender and white flowers featuring a fringed corona. It produces edible oval fruits called maypops and is an essential larval host plant for the zebra longwing and gulf fritillary butterflies.
From $6.95
PerennialMexican Petunia
Ruellia caerulea
Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) is a vigorous tropical perennial with funnel-shaped purple, pink, or white flowers that bloom nearly year-round in NE Florida. IMPORTANT: the standard species is a Florida Category 1 invasive that spreads aggressively by seed and runners. Only sterile UF-released cultivars such as the Mayan™ or Aztec™ series should be planted; these provide the same ornamental value with greatly reduced invasive risk.
From $6.95
HerbMint
Mentha
Mint (Mentha spp.) encompasses dozens of aromatic perennial herbs including spearmint, peppermint, and apple mint, all thriving year-round in NE Florida's warm climate. Extremely easy to grow, it spreads vigorously by underground runners — plant in containers to keep it from overrunning garden beds. Leaves and flowers are used fresh or dried in teas, cocktails, and cooking.
From $2.50
AnnualNasturtium
Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing annual bearing bold rounded leaves and showy spurred flowers in orange, red, yellow, and cream. In NE Florida it performs as a cool-season annual, planted in fall for winter-through-spring bloom; both flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery flavor.
From $1.99
AnnualNemesia
Nemesia fruticans
Nemesia (Nemesia fruticans) is a South African cool-season perennial that thrives in NE Florida as a fall-through-spring bloomer, producing two-lipped flowers in purple, pink, white, yellow, and bicolors. It fades in summer heat but can persist in zone 9b with afternoon shade and good drainage, making it ideal for borders and mixed container plantings.
From $6.95
HerbOregano
Origanum
Oregano (Origanum spp.) is a drought-tolerant, sun-loving perennial herb that grows reliably year-round in NE Florida. Many species and cultivars thrive here, including common oregano (O. vulgare), Greek oregano, and the highly aromatic Syrian oregano (O. syriacum/za'atar), all prized for culinary use and small pollinator-friendly summer blooms.
From $2.29
ShrubOregon Grape Holly
Mahonia aquifolium
Oregon grape holly (Mahonia aquifolium) is a western North American evergreen shrub with holly-like leaves, bright yellow spring flowers, and blue-black berries. It is not well-adapted to NE Florida's summer heat and humidity and performs poorly in zone 9b — heat-tolerant alternatives such as native Florida holly (Ilex) are strongly preferred for this region.
From $29.95
GrassPapyrus
Cyperus papyrus
Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is a tall, architectural aquatic sedge native to sub-Saharan Africa, best known as the source of ancient Egyptian writing material. It produces distinctive globe-shaped umbels of thread-like rays atop tall triangular stems, making it a striking accent in water features and pond margins.
From $16.95
HerbParsley
Petroselinum crispum
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a cool-season biennial herb from the Mediterranean grown for its bright green, curled or flat leaves — a kitchen staple and garnish. In NE Florida it is planted in fall and thrives through spring; it also serves as the larval host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly.
From $1.99
GroundcoverPerennial Peanut
Arachis glabrata
Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata) is a low-growing, nitrogen-fixing groundcover native to South America, producing cheerful bright yellow peanut-like flowers nearly year-round in warm climates. It forms a dense, attractive turf-like mat and is widely promoted in Florida as a low-maintenance, no-mow lawn alternative.
From $6.95
Fruit TreePersimmon
Diospyros kaki
Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is a deciduous fruit tree prized for its large, brilliant orange fruits that ripen in autumn, often while the tree is bare of leaves for a spectacular ornamental display. It is generally adapted to NE Florida zone 9b using low-chill cultivars — select non-astringent varieties such as 'Fuyu' or low-chill types recommended for North Florida. The tree is also highly ornamental as a landscape specimen with golden fall color.
From $195.00
Fruit TreePineapple Guava
Acca sellowiana
Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana) is a dense evergreen shrub or small tree native to southern South America, bearing edible oval fruits with sweet, aromatic flesh and showy red-and-white flowers with fleshy petals. The silvery-green foliage and ornamental value make it a popular landscape and fruiting plant.
From $14.95
TreePowder Puff
Calliandra haematocephala
Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) is a tropical large shrub or small tree native to Bolivia, renowned for its spectacular, spherical flower heads composed entirely of long, silky crimson stamens that give the appearance of a powder puff. The bipinnately compound leaves are coppery-bronze when new, maturing to deep green. Widely grown in South Florida and tropical gardens for its bold, long-season floral display that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
From $14.95
PerennialPurple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a beloved North American native prairie perennial bearing large, daisy-like flowers with reflexed purple-pink petals surrounding a prominent, spiky orange-brown cone. Native to the central and eastern United States, it is a magnet for butterflies, bees, and seed-eating birds. A cornerstone plant for pollinator gardens, meadows, and naturalistic borders.
From $9.95
AnnualPurslane
Portulaca oleracea
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a heat-loving succulent annual that thrives in NE Florida's hot, dry conditions, producing small yellow flowers on low-spreading stems with thick moisture-retaining leaves. It excels in containers, hot borders, and sandy beds, requiring minimal water and no fertilizer.
From $6.95
Roselle
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a fast-growing tropical annual — also called Florida Cranberry or Jamaica Sorrel — widely grown in NE Florida for its fleshy, deep red calyces used to make teas, jellies, and sauces. It produces pale yellow flowers with dark red centers and is ornamentally striking in the summer garden. Hardy in zones 9–10; grow as a warm-season annual in NE Florida, sowing after the last frost.
From $5.50
HerbRosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an aromatic, evergreen shrubby herb native to the Mediterranean basin, bearing narrow, needle-like leaves with a resinous fragrance. Small pale blue flowers appear seasonally, and the plant is widely used in culinary, ornamental, and aromatic applications.
From $2.50
AnnualSalvia
Salvia
Salvia (Salvia spp.) is a large genus of annuals and perennials producing spikes of tubular flowers in red, pink, purple, blue, and white that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. In NE Florida, heat-tolerant species such as Salvia coccinea thrive in full sun with well-drained soil, blooming spring through fall and often self-seeding in warm winters.
From $6.95
PalmSaw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is the only species in its genus — a native, clump-forming palm of the southeastern United States coastal plain, characterized by fan-shaped fronds with sharp, saw-toothed petioles and a sprawling, multi-stemmed habit. It produces small, fragrant cream flowers followed by olive-to-black fleshy drupes that are among the most important wildlife foods in Florida ecosystems. An extremely long-lived, slow-growing native foundational plant of Florida flatwoods and scrub habitats.
From $19.95
SucculentSedum
Sedum
Sedum (Sedum sp.) is a diverse genus of succulent perennials found across the Northern Hemisphere, ranging from low, mat-forming ground covers to upright border plants, with fleshy leaves in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Many species produce dense, flat-topped clusters of small star-shaped flowers in pink, red, yellow, or white that are highly attractive to butterflies and bees. Many former sedum species are now reclassified under Hylotelephium or Phedimus, but Sedum remains the widely used trade name.
From $6.95
TreeShumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) is a large, fast-growing deciduous oak native to the southeastern and south-central United States, prized for its deeply lobed, pointed leaves that turn brilliant red to orange-red in autumn. It produces small acorns that are an important food source for wildlife including deer and wild turkeys. Its sturdy form, attractive fall color, and adaptability to a range of soils make it a valued shade tree.
From $59.95
ShrubSimpson's Stopper
Myrcianthes fragrans
Simpson's stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) is a Florida native evergreen shrub or small tree rated for zones 9b–11, making it an excellent choice for NE Florida landscapes. It features aromatic glossy leaves, exfoliating cinnamon bark, fragrant white spring flowers, and orange-red berries that attract birds and wildlife. Drought and salt tolerant once established, it serves well as a specimen, hedge, or screening plant.
From $6.95
PerennialSociety Garlic
Tulbaghia violacea
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is a clumping perennial from South Africa with slender, strap-like foliage and airy clusters of small lavender-pink tubular flowers held above the leaves. The foliage carries a mild garlic scent and the plant is prized for its nearly year-round bloom in warm climates.
From $6.95
PerennialSpotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata
Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata) is a native perennial of eastern North America, producing stacked tiers of small, spotted yellow and purple tubular flowers surrounded by showy pink to lavender bracts along upright stems. It is a highly attractive nectar plant for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and is at home in dry, sandy native plant gardens.
From $6.95
ShrubSt. John's Wort
Hypericum
St. John's wort (Hypericum spp.) is a diverse genus of shrubs and subshrubs bearing bright yellow five-petaled flowers with showy stamens over a long summer-to-fall season. Multiple native Florida species thrive in NE Florida Zone 9b landscapes, offering drought tolerance, pollinator value, and adaptability to sandy soils from low groundcover forms to upright specimens 3–12 feet tall.
From $5.50
PerennialSunflower
Helianthus
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) encompass annual and native perennial species suited to NE Florida. Annual sunflowers (H. annuus) produce bold blooms in summer, while native perennials such as swamp sunflower (H. angustifolius) and beach sunflower (H. debilis) bloom summer through fall and serve as top pollinator and wildlife plants. All thrive in full sun with well-drained soil.
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Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Lathyrus odoratus, the sweet pea, is a cool-season climbing annual from Sicily and southern Italy, prized for its intensely fragrant, butterfly-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. A classic cottage-garden vine grown on trellises or fences, it is widely cultivated for its extraordinary fragrance and as a cut flower.
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AnnualVerbena
Glandularia ×hybrida
Verbena × hybrida is a spreading or mounding annual hybrid producing dense clusters of small, brightly colored flowers in red, pink, purple, white, and bicolors from spring through fall. Widely used in containers, hanging baskets, and as a ground-covering annual, it is a reliable nectar source for butterflies.
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ShrubViburnum
Viburnum
Viburnum is a diverse genus of shrubs well-suited to NE Florida landscapes, including Florida natives such as Walter's viburnum (V. obovatum) and widely planted ornamentals such as sweet viburnum (V. odoratissimum). They range from compact 4-foot hedging forms to 20-foot screening plants, bearing clusters of fragrant white spring flowers followed by berries attractive to birds. Most are evergreen in zone 9b.
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GroundcoverWater Hyssop
Bacopa monnieri
Herb of Grace (Bacopa monnieri) is a creeping succulent-stemmed perennial native to wetlands across tropical and subtropical regions, bearing small rounded leaves and tiny white to pale lavender flowers. Long used in Ayurvedic medicine, it serves as a lush aquatic or moisture-loving groundcover in warm climates.
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ShrubWax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) is a fast-growing, aromatic native evergreen shrub or small tree found throughout the southeastern US Coastal Plain and into the Caribbean. Its small, waxy, blue-gray berries are a critical winter food source for the Yellow-rumped Warbler and many other birds. The resinous, fragrant foliage and tolerance of wet, dry, and salt-spray conditions make it one of the most versatile native plants in Florida.
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ShrubWild Coffee
Psychotria nervosa
Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) is a Florida-native evergreen shrub with deeply veined, glossy leaves and clusters of small white flowers followed by bright red berries. It is an outstanding shade-garden shrub for Central and South Florida but is cold-sensitive and best protected or avoided in NE Florida zone 9b, where hard freezes can kill it to the ground.
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AnnualWild Leek
Allium ampeloprasum
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is a cool-season vegetable grown as a fall-through-spring crop in NE Florida (plant October-January). It produces long, mild-flavored stalks prized in soups and roasted dishes, performing best in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture during the cooler months.
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PerennialYarrow
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a drought-tolerant perennial with feathery aromatic foliage and flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red, blooming from spring through summer. It performs best in full sun with excellent drainage in NE Florida; choose heat-tolerant cultivars for best persistence through zone 9b's humid summers.
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ShrubYellow Anise
Illicium parviflorum
Yellow anise (Illicium parviflorum) is a fast-growing Florida-native evergreen shrub with strongly anise-scented foliage and inconspicuous yellowish spring flowers. Native to spring-fed stream edges in central Florida and hardy through zone 9b, it forms a dense aromatic screen or hedge in moist to moderately dry shaded or sunny sites in NE Florida landscapes.
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AnnualZinnia
Zinnia violacea
Zinnia elegans is a fast-growing Mexican annual bearing bold, daisy-like flower heads in an exceptionally wide range of colors, from white and yellow to deep red and purple. One of the easiest annuals to grow for cutting gardens and borders, it is a major attractor of butterflies and hummingbirds.
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