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Promote Biodiversity. Of course, growing native plants will preserve and promote the species you grow in your yard. But in addition, growing natives contributes to the ecological balance that developed here in Florida over the millennia. Natives perpetuate the relationships between our native plants and the many other organisms that depend upon them for their survival.
Save Time, Money, and Energy. When used intelligently, native plants require less maintenance, are less expensive, and save energy. Did you know that lawnmowers are a significant source of air pollution? They also use up an appreciable amount of fossil fuel.
Conserve Natural Resources. Used properly, native plants require little to no extra water or fertilizer compared to most exotics. Watering non-native plants that aren't adapted to Florida's climate wastes energy as well as water, costs you money, and contributes to the pollution of surface water. Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides used in landscape and lawn maintenance run off into streams and creeks, polluting these water bodies.
No Pesticides Needed. Native plants have been exposed to Florida's pests as long as they have existed in Florida, and continue to display their resistance to insects and disease in our own yards. Forty years ago Rachel Carson pointed out that pesticides are biocides - their toxic effects are not confined to pests, but spill over to cause health problems for wildlife and people.
Now, Our Stolen Future reminds us that we have again underestimated the danger of pesticides.
Watchable wildlife. Native plants are the best choice for attracting and nourishing our native wildlife. Native plants provide the food and shelter that our birds and butterflies need. Native plants leaf-out, bloom, and fruit when our native species need them most, and provide the nutrients that our native animals have adapted to through millions of years of co-evolution.
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The Exotic is now Commonplace
Excerpts from the Pinellas Chapter's Newsletter, The Understory
By Jan Allyn
One sees them in virtually every yard on every street:
the tropical exotics that are found in all the garden centers of the "big box" home improvement stores ..
and in most nurseries. They are so familiar that many people wrongly assume that they are native here.
With historical perspective, this is an amazing development.
In past centuries, when corners of this plant were yet unexplored, botanists brought horticultural oddities from hither and yon to beautify the gardens of the elite. To adorn one's garden with plant species that were foreign, rare and unusual was a mark of wealth and status.
Only the leisure class who studied botany and horticulture could identify and appreciate these collections. Today, by contrast, exotic plants are no longer the exception but the rule; everyone has them, regardless of their socioeconomic standing. It is the inclusion of native species in one's garden that is now distinctive and unusual, and ironically, only those with a special interest in native plants can identify and appreciate these native collections.
If you want something really strange and unusual in your garden, go native!
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Links
Association of Florida Native Nurseries Growers and sellers of Florida native plants and associated serivces.
Audubon at Home Planting a wildlife friendly yard.
Carnivorous Plants An international organization devoted to the growing and conservation of carnivorous plants.
Common Wildflowers to Grow in North Florida A University of Florida Cooperative Extention Service circular by FNPS member, Jeff Norcini
Designing the Natural Garden Reprint of a Palmetto article by Richard Devine. The article discusses site analysis, planning, and landscape design for a natural yard, and presents illustrative diagrams for the various steps in the process.
Firebush, South Florida's Plant for All Seasons A Palmetto article by Elizabeth Smith.
Florida Climatic Center
Florida Landscape A great site about landscaping with Florida natives and designing landscapes for wildlife. This site is particularly apt for South Florida. By John Sibley and larry Richardson.
Florida Landscape This is a diverse native plant landscaping site sponsored by Florida Gulf Coast University.
Florida Master Naturalist Program
Florida Wildflower Foundation The Florida Wildflower Foundation was established in 2001 as a 501(c) (3) charitable corporation for the purpose of restoring native wildflowers and grasses in Florida. To accomplish this purpose, the Foundation supports and funds educational, research and planting grants throughout the state.
Foraging for Pine Needles Reprint of a Palmetto article by Ken Albritton on gathering of pine mulch.
Garden Web A general gardening site.
Green Industries Best Management Practices This is focused on grass! You may glean something useful from here, but be aware that it is written from the perspective of the turf industry.
Growing Native An e-mail discussion about Florida natives. Some interesting and relevant topics come up.
Institute for Regional Conservation Dedicated to research and conservation of the ecosystems of South Florida.
It's Seed Harvest Time A Palmetto article by Joe Durando.
Native American Seed Company This is a Texas company, and mixed wildlflower seed packages will have many species not native to Florida.
Native Trees for North Florida A University of Florida Cooperative Extention Service circular by Meerow and Norcini
Native Trees for South Florida A University of Florida Cooperative Extention Service circular by Meerow, Donselman, and Broschat
Palm and Cycad Society of Florida
Sand - That Wonderful Stuff Reprint of William Simmonds Palmetto article on Florida sand soils.
Seeds of Texas Exchange
Selby Gardens Located in Sarasota and known for its orchid collection but with resources for learning about Florida's native plants. A new feature is a key to woody plants on Lido Key.
Wild Ones Native plant landscaping advocates.
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