Native Florida Plants For Drought And Salt Tolerant Landscaping

Descriptions and photographs for 70 native plants that will thrive with little care in the yards of most Florida homeowners. Covers the peninsula south of Marion, Levy, and Volusia counties through the Keys.

Seashore Plants of South Florida and the Caribbean is a complete source for information about which plants grow best in nearshore environments. It includes extensive characteristics of each plant, including: Form, flower and fruit date Geographic distribution and habitat Reproduction and propagation Ornamental uses Medicinal and toxic properties, including modern and folkloric beliefs and uses Ecological aspects This guide is a must-have for backyard gardeners and serious naturalists alike.

Many counties in Florida now require that new commercial landscapes contain a percentage of native plants. Native landscapes are easier to maintain, use less water and thrive without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Native Florida Plants describes every type of regional flora—-from seaside foliage and wildflowers to grassy meadows, shrubs, vines, and aquatic gardens—-in 301 profiles and accompanying color photographs.

This revised and expanded second edition has more plant species and more photos, and all the information you need to incorporate natives into your central Florida garden. It tells how to identify, where to use, and how to care for 46 native trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines that grow in the region of Florida (roughly) contained in the area bordered by Levy, Volusia, Broward and Lee Counties--most of peninsular Florida. It also gives blooming and fruiting times, mature size, wildlife value and ethnobotanical uses. Choose native Florida plants for your home landscape--it's a great way to celebrate our state's environmental heritage, provide food and cover for wilslife and conserve our natural resources. Color photos throughout, plant charts, bibliography, index.

Expanding urbanization along Florida's coastlines has resulted in increased construction of individual residences, condominiums, and commercial establishments. This surge in construction has produced a concomitant need and demand for landscaping to solve not only a esthetic but functional problems in design. Unfortunately, there are many environmental stresses present in these are as which predispose plant material s to decline and eventual death. Perhaps the most commonly thought of stress is salinity---both soil and foliar related. Yet it should be understood that the specific salt tolerance of a given plant is related to its ability to withstand not only salinity but a number of other environmental stresses. There are a number of adverse qualities of coastal soils which contribute to poor success in establishing landscape plants. Coastal soils are generally: high in excess soluble salts, alkaline in pH, and sandy with poor nutrient and water holding capacity. Excess soluble salts result from a multiplicity of causes: inundation of coastal soils with saline or brackish water; salt water intrusion in to the fresh water aquifer and subsequent upward movement of salts by evaporation; irrigation with water of poor quality (saline); and overfertilization combined with poor watering practices. Contents: Introduction Trees Palms Shrubs Dwarf Shrubs, Groundcovers and Vines Appendix References Index

Here are 100 beautiful orchids that you can grow in Florida. These orchids were chosen for their beauty, ease of cultivation, and suitability to Florida's climate. Whether you are an old hand at growing orchids or are a beginner anxious to try it, you will find help here choosing the plants that will work for you, as well as help on how best to make them prosper. First you will learn about the structure of orchids; how they are named; and how to pot, water, feed, ventilate, and protect them from weather and insects. You will find you can grow them inside and outside in Florida, and some even in the ground as part of the landscape. Then you will be introduced to 100 fabulous orchids that are well-suited to Florida. You'll find answers to commonly asked questions, lists of suppliers, and a handy reference chart to plant size, flower color, bloom size, bloom time, and exposure.

"Third edition with new introductory front matter."