Florida-Friendly™ Plants
50 plants well-suited to
growing locations in
The Villages
Florida-Friendly™
Landscaping Principles
• Right Plant Right Place
• Provide for Wildlife
• Water Efficiently
• Reduce Stormwater
Runoff
• Mulch
• Manage Yard Pests
• Recycle
• Protect the
Waterfront
•Use Fertilizer
Appropriately
Florida-Friendly =
Right Plant - Right Spot
Water, Fertilizer and Use
Pesticides When Needed
Minimizes Stormwater Runoff
Resources
FloridaYards.org
Web site
Searchable plant
list with color
photos
This plant list has been developed
utilizing plants known to perform well
in the environment of The Villages,
and incorporating Florida-Friendly™
Landscaping principles developed by
the University of Florida.
Find the Facts
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For information on
mature sizes of plants,
cold hardiness, proper
plant care and
fertilization, visit the
Florida-Friendly
Landscaping™ website
at:
www.floridayards.org
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Download a PDF copy of
‘A Guide to FloridaFriendly Landscaping’
at:
http://www.swfwmd.st
ate.fl.us/publications/f
iles/flfriendlyhandbook.pdf
Groundcovers
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May be used in place of turf areas (check
Deed restrictions)
Can lower water usage
Can be cold tolerant
Adds variety to the landscape
A great way to fill in problem areas
Beach Sunflower
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Scientific Name: Helianthus
debilis
Plant characteristics
Height: 12 - 24 Inches
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color - yellow, from
spring to fall
Uses – massing, accent
Society Garlic
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Scientific Name: Tulbaghia
violacea
Plant characteristics
Height: 1 – 2 feet
Light exposure – full sun/
light shade
Flower color – lavender
flowers, from spring to fall
Uses – massing, accent
Agapanthus
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Scientific
Name: Agapanthus
africanus
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 - 18 inches
Light exposure - full sun/light
shade
Flower color - blue/white,
May through July
Uses – massing, accent,
specimen
Variegated Flax Lilly
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Scientific name: Dianella
tasmanica 'Variegata‘
Plant characteristics
Height: 12 – 18 inches
Light exposure – full
sun/partial shade
Flower color – blue, blooms
during summer
Uses – massing, accent
African Bulbine ‘Hallmark’
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Scientific Name: Bulbine
frutescens ‘Hallmark’
Plant characteristics
Height: 18 - 24 inches
Light exposure - full sun/part
shade
Flower color yellow/orange, blooms from
spring to fall
Uses – massing, accent
Sunshine Mimosa
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Scientific Name: Mimosa
strigillosa
Plant characteristics
Height: 3 - 6 inches
Light exposure – full sun
Flower color - pink, blooms
through summer
Very drought tolerant once
established
Uses – groundcover, turf
substitute
Perennial Peanut ‘Ecoturf’
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Scientific Name: Arachis
glabrata ‘Ecoturf’
Plant characteristics
Height: 4 – 8 inches
Light exposure – full sun
Flower – yellow/orange
flowers spring – fall
Drought tolerant once
established
Uses – groundcover, turf
substitute
Dwarf Asiatic Jasmine
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Scientific Name:
Trachelospermum asiaticum
Plant characteristics
Height: 6 -12 inches
Light exposure - full sun/part
shade
Flower color - no color, but
plant can be variegated
Uses – groundcover, turf
substitute
African Iris
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Scientific Name: Dietes
vegeta
Plant characteristics
Height: 18 - 24 inches
Light exposure - full sun
Flower color - white or
yellow, blooms spring
through fall
Uses – massing, accent
Liriope ‘Emerald Goddess’
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Scientific Name: Liriope
muscari ‘Emerald Goddess’
Plant characteristics
Height: 9 - 16 inches
Light exposure - sun/
moderate shade
Flower color – purple, showy
blooms in spring and
summer
Uses – accent plant,
massing
Cast Iron Plant
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Scientific Name: Aspidistra
elatior
Plant characteristics
Height: 18 – 24 inches
Light exposure –
moderate/dense shade
Flower color - inconspicuous
Very hardy, may be
damaged by frost, but rarely
killed
Uses – groundcover in
dense shade, massing
Low Shrubs
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Can be used as foundation plantings
Easy to care for
Drought tolerant
Care must be taken when locating
Landscape “backbones”
Indian Hawthorn
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Scientific Name:
Raphiolepis indica 'Alba'
Plant characteristics
Height: 24 - 36 inches
Light exposure - sun
Flower color – white, blooms
in spring through early
summer
Extremely popular
landscape plant
Uses - foundation, massing
Parson’s Juniper
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Scientific Name:Juniperus
davurica 'Parsoni‘
Plant characteristics
Height: 1 - 2 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color – no flower
Uses – massing, foundation
Carissa Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex
cornuta 'Carissa'
Plant characteristics
Height: 24 - 36 inches
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color – white, but not
conspicuous
Comments - sharp point at
tip
Uses - foundation, massing
Dwarf Yaupon Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex
vomitoria 'Schillings Dwarf'
Plant characteristics
Height: 18 inches – 3 feet
Light exposure – full sun/
partial shade
Flower color –
inconspicuous
Slow growing
Uses – foundation, massing
Dwarf Walters Viburnum
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Scientific Name: Viburnum
obovatum ‘Mrs. Schillers
Delight’
Plant characteristics
Height: 24 - 48 inches
Light exposure – full
sun/part shade
Flower color – white blooms
in spring through summer
Slow growing
Uses - foundation, massing
Florida Coontie
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Scientific Name: Zamia
pumila
Plant characteristics
Height: 18 - 24 inches
Light exposure – sun/shade
Flower color – n/a
Slow growing native Florida
plant
Use - massing
Rosemary
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Scientific Name:
Rosmarinus officinalis
Plant characteristics
Height: 3 - 5 feet
Light exposure – full sun
Bloom color – white, blue,
dependant on variety
Uses, specimen, massing,
accent
Loropetalum (Dwarf Varieties)
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Scientific
Name: Loropetalum
chinensis
Plant characteristics
Height: 2 - 3 feet
Light exposure – full sun
Flower color - lavender/pink
flowers in May through
August
Uses - massing, foundation
Use dwarf varieties for areas
where a smaller mature size
is needed
Nandina ‘Firepower’
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Scientific Name: Nandina
domestica ‘Firepower’
Plant characteristics
Height: 16 – 28 inches
Light exposure – full sun
Flower color – n/a
Showy red foliage in fall
Uses - specimen, parking
areas
Medium Shrubs
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Best used in areas with space
Major component of large area landscaping
Very hardy
Lower fertilization requirements than flowers
Low maintenance requirements
Simpson’s Stopper
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Scientific Name:
Myrcianthes fragrans
Plant characteristics
Height: 4 -10 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/part shade
Flower color - white blooms
in summer
Glossy foliage
Uses – specimen, accent,
screening
Podocarpus ‘Pringles’
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Scientific Name:
Podocarpus macrophyllus
'Pringles Dwarf’
Plant characteristics
Height: 2 - 4 feet
Light exposure – full sun/
partial shade
Flower color – n/a
Uses – hedging, massing,
accent plant
Ligustrum ‘Howardi’
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Scientific Name: Ligustrum
japonicum 'Howardi'
Plant characteristics
Height: 6 – 10 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color – n/a
Grows quickly
Uses – hedge, massing
Curled-leaf Privet
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Scientific Name: Ligustrum
japonicum 'Recurvifolium‘
Plant characteristics
Height: 6 - 10 feet
Light exposure – full sun/
light shade
Flowering – white blooms in
spring
Fast growing
Uses – privacy, specimen
Dwarf Burfordi Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex
cornuta 'Dwarf Burfordi'
Plant characteristics
Height: 4 - 8 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color – white, not
showy
Glossy foliage
Uses - foundation, massing,
accent
Red Muhly Grass
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Scientific Name:
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Plant characteristics
Height: 2 - 4 feet
Light exposure – sun/light
shade
Flower color – red, during
summer and fall
Uses - foundation,
specimen, massing
Sand Cord Grass
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Scientific Name: Spartina
bakeri
Plant characteristics
Height: 2 - 5 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color –
inconspicuous flowers
during summer
Uses – specimen, massing
Dwarf Fakahatchee Grass
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Scientific Name: Tripsacum
floridanum
Plant characteristics
Height: 2 - 4 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color –
inconspicuous flowers
during late summer
Uses – accent plant,
massing
Texas Sage
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Scientific Name:
Leucophyllum frutescens
Plant characteristics
Height: 3 - 5 feet
Light exposure - sun/light
shade
Flower color – purple
blooms during summer and
fall
Unique gray/green foliage
Uses - foundation,
specimen, massing
Sweet Viburnum
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Scientific Name: Viburnum
odoratissimum
Plant characteristics
Height: 6 – 12 feet
Light exposure – full sun/
light shade
Flower color – white, blooms
in spring
Uses – hedge, privacy,
massing
Thryallis
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Scientific Name: Galphimia
glauca
Plant characteristics
Height: 4 - 6 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/partial shade
Flower color – yellow, lasts
from early summer to fall
Uses – massing, specimen
plant, accent
Trees for Landscaping
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Always make sure there is appropriate room
Match trees with site conditions
Be reasonable with establishment times
Do not require much fertilization
Take care when selecting a variety
Red Maple
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Scientific Name: Acer
rubrum
Plant characteristics
Height: 20 - 60 feet
Light exposure - sun/shade
Flower color - red foliage in
spring and fall
Uses - specimen, tolerates
wet soil
Bottlebrush
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Scientific
Name: Callistemon citrinus
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 - 20 feet
Light exposure – full sun
Flower color - red flowers
from April through July
Uses – specimen, accent
Japanese Privet
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Scientific Name: Ligustrum
japonicum
Plant characteristics
Height: 5 -12 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color – white flowers
in spring
Grows quickly
Uses – hedge, privacy, can
be grown as a specimen
tree
Dogwood
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Scientific Name: Cornus
florida
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 - 20 feet
Light exposure - filtered
shade ideal
Flower color - yellow/white
blooms in late winter/early
spring
Uses – specimen, accent
Weeping Yaupon Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex
vomitoria ‘Pendula’
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 – 20 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color –
inconspicuous flowers in
spring, with red berries in fall
and winter
Uses, specimen, accent
East Palatka Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex
attenuata 'East Palatka'
Plant characteristics
Height: 20 - 40 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color - white flowers
are not showy, but produces
prolific red berries in fall
Uses - screen, foundation,
specimen plant with pruning
and shaping
Crape Myrtle
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Scientific
Name: Lagerstroemia indica
Plant characteristics
Height: Dependent upon
variety
Light exposure – full sun
Flower color – various,
depending upon variety,
blooms throughout summer
Many different varieties and
colors exist
Uses – accent, specimen
Saucer Magnolia
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Scientific Name: Magnolia
soulangeana
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 - 20 feet
Light exposure - filtered
shade ideal
Flower color - pink blooms in
early spring
Uses – specimen, accent
Wax Myrtle
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Scientific Name: Myrica
cerifera
Plant characteristics
Height: 10 - 15 feet
Light exposure - sun/shade
Flower color – cream,
flowers are inconspicuous
Uses - specimen,
naturalizing
Redbud
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Scientific Name: Cercis
canadensis
Plant characteristics
Height: 10 - 30 feet
Light exposure - sun/
medium shade
Flower color – pink/lavender
blooms in early spring
Deciduous, will lose leaves
during winter
Uses – specimen tree,
shade, accent
Live Oak
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Scientific Name: Quercus
virginiana
Plant characteristics
Height: up to 100 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color – n/a
Long lived and hardy tree
Uses - shade, specimen
Winged Elm
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Scientific Name: Ulmus
alata
Plant characteristics
Height: 30 - 40 feet
Light exposure - sun
Flower color – n/a
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Uses - shade, specimen tree
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Magnolia ‘Little Gem’
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Scientific Name: Magnolia
grandiflora 'Little Gem‘
Plant characteristics
Height: up to 25 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color – white blooms,
spring – fall
Uses – specimen, accent
Nellie Stevens Holly
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Scientific Name: Ilex x
‘Nellie R. Stevens’
Plant characteristics
Height: up to 25 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color inconspicuous white spring
flowers, red berries in fall
Uses – hedge, tree,
specimen plant
Palms for Landscaping
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Not appropriate for every landscape
Be careful of cold tolerance
Make sure there is growing room
Correct spacing
Terminal growing point
Pindo Palm
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Scientific Name: Butia
capitata
Plant characteristics
Height: 15 - 30 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color - cream/yellow
in summer, but not grown for
flowers
Uses - specimen, accent
Silver Date Palm
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Scientific Name: Phoenix
sylvestris
Plant characteristics
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Light exposure – full
sun/light shade
Flower color – fruits appear
orange in summer
Uses – specimen tree
European Fan Palm
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Scientific
Name: Chamaerops humilis
Plant characteristics
Height: 10 - 14 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color - cream/yellow
blooms in summer, but not
grown for flowering
Uses - specimen
Windmill Palm
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Scientific Name:
Trachycarpus fortunei
Plant characteristics
Height: 10 - 15 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color – cream/yellow
blooms in summer, but not
grown for flowering
Uses – specimen, accent
Sabal Palm
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Scientific Name:
Sabal palmetto
Plant characteristics
Height: 30 - 50 feet
Light exposure - sun/part
shade
Flower color – n/a
Florida native
Uses – specimen, accent
Resources
•To learn more about Florida-friendly landscaping and Senate Bill 2080, go to
pages 6–7 at: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/00-SB494_and_SB2080_FAQ_8-609.pdf
•Visit the University of Florida’s Florida-friendly landscaping web site is at
http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html
•To see how water and money can be saved through Florida-friendly landscaping,
go to:
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/documents/publications/watermatters/novdec2008/6.html