Choosing native species means healthier growth, lower maintenance, and better resilience to local conditions. Below are excellent options for our Northeast Florida landscapes.

Native Trees

East Palatka Holly (Ilex × attenuata)

• Approx. Size & Form: 30–45 ft tall, pyramidal shape, dense foliage.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Classic Southern landscape tree; produces red berries loved by birds. Works as a specimen tree or screening hedge.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun to partial shade. Tolerates moist soils but adapts to drier sites once established.

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

• Approx. Size & Form: 15–25 ft tall, upright and irregular form; can be pruned into hedge or left natural.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Highly versatile, drought-tolerant, and salt-tolerant. Provides food for birds and pollinators.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun to part shade. Great for coastal areas and sandy soils.

Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)

• Approx. Size & Form: 50–80 ft tall, massive spreading canopy with wide branches.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Iconic shade tree of the Southeast; supports countless wildlife species, including birds, squirrels, and moths.

• Conditions / Notes: Needs room to grow. Thrives in full sun, well-drained soils. Extremely wind-resistant.

Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)

• Approx. Size & Form: 30–40 ft tall, narrow pyramidal form when young, broadens with age.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Evergreen, provides year-round greenery and excellent windbreak. Produces small blue fruit attractive to birds.

• Conditions / Notes: Tolerates drought, salt spray, and poor soils—ideal for coastal landscapes.

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

• Approx. Size & Form: 50–70 ft tall, straight trunk with feathery foliage, flared trunk base in wet conditions.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Great for wet or low-lying areas, attractive fall color, supports aquatic ecosystems.

• Conditions / Notes: Prefers moist to wet soils but can adapt to drier sites. Full sun.

Flatwoods Plum (Prunus umbellata)

• Approx. Size & Form: 15–20 ft tall, rounded crown, small deciduous tree.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Provides early spring flowers for pollinators and small fruits for wildlife. Excellent for small landscapes.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun. Grows well in sandy, well-drained soils.

Native Shrubs

Walter’s Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)

• Approx. Size & Form: 6–12 ft tall, dense and rounded, can be shaped as hedge or small tree.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Pollinator-friendly, white spring flowers, evergreen foliage. Birds eat the fruit.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun to part shade. Adapts to moist or sandy soils.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

• Approx. Size & Form: 4–8 ft tall, arching branches, deciduous shrub.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Known for clusters of bright purple berries in fall; supports birds and pollinators.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun to part shade. Low maintenance, drought-tolerant.

Firebush (Hamelia patens)

• Approx. Size & Form: 4–8 ft tall, sprawling habit, semi-woody perennial.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Bright orange-red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun for best flowering; frost may kill back but regrows in spring.

Native Groundcovers & Lawn Alternatives

Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

• Approx. Size & Form: Low-growing, spreading mat, usually <6 inches tall.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Fantastic lawn alternative—tolerates foot traffic and mowing. Produces tiny flowers that attract pollinators.

• Conditions / Notes: Thrives in sun or part shade; handles wet or dry soil.

Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)

• Approx. Size & Form: Creeping perennial groundcover with fernlike leaves; grows 3–6 inches tall.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Pink puffball flowers add color, nitrogen-fixing, excellent erosion control.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun. Spreads aggressively; great for open areas.

Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

• Approx. Size & Form: 3–4 ft tall, clumping grass with airy pink-purple plumes in fall.

• Why It’s a Good Choice: Stunning ornamental grass for naturalized landscapes, drought-tolerant.

• Conditions / Notes: Full sun, sandy well-drained soils.

👉 Tip: All the above species are recommended in local Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ guidelines and align with St. Johns County extension service best practices.