Our Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Demonstration Garden in Bartow is currently full of winter seasonal flowers! Take a look at some of the Florida-Friendly plants currently in bloom online or at the gardens. We now have a self-guided audio tour to help you as you explore the garden!
Trees and Shrubs
Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia)
Chickasaw plum is a small Florida native tree. Clusters of tiny, white, fragrant flowers appear in late winter/early spring. This small tree usually grows to about 6-12 feet in height.
Golden Trumpet Tree (Handroanthus chrysotrichus)
Golden trumpet tree was formerly known as Yellow Tabebuia. This medium sized tree can grow to 25 feet tall and just as wide. It is especially known for its bright yellow flowers in early spring.
‘Withlacoochee’ Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum ‘Withlacoochee’)
‘Withlacoochee’ viburnum is a large shrub or small tree (depending on your definition). It can grow anywhere from 8 to 25 feet in height and 6 to 10 feet tall. A highly drought tolerance plant with white flowers from winter through spring. Also provides shelter and food for wildlife.
Indian Hawthorn (Raphiolepis spp.)
Indian hawthorn may not come to mind when you think of flowering plants, but it certainly can flower given the proper care. For best flowering, plant in full sun. Additionally, prune after flowering and do not prune after July 4th. Flower buds are set on last year’s growth, so pruning too late may remove the flowers for next year.
Camellia ‘White Empress’ (Camellia japonica ‘White Empress’)
Camellias are shrubs that tolerate partial sun to shade and require acidic soil. They produce flowers from winter through spring with varying colors depending on the cultivar.
Vines and Perennials
Skyblue Clustervine (Jacquemontia pentanthos)
Skyblue clustervine is a native vine with beautiful blue flowers. It prefers full sun and is suitable for hardiness zones 10A-11. To protect this plant in the winter, we planted it on the south side of the building. This warmer microclimate in the landscape will help this plant during cooler winters.
Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Yellow jessamine is a Florida native plant. This vine blooms in late winter/early spring with yellow flowers and a wonderful fragrance.
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
Blue-eyed grass is a Florida native perennial with blue flowers that appear in early spring. Blue-eyed grass thrives in naturally moist areas. To keep this native perennial in the landscape, use microirrigation to supply supplemental irrigation as needed.
Landscaping Tip:
When planning or re-designing your garden or landscape, remember to use the principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™. Use the right plant, right place principle to select plants that match the site conditions in your garden or landscape. For more information on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ check out our website.
Have you visited the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Demonstration Garden in Bartow recently? If not, we invite you to stop by and check out the gardens!
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
1702 Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33830
For more details and directions, call 863-519-1041.
References
“Jacquemontia pentanthos”. Florida Native Plant Society. https://www.fnps.org/plant/jacquemontia-pentanthos. Accessed Feb 26, 2021.
An Equal Opportunity Institution.
0
