When purchasing a plant to put in your landscape do your homework before going to your local nursery. Identify the new plant’s site location, remember not all plants can take all growing conditions.
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Drainage and salt water: Well-drained, poorly-drained. How high above sea level and high tides does your plant sit, remember the roots may get into the salt water.
Light: how much sun light – full sun, partial sun, shade. Remember the change of seasons create larger shady areas on the north side of the property.
Temperature: Florida Keys is located in Zone 10 b to 11. Therefore, exposure to cooler temperatures for tropical plants, exposure to extreme heat may harm plants that are living outside of their zone ranges.
Structural Limits: powerlines, underground utilities, septic tank, roof overhangs, paved surfaces, security lights
Other: salt spray and salt water inundation, wind direction, hurricane damage, and water availability, and what grew in that area before.
Check out the Florida Yards and Neighborhood handbook at: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu