In the late spring when it starts to get hot and dry in Central Florida you may notice some plants wilting and others thriving. This is a good time to consider remove plants that are not well suited for your landscape and replace with drought tolerant Florida native plants.
Here are some profiles of recommended drought tolerant native plants for Central Florida:
Sunshine Mimosa
Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) is a perennial groundcover with globe-shaped pink powderpuff flowers. It can be used as an alternative lawn that is mowable and can tolerate some foot traffic. Sunshine mimosa prefers full sun, well-drained sandy soils and is suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8A – 10B.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/powderpuff-mimosa/
Beach Dune Sunflower
Beach dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis) is a long lived annual with a bright yellow flowers that bloom continuously throughout the year. It’s considered a groundcover because of its spreading habit and can fill large areas in the landscape that are hot and dry.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/beach-sunflower/
Muhly Grass
Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a low-maintenance clumping grass. It can be used as an accent plant or in mass plantings in landscape beds or around trees. In the fall, it lights up with its delicate pink flowers and then produces small seeds that are food for birds and other wildlife. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil and prune once a year in the late winter (Jan./Feb.) if needed.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/muhly-grass/
Firebush
Firebush (Hamelia patens) is a native evergreen shrub with orange-yellow flowers. Dwarf cultivars are available for smaller spaces. This plant provides nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds and berries for birds and other wildlife. It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 8 – 11 but will get knocked back by the cold. Plant in full or part sun in well-drained soil.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/firebush/
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is very drought tolerant once established. It is one of the toughest plants out there, also highly salt tolerant and hurricane resilient. The large flower inflorescences attract numerous bee species and other pollinators. It works well as a specimen or accent shrub in the landscape and comes in a green or silver form. Plant in full sun and water until established in a space that will allow the plant to grow to its mature size of 5 – 10′ tall and 5 – 10′ wide. https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/palms-and-cycads/saw-palmetto/
Many of these native drought tolerant plants are only available at nurseries that specialize in native plants, you can visit the Florida Association of Native Nurseries website to find nurseries in your county. https://www.plantrealflorida.org/
If you have any questions or would like to pick up a copy of the Real Florida Gardeners Guide that lists native plant nurseries visit UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Help Desk. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/lawngarden/master-gardener-help-desk/
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