County extensions provide access, through county agents, to the resources of land-grant universities (such as the Florida state universities) across the nation. These Plant Hardiness Zone Map In 2023, the USDA released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map to help gardeners and landscapers determine which plants will most likely thrive in specific locations. Florida is divided into four main planting zones: ● Panhandle : (Zones 8B and 9A) Regions that are ideal for various perennials, shrubs and trees that can tolerate occasional frost. ● North Florida : (Zones 9A and 9B) Regions known for the year-round planting potential. Plants, citrus trees, and flowering plants that enjoy mild winters. ● East Coast, Central, and Southwest Florida : (Zones 9B to 10B) Supportive of tropical plants, including tropical fruits and various exotic flowers.
universities are centers for research in many subjects, including entomology (the study of insects) and agriculture.
● Southeast and South Florida : (Zones 11A and 10) The warmest zone in Florida, this region is perfect for sensitive tropical plants including rare palms, orchids, and other tropical species that cannot tolerate frost. These are all important factors to consider for a developer who is establishing a community; for the professionals and experts who will be part of the landscape plan and irrigation system; for the association and its board of directors who will ultimately contract for these services; and for the CAM who will monitor, observe, and report landscape matters. There are other things to watch for
PART 2: INVASIVE AND EXOTIC PLANTS
nurseries, rangelands, and other managed lands. It’s found often in SW Florida, especially in public conservation areas. Not only does it harm our plant communities by growing up and over trees and other plants, but they also serve as a fire ladder spreading and carrying fire into tree canopies and killing native trees that would not usually burn. ● Camphor Tree : It has quickly become a problem in Florida due to its ability to thrive in many ecosystems. It has pointy leaves and shiny berry-like fruit, which are toxic to people and pets. These plants are usually found in Northern and Central Florida where they’ve become a nuisance. They thrive in salty marshes and sandy soil and have been edging out native pines, cypress, and hammocks. ● Air Potato : A species of the yam family. The air potato was introduced to Florida in the 1900s as an ornamental plant, however, its fast growth and ability to reproduce rapidly (can grow as much as eight inches per day) have caused it to become a serious threat to our natural ecosystems. They are vines with heart-shaped leaves. ● Chinese Tallow : Also known as Florida aspen, chicken tree, gray popcorn tree, or candleberry tree. Its seeds are a source of stillingia oil (a drying oil used in paints and varnishes). This plant is an invasive exotic plant that spreads rapidly and has taken over large areas of the southeast United States. ● Water Hyacinth : An aquatic plant, this problematic species, was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and covered more than 120,000 acres of public lakes and rivers by the early 1960s. Water hyacinth can double in population size in about two weeks. The fast growth leads to dense mat formation that clogs waterways and limits flood control and wildlife use. It also limits boat traffic and recreational activities and can be economically damaging to operations that count on the water for transportation and business as a way of life.
Invasive exotic plants are plants that are not native to a specific location and are a detriment to native species and the ecosystem . They can aggressively out-compete native plants and result in the loss of habitat. Invasive plants in South Florida include but are not limited to the following: ● Brazilian Pepper : One of Florida’s most aggressive invasive exotic pest plants. Its dense canopy shades out most other plants and provides poor habitat for wildlife . ● Australian Pine : Introduced to Florida around 1887, when they were brought in and planted to form windbreaks around canals, agricultural fields, roads, and houses. Its resistance to salt spray is one of the reasons it became a widespread aggressive growth. It can grow close to sea water and invade beaches, hammocks, and tree island communities within the Everglades. It has invaded thousands of acres of coastal areas in Florida. It provides little to no native wildlife habitat and can displace native species. Their shallow root system gives them a risk of falling easily during storms. ● Melaleuca : Commonly known as paperbarks, honey myrtles, bottlebrushes, or tea-trees. The Melaleuca is an invasive tree choking the Everglades and other areas of South Florida. These trees were brought to the United States in the late 1800s. They displace native plant communities and wildlife, including some endangered species; they disturb water flow; and alter soil conditions. ● Ardisia Crenata : A flowering plant in the primrose family. Other names it is known by include Christmas berry, Australian holly, coral bush, hen’s eyes. The plant is an evergreen, multi-stemmed sub-shrub. Leaves have a distinctive scalloped edge and vary from dark green to waxy. ● Old World Climbing Fern : Its technical name, Lygodium micropyllum, was introduced in the 1950s and was imported to be used as outdoor ornamental plants. Starting as a decoration, it made its way easily into the wild through infestation of residential landscapes,
PART 3: PLANT CARE, WATER AND IRRIGATION, MULCH, FERTILIZATION, AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Efficient watering Overwatering is, unfortunately, a common practice that unnecessarily depletes a scarce resource, makes plants more vulnerable to disease and pests, and increases the cost of maintenance, including the need for more frequent lawn-
mowing resulting from faster growth. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus levels from fertilizer can lead to excessive plant and algae growth in waterways that can degrade drinking water, fisheries, and recreational areas.
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Book Code: CAMFL1526
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