Plants Native to the Gulf Coast

Trees

• The downey serviceberry or shadberry ("Amelanchier arborea") is native to western Florida's woodlands and swamps. This deciduous tree grows to 25 feet tall and produces white flowers early in the spring. The downey serviceberry thrives in sites with wet soil and partial shade.

  The Southern crab apple ("Malus angustifolia") is also a western Florida native. This 25-foot-tall deciduous tree thrives in full sun and rich, organic soils. Southern crab apples bloom with pink blossoms in spring, followed by green summer fruits. The Florida royal palm, an evergreen, grows to 100 feet tall. This southwestern native thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, rich soil.

Vines and Ornamental Grasses

• The Southern honeysuckle ("Lonicera sempervirens") reaches lengths up to 20 feet. This deciduous vine blooms with red flowers in summer. Southern honeysuckle can grow in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a range of soil types with the exception of light, sandy soil.

  Giant sea oats ("Uniola paniculata"), an ornamental grass, grows in sandy dune areas and helps reduce soil erosion. These native plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and produce 10- to 20-inch-long spikes of seed clusters. Giant sea oats thrive in sand and full sun, and tolerate both drought and high saline levels.

Shrubs

• The oakleaf hydrangea ("Hydrangea quercifolia") grows in wet, swampy habitats. A deciduous shrub, the oakleaf hydrangea can grow to 6 feet tall and produces white flowers in summer. Oakleaf hydrangea prefer sites in partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil.

  The sweet pepperbush ("Clethra alnifolia") reaches heights to 10 feet. This deciduous shrub blooms in summer with white and pink blossoms. Plant the sweet pepperbush in partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil.

  The Florida anise ("Illicium floridanum") can grow up to 20 feet tall. This evergreen shrub produces red to purple spring flowers. Florida anise grows best in partial to full shade and average soil.

Ground Covers

• The gopher apple ("Licania michauxii") thrives in coastal regions. This salt-tolerant native grows from 3 to 12 inches high and blooms through spring and summer with pink and white flowers. Gopher apples thrive in full sun and sandy, dry soils.

  The railroad vine or goat's foot morning glory ("Ipomoea pescapra") also thrives in sandy, salty sites and stabilizes dunes. This native, evergreen ground cover grows to 4 inches high and produces pink to lavender flowers in summer. Plant railroad vine in full sun and well-drained soil.