NATIVE PLANTS FOR BREVARD COUNTY (Zone 9B)
University of Florida/ Brevard County Extension Service
page 4
TREES
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Acacia farnesiana 15-25 15-25 Yellow Full sun Moderate Evergreen; fragrant flowers; slow grower; thorns; zones 9A-11
Sweet Acacia feet feet year round only
Acer rubrum 60-75 25-35 Red Full sun Low Deciduous; does not grow well on sandy ridges; prefers moist soils; fast
Red maple feet feet Spring partial shade grower; prefers acidic soils; shade tree; red fall color; seeds eaten by squirrels; red flowers & fruit in spring; zones 4A-9B
Aesculus pavia 15-20 15-25 Red Partial shade Moderate Deciduous; attracts squirrels/mammals; pruning required for strong
Red buckeye feet feet spring to shade structure; fruit & leaves can be a litter problem; prefers acidic soils; well- drained soils; tolerates extended flooding; branches droop; zones 6A-9A
Ardisia escallonioides 12-20 6-10 White Full sun High Evergreen; fragrant flowers; attracts birds & mammals; fruit & leaves can
Marlberry feet feet ? partial shade be a litter problem; attracts butterflies; branches droop; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained soils; can hedge at 4-6, or 6-12 feet; zones 10A-11
Bumelia tenax 15-30 10-20 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; slow grower; showy fruit attracts birds & mammals; well-
Tough bumelia feet feet only drained soils; dry soils; tolerates wide range of pH; thorns; cold & drought tolerant; zones 8A-11
Carpinus caroliniana 20-30 20-30 Incon. Full sun None Deciduous; moderately drought resistant; fluted trunk is very attractive;
American hornbeam feet feet to shade good specimen for small area; slow grower; attracts birds; shade tree; prefers moist, acidic soils; red-orange fall color; host plant - red-spotted purple butterfly; found at Erna Nixon Park; zones 3A-9B
Carya floridana 30-40 15-20 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; multi-trunked; well-drained soils; dry soils; prefers alkaline
Scrub hickory feet feet partial shade soils; golden-yellow fall color; female plants produce nuts that attract birds & squirrels; found at Turkey Creek Sanct. & The Enchanted Forest; zones?
Carya glabra 50-65 30-40 Incon. Full sun None Deciduous; drought tolerance; moderate growth rate; tolerates wide range
Pignut hickory feet feet partial shade of pH; fruit (nuts) can be a litter problem; yellow fall color; cold tolerant; prefers well-drained, moist soils; attracts birds & mammals; zones 5A-9B
Celtis laevigata 50-70 50-60 Incon. Full sun High Deciduous; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained soils; tolerates Hackberry feet feet partial shade extended flooding; drought tolerant; at Erna Nixon Park; host plant to the Snout, Question Mark, Mourning Cloaks, Hackberry & Tawny Emperor butterflies; fast grower; zones 5A-10B
TREES (cont.)
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray page 5
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Chionanthus virginicus 12-20 10-15 White Full sun to None Deciduous; slow grower; fragrant flowers; likes acid soils; flowers before
Fringe tree feet feet spring shade the foliage emerges; attracts birds & mammals; prefers moist soils; butterfly host plant; zones 3A-9B
Coccoloba uvifera 25-30 20-30 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; attracts birds & mammals; edible fruit; high drought tolerance;
Seagrape feet feet partial shade leaves and fruit can be a litter problem; can be used as a large shrub also; zones 10A-11
Conocarpus erectus 30-45 20-30 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; moderate grower; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained
Buttonwood feet feet only soils; tolerates occasionally wet soils; drought tolerant; zones 10B-11
Cordia sebestena 25-30 20-25 Orange Full sun High Evergreen; tolerates a wide range of pH; high drought tolerance; attracts
Geiger tree feet feet spring,summer partial shade hummingbirds; zones 10B-11
Crataegus aestivalis 20-30 35-40 White Full sun ? Deciduous; slow grower; well-drained soils; tolerates acidic to slightly
May haw feet feet spring partial shade alkaline soils; moderate drought tolerance; host plant - Gray hairstreak butterfly; zones 6A-11
Diospyros virginiana 40-60 20-35 Incon. Full sun High Deciduous; drought resistant; female plants attract birds & mammals; can
Persimmon feet feet to shade tolerate extended flooding; edible fruit; can form a thicket in open areas; host plant - Henry’s elfin butterfly; tolerates wide range of pH; can be found at Turkey Creek Sanctuary; zones 4B-9B
Dodonoea viscosa 10-15 6-15 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained soils; drought tolerant;
Varnish leaf feet feet only zones 9A-11
Forestiera segregata 10-15 5-10 Incon. Partial shade High Semi-evergreen; tolerates wide range of pH; drought tolerant; berries on Florida privet feet feet female plants only; attracts birds; tolerates poor soils; cold tolerant;
zones 8B-11
Fraxinus caroliniana 30-40 25-30 Incon. Full sun Low Deciduous; tolerates a wide range of pH; tolerates extended flooding;
Pop ash feet feet partial shade moderate growth rate; post plant - eastern tiger swallowtail; zones 7B-10A
Gordonia lasianthus 35-60 10-15 White Full sun to None Evergreen; tolerates extended flooding; prefers moist, acid soils; no
Loblolly bay feet feet spring, summer shade tolerance to drought; fragrant flowers; can be found in Wickham Park NW of lake; zones 7A-9B
Ilex cassine 20-30 8-12 Incon. Full sun Moderate Evergreen; attractive berries on female plants only in the winter;
Dahoon holly feet feet partial shade tolerates a wide range of pH; can tolerate extended flooding; attracts birds and mammals; prefers wet or moist soils; tolerates dry soils; zones 7A-11
TREES (cont.)
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray page 6
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Ilex opaca 35-50 15-25 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; attractive red berries in the winter attract birds & mammals;
American holly feet feet to shade tolerates extended flooding; drought tolerant; tolerates wide range pH; tolerates neglect; zones 5B-9B
Ilex vomitoria 15-25 15-20 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained soils; tolerates
Yaupon holly feet feet to shade extended flooding; drought tolerant; attracts birds & mammals; shears
well; zones 7A-9B
Juniperus silicicola 30-45 20-30 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; fast grower; berries attracts birds; tolerates wide range of pH;
Southern redcedar feet feet partial shade drought tolerant; can tolerate wet or dry soils; cold tolerant; provides nesting for birds; host plant - olive hairstreak butterfly; zones 8A-10B
Liquidambar styraciflua 60-75 35-50 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; fast growing; produces messy, sharply pointed fruit in the fall;
Sweet gum feet feet partial shade good fall color; fruit attracts birds & mammals; tolerates wide range of pH & extended flooding; can form large surface roots; zones 5B-10A
Lyonia ferruginea 12-15 4-6 White Full sun Low Evergreen; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained soils; dry soils; good
Rusty lyonia feet feet spring to shade specimen tree; zones ?
Magnolia grandiflora 60-80 30-40 White Full sun High Evergreen; flowers are large and fragrant; large, glossy green leaves; seeds
Southern magnolia feet feet spring,summer partial shade attract birds & squirrels; tolerates wide range of pH; moderate drought tolerance; prefers moist, rich soils; use a palm fertilizer with trace elements; zones 7A-10A ( lg. specimen on the campus of ISU in zone 5!)
Magnolia virginiana 40-50 15-25 White Full sun Moderate Evergreen; fragrant flowers; fruit attracts birds & mammals; prefers
Sweet bay feet feet summer partial shade moist, acidic soils; tolerates extended flooding; silver hairs on the undersides of the leaves gives the tree a shimmering appearance in windy weather; host plant - laurel swallowtail butterfly; zones 5A-10A
Morus rubra 50-70 20-40 Incon. Full sun None Deciduous; attracts birds & mammals; edible fruit; tolerates all soil
Red Mulberry feet feet partial shade moisture levels; fruits can stain cement, etc.; host plant for question mark, red admiral & gray hairstreak butterflies; found at Sebastian Inlet State Park; Erna Nixon Park; Enchanted Forest & Lori Wilson Park; zones ?
Myrcianthes fragrans 20-30 15-20 White Full sun High Evergreen; fragrant flowers; slow grower; tolerates wide range of pH;
Simpson’s stopper feet feet spring partial shade colorful berries attract birds; minimum height is 12 feet; good replacement for crape myrtle; shears well; attractive peeling bark; zones 9B-11
TREES (cont.)
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray page 7
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Myrica cerifera 15-25 20-25 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; an excellent small native tree; berries on FEMALE plants
Wax myrtle feet feet to shade attract birds and mammals; fast grower; can tolerate extended flooding; root suckers can be a problem; use as a dense screen; susceptible to root and wood rot; host plant - red banded hairstreak butterfly; zones 7B-11
Nyssa sylvatica 65-75 25-35 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; foliage turns golden or crimson in the fall; fruits attract birds &
Black tupelo feet feet partial shade mammals; prefers moist, acidic soils; high drought tolerance but can tolerate extended flooding; shade tree; zones 4B-9B
Osmanthus americana 15-25 10-15 White Full sun High Evergreen; fragrant flowers; prefers acid soils; fruit attracts birds &
Wild olive feet feet spring partial shade mammals; tolerates extended flooding; moderate drought tolerance;
zones 5B-9B
Persea borbonia 30-50 30-50 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; drought tolerant; tolerates wide range of pH; attracts birds &
Redbay feet feet partial shade mammals; foliage is fragrant when crushed; prefers dry soils; shade tree; host plant - palamedes swallowtail, spicebush swallowtail & laurel swallowtail; can be found at Wickham Park, & Lori Wilson Park;
P. palustris grows in wetter soils; zones 7B-11
Pinus clausa 25-40 15-25 Incon. Full sun Low Evergreen; attracts mammals; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained
Sand pine feet feet soils drought tolerant; slow grower; prefers dry soils; shade tree; can be found in Wickham Park; 2 needles per bundle - 2-4 inches long; zones 7A-10B
Pinus elliottii var. densa 50-70 35-50 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; fast grower; tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soils;
Slash pine feet feet partial shade well-drained soils; tolerates occassionally wet soils; drought tolerant; attracts birds & mammals; 2-3 needles per bundle/ 7-12 inches long; host plant - spicebush swallowtail; zones 9B-11
Pinus glabra 30-60 25-40 Incon. Full sun Low Evergreen; tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soils; well-drained
Spruce pine feet feet partial shade soils; tolerates extended flooding; moderate drought tolerance; host plant - spicebush swallowtail butterfly; zones 8A-9B
Pinus palustris 60-80 30-40 Incon. Full sun High Evergreen; fast grower; tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soils
Longleaf pine feet feet only well-drained soils; drought tolerate; attract mammals; endangered red cockaded woodpecker is dependent on this tree for survival; 3 needles per bundle/8-18 inches long; host plant - spicebush swallowtail butterfly; zones 7A-10A
TREES (cont.)
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray page 8
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Prunus angustifolia 12-20 15-20 White Full sun Low Deciduous; fragrant flowers; attracts birds & mammals; prefers dry to
Chickasaw plum feet feet spring partial shade moist, acidic soils; well-drained soils; high drought tolerance; thorns; can form underground runners which can create a thicket; nectar plant - butterflies; host plant - viceroy, eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies;
zones 6A-9B
Quercus laevis 30-40 25-30 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; moderate growth rate; acorns attract mammals; high drought
Turkey oak feet feet fall color - copper; tolerates acidic soils; well-drained soils; zones 7B-9B
Quercus laurifolia 60-70 35-45 Incon. Full sun Low Semi-evergreen; fast grower; acorns attract mammals; moderate drought
Laurel oak feet feet partial shade tolerance; well-drained soils; tolerates wide range of pH; host plant - red banded, southern oak & white M hairstreak butterflies; zones 6B-10A
Quercus myrtifolia 20-30 20-30 Incon. Full sun Moderate Evergreen; attracts birds & mammals; well-drained soils; dry soils;
Myrtle oak feet feet only tolerates wide range of pH; host plant - red banded, southern oak & white M hairstreak butterflies; zones?
Quercus nigra 50- 60 60-70 Incon. Full sun Low Deciduous; fast grower; attracts mammals; tolerates wide range of pH;
Water oak feet feet partial shade drought tolerant; tolerates extended flooding; host plant - red banded, southern oak & white M hairstreak butterflies; zones 6A-10A
Quercus virginiana 60-80 60-120 Incon. Full sun High Semi-evergreen; tolerates wide range of pH; tolerates occasional flooding;
Live oak feet feet partial shade well-drained soils; drought tolerant; host plant - red banded, southern oak & white M hairstreak butterflies; zones 7B-10B
Taxodium distichum 60-80 25-35 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; tolerates wide range pH; well-drained soils; tolerates extended
Bald cypress feet feet to shade flooding; drought tolerant; can tolerate wet or dry soils; zones 5A-10B
Ulmus alata 45-70 30-40 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; tolerates wide range of pH; well-drained but will tolerate
Winged elm feet feet partial shade extended flooding; drought tolerant; prefers moist soils; host plant - question mark & hackberry butterflies; zones 6A-9B
Ulmus americana 60-80 50-60 Incon. Full sun Moderate Deciduous; fast grower; attracts birds; tolerates wide range pH; well-
var. floridana feet feet partial shade drained sols; tolerates extended flooding; moderate drought tolerance;
Florida elm prefers moist soils; host plant - question mark & hackberry butterflies; zones 8A-9B
Vaccinium arboreum 12-18 10-15 White Partial shade Low Evergreen; attracts birds & mammals; moderate drought tolerance; prefers
Sparkleberry feet feet spring to shade moist, acidic soils; well-drained soils; tolerates occassionaly wet soils;
attractive red bark; crooked branches form an open, irregular crown;
zones 6B-10B
TREES (cont.)
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray page 9
Common Name Height Spread & Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Zanthoxylum 25-30 15-20 Incon. Full sun High Deciduous; well-drained soils; dry soils; very thorny; host plant for the
clava-herculis feet feet only giant swallowtail butterfly (orange dog caterpillar); zones ?
Hercules’ club
SHRUBS
Scientific Name Flower Color Light Salt Spray
Common Name Height Spread Season Conditions Tolerance Comments
Acrostichum 6-7 4-5 Incon. Full sun High Tolerates wide range of pH; prefers moist to wet soils; can be found
danaeifolium feet feet partial shade Hoo Hoo park on US 1 in Rockledge
Leather fern
Agarista populifolia 10-12 2-3 White Partial shade Low Evergreen; shears well; prefers moist, acidic soils; fragrant flowers; Pipestem feet feet spring to shade tolerates wet, acidic soils; must be kept well watered during dry spells; leaves susceptible to fungal spotting; keep pruning to a minimum so as not to destroy mature form