Rubus fruticosus 'Natchez'

Thornless Blackberry ‘Natchez’ is a non-native, Florida-friendly, deciduous, edible vining shrub that grows 4’-6’ tall and 4’-5’ wide. They do well in full sun, and rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. The flowers attract pollinators and the fruit are edible for birds and humans.

Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary is a non-native, Florida-friendly evergreen woody herb that serves a purpose in the garden and the kitchen. Reaching 2’-5’ in height, with full sun and dry to average, well-draining sandy or rocky soil, Rosemary is a great drought-tolerant herb that handles the Florida heat very well. With flowers for pollinators from late winter to spring, and an undeniably delicious flavor when using the leaves, this plant can be used in a butterfly garden and in teas, soups, and roasts.

Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat is a non-native, Florida-friendly, evergreen fruiting tree that grows 15’-25’ tall. They grow best in full sun to partial shade, with average, well-draining sandy, clay, or loamy soil. Their flowers are highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, and their apricot-like fruit can be enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike.

Gynura procumbens

Longevity Spinach is a non-native, Florida-friendly, edible trailing vine that grows best in indirect sun or partial shade, with rich, well-draining soil. Unlike some greens, Longevity Spinach is known for its extreme heat and humidity tolerance, making it an ideal choice for many Florida gardens and landscapes. The leaves can be enjoyed raw or cooked, and have a variety of culinary applications, such as salads, smoothies, and soups and stir-fries.

Hibiscus acetosella

Cranberry Hibiscus is a non-native, Florida-friendly flowering shrub that grows to be 3’-5’ tall. These fast-growing plants feature dark red stems, foliage, and flowers, making them a dramatic addition to gardens and landscapes. They grow best in full sun and loose, rich organic soil. In addition to bringing in butterflies, pollinators, and hummingbirds, their flowers are edible for humans, and can be used to make teas, along with the young leaves.

Petrea volubilis

Queen’s Wreath is a non-native, Florida-friendly, fast-growing evergreen vine. It grows best in full sun to part shade, but flowers more abundantly in full sun, and average soil; they are somewhat drought tolerant once established. These vines have showy purple flowers that bloom profusely from Feb-June, which are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Passiflora 'Incense'

Incense Passionvine is a non-native, Florida-friendly hybrid passionvine that is a cross of the native Maypop Passionvine and a South American variety. They can grow 10’-20’ with support, and do well in full sun to shade, with well-draining, rich organic soil. These vines have dark green leaves and beautiful, fragrant blooms that bring in butterflies and pollinators. They also serve as a larval hot for Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Longwing, and Julia butterflies.

Stachytarpheta frantzii

Purple Porterweed is a non-native, Florida-friendly flowering shrub that grows 3’-4’ tall and wide. They grow best in full sun and average to moist sandy soil. Their purple flower spikes bloom from spring until the first frost and serve as a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Stachytarpheta mutabilis

Coral Porterweed is a non-native, Florida-friendly fast-growing flowering shrub, growing 4’-6’ tall and 3’-5’ wide. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and average sandy soil, with moderate drought tolerance once they’re established. They bloom throughout the warm months, with salmon-colored bloom spikes that are highly attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Clusia guttifera ‘Nana’

Dwarf Pitch Apple is a compact, slow-growing cultivar of the native Florida pitch apple that stays low to the ground as a spreading shrub. This semi-succulent plant features the same distinctive thick, leathery paddle-shaped leaves as its full-sized parent but in a much more manageable form, typically reaching only 2-4 feet in height and spreading wider than it is tall. It produces waxy pink and white flowers with apple-like buds and can develop aerial roots, adding to its unique tropical appearance. Extremely low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and serves as an excellent border plant or accent specimen for South Florida landscapes in zones 9-11.

Aristolochia macrophylla

Pipevine is a Florida-friendly deciduous climbing vine that grows up to 15ft with large, heart-shaped leaves reaching 12in long. The leaves overlap in a shingle-like pattern to create dense screening, making it excellent for privacy on arbors, trellises, or fences. In late spring to early summer, it produces distinctive pipe-shaped flowers that are greenish-yellow and mottled with burgundy, though they're often hidden beneath the lush foliage. Native to moist woodlands and stream banks, it serves as the primary host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. This shade-tolerant vine prefers rich, moist soil and requires consistent moisture, making it unsuitable for dry conditions.

Persea americana

Florida-friendly, evergreen, fast-growing fruit tree; 30’-50’ tall, but can be kept at 10’ tall for easy fruit picking. Full sun is best for fruit production, with average to dry, well-drained soil; not flood-tolerant. Should be planted 25’-30’ away from trees or buildings.

Clusia guttiferra

Non-native, Florida-friendly, prunable evergreen shrub. Pitch Apples can reach a height of about 15’, with a 15’ spread. These shrubs do well in full sun to shade, well-drained sandy or loamy soil, and are salt-tolerant once established. They are fast growing, and make a great hedge or buffer, specimen, or container plant.

Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides

Mexican Flame Vine is a vigorous, fast-growing evergreen climber native to Mexico and Central America that reaches 12 feet in length with a 6-foot spread. This ornamental vine features attractive arrowhead-shaped leaves with purple undersides and produces clusters of brilliant orange-red daisy-like flowers from late spring through fall. The showy blooms are highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. Hardy in zones 9-11, it thrives in average to organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and tolerates short periods of drought once established.

Odontonema callistachyum

Firespike is a Florida-friendly, vibrant, shade-loving shrub with showy trumpet shaped blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It is found in a variety of colors with red being a common favorite amongst hummingbirds. Responds well to pruning.

Malpighia emarginata

Barbados Cherry is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean that grows up to 12 feet tall and wide with a rounded, multi-trunked form. This fast-growing tropical plant features delicate foliage and produces small, attractive pink flowers intermittently from spring through fall, followed by bright red, cherry-like fruits. The tart, edible fruits are exceptionally high in vitamin C—containing 30 times more than oranges—and ripen about one month after flowering. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, it's drought-tolerant once established and serves as an excellent ornamental shrub, specimen plant, or container plant in zones 9B-11, attracting butterflies and providing edible fruit for both wildlife and humans.

Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum 'Dark Opal'

Non-native, Florida-friendly, fragrant edible perennial herb. African Blue Basil is a hardy herb that prefers full sun in winter and light shade in summer. Grows to be 3’-4’ tall. Average, composted soil, frost protection required. Pollinators, especially honey bees, love this shrub.

Morus hybr. ‘Tice’

Tice Mulberry is a non-native, Florida-friendly deciduous fruit tree that grows to be 15’-60’ tall, depending on the pruning methods used to maintain it. They grow best in full sun to light shade with rich, well-draining loamy soil, though they are highly adaptable to poor soil conditions. While the Tice Mulberry fruits seasonally, they fruit profusely during their season, producing many large, black, delicious berries that are edible for humans and local wildlife.

Ananas comosus ‘Florida Special’

Pineapple is a non-native, Florida-friendly edible plant that can grow 2’-3’ tall. They grow best in full sun with average to dry sandy soil. Each plant will produce one pineapple fruit, and they can be planted in the ground or grown in containers. The Florida Special pineapple is a golden variety. It can withstand temperatures down to the mid 30s.

Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass is a non-native, Florida-friendly, perennial edible grass that grows 3’-4’ tall and 2’-3’ wide. They require full sun and rich, well-draining, loamy, clay, or sandy soil. When crushed, their leaves give off a lovely citrusy scent, and their lower stalks can be used to flavor soups, curries, and teas. As large clumping grass, they also make great border plants for folks who want to add some texture to their landscape.

Averrhoa carambola

Carambola or Star Fruit is a non-native, Florida-friendly, small evergreen fruit tree that grows to be 22’-33’ tall and 20’-25’ wide. They grow best in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They have soft-green leaves and yellow, star-shaped fruit that have a delightful sweet-tart taste.