This week I finally ordered my own copy of Native Plants for Florida Gardens, authored by two distinguished members of the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Stacey Matrazzo and Nancy Bissett.
Florida Native wild flowers, vines, shrubs and grasses grace the pages, with large glossy photographs and easy-to-read planting requirements and details. Focused solely on Florida Natives, I would recommend this book as a great reference companion for anyone considering “going native” in their home landscape. Whether you live on the coast, near pinelands or scrubs, or have completely sandy soil, you will find native plants suitable for your area. Each plant description also outlines which pollinators, birds, and wildlife species will benefit from the addition of these plants in your garden.
For naturalists who enjoy hiking outdoors and IDing the local flora, the book is small enough to toss in a pack. I took it with me in late May to Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville, FL while I was mountain biking the CROOM section of the park, and whipped it out more than a time or two to confirm a plant species. I found this particularly helpful since I had almost no cell-service in the park and I couldn’t count on my google-lens most of the hike.
I especially enjoy the more precise botanical vocabulary used to describe plant growth habits. (The glossary was a must! I can now proudly explain the difference between disc florets and ray florets. Sort of.)
The clear descriptions of soil types, growth range within the state, and growing requirements each plant favors will help me select more natives to incorporate in my own home garden. I’ve already recommended this book to a few friends. But they need to buy their own copy because this is one I’m not lending out!