Hello all!

This week starts a new addition to my blog, one that I am very excited about. I’m going to be spotlighting a Florida native plant (tree, shrub, fern, etc.) along with a Florida invasive plant (tree, shrub, fern, etc.) each week. It may seem weird to be excited about this topic, but I am going to learn so much more about Florida horticulture and how to better protect it’s native versions. Most of all though, I am hoping to help teach others (like you!) about why planting and protecting native plants is so important and the right plants you can use to make it happen.

It wasn’t until recently that I became very interested in flora above just looking at it. I didn’t even know what a non native invasive plant was two years ago! It wasn’t until I became active in actually removing invasive plants that I began to become alarmed about their effects in my state. In fact, every state has them, so I know many other people can relate to the frustrations they cause.

Discovering a certain type of invasive plant is kind of like being in a horror movie. You start seeing the plant a little bit here and there and eventually you notice that it is taking over your entire county! It truly is a nightmare (I’m looking at you Mr. Air Potato!). I will try my hardest to fight back against these villains despite their rapid growth.

Back to the message: It is so important for gardeners and home owners in general to choose plants that will work WITH the environment, as opposed to against it. There are several reasons people should be doing so. Some reasons people should be thinking native are:

- Less Maintenance (Although gardening may be a fun hobby, it could easily start feeling like a chore if you choose high maintenance plants)
- Less costly (Less mowing + Less fertilizing + Less weed killers + Less water = Less money wasted!)
- Better for the environment (I’m pretty sure our earth could do without more pesticides)
- Better for wildlife ( who doesn’t want to see butterflies, birds, and other wildlife in their own yard?)

You get my drift.

So without further delay, here are today’s Spotlight Plants~

Native: Firebush

source: Florida Flower Power

This shrub can become quite like a tree. It is great for something that can take up a good amount of space. Firebush requires full sun and has a moderate to high drought tolerance. This shrub is a great attractor of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other birds and can be a great shelter for other wildlife with its big, round shape.

Invasive: African Firebush

source: UF

This type of Firebush is an imposter that may look similar to our native. It is called African Firebush, but is originally from Europe. The problem with these plants is their potential to interbreed with our natives which could disrupt the native population and throw off the areas’ biodiversity. The exotic African Firebush can be differentiated from it’s native counter part mostly by the color of it’s flowers. The native has more reddish orange flowers while the exotic has more yellow flowers. The leaf of the native has hair while the exotic does not.

Sources: UF, Natives for your Neighborhood