University of Florida

Plant of the Month

Every month we feature a plant that we think deserves a spotlight in Florida-friendly gardening.

Detail of zz plantNovember

  • ZZ Plant – With glossy, tropical foliage, this tough and versatile plant was chosen as a "Florida Plant of the Year" for both 2002 and 2009.

Close up of lions ear flowerOctober

  • Lion's Ear – Hailing from South Africa, this drought-tolerant perennial shrub flowers in the fall, attracting both butterflies and admiring glances.

firebush flowerSeptember

  • Firebush – This red-hot native attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies, and once established, is almost maintenance-free.

Canna flowerAugust

  • Canna – Related to bananas and ginger plants, cannas come in an array of tropical colors. These heat-loving perennials like sunny, moist conditions.

Bulbine flowerJuly

  • Bulbine – This former FNGLA Plant of the Year hails from South Africa, but thrives in Florida's heat and sandy soil. Even better, it's drought-tolerant.

Torenia flowerJune

  • Torenia – Also known as the wishbone flower for its oddly-shaped stamens, torenia is now available in varieties that tolerate heat and humidity.

Knock Out RoseMay

  • Knock Out® Roses – Gardeners loves these shrub roses because they're easy to take care of, drought tolerant, and best of all, they bloom profusely.

Saw palmetto Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.orgApril

  • Saw Palmetto – This shrubby palm grows wild throughout the state, but it's also an excellent landscape plant that's popular with wildlife.

Coral honeysuckle Steven J. Baskauf copyright 2003March

  • Coral Honeysuckle – This native honeysuckle vine can be grown throughout Florida and features scarlet flowers that bloom for months.

Blossom of golden trumpet treeFebruary

  • Golden Trumpet Tree – Winter doesn't necessarily mean drab. This tree provides cool shade in the summer and glorious golden blooms in the winter.

Broccoli January

  • Broccoli – This cold-weather vegetable is both popular and nutritious, and it's easier to grow in Florida than many people think.

 

 

Two zz plants in containers on a patio