Florida Landscapes — McBride Field Guide

Florida Plants, Grasses & Trees

In this section you will learn in depth knowledge of Florida Grass types, Annual & Perennial Plants, Shrubs, Trees and Tropical Plants. The mature growth dimensions and Sun exposure will be listed under each picture. All categories are situated in alphabetical order. Navigate through each category using the arrows or sliding your finger left or right.

Florida Perennial Plants

African Blue Basil

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 3-4’
Width: 2-3’
Agastache

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 3-5’
Width: 3-5’
Angelonia

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 30-40”
Width: 12-16”
Bacopa

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 4-6”
Width: 12-18”
Begonia

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 8-36”
Width: 12-24”
Biden

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-16”
Width: 12-16”
Birds of Paradise

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 36-60”
Width: 24-48”
Blue Daze

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 9-18”
Width: 24-36”
Bulbine

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 12-24”
Width: 36-48”
Drought Tolerant
Caladium

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 12-24”
Width: 12-24”
Canna Lilly

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 24-36”
Width: 12-24”
"Cat Whiskers" Orthosiphon

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 24-40”
Width: 12-24”
Celosia

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 12-36”
Width: 12-18”
Copper Leaf

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 3-6’
Width: 5-8’
Coreopsis

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 24-36”
Width: 18-245” (unmaintained)
Crinum Lilly

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 18-60”
Width: 24-72”
Crossandra

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-3’
Width: 1-3’
Cuphea

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 8-12”
Width: 10-16”
Daylillies

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-72”
Width: 12-36”
Delphinium

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 14-18”
Width: 6-10”
Devil's Trumpet

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 3-4’
Width: 3-4’
Dianthus

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 16-20”
Width: 16-20”
Echinacea

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-4’
Width: 1-3’
Elephant Ears

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-8’
Width: 1-4’
Foxglove

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 18-60”
Width: 12-18”
Foxtail

Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 30-50”
Width: 30-50”
Gaillardia

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-36”
Width: 12-24”
Gaura

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 15-48”
Width: 15-48”
Geranium

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-2’
Width: 1-2’
Gerber Daisy

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-18”
Width: 9-14”
Heliconia

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-15’
Width: 1-15’
Impatiens

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-16”
Width: 10-16”
Joseph's Coat

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-3’
Width: 1-3’
Kangaroo Paw

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 2-6’
Width: 1-4’
Lantana

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 2-6’
Width: 2-6’
Lavender

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 2-3’
Width: 2-4’
Lavandula

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-36”
Width: 10-36”
Lobularia
Lysimachia
Mexican Heather
Mexican Petunia
Mexican Sage
Mexican Sunflower
Milkweed
Pentas
Persian Shield
Plectranthus
Primrose
Portulaca
Purslane
Rudbeckia
Salvia
Scaveola
Shasta Daisy
Shrimp Plant
Sparkler Daisy
Spirea
Stokes Aster
Strawflower
Sunflower
Sunpatiens
Turnera
Twinflower
Verbena
Veronica
Waffle Plant
Wild Coffee
Yarrow
Zinnia
Joesph's Coat "Ruby"

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 1-2’
Width: 2-5’

Florida Flowers (Annuals)

Alyssum

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Mesurements:
Height: 4-10”
Width: 10-48”
Drought Tolerant
Calibrachoa

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height 6-12”
Width: 12-24”
Chrysanthemum

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 1-3’
Width: 2-3’
Cleome

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 24-48”
Width: 18-24”
Coleus

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 12-36”
Width: 12-36”
Cosmos
Dahlias
Diamond Frost Euphorbia
Dianthus
Dusty Miller
Firespike
Fuchsia
Gazania
Gerbera Daises
Gomphrena
Heliotrope
Hibiscus

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 3-10’
Width: 3-8’
Drought Tolerant
Impatiens
Ixora
Jasmine
Lobelia
Marigold
Melampodium
Nemesia
New Guinea Impatiens
Nicotiana
Ornamental Kale

Description goes here
Ornamental Pepper
Pansy
Petchoa Supercal
Petunia
Petunia (Dwarf)
Phlox
Snapdragon
Torenia
Viola
Vinca

Florida: Shrubs

Anise

Partial- Full Shade
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-15’
Width: 6-10’
Boxwood

Full- Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 2-8’
Width: 2-8’
Cleyera

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 8-10’
Width: 3-6’
Duranta

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 2-15’
Width: 8-12’
Elaeagnus

Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 6-10’
Width: 8-15’
Heavenly Bamboo 'Nandina'

Full- Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 5-7’
Width: 3-5’
Holly (American)

Full- Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 20-30’
Width: 18-40’
Indian Hawthorn

Full sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 4-6’
Width: 4-6’
Juniper

Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-26’
Width: 10-26’
Kimberly Queen Fern

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 2-3’
Width: 2-4’
Ligustrum

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-15’
Width: 8-10’
Loropetalum

Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-15’
Width: 2-4’
Natal Plum

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 2-7’ Up to 30’
Width: 2-5’
Pineapple Guava

Part Sun/ Part Shade
Mature Growth Measurment’s:
Height: 12-15’
Width: 12-15’
Pittosporum

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 8-12’
Width: 12-18’
Podocarpus

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 30-40’ (if unkept)
Width: 10-25’ (if unkept)
Pyracantha

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 5-7’
Width: 5-7’
Red Sister Ti

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 36-60”
Width: 12-36”
Schefflera

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurment’s:
Height: 2-3’
Width: 3-5’
Simpson Stopper

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 10-20’
Width: 3-4’
Sweet Tea Olive

Partial Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 6-30’
Width: 8-12’
Texas Sage

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurements:
Height: 5-6’
Width: 5-6’
Trinette Arboricola

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 2-6’
Width: 2-4’
Viburnum

Full Sun (Partial Shade)
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 6-20’
Width: 10-15’
Wax Myrtle

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 5-12’
Width: 8-12’

Florida: Palm Trees

Adonidia 'Christmas'

Height: 20-25’
Width 5-8’
Trunk: 6” diameter
Areca Palm

Height: 15-40’
Width: 8-10’
Trunk: 4” Diameter
Bamboo Palm

Height: 4-12’
Width: 3-5’
Trunk: Varies in Size
Bismark Palm

Height: 25-50’
Width: 15-20’
Blue Mexican Fan Palm

Height: 20-50’
Width: 12-25’
Bottle Palm

Height: 10-15’
Width: 10-15’
Trunk: 2’ Diameter
Canary Island Date

Height: 30-60’
Width: 20-40’
Trunk: 4’ Diameter
Cardboard Palm

Height: 2-3’
Width: 3-6’
Trunk: 2-4’ Diameter
Cat Palm

Height: 3-6’
Width: 3-6’
Trunk: 6-12” Diameter
Chinese Fan Palm

Height: 10-25’
Width: 3-4’
Trunk: 8-12” Diameter
Coconut Palm

Height: 80-100’
Width: 18-36’
Trunk: 1-4’ Diameter
Cold Hardy Coconut

Height: 20-40’
Width: 10-12’
Trunk:1-3’ Diameter
Coontie Palm

Height: 3-4’
Width: 4-5’
Trunk: 5-6’ Diameter
Dwarf Sugar
European Fan
Fishtail Palm
Flamethrower Palm
Foxtail Palm
King Sago
Lady Palm
Licuala
Lipstick Palm
Majesty Palm
Mule Palm
Pemba Palm
Piccabeen Palm
Ponytail Palm
Pygmy Date 'Roebelinii'
Queen Palm
Ribbon Palm
Sabal Palm

Height: 20-50’
Width” 5-10’
Satake Palm
Saw Palmetto Palm
Silver Bismark
Spindle Palm
Sylvestris Palm
Traveler's Palm
Triangle Palm
Weddell Palm
Windmill Palm

Florida: Trees

Bald Cypress

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 100-150’
Width: 20-45’
China Berry

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 30-55’
Width: 15-25’
Dogwood

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 20-40’
Width: 20-40’
Drake Elm

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 30-45’
Width: 20-30’
Japanese Blueberry

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 12-30’
Width: 12-30’
Live Oak

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 50-70’
Width: 60-100’
Loblolly Pine

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 60-115’
Width: 30-40’
Norfolk Pine

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 60-100’
Width: 30-40’
Nutall Oak

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 40-80’
Width: 30-45’
Red Cedar

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 16-66’
Width: 20-30’
Red Maple

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 40-60’
Width: 20-30’
River Birch

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 40-70’
Width: 35-45’
Sand Pines

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 30-65’
Width: 15-25’
Shumard Oak

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 40-60’
Width: 40-60’
Slash Pines

Mature Growth Measurment’s:
Height: 75-100’
Width: 35-50’
Sweet Gum

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 60-75’
Width: 20-35’
Sycamore

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 75-175’
Width: 40-70’
Tulip Poplar

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 60-90’
Width: 30-60’
Weeping Willow

Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 30-45’
Width: 30-45’
Winged Elm

Mature Growth Measurment’s:
Height: 30-60’
Width: 30-40’

Florida: Ornamental Grasses

Adagio

Partial to Full Sun
Height: 3-5’
Width: 3-5’
Agapanthus

Full Sun
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 1-2’
Width: 1-2’
‘Lilly of the Nile’
Bamboo Grass

Partial Shade
Mature Growth Measurement’s:
Height: 8-24”
Width: 5-18”
Bulbine
Citronella Grass
Crocosmia
Dwarf Fakahatchee
Fountain Grass
Iris Grass
Lemon Grass
Liriope
Mondo
Oyster Plant
Pampas Grass
Papyrus
Pink Muhly Grass
Sand Cord Grass
Wire Vine

Florida: Lawn Types

St Augustine

This type of grass is a Florida favorite. It loves the heat, is resistant to drought and can tolerate high levels of salt. Water it well, and you’ll get a thick layer of turf, filled with broad flat grass blades in a lovely blue-green color. St. Augustine grass establishes quickly in just about any type of soil and produces above-ground runners that help it spread and grow.
While many Floridians appreciate its ability to grow quickly, others dread the day it needs to be cut. And with St. Augustine grass, that day comes around a little more often. St. Augustine grass is also not a fan of cold temperatures or persistent shade, and it is susceptible to SAD virus and common pests, like chinch bugs.
Mowing Height: 3.5-4”
Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is green-gray in color, and its blades are short with long rough edges. Its deep roots make it incredibly resistant to drought, weeds and high traffic, making it a popular choice for golf courses and sports fields. However, its highly invasive nature, make it a tough sell for homeowners. Some call it “the devil’s grass” as it often sets up shop in nearby gardens and flowerbeds.
Bermuda grass grows rapidly in all types of soil, producing seeds, runners and rhizomes. However, like many types of Florida grass, it is sensitive to cold temperatures, pests and shade. Regular maintenance and weekly watering help maintain appearance.
Mowing Height: 0.5-2”
Bahia Grass

Bahiagrass has coarse leaves and thrives in hot, dry climates and sandy soils. It doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer or irrigation, making it an excellent choice for homes on large lots or acreage — or anywhere where there is little to no irrigation. During extended periods of drought, Bahiagrass will go dormant until conditions become favorable for regrowth.
Pensacola Bahiagrass is the most common type of Bahiagrass in Florida. It is more resistant to stress and cooler temperatures than other types of Bahiagrass. However, it still presents some challenges. This grass has unattractive seed heads, is sensitive to overwatering, is susceptible to weeds, and grows poorly in shaded areas. Weekly mowing is often needed.
Mowing Height : 3-4”
Centipede Grass

Centipede grass is a popular choice for Florida homeowners who want a low-maintenance lawn. Because it is a low-growing grass, it doesn’t require a lot of mowing. And unlike other types of Florida grass, Centipede grass doesn’t just thrive in the sun. It also grows in cooler temperatures and shade. All it take is a little fertilizer to keep its yellow-green blades looking their best.
While this may sound like the best Florida grass ever, there are a few conditions that wreak havoc on this type of grass. It can’t handle a lot of traffic or salt, and it is susceptible to nematodes and ground pearls.
Mowing Height: 1.5-2”
Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass has a unique blue-green color and curling leaf blades. It has an excellent tolerance for high temperatures and can grow in all different types of soil.
However, Buffalo grass is not shade-tolerant or suitable for high-traffic areas. Excessive watering weakens the grass, leaving it prone to disease. Weeds are also common.
Mowing Height: 1.5-3”
Zoysia Grass

Zoysia is a dark green turf-like grass with stiff leaf blades. It grows well in the sun and can handle lots of traffic, making it a popular choice for golf courses and coastal areas. Drought tolerance and disease tolerance levels are good, and it can also handle partial shade. This type of grass is very low maintenance, requiring very little water and fertilizer to survive. Its dense turf makes it less susceptible to weeds.
Zoysia will go dormant after a frost, but resumes growth once the soil returns to 70 degrees. It reproduces via stolons and rhizomes.
Mowing Height: 1-2”

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