Native Plants

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Friday - June 05, 2009

From: Fort Myers, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Water Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Native plants for a littoral zone in Fort Myers, Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, What native plants would you recommend for the littoral zone on a pond in Fort Myers Florida? Damon's Mom

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants feels very honored to be answering a question for Damon's Mom!

There are a wealth of Florida natives that should work well around your pond. Some of them will grow equally as well in shallow water and in the moist soil around the edge of the pond. All of them should be able to withstand at least a brief immersion. All of these recommended plants are known to grow in Lee County or an adjacent county of Florida.

Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the pulpit), sun or shade

Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), sun and part shade

Crinum americanum (seven sisters), part shade

Habenaria repens (waterspider bog orchid) and more photos and information, sun and part shade

Helianthus angustifolius (swamp sunflower), part shade

Hibiscus grandiflorus (swamp rosemallow) and here are photos, part shade

Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia saltmarsh mallow), sun

Iris hexagona (Dixie iris), sun, part shade

Lythrum alatum (winged lythrum), sun

Canna flaccida (bandanna of the Everglades) and here are photos and more information, sun

Rhexia mariana (Maryland meadowbeauty), part shade

Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail), part shade and shade