5. ATTRACT WILDLIFE

Many birds and butterflies have complex, interconnected relationships with plant species; in fact many species of migratory birds originally transported seeds from plant species in other places to Florida as they traveled through. Plant varieties that are beneficial to certain species will naturally attract them into your yard.

Birds: Plants that bear fruits and seeds will attract birds into your yard. Some popular plant examples might be *Beauty berry, Wild olive, Wild coffee, Bird pepper, Lignam vitae or Fiddlewood. Shrubs such as Coco plum and Wax myrtle provide important cover for nests and shelter when allowed to grow into large bushes or hedges. Fountains and ponds will attract birds, however it is important to keep water fresh.

Butterflies: Combining larval plants and nectar plants will ensure that your yard attracts a wide variety of butterflies. For example: the Florida coontie is the sole larval food source for the Atala Hairstreak butterfly. The Corky-stemmed Passion Vine attracts the Tropical Zebra butterfly for its larval food, and the Bitterbush is the larval plant for the Bush Sulphur butterfly. The flowers of the Coral Honeysuckle and Blue Porterweed will attract plenty of butterflies, as will the Firebush.

Reptiles: Lizards, frogs and snakes play an important role in managing populations of insects and small rodents. Keeping small brush piles in a corner of your yard provides them with shelter.

Dead trees: Properly trimmed, standing dead trees offer woodpeckers, wood ducks and screech owls a favorable place to make their holes/nests.


By planting trees, shrubs and plants that are beneficial to wildlife you create vital corridors that sustain different species as they struggle to survive amidst the growing urban expansion.

*Remember to check which plants grow well in your zone, soil pH levels and see which are the right plants for the right place!

Right Plant, Right Place Important to the success of a Florida-friendly yard is planting the right plant, in the right place. For example, group plants that require more sunlight together.


Water Efficiency Planting Florida-friendly plants helps to conserving precious water resources. There are some other innovative ways in which we can help to conserve and reuse the water that falls in our yard!


Fertilize Appropriately Pollution from fertilizers and pesticides in storm water run off from yards, contributes to excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphates in our waterways, often resulting in harmful algal blooms.


Mulch Mulch is natural organic material that is laid down in your yard to help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from growing. It’s decomposition helps to greatly enrich topsoil.


Attracting Wildlife Many of Florida’s birds and butterflies are intricately connected to the native flora. Including Florida native plants in your yard will most definitely attract them to come and visit!


Managing Pesticides Responsibly While there are some plants that are difficult to manage without pesticides and herbicides, most Florida native plants do not need applications of either.


Recycle Much of what is in our yard can be recycled and put to good use! Here is an innovative way in which to use up branches from a nuisance exotic tree.



Storm Water Runoff Tropical summer rains produce torrents of water that flow through urban neighborhoods absorbing chemicals from yards and driveways along the way. This toxic runoff pollutes all waterways, and needs to be reduced.


Protect the Waterfront Many homes in Florida are situated on a lake, canal, wetland or the ocean. Certain kinds of vegetation can help to minimize the effects of storm water runoff while providing important habitat for birds and small aquatic animals.


Benefits of a Florida-friendly Yard There are numerous benefits to planting Florida-friendly plants in your yard, from saving money to minimizing the amount of time spent on maintenance; not to mention the beauty of the birds and butterflies that come to visit!