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long after they have withered away,
adding lavish beauty to your landscape
even longer. It is important to note that,
when planting Florida native stock, you
will get better results by growing a canopy
of dogwood in well-drained soil, where
they will tolerate either acid or alkaline soil.
A hardy, colorful plant that is happy indoors or outside, the iridescent
purple Persian shield likes high humidity.
PHOTO: ROB CARDILLO
Delicate and strikingly beautiful, irises come in many colors. However, the native blue
flag iris, that is associated with faith and hope, have a limited drought tolerance and
thrive best on the edge of shallow ponds. Their narrow, strap-like leaves surround
graceful blooms that have three drooping petals and three erect smaller petals. As an
extra bonus to their singular gift of beauty, they produce underground rhizomes that
spread aggressively through the soil, so leave room for them to spread.
To add a touch of iridescence to your shade garden, consider planting some Persian
shield. Native to Myanmar, it is one of the extraordinary perennials best suited to our
climate, as it likes heat and humidity. Pinching the blossoms back will keep the plant full;
and since they love shade, do best with less than three hours of sunlight.
If you want texture in your garden, ferns are hard to beat. Throughout the state,
Maidenhair ferns can be found growing on cliffs, inclines or on limestone; and, as you
might surmise, are happiest when moist. The shape of the fronds is small, triangular
shaped and scalloped – seeming to remind some people of a woman’s hair. Another good
option is the Southern lady fern, which has finely dissected, delicate light green fronds.
It also mixes well with wild flowers and native grasses, as long as the earth remains moist.
There are myriad native plants that thrive without much sun. Experiment with them
to see which do best in your location, and you’ll have it made in the shade.
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One of our quintessential Southern trees
is the flowering dogwood. Their showy
white flowers are actually modified leaves
called bracts, which attract pollinators to
the tiny green flowers in their centers.
Blooming primarily in the spring, the
bracts open before the flowers and last
there are myriad native plants
that thrive in the shade
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information about this topic, consult Craig Huegel’s Native Florida
Plants for Shady Landscapes that can be found at book retailers everywhere.
Native pink azaleas
are one of the most
popular plants used
in local landscapes.
116 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE MAY/JUNE 2015