If you spend time walking slowly around the still wooded areas of the island, you`ll find many interesting and lovely plants flourishing in the understory.
Most of these can be used in our landscape, depending, of course, on placement. Few plants, even if considered "salt tolerant," like to be inundated with sea water. In the years that I have lived here I have seen tree size Wax myrtles, full grown oaks and cedars, and many other species killed by storm tides.
I try to consider all factors; light requirement, soil type preference, and distance from the water, before selection and planting. Why rely completely on trial and error? Water use and nurturing time can be reduced by planting in conditions most similar to a plant`s native locale.
Since we have such diverse settings (Hodgson hill area versus Piney Point to list two extremes) we also have a diversity of plants that occur naturally.
Most of the following species can be seen in one or more locations on the island, and can add native beauty to your yard. Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana) Plant this evergreen where its self-seeding can be kept in check.
Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) Some of the first flowers of spring!
Tough Buckthorn (Sideroxylon tenax) A beautiful small tree.
Hercules Club (Zanthoxylum clava-hercules) Toothache tree. The bark has a numbing effect. Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) The delicate white blooms appear in April and May. Very ornamental shrub or small tree.
Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) One of my favorite Latin names! A very interesting foliage plant; shiny, crinkly deep green leaves.
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina) Dramatic fall color, useful in large areas. Florida Privet (Forestiera segregata) Can be used as hedge or alone in garden.
Christmas berry (Lycium carolinianum) Good plant to use close to the shoreline. Small blue flowers followed by bright red berries.
Railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) Great for barren sandy stretches above high tide line.
Bay Bean (Canavalia rosea) Like Railroad vine, this can be utilized in harsh situations along the shore. Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) The form native to the Cedar Keys is upright, not the prostrate one sold commonly. Try to get seeds from a neighbor.
Standing-cypress (Ipomopsis rubra) This used to occur on the island. Likes sandy soil. Spectacular column of red. Fall and winter are the best times for planting. Water requirements can be met much more easily before the sun reaches its full intensity. (Anything newly planted requires regular watering.) Please do not attempt to transplant natives from the wild. The sucess rate is very low and can result in the elimination of a species that occurs in limited areas.
If you need help locating sources for these plants, or have corrections, questions, comments, or a hankering to see some of the "locals," call me at 543-5166. | 
