UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu

March 30, 2005

Feature Article - for release the week of April 3, 2005

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent  

BUYING PLANTS FOR FLORIDA YARDS

This is the time of year we all enjoy working in our Florida Yards. The weather is cool and plants are covered with new green growth.  If we wait too long, hot weather and boring tasks like mowing grass will take away much of our enthusiasm.  Take advantage of this time of year when our enthusiasm is high and when we have the desire to make changes in our landscapes. Today’s column will discuss some ideas on how to select new plants for your Florida Yard.  It comes from University of Florida’s former Consumer Horticultural Specialist Dr. Bob Black.

The beauty of a landscape can be improved with new plants. If the hurricanes haven’t already taken out the old tired plants, a first step may be the removal of plants that are poorly placed, too old, require too much pruning or are plagued with pests. It may also involve the taking out turf grass areas and replacing them with new planting beds.  

RIGHT PLANT - RIGHT PLACE

One of the most important steps in creating and maintaining a Florida Yard is to put the right plant in the right place.  Before rushing out to a nursery to buy plants, study your planting site. Match the growing requirements of the plants you buy with the growing conditions on your site.  Some plants grow best in full sun while others prefer partial shade. Colorful azaleas, gardenias and ixoras grow best in acid soils which are less common in our area.  There are other plants that will grow better in marly fill soils.   Planting ornamentals too close to the home or to other plants can create problems too.  

Take your cues on what plants to grow from those that are doing well in your neighborhood. Visit area gardens or carefully look at landscapes sites that look good even after several years. Attend regional garden shows for other ideas.  Avoid the temptation to choose plants only from advertisements or catalogs - they may not be adapted to our local conditions.  Finally, visit with our Master Gardeners who can help you make a personalized shopping list from our University of Florida references.  Have your shopping list ready before you go to the nursery.

After determining the site conditions of your Florida Yard and the number of plants you will need, you are ready to purchase plants.  Plants, like all goods and services, come in many sizes, shapes and qualities. It is just as important to evaluate a plant before purchase as it is to carefully inspect a garment or home appliance.

CHOOSE QUALITY, NOT PRICE

A cheap plant is exactly what the name implies. You may pay very little but - you will probably get little in return.  In some cases, you get a plant that requires so much extra attention that you lose any savings that came from a low sticker price.  Quality nurseries sometimes have sales where they offer top quality at a minimum price, but this is not a common occurrence.  In most cases the best plants will be the most expensive. But how do you determine best?

First of all, patronize a reputable nursery that has a neat and presentable facility.  A sloppy nursery often indicates poorly maintained plants.  Do they have staff that knows their plants?  Have they been around town for long - and will they be here when you go back for assistance or more plants? 

Another indication of professionalism is membership in an association such as the Florida Nurserymen & Growers and Landscapers Association (FNGLA).  Some growers have completed educational programs and may have a certified staff member with titles such as Florida Certified Nursery Professional (FCNP). 

If you don’t like the looks of the plants or the facility, or your treatment is substandard, go to another nursery.  Some growers specialize in retail sales, while others are wholesale producers and do not sell directly to the public. We have many registered nurseries in the county, and more are on the way each week. 

Some consumers may ask about graded plants.  Grading is done voluntarily by nurseries, and gives an indication of plant quality.  The best grade is Florida Fancy - it commands a premium price and is not commonly found in retail nurseries.  Florida #1 is the grade required by some community landscape codes when major construction projects are involved.  They are harder to find, and may sell for more. A considerable amount of plants in the retail nursery are Florida #2.  With proper care, #2 plants can become well established in the landscape.  Anything less is called a Cull, and should not be sold.  Our office has additional information on plant grading, which is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. 

Secondly, inspect each plant individually. Don't fall for the "hard sell" where you are not able to see all your plants.  Reject any plant that lacks health or vigor and avoid those that show too much green growth. An unhealthy plant will usually be easy to spot. Look for: 

• •                     Weak, poorly formed, scarred, cracked or peeling trucks or branches.

• •                     Poorly distributed branches will lead to "leggy" plants and should be avoided. A compact plant is usually more desirable.

• •                     Avoid plants having leaves of improper shape, size or color. Excessive yellowing of leaves is an indication of a problem.

• •                     Examine leaves for insect, disease and mechanical damage.

For container grown plants, make sure the root system is well established but not root-bound or growing out of the containers. Roots should be firmly spread throughout the soil, but not protruding outside the pot or growing into the ground.

Most container plants are priced according to size.  Plants growing in three gallon containers are generally larger and more expensive than those in one gallon containers. However, make your selection on plant size rather than container size.  Frequently, plants growing in larger containers are the same size or a little larger that those in smaller pots.  You may be paying plenty for a plastic container and potting soil. 

Double check to make sure the plant is adapted to your area. Will the plant survive the low or high temperatures in your area?  Will it flower and/or fruit properly?  If your irrigation water is “hard,” will it tolerate this kind of water quality? And, is it labeled properly as to species and variety? 

If you follow these suggestions on how to select a good plant, you will obtain quality and save money as you re-create your Florida Yard.  For more detailed suggestions, visit our office for a copy of University of Florida Extension Circular 858, “Selecting and Planting Trees & Shrubs.” [It is also available on the Internet at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG077 ]

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page,  http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on selecting landscape plants, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 5 PM .  

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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean Last update: 08/19/2005 .  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert