Let me add that I'm open to vines since there' are trees they could climb; or places I could create for them to do so.

Thanks again :)

Nothing exciting here and I don't know about the native part, but I have pines and here is what I have. African Iris will do very well there and after established won't need any extra water. I have azaleas under a pine and they love it. They get water 2x a week and are otherwise ignored. Oyster plant and mother-in-law tongue will also do very well without care. I have them under pines. I also have Penta and periwinkles by pines and by a camphor. At first they need water but after established they will do well on low water. I have passion flower climbing up a pine and it doesn't need water, but it is from a plant I got from a vacant lot. Also by my pines - ferns, litrope.

Well, that's a start, since I have all of the above. Thank you, tree lady!

Azaleas come to mind. They love growing under pine trees. Not native, but easy and very pretty.

My favorite native plant that I have growing in my garden in my false rosemary/scrub mint. It's drought tolerant, extremely hardy, blooms nearly year round, and the foliage has a wonderful fragrance when it's brushed up against. It also grows so thick that no weeds are able to grow through it. The only trouble is that is attracts a lot of bees so if you're allergic to bees I wouldn't plant this near a pathway or gate. I happen to like seeing all the bees that visit the plant. Altough scrub mints like full sun mine is planted under a crape myrtle tree and is thriving.

Another tough, drought tolerant native that would do well in the conditions you described is the wild petunia.

Thanks for the suggestions! Kara, where can I get the first two natives? I'd love to try them and don't mind the bees at all.

I bought my scrub mint at a native plant sale up in Gainesville several years ago. I imagine you could get it through a native plant nursery in your area.

Where do you live? If you live close enough I would be happy to share some of my scrub mint and wild petunias with you. I live in Citrus county.

I'm probably too far from you (Mt Dora) but I'd gladly meet you half way sometime; or offer you lunch, plants to trade and a tour of my place if you head this way :)

There is a native Florida azalea, so make sure that is the one you have. I think they are so much more beautiful, bright orange flowers.

It is Rhododendron austrinum. The Florida Flame Azalea is gorgeous!

Also, I love shiny ground blueberry in my garden. It is a small blueberry plant, about the tallest i've seen it is 2 feet. Vaccinium myrsinites. Once establised, hardly needs any attention, you can probably find it in nearby flatwoods along side huckleberry and blackberry, it grows readily if removed and trasplanted when young, and I have heard it grows well from branch clippings as well.

Also, you should eliminate the Camphor. It is listed as exotic invasive in Florida.

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Azalea

As a Florida native, I have to say I have never seen teh Florida Azalea. I would love to get some of those. Where would you suggest I start looking?

V - My all-time favorite native is coontie (zamia pumila). Once established, it can withstand anything. It gets about 3 feet high at maturity. It doesn't flower, but gets marvelous seed pods that are bright orange.

Yucca filamentosa is another great plant. It's the thornless variety of Yucca.

Dwarf wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera "dwarf") gets about 4 feet high. Nice plant. Even the standard wax myrtle is a great plant to have in the yard.

And let's not forget American Beauty Berry (Callicarpa americana). They make great fillers anywhere. They are deciduous.

All of these will grow in part shade and love Florida's acid soil. All are natives and drought tolerant once established.

Kewl! Well, now for the cut n paste portion of my planning, see where I can get these guys and how best to arrange them.

Jespere, I'm definitely going to look for the FL azalea. As far as the camphors, well, they're full grown trees and would cost an arm and a leg to take out. We do, however, pull up babies.

Www, I have some beauty berry there already, volunteered of course. Do you know if they root from cuttings?

Pick the county that applies to you:
http://www.fnps.org/pages/plants/landscape_plants.php

I'm not sure about the acid part, but I would recommend the following for shady areas:
Rouge Plant (Rivina humilis) - the berries are toxic, so be careful if you have kids\grandkids
Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)
Wild Plumbago - (Plumbago scandens)
Beauty Berry
Firebush - (Hamelia patens) - though I would have cold concerns for Mt Dora ...
Pineland Heliotrope - (Heliotropium/ polyphyllum)
Blueberries - all love acidic soil

If I can figure out the picture posting thing, I'll post pics of the above.

Find a nursery in the area that specializes in natives and explain to them the conditions. They'll help you get the right plant for the right spot.

V - You can definitely start American Beautyberry from cuttings. In fact, NOW is the time, as the new growth is going to be the easiest to root. Mine is growing furiously, so if you'd like some cuttings, have at it.

Also, my firebush has plenty of new growth, and that would be a nice one to have in your yard. C'mon down! (-: