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Florida Gardening

What can I bring?

14 years ago

We are anticipating a move to South Florida and I am excited about all the tropical plants and trees that I can grow there that I haven't been able to grown in New England. I have a large perennial garden here in zone 6 and I am thinking about bringing a few of my favorites, that can take the heat, to Florida. Do you transplanted Florida gardeners have any advice or suggestions for me? What should I bring and what should I avoid bringing?

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Comments (7)

KaraLynn
14 years ago
Here's an early welcome to Florida! Tell us what plants you're considering bringing and we'll let you know whether or not they'll do well here.
Kara
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gatormomx2
14 years ago
Welcome to Florida vignewood .

It is much easier and safer to start over once you settle into your new home . You are lucky that you will be living in a tropical environment in South Florida .
You will be able to grow plants that I cannot - even though we live in the same state .

Very few if any plants transport well from CT and thrive in Florida . We have a unique and challenging climate here .
Instead , focus on collecting Florida friendly or Florida native plants . The Garden Webbers here will be more than happy to enable you !

Take your time and get to know your yard's micro climates before investing any money .
Get to know your local Extension agency . They are also a tremendous ( and free ) source of knowledge .

And check in here frequently with any questions . We were all newbies once !
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abendwolke
14 years ago
you can bring all your houseplants and plant them in your new yard. They will grow to be 5 times as large ;)
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juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
14 years ago
I'd suggest you determine the new zone in which you'll be living and then google each of the few plants you'd love to bring with you. If any are suggested as suitable for growing in your new zone then you could consider bringing them or ask this group about just those few.

As others have suggested, there are so many plants, new to you, that you'll be able to grow here. And, they grow so BIG! You'll love gardening here.

June
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goldenpond
14 years ago
NO NO NO!!!!!!
PLEASE FIRST READ UP ON EXOTIC INVASIVES IN fLORIDA.wHAT MAY HAVE BEEN A FRIENDLY HOUSEPLANT up north CAN BE horrible TO GET RID OF IF LET LOOSE IN FLORIDA .
Take asparagus ferns.I REMEMBER THEM IN POTS UP NORTH BUT SOMEONE PLANTED THEM IN THE FIRST YARD i HAD DOWN HERE.tHEY HAVE THORNS AND BULBS that spread all over AND GET REALLY UGLY AND NASTY! Ficus trees will take over an entire lot.Same with wandering jew.
Please post a pic if you do not know the names and we will help.
Go to the IFAS website and search Florida invasive plant list. Then search Florida Friendly plants.
Florida is a severely environmentally sensitive place and yes they even have laws against growing certain plants and laws against cutting certain plants. Sorry for the caps I really didnt mean to yell.
That being said,,,,,,I would bring daylilies.
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katieauthier
14 years ago
I just posted this on another thread some plants are not allowed into Florida as Goldenpond said like Citrus, look through a plant catalog if it says can't ship to Florida don't bring it. Check with the Dept. Of Agriculture.

Katie
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gatormomx2
14 years ago
Very good points .
Not only can some plants become invasive they can also unknowingly carry diseases and pests . We sure don't need any more of those !

Another good example of wrong plant /wrong place is the cute little Norfolk Island Pine that many people use as a holiday tree . That cute little thing gets to be 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide in Florida !!
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