Tampa, FL, is a seasonal, tourist, and business destination for millions of people. Located along the Florida Gulf Coast, the Tampa Bay area has numerous offerings. Tourists flock to Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, The Florida Aquarium, and the Tampa Museum of Art. Sports fans around the region enjoy the NFL Buccaneers, NHL Lightning, and MLB Rays, each of which has enjoyed postseason success in recent years.
The Tampa Bay area is less than a 90-minute drive from the Orlando area, which includes Disney World, Universal Studios, and many other major tourist destinations. Naples' year-round sunshine and beaches are about two hours to the south. Miami, including the attractions of South Beach, is less than a three-hour drive.
Its humid subtropical climate brings an average of nearly one inch of rain per week (51 inches per year on average). The 246 sunny days per year are 41 days higher than the national average. However, the need to withstand tropical storms and hurricane conditions over the year plays a huge role in landscape maintenance plans.
Tampa is USDA Hardiness Zone 9B while neighboring St. Petersburg is considered Zone 10A. Consideration of native plants and shrubs is more important because they are hurricane resistant. Many native plants are known for attracting wildlife, such as providing food and shelter for bees, birds, butterflies, and squirrels. In addition, native plants typically require less fertilizer than non-native plants.
Here is information about some of the most common native trees and plants:
Bald Cypress mature at the height of 50 to 75 feet. Although drought tolerant, they thrive in flooded areas for extended periods. They have high wind resistance and can handle full sun exposure.
White Stoppers mature at 10 to 30 feet and are a perennial evergreen. They have high wind resistance but lower water needs. Sea Grapes are drought and salt tolerant, maturing at a height from 35 to 50 feet. Sea Grapes are a protected species, meaning they are planted new (and not transplanted). The grapes can are often grown for wine, jelly, or jam. Although edible, they do not taste like grapes you purchase at the store or restaurant. Another concern with Sea Grapes is that lizards and gophers are among pollinators who like feeding on them.
Sabal Palmetto, the official state tree of Florida, is also known as the "cabbage palm" because its immature leaves are edible. This perennial matures at around 100 feet and is known for its high wind resistance. Bees and other pollinators tend to be attracted to the white flowers it produces each Spring.
When considering smaller native plants, the Butterfly Weed merits strong consideration. Known for its bright color, this perennial matures between one and three feet tall. However, they often need up to three years to establish.
Firebush is known for adding color while being a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. They mature at heights ranging from five to 15 feet while needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunshine daily.
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