Sea Lavender ( Heliotropium gnaphalodes L.): Identification and Uses
- Range. Sea lavender ( Heliotropium gnaphalodes L.) is a native plant found naturally along the Atlantic coast of central and south Florida.
- Habit. ...
- Stems and Leaves. ...
- Flowers. ...
- Fruit. ...
- Best Ways to Identify Sea Lavender. ...
- Propagation. ...
- Beach and Landscape Uses and Maintenance. ...
- List of Botanical Terms. ...
- References. ...
What are the benefits of growing lavender?
Reasons to Grow Lavender
- There’s Demand for It Is there a demand for lavender? Absolutely! ...
- It’s Profitable How profitable is growing lavender? Modern Farmer lists lavender as one of the five most valuable crops you can grow in the US. ...
- It’s Easy to Grow Lavender is a relatively low-maintenance crop. ...
What plants go with lavender?
What to Plant with Lavender: 9 Best Companions
- Coneflower. Coneflower is a sturdy perennial that comes in saturated hues ranging from raspberry to coral and every color in between.
- Sage. Sage is a hardy perennial herb that you can snip and use well into late fall in most climates. ...
- Thyme. ...
- Yarrow. ...
- Marigold. ...
- Rosemary. ...
- Shrub roses. ...
- Shasta Daisy. ...
- Black-Eyed Susan. ...
Is lavender an indoor plant?
Lavender is not usually grown as an indoor plant due to its need for direct sunlight. But if placed in a bright south-facing window or supplemented with an LED grow light, Lavender can thrive indoors.
Do watermelons grow in Florida?
While it's generally considered a summer fruit, growers in Florida are lucky enough to be able to plant watermelon for harvest in the winter as well. In fact, Florida is the only state in the country that produces watermelon from December to April.
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What type of lavender grows in Florida?
The best lavender for Florida includes Phenomenal Lavender, exotic-looking Lavandula canariensis, and others. To maximize soil drainage, plant lavender in containers or raised beds.
Where is sea lavender native to?
California sea lavender is native to western North America from Oregon to Baja California. It is often common in coastal areas below 525 feet (160 m), in sandy soils and salt marshes, especially around the San Francisco Bay and in coastal southern California.
Does lavender grow by the beach?
Sea Lavender Plant Profile. Also known as marsh rosemary and lavender thrift, sea lavender is a perennial coastal plant that can often be found growing in both salt marshes and along coastal sand dunes.
What type of lavender grows in South Florida?
'Phenomenal' Lavender According to The Grumpy Gardener, this lavender "grows well in hot, sticky Florida, where other lavenders go to die. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide, with silvery-green foliage. It's hardy throughout the South (USDA Zones 5-10).
Can you eat sea lavender?
While not recommended for eating, sea lavender is more or less harmless, so tasting is a reasonable means to identification. Basically, if you think its sea aster, but find the taste and texture a bit disappointing, you probably have sea lavender. Distribution – 4/5 – common and prolific in its salt marsh habitat.
Can you pick sea lavender?
Don't attempt to remove plants from the wild because sea lavender is protected by federal, local or state laws in many areas. Development along coastal areas has destroyed much of the natural habitat, and the plant is further threatened by overharvesting.
How hot is too hot for lavender?
The plant originated from Mediterranean countries, where average temperatures of 68-86°F (20-30°C) during spring-early summer are common. Soil temperatures above 65°F (18°C) favor growth and regeneration after harvest. However, the plant can definitely tolerate lower temperatures as well.
Can lavender grow in hot and humid climate?
Lavender (Lavandula) can grow year round in a hot and dry climate like southern California and the arid Southwest, or even arid West. Most of the 15 or so species don't grow as well, nor are long-lived, in hot and humid climates such as the Southeast or Midwest.
Can lavender grow in hot climates?
For hotter climates, try planting lavender from the ornamental Lavandula Stoechas family, commonly known as Spanish Lavender. It requires full sun, low water, and is very hardy which is perfect for warmer climates.
Is it hard to grow lavender in Florida?
The best-known lavender is the English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia. However, this is the most difficult lavender to grow through the summer here in Central Florida.
Can you farm lavender in Florida?
As Florida's first lavender farm, it is off to a great start with more than 1,500 plants along with a line of lavender products. Planted right before Hurricane Michael, it's a wonder the crop is doing so well as it typically takes three years for a lavender plant to mature.
How do you grow lavender in a humid climate?
Choose your site well or consider growing in pots.LIGHT – Full sun.DRAINAGE – Focus on drainage. ... SOIL – Loose almost neutral soil.AIRFLOW – Focus on air circulation which will help dry off the leaves after rain. ... WATER – Focus on water source.More items...•
Is sea lavender the same as statice?
Many flowers that are good for cutting and drying end up with the common name of statice, which can get confusing when you are trying to order one particular type. One of these names is sea lavender. Fortunately, you can rely on the botanical name to make some sense of this diversity.
What is sea lavender used for?
Some species of sea-lavender are used decoratively in gardens or for other landscaping purposes, and they are often used as cut flowers or dried flowers, due to the long lasting and colourful papery calyx.
Is lavender native to San Diego?
There are five different species of sea lavenders at the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. They all belong to the genus Limonium, and are often recognized by a papery colored calyx, which is often thought to be the flower itself. However, only California sea lavender (Limonium californicum) is native to California.
Do bees like sea lavender?
For collection, the beehives are moved to the appropriate area at the start of the sea lavender flowering season in August. Bees actively seek the plant, flying up to 1 kilometre to find it. It is a useful source of nectar at a time when the flowering season of most other species is over.
Does Lavender Grow In Florida?
Many lavender varieties can handle Florida’s climate. Just be sure to plant them in containers or raised beds to maximize water drainage. Spacing t...
Where To Buy Phenomenal Lavender In Florida?
While you may find Phenomenal Lavender at your local plant nursery, you can also order it online from sellers like and .
When Does Lavender Bloom In Florida?
When lavender will bloom depends on its variety and your hardiness zone. Some varieties will bloom almost year-round in mild climates. Mainland Flo...
Which Lavender Grows Best In Florida?
With good soil drainage, certain lavender varieties can thrive in Florida. Suitable varieties include:- Sweet lavender - French lavender - Fern lea...
Where can I find sea lavender?
Sea lavender ( Heliotropium gnaphalodes L.) is a native plant found naturally along the Atlantic coast of central and south Florida. The area includes Brevard County to Miami-Dade, Monroe (mainland), and Collier counties into the Florida Keys (Monroe County). Sea lavender is on Florida's endangered species list due to development of the coastal areas for houses, businesses, and recreation. Outside the United States, its range extends to Bermuda, the West Indies (the Bahamas and the Greater and Lesser Antilles), Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and the Caribbean coast of Central America and Venezuela. It may be cultivated in other warm climates where it does not seem to have naturalized.
When does sea lavender bloom?
Sea lavender may bloom throughout the year, but flowering is most pronounced during fall and winter. The inflorescence is a terminal, helicoid (spirally coiled and one sided), few-branched cyme that extends just beyond the terminal tuft of leaves. The flowers are densely arranged in curved clusters on the helicoid cymes. Both the inflorescence stalk and the calyx are silky gray pubescent, like the leaves. Individual flowers are less than ¼ inches wide and tall. There are five spreading-to-reflexed white petal lobes. The base of the flower forms a tube with a greenish-yellow to pinkish throat. The flowers have a mild, sweet fragrance.
How tall does sea lavender grow?
Sea lavender is an evergreen, mounding-to-sprawling shrub that can grow to be 10 feet tall, although it typically grows shorter. It sometimes forms colonies more than 20 feet wide. Plants are usually as broad, or broader, than they are tall. The lower branches may form adventitious roots when covered by sand. They trap sand and stabilize dunes, thereby facilitating the establishment of other plants. The sprawling habit of some older plants often exposes lower branches and soil within the mound.
How to propagate sea lavender?
Propagation. Sea lavender may be propagated by cuttings, ground-layering, or by seeds. Propagation using stem cuttings is easier and faster. Softwood terminal stem cuttings of about 6 inches long can be started in containers in bright, filtered light and irrigated daily until roots develop.
What is sea lavender?
Sea lavender is highly tolerant of saline beach soils and salt spray. Plants are used primarily to prevent or slow down erosion on dunes and coastal strands and to foster new communities of an endangered species. Large-flowered coastal plants, such as railroad vine ( Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.) and dune sunflower ( Helianthus debilis Nutt.), are good companion plants for sea lavender. Sea lavender may be used to add texture and color contrast to an area where sea oats ( Uniola paniculata L.) planting is mandatory.
Can sea lavender grow in full sun?
Sea lavender grows best in full sun but may adapt as an understory plant in dappled light if soil drainage and airflow are excellent. Sea lavender planted in a landscape setting can be smaller (1-gallon containers) than those used for beach restorations because the growing environment is less extreme.
Is sea lavender healthy?
Landscape Plants. Typically, sea lavender planted in inland landscapes are not as healthy or long-lived as those in dune habitats. However, healthy and vigorous plants can be found growing inland. Overwatering and soils with high organic matter are the principal causes of failure in inland landscapes.
Introduction
Lavender produces gray foliage and purple flowers, although cultivars with pink, blue, lavender, or white flowers also exist. Most plants are 2 to 3 feet tall but some cultivars are shorter and more compact. Soft leaves are borne on erect, square, tomentose stems.
Use and Management
The plants grow best in a sunny location in a dry, somewhat infertile soil. Protect the crowns with several inches of mulch during the winter. Plants are more susceptible to winter injury when grown in wet, heavy soil.
Why do blanket flowers grow in Florida?
Blanket flowers can grow anywhere in Florida because they tolerate heat, sandy soils, and high salt levels. These flowers grow in a spreading mound that can function as a ground cover, with blooms in bright summer colors like orange, yellow, red, and reddish purple.
What is the best climate for landscaping in Florida?
Landscaping. Along with Florida’s enviable subtropical climate comes a diverse selection of beautiful native plants that would look great in your landscape. Native plants grow naturally in your area, so you can be sure they’ll thrive in the Florida heat, humidity, and occasional overnight freeze.
What is the name of the flower that attracts butterflies and bees?
Photo Credit: Pixabay. Florida has more than 13 native species of blazing star , aka gayfeather, aka colic root, a flower tough enough to survive even the most disaster-prone gardeners. The blazing star ’s vibrant bottlebrush-shaped flowers bloom in fall and attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
How does the Southern Wax Myrtle get its name?
The southern wax myrtle is easy to take care of and salt-tolerant, so it grows well in coastal landscapes. It gets its name from the waxy berries it produces , which attract butterflies and birds.
When do tickseeds bloom in Florida?
Many tickseed varieties are native to Florida, and all of them bloom in spring and summer and reseed themselves most years.
Where can I find coral bean plants?
Coral bean grows differently in different parts of the state: in North and Central Florida, it’s a large flower, but in South Florida, it can grow into a shrub or even a small tree.
Is Columbine a wildflower?
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0. In general, columbine is a wildflower that comes in many colors, but Florida’s native species has interesting red and yellow blossoms that attract hummingbirds. Columbine is native to the Panhandle and best for North Florida landscapes.
What is the best flowering vine in Florida?
Bougainvillea. Bougainvillea flowers comes in various colors such as white, pink, purple, red, orange and yellow and are suitable to grow in central and south Florida. Bougainvillea is one of the best purple flowering vines. Bougainvillea is a showy flowering shrub, popular in southern Florida gardens.
What is the state flower of Florida?
Due to its connection with these flowering citrus trees, the state flower of Florida is the blossom of the orange tree (orange blossom). This article looks at the best flowers, plants, and shrubs to grow in Florida.
How tall do canna lilies grow in Florida?
Canna lilies are tall perennial flowers that reach a height of 2 to 3 ft. (60 – 90 cm). They grow as perennials in zones 8 to 11 and annuals in colder climates.
Where do canna lilies grow?
Canna lilies grow best in borders, along walls, or even as small foliage hedges. These tender perennials bloom throughout the summer until fall in all Florida zones.
What zone is Florida in?
Florida has four USDA growing zones—zones 8 to 11 —and these zones will affect what kind of flowering plants you can grow in Florida gardens. The northern part of the state around Jacksonville is zone 8, where temperatures can drop to 15°F (-9°C) in winter.
Do Gerbera daisies grow in Florida?
Gerbera daisies are showy ornamental flowers that grow in Florida. These daisy species are semi-evergreen perennials that have large rosette flowers. The sun-like colorful flower heads are 2” (5 cm) in diameter and sit at the top of straight tubular stems. Gerbera daisies need full sun and well-draining soil. However when the temperature is high, gerbera daisies will benefit from afternoon shade.
Where do lantanas grow?
The colorful lantana flowers grow well in the tropical area of south Florida. Lantana is a stunning colorful flower native to Florida. The evergreen plant bloom continuously throughout the summer, filling Florida gardens with flowers in shades of pink, yellow, red, lavender, and creamy white.
How tall does lavender grow?
Most lavenders tend to grow from 1 to 3 feet tall with a 2- to 3-foot spread. They are native to Mediterranean areas with an alkaline soil but can tolerate a neutral pH. My favorite lavender for growing year-round is sweet lavender.
Which lavender is best for humid areas?
All of these plants produce flowers that are held up high on wiry stems that move in any breeze. Spanish lavender, Lavandula stoechas, is another lavender better suited for humid areas. The growth habit is different from all the other lavenders in that it is sprawling and lower growing.
How to promote flowering of lavender?
To promote flowering, dead-head the plant by simply removing the faded flowers. Lavender plants will produce the best fragrance in soils with a high pH, with a pH of 6 being the lowest they can tolerate. High humidity can also harm lavender plants, so proper spacing is important.
How much sunlight does lavender need?
Lavender will grow best in sunny locations, that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, and are planted in a dry, sandy soil. Don’t fertilize your lavender plants because that will discourage the plant from producing a higher concentration of essential oils which translates into fragrance.
What lavender has a rabbit ear?
As with French lavender, this species also produces very pronounced “rabbit ears” when flowering. The Spanish lavender cultivar Ballarina has attractive flowers that change from white to pink to purple as they mature. Other low-growing cultivars include Lutsko’s Dwarf, Fathead, Kew Red and Regal Splendour.
What color are dentata leaves?
The leaves have margins that are toothed, hence the dentata species name, and green or gray in color. The purple flowers have two small petals that resemble rabbit ears. Another species called French lavender, L. pedunculata, produces petals that are more narrow and more butterfly-like. This plant has a bushy habit, gray-green leaves, ...
Can you grow lavender in a container?
Be sure to prune below the wilted section, down to healthy tissue. You can also grow lavender in large containers with good drainage and a fast-draining soil or mix. Typically, potting mixes are used in containers, but their naturally low pH won’t work well for lavender.
2. Beautyberry
A native Floridian plant blooms lavender-pink flowers from spring to summer and turns vibrant purple when matured in September. Beautyberries can be 3-8 feet tall and are drought-tolerant.
3. Muhly Grass
An ornamental grass that blooms fluffy pink, purple and white flower stalks from early spring to winter. Muhly grass can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.
8. Southern wax myrtle
Southern wax myrtle is an evergreen shrub that produces wax berries. It can grow as high as 15-25 feet.
12. Beach sunflower
A perfect ground cover for coastal areas that sprouts bright yellow flowers year-round. Highly salt tolerant and grows 2-10 inches long.
14. Blazing Star
A perennial plant that blooms vibrant bottlebrush-shaped flowers in fall. Grows upto 5 feet tall.
18. Red buckeye
A small deciduous tree that blooms clustered tubular flowers in spring. Grows upto 20 feet tall and has poisonous seed pods.
20. Sabal palm
An evergreen palm tree that is native to Florida with cabbage-like leaves, also known as Florida’s state tree. Grows upto 50 feet tall.
