The Native Garden is a wild area defined by woodchipped pathways and densely planted perennial shrubs, trees and palms. Corky stem (Passionflora suberosa) attracts plenty of Florida’s state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius). Natives are best for attracting wildlife, especially in urban environments like ours – also for water conservation as they require minimal, depending on our natural wet and dry seasons.

Nearby plantings of Firebush (Hamelia patens), Locust Berry (Byrsonima lucida), Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco) and many others provide food for birds and nectar for butterflies. Coontie is the only cycad native to Florida and the host plant for the Atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala). This area closest resembles a hardwood hammock in wild South Florida.

Other signature plantings include Lignum-vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), and Live oak (Quercus virginiana), with epiphytic plants growing amongst the branches such as native tillandsia, orchids, and cacti.