🌿 A Warm Arbor Day 2026 Greeting From The City of Gainesville 🌳

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Arbor Day 2026 with The City of Gainesville! We are proud to offer the following native plants as part of today’s giveaway:

American Fringe • Red Buckeye • Beautyberry • Chickasaw Plum • Milkweed • Perennis Milkweed • Tupelo • Sweetbay Magnolia • Silver Saw Palmetto • Sycamore • Spruce Pine • Pawpaw • Red Cedar • Native Viburnum

These plants were carefully selected to support wildlife, strengthen native ecosystems, and promote environmental stewardship throughout our community. Please review the planting instructions below to help your plant grow strong and healthy for many years to come.

Thank you for supporting conservation, protecting Florida’s natural heritage, and helping our community grow greener and stronger!

🌳 Planting Instructions

🌸 American Fringe

Scientific Name: Chionanthus virginicus
Mature Height: 12–20 feet
USDA Zones: 3–9

Planting

Plant in a location with room to grow. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant level with surrounding soil.

Watering

Water deeply after planting and weekly during the first growing season.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring if needed.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required; remove damaged branches as needed.

Additional Info

Produces fragrant white flowers and supports pollinators.

🌺 Red Buckeye

Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia
Mature Height: 15–25 feet
USDA Zones: 6–9

Planting

Plant in a protected area with well-drained soil.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply compost annually.

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering if needed.

Additional Info

Produces bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds.

🌸 Beautyberry

Scientific Name: Callicarpa americana
Mature Height: 3–6 feet
USDA Zones: 7–10

Planting

Plant in garden beds or natural areas.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment.

Soil

Prefers well-drained soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply compost in spring.

Pruning

Prune in late winter to encourage new growth.

Additional Info

Produces vibrant purple berries that support birds.

🌸 Chickasaw Plum

Scientific Name: Prunus angustifolia
Mature Height: 12–20 feet
USDA Zones: 5–9

Planting

Plant in open areas with good drainage.

Watering

Water regularly until established.

Soil

Adaptable to sandy soils.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Fertilizer

Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Pruning

Prune to maintain shape.

Additional Info

Produces edible fruit and supports wildlife.

🌼 Perennis Milkweed

Scientific Name: Asclepias perennis
Mature Height: 2–3 feet
USDA Zones: 6–9

Planting

Plant in moist areas or near water features.

Watering

Requires consistent moisture.

Soil

Prefers moist to wet soils.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply compost annually.

Pruning

Remove dead stems seasonally.

Additional Info

Supports Monarch butterflies and pollinators.

🌳 Tupelo

Scientific Name: Nyssa Biflora
Mature Height: 30–50 feet
USDA Zones: 4–9

Planting

Plant in areas with adequate moisture.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment.

Soil

Prefers moist, acidic soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply fertilizer in early spring if needed.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required.

Additional Info

Provides excellent fall color and wildlife value.

🌸 Sweetbay Magnolia

Scientific Name: Magnolia virginiana
Mature Height: 20–40 feet
USDA Zones: 5–10

Planting

Plant in moist, well-drained areas.

Watering

Keep soil moist during establishment.

Soil

Prefers acidic soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required.

Additional Info

Produces fragrant white blooms.

🌿 Silver Saw Palmetto

Scientific Name: Serenoa repens
Mature Height: 3–7 feet
USDA Zones: 8–11

Planting

Plant in open sunny areas.

Watering

Water regularly until established.

Soil

Prefers sandy, well-drained soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Fertilizer

Minimal fertilizer required.

Pruning

Remove damaged fronds as needed.

Additional Info

Excellent native groundcover supporting wildlife.

🌳 Sycamore

Scientific Name: Platanus occidentalis
Mature Height: 60–100 feet
USDA Zones: 4–9

Planting

Plant in large open spaces.

Watering

Requires consistent moisture.

Soil

Prefers moist soils.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Fertilizer

Apply fertilizer if growth is slow.

Pruning

Prune to remove weak branches.

Additional Info

Large shade tree ideal for parks.

🌲 Spruce Pine

Scientific Name: Pinus glabra
Mature Height: 60–80 feet
USDA Zones: 7–9

Planting

Plant in well-drained areas.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment.

Soil

Prefers sandy soils.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Minimal fertilizer required.

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed.

Additional Info

Native pine valuable for wildlife habitat.

🌿 Pawpaw

Scientific Name: Asimina triloba
Mature Height: 15–25 feet
USDA Zones: 5–9

Planting

Plant in protected areas.

Watering

Keep soil moist.

Soil

Prefers rich, organic soil.

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade to Full Sun

Fertilizer

Apply compost annually.

Pruning

Remove dead wood as needed.

Additional Info

Host plant for Zebra Swallowtail butterflies.

🌲 Red Cedar

Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana
Mature Height: 30–50 feet
USDA Zones: 2–9

Planting

Plant in sunny areas.

Watering

Water regularly during establishment.

Soil

Adaptable to many soil types.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Fertilizer

Minimal fertilizer required.

Pruning

Prune lightly to maintain shape.

Additional Info

Evergreen tree providing wildlife shelter.

🌿 Native Viburnum

Scientific Name: Viburnum obovatum
Mature Height: 8–12 feet
USDA Zones: 7–10

Planting

Plant in landscape beds or natural areas.

Watering

Water regularly until established.

Soil

Prefers moist, well-drained soil.

Sun Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Fertilizer

Apply compost annually.

Pruning

Prune to shape after flowering.

Additional Info

Produces berries that attract birds.

🌱 Planting Success Tips for Arbor Day Plants

• Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around plants, keeping mulch away from stems or trunks.
• Water deeply during dry periods, especially during the first year.
• Avoid planting too deep.
• Check plants regularly during establishment.

Need additional plants and support? Visit us today at Flowingwelltreefarm.com