🌿 A Warm Arbor Day 2026 Greeting from Marine Discovery Center! 🌳

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Arbor Day 2026 at the Marine Discovery Center!

We’re excited to offer the following native plants available for giveaway today:
Eastern Red Cedar, Coontie, Beautyberry, Simpson Stopper, and Silver Saw Palmetto

Please take a moment to review the care instructions provided to help ensure the healthy growth and long life of your new plant.

Thank you for supporting conservation, coastal habitats, and sustainable planting practices. We truly appreciate your participation and commitment to helping our community grow greener and stronger! 🌱🌎

🌿 Arbor Day 2026 Planting Instructions

Marine Discovery Center 

Eastern Red Cedar

(Juniperus virginiana)

Planting:
Choose a location with plenty of space for growth. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.

Watering:
Water regularly during the first 2–3 months. Once established, Eastern Red Cedar is drought tolerant and requires minimal watering.

Soil:
Adaptable to many soil types, including sandy and well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils and coastal conditions.

Sun Requirements:
Full sun (6+ hours daily).

Fertilizer:
Generally not required. If desired, apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring during the first year.

Pruning:
Minimal pruning needed. Remove dead or damaged branches as necessary.

Characteristics:
Evergreen tree with dense foliage and blue berry-like cones that attract birds. Excellent windbreak and wildlife habitat tree.

Additional Info:
Highly salt tolerant and ideal for coastal landscapes. Can reach 30–40 feet tall with a spread of 8–15 feet.

Coontie

(Zamia integrifolia)

Planting:
Plant in a well-drained location. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and place the plant level with the surrounding soil. Water well after planting.

Watering:
Water regularly during establishment. Once established, Coontie is drought tolerant.

Soil:
Prefers well-drained sandy soils but tolerates a variety of soil types.

Sun Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade.

Fertilizer:
Apply a light application of slow-release fertilizer in spring if needed.

Pruning:
Remove yellow or damaged fronds as needed.

Characteristics:
Low-growing native cycad with attractive palm-like foliage. Host plant for the Atala butterfly.

Additional Info:
Extremely hardy and low-maintenance. Typically grows 2–3 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.

Beautyberry

(Callicarpa americana)

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

Watering:
Water regularly until established. After establishment, moderate drought tolerance.

Soil:
Prefers well-drained soils but adapts to sandy soils.

Sun Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade.

Fertilizer:
Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring if needed.

Pruning:
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Characteristics:
Deciduous shrub known for vibrant purple berries that attract birds and wildlife.

Additional Info:
Grows 3–6 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide. Excellent native plant for pollinators and wildlife gardens.

Simpson Stopper

(Myrcianthes fragrans)

Planting:
Plant in a well-drained area. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and place the plant level with the surrounding soil.

Watering:
Water regularly during establishment. Once established, drought tolerant.

Soil:
Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils. Tolerates limestone soils.

Sun Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade.

Fertilizer:
Apply a slow-release fertilizer once or twice per year if desired.

Pruning:
Can be pruned to shape or maintained as a hedge or small tree.

Characteristics:
Evergreen shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers and orange-red berries that attract wildlife.

Additional Info:
Excellent hedge or screening plant. Typically grows 10–20 feet tall but can be maintained smaller.

Silver Saw Palmetto

(Serenoa repens – Silver Form) 

Planting:
Plant in a sunny location with room to spread. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Water thoroughly after planting.

Watering:
Water regularly during establishment. Once established, extremely drought tolerant.

Soil:
Prefers sandy, well-drained soils. Highly adaptable.

Sun Requirements:
Full sun preferred.

Fertilizer:
Not usually necessary. Apply slow-release palm fertilizer if desired.

Pruning:
Minimal pruning required. Remove dead fronds as needed.

Characteristics:
Low-growing palm with striking silver-blue fan-shaped fronds. Excellent for coastal landscapes.

Additional Info:
Highly salt tolerant and hurricane resistant. Typically grows 3–7 feet tall with a spread of 6–10 feet.