St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Native Plant/ Tree Give-Away Instructions 2026
Thank You for Supporting Florida's Native Landscape!
Thank you for coming out to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Native Plant & Tree Giveaway!
We are excited to help put more Florida-native plants into local landscapes. Each of the plants provided at this giveaway offers something different—wildlife habitat, flowers, berries, shade, screening, or simply a beautiful connection to Florida's natural environment.
The key to success with any newly planted tree or shrub is proper planting, consistent watering during establishment, and choosing the right location.
Below are instructions for each plant variety so you can give your new plant the best possible start.
Check-out our website for additional plants at https://www.flowingwelltreefarm.com
Get 10% off of your order, use code at checkout: Native
SILVER SAW PALMETTO
Serenoa repens
Florida Native • Evergreen • Drought Tolerant • Wildlife Habitat • Excellent for Sandy Soils
Silver Saw Palmetto is one of Florida's most recognizable native palms. The silver-blue fan-shaped foliage provides beautiful color and texture while creating excellent habitat for wildlife. This is an exceptionally tough Florida native once established and is well suited to hot, sunny, sandy locations.
Planting
Choose a location with good drainage and plenty of sunlight.
- Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball.
- Plant at the same depth the plant was growing in its container.
- Backfill with the soil removed from the planting hole.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the plant, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Do not plant the palm deeper than it was originally growing.
Watering
Water regularly during the first several months while the roots become established.
After establishment, Silver Saw Palmetto is highly drought tolerant and generally requires little supplemental irrigation.
During periods of extreme drought, occasional deep watering can be beneficial.
Avoid constantly wet soil.
Light
Full Sun to Partial Shade
For the best silver foliage and strongest growth, plant in full sun.
Soil Requirements
Silver Saw Palmetto is extremely adaptable and performs especially well in:
- Sandy soil
- Well-drained soil
- Poor or nutrient-poor soil
- Dry soil
- Native Florida soil
It does not require rich garden soil to thrive.
USDA Zone
Zones 8–11
Fertilizer
Generally low-maintenance once established.
If fertilization is needed, use a slow-release palm fertilizer formulated for landscape palms and follow the label directions.
Avoid excessive fertilizer.
Pruning
Remove only dead or damaged fronds when necessary.
Do not cut green fronds simply to change the shape of the plant.
Allow the palm to develop its natural form.
How to Be Successful
The biggest mistake with Silver Saw Palmetto is overwatering.
Give it:
Sun + Good Drainage + Proper Establishment Watering = A Tough Florida Native
Once established, this plant can handle heat and dry conditions extremely well.
CHICKASAW PLUM
Prunus angustifolia
Florida Native • Fruiting Tree • Wildlife-Friendly • Spring Flowers • Pollinator Plant • Deciduous
Chickasaw Plum is a wonderful native small tree that provides beautiful spring flowers followed by small edible plums. The white flowers appear in spring and are attractive to pollinators. The fruit can provide food for wildlife and can also be enjoyed by people when fully ripe. Chickasaw Plum can develop into a small tree or large shrub and is an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes and wildlife gardens.
Planting
Choose a location with full sun and good drainage.
- Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root system.
- Plant at the same depth as the container.
- Backfill with native soil.
- Water deeply after planting.
- Mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
Allow plenty of room for the plant to develop naturally.
Watering
Water regularly during establishment.
Once established, Chickasaw Plum is relatively drought tolerant, although supplemental water during prolonged drought can improve growth and fruit production.
Deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering.
Light
Full Sun to Partial Shade
For the best flowering and fruit production, full sun is recommended.
Soil Requirements
Chickasaw Plum is adaptable and can grow in:
- Sandy soils
- Loamy soils
- Well-drained soils
- Native Florida soils
Good drainage is preferred.
USDA Zone
Zones 6–9
Fertilizer
Usually does not require heavy fertilization.
If growth is poor, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring according to label directions.
Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowering and fruiting.
Pruning
Chickasaw Plum can naturally develop into a somewhat shrubby plant.
Prune when necessary to:
- Remove dead branches
- Remove damaged limbs
- Maintain desired shape
- Remove crossing branches
- Maintain clearance
Allowing some natural branching can provide excellent wildlife habitat.
How to Be Successful
Give Chickasaw Plum:
Sun + Drainage + Establishment Water + Room to Grow
Do not expect the plant to immediately look like a mature tree. Allow it time to establish its root system.
The spring flowers and later fruit make this a wonderful addition to a Florida wildlife garden or naturalized landscape.
AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY
Callicarpa americana
Florida Native • Purple Berries • Wildlife-Friendly • Butterfly Plant • Deciduous • Easy to Grow
American Beautyberry is one of Florida's most recognizable native shrubs. Its most famous feature is its brilliant clusters of purple berries, which form along the stems and provide an important food resource for wildlife. Beautyberry is particularly valuable in wildlife gardens because it combines flowers, berries, and dense branching habitat in one easy-to-grow native shrub.
Planting
Choose a location with full sun to partial shade.
- Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball.
- Plant at the same depth as the container.
- Backfill with native soil.
- Water thoroughly.
- Apply mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the stems.
Beautyberry can be planted individually or in groups.
Watering
Water regularly while establishing.
Once established, American Beautyberry is relatively drought tolerant, although it will grow more vigorously with adequate moisture.
During extended periods of drought, provide supplemental water.
Light
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Full sun generally produces a fuller plant and abundant flowering and berry production.
Beautyberry also performs well in partial shade.
Soil Requirements
Beautyberry is highly adaptable.
It can grow in:
- Sandy soils
- Loamy soils
- Clay soils
- Native Florida soils
- Well-drained soils
It is an excellent choice for many different areas of the Florida landscape.
USDA Zone
Zones 7–11
Fertilizer
Beautyberry generally requires little fertilizer.
If necessary, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Avoid overfertilizing.
Pruning
Beautyberry can be pruned in late winter or early spring if you want to maintain a more compact shape.
It can also be allowed to grow naturally.
Heavy pruning encourages fresh new growth and can help maintain a fuller shrub.
Wildlife Benefits
Beautyberry is an excellent wildlife plant.
The berries can attract:
- Birds
- Small mammals
- Other wildlife
The flowers also provide resources for insects.
Planting several native species together can create an even more valuable wildlife habitat.
How to Be Successful
Beautyberry is very forgiving.
Give it:
Sun + Moderate Water During Establishment + Room to Spread
Do not be afraid to let Beautyberry grow naturally.
Its slightly loose, informal shape is part of its native character.
FIREBUSH
Hamelia patens
Florida Native • Hummingbird Favorite • Butterfly Plant • Brilliant Orange-Red Flowers • Long Blooming • Heat Tolerant
Firebush is one of the best plants for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to a Florida landscape. Its clusters of tubular orange-red flowers appear throughout the warm growing season, creating a beautiful display against its green foliage. Firebush is especially valuable for hot, sunny locations where many other plants may struggle.
Planting
Choose a location with full sun to partial shade.
- Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball.
- Plant at the same depth as the container.
- Backfill with native soil.
- Water deeply after planting.
- Add mulch around the root zone, keeping it away from the stems.
Firebush works beautifully as a specimen shrub or planted in groups.
Watering
Water regularly during establishment.
Once established, Firebush is heat and drought tolerant.
During prolonged periods of extreme heat or drought, supplemental watering will encourage continued flowering.
Avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated.
Light
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Full sun generally produces:
- More flowers
- Stronger growth
- Fuller plants
- Better flowering performance
Soil Requirements
Firebush is adaptable to many Florida soils, including:
- Sandy soil
- Well-drained soil
- Loamy soil
- Native Florida soil
Good drainage is preferred.
USDA Zone
Zones 8–11
In colder areas, Firebush may die back after a freeze and return from the roots when warm weather returns.
Fertilizer
Firebush generally does not require heavy feeding.
If desired, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer during the growing season according to label instructions.
Avoid excessive fertilizer.
Pruning
Firebush responds very well to pruning.
Prune in late winter or early spring to:
- Maintain size
- Encourage branching
- Remove winter damage
- Create a fuller plant
In warmer parts of Florida, Firebush can become a large shrub if allowed to grow naturally.
Hummingbird & Butterfly Benefits
Firebush is an excellent choice for a wildlife garden.
Its tubular flowers are particularly attractive to:
- Hummingbirds
- Butterflies
- Bees
- Other beneficial insects
For the best wildlife garden, plant Firebush alongside other native flowering plants with different bloom periods.
How to Be Successful
Firebush loves heat and sunlight.
Give it:
Sun + Good Drainage + Water During Establishment + Occasional Pruning
Once established, it can become one of the easiest flowering shrubs in the Florida landscape.
GENERAL PLANTING TIPS FOR YOUR NEW NATIVE PLANT
1. Plant as Soon as Practical
If you cannot plant immediately, keep your plant outdoors in a protected location and keep the root ball/container moist.
Do not allow the roots to completely dry out.
2. Don't Plant Too Deep
One of the most common planting mistakes is planting too deeply.
The top of the root ball should generally remain at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Never bury the trunk or stem.
3. Water Deeply
For newly planted trees and shrubs, consistent watering is extremely important.
The goal is to encourage roots to grow down and outward into the surrounding soil.
As the plant becomes established, gradually reduce irrigation frequency.
4. Mulch Correctly
Apply approximately 2–3 inches of mulch around the plant.
Keep mulch away from the trunk or stems.
Do not create a "mulch volcano."
5. Don't Overfertilize
Native plants generally do not need excessive fertilizer.
Healthy roots and proper planting conditions are much more important than forcing rapid growth.
6. Give Your Plant Time
A newly planted tree or shrub may spend considerable energy developing its root system before producing significant top growth.
First it establishes roots. Then it grows.
Be patient.
WHICH PLANT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR YARD?
| Plant | Best Feature | Sun | Water Needs Once Established |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Saw Palmetto | Silver foliage & drought tolerance | Full Sun–Part Shade | Low |
| Chickasaw Plum | Flowers & edible/wildlife fruit | Full Sun–Part Shade | Low–Moderate |
| Beautyberry | Purple berries & wildlife | Full Sun–Part Shade | Low–Moderate |
| Firebush | Hummingbirds & brilliant flowers | Full Sun–Part Shade | Low–Moderate |
THANK YOU FOR PLANTING FLORIDA NATIVE!
By taking one of these plants home and successfully establishing it, you are helping expand Florida's native plant landscape one yard at a time.
Native plants can provide food, shelter, flowers, fruit, and habitat while helping create landscapes that are better suited to Florida's climate and growing conditions.
Thank you for participating in the 2026 St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Native Plant & Tree Giveaway.
Plant It. Grow It. Enjoy It.
Help Keep Florida Native.
Provided by Flowing Well Tree Farm
"Premium Native & Fruiting Grower"
Pierson, Florida
Have questions about your plant? Give us a call at 386-343-0312
