Conifer Landscaping in Southern Florida

1. Sand Pine (Pinus clausa)

Sand Pine grows in sandy areas in Central, South Central, and parts of Southern Florida. Highly adapted to sandy rocky arid soils. Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10 (11). Short needles with compacted growth is preferred for landscaping and as a Christmas tree. Witches brooms are grafted onto the trunk of a regular Pine trunk for a topiary in landscaping.

2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Leyland Cypress has soft foliage with compact growth. Hardy in USDA Zones 5-10. Very tolerant of humid summers and mild winters of the deep South. Very popular Christmas tree. Though may struggle in zone 10b, and too hot in zone 11.

3. Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)

Slash Pine grows in most of the state of Florida excluding part of the Everglades and the swampy areas. It even grows into the Florida Keys. Southern variety (var. densa) is hardy in USDA Zones: 10-11 (northern variety in zones 7-9 (10))  Has very long needles that are 6"-12" long. When young appears to be a grass and not a tree. Produces huge pine cones that are 5"-8" long. Mostly planted in restoration sites, or planted for erosion control, though is becoming popular in urban landscaping as well.

4. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

 Norfolk Island Pine is a tropical Conifer hardy to zone 10. Small not so sharp needles adds beauty to the landscape. Popular as a Houseplant as well. Can be grown as a focal point specimen or many as a screen. Very popular Christmas tree.

 

Sabal Palmetto

The Sabal Palmetto is one of the most cold hardy Palm trees in the world. Specimens have been known to survive down to 7°F for brief periods. It is the state tree of Florida and Southern Carolina. Grows Ina wide variety of soil types and locations. Grows on forest edges, under moderate forest cover, sandy sites near shores, and even occasionally on disturved poor sites. Sabal Palm is a very slow growing plant. In fact every tree planted in landscaping in the US are actually dug up from the wild in it's native range. It can take upwards of 20 or 30 years to have a 10' specimen for landscaping from seed. Since they grow near the ocean they are very tolerant of salt, even growing in standing salt water doesn't bother them. These trees are as tough as nails!

Sabal Palm

Sabal Palmetto

Sabal Palm is a lush tropical evergreen, and is the state tree of Florida and South Carolina. 
One of the most cold hardy Palm trees in the world down to around 7°F.
 Landscaped all the way up to Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland...

Hardiness: USDA Zones: 7b-11

Mature Size: 30'-50' tall by 5'-6' wide
 (Some very old wild specimens grow to 90' tall)

Light: Full sun-Part Shade

Water:  Dry-Moist

Grows best in moist well draining soils. Excellent drought tolerance once established.
 Tolerates wide moisture conditions from drought to moist soils.

Soils: Not particular with specific pH level. Grows in most soils. 

Deciduous/Evergreen:

Evergreen