Bet You Didn't Know That Florida has Plants of the Year !

February 5 , 2005

Part I

Florida plants of the year.

Plants are nominated by the industry and winners are selected by a committee of growers, horticulturist, retailers, landscape professional and University of Florida faculty. The Florida plants of the year program makes flyers, aisle markers, banners and a plant resource list available by request.

This program is sponsored by Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), the Florida plants of the year program is designed to promote the use of superior and proven Florida plants.

I will give you a list of the eight plants chosen for 2005, but first I would like to share some information about FNGLA. FNGLA is a member - driven association that recognizes the need for individual industry members to unify. FNGLA is Florida’s oldest and largest association targeting the needs of Florida’s environmental horticulture industry, which has an estimated $9.9 billion in industry-wide sales annually. Through FNGLA’s efforts, the entirety of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry benefits!

Mission Statement

The mission of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association is to be the recognized leader of Florida's environmental horticulture industry by advancing its business interests and enhancing our members’ success through effective use of governmental advocacy, education, marking, research and professional certifications.

FNGLA is a leader in protecting and promoting your business interest with Florida’s five water management districts, with the Tallahassee legislature and Congress. FNGLA’s recent successes have let to:

  • successfully exempting newly planted landscapes from drought restrictions developing landscape irrigation system
  • standards to increase water efficiency
  • establishing in Florida’s legislature a single statewide invasive plant list
  • securing $1.2 million in research to determine irrigation needs
  • securing funds to research the use of soil moisture tensiometers helping develop best management practices for the green
  • industry and model landscape ordinances
  • working to establish a UF-IFAS Center for Landscape Ecology and Conservation
  • working with government agencies to secure funding and help rebuild in the wake of Hurricanes and natural disasters

As promised here are the Florida plants of the year

1. Nun’s Orchid (Phaius tankervilliae) This is truly a “must have” orchid for every orchid collector. Phaius orchids have brilliant blossoms with color combination that can include white, red, yellow and even brown! Blooms can reach over 4 inches in diameter and sprout from an inflorescence that can reach over 4 feet tall. Up to 20 blooms open sequentially up the tall stock providing a colorful show that last for months. The blossoms are very fragrant.

Orchids are not known for their foliage, which makes this group even better. Phaius orchids are very pretty in or out of bloom. Their graceful light green leaves would make a nice floral accent for any bright room.

Landscape use: perennial for mass use or as specimen in part shade. It is also good used as a potted plant.

I will continue with the Florida plants of the year next week.

Anna R. Coley, is a Master gardener affiliated with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.