Residents are planting more native trees, shrubs and ground covers into their home landscape. Florida native plants can withstand the stresses of South Florida temperatures, rainfall, insects and diseases. The right native plant,  planted into the right location often require less maintenance than other introduced exotic plants. Properly selected and planted native species require less irrigation and fertilizers. Birds and other wildlife utilize many of the native plants for nesting, food and shelter.

Loblolly Bay is a beautiful white flowering native Florida tree. This tree has evergreen lustrous green leaves that drop irregularly throughout the year, turning bright red sometime before they fall off. The scientific name for this tree is Gordonia lasianthus.  Loblolly bay has showy, fragrant white flowers with golden yellow stamens. These flowers open in succession over an extended summer season and even young trees produce many flowers. This upright growing tree can attain a large size, but frequently does not exceed the dimensions of a large shrub. Loblolly bay is hardy and does best in a moist or irrigated landscape area. Loblolly bay is not a widely planted tree, but can be a great tree choice. For information on the right tree for the right place contact the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener volunteer hotline at 233-1750.