SaltTolerantPlantsMainPage

Cassia bahamensis..........................................Bahama Cassia, Stink Pea - NATIVE. Will grow in very poor, dry conditions. Shrub or tree. Bright yellow flowers.

Agave americana............................................Century Plant (Assorted) - Extremely hardy, attractive foliage and shape. Very architectual form. These are very salt tolerant, and can tolerate full salt spray, and sandy soils. They are also very tolerant of wind, due to the hard foliage. The root structures are not very large, and therefore do not really aid in holding sand dunes together, but they are a great plant to add to dunes if others with large root systems are already in place. Great in containers too.

Cocos nucifera..................................................Coconut Palm - Several varieties available, dwarf and tall, green and golden. EDIBLE fruit. Fast growth rate once established. Very tolerant of wind, salt water, and spray, to the point that some time with the roots submerged in salt water does no damage. Succeptible to Lethal Yellowing Disease, which can wipe out entire populations. There is no truth to the idea that there is an immune variety, but some are less affected. Contact us for more info on LY Disease.

Clusea rosea.....................................................Pitch Apple, Autograph Tree - Large growth, hardy species. Very tolerant of high winds and direct salt spray. Growth to 40 feet or more. The useful dwarf variety, C. rosea 'nana' is also available, and is generally more popular than the larger growing species. Can be planted directly on the coast line, tolerant of poor soil conditions.

Beach Sunflower..............................................Helianthus debilis, Dune Sunflower - Can be used on initial sand dune, or anywhere else for that matter! Bright yellow flowers and bright green foliage. Groundcover, horizontal growth habit. Partial shade or sun, sandy, well drained soils are preferred. Covers large areas unless controlled. Containers or landscape.

Black Olive........................................................Bucida burseras - Can grow upwards of 50 feet in height. Excellent shade, although somewhat messy at times. Tolerant of salt spray, and does well in extreme weather.

Agave americana striata.................................Variegated Century Plant, Variegated Agave - White striped foliage. As above.

Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengerii'..............Asparagus Fern - Sreading growth habit, fine texture. Good filler material. Can grow in a cascading habit. Very tolerant of high wind, and salt spray, sandy soils. Tolerant of drought conditions, although as with most plants they grown best with some available moisture.

Alyssum...........................................................Lobularia maritima - Purples, white, pinks, mixed. September - May. Great groundcover. Can re-seed naturally. Alyssum prefers soils that are well drained, and can tolerate some periods of drought, they do not want to be sitting in wet soils.

Auracaria heterophylla...................................Norfolk Island Pine - Very large growth best suited for a large yard. Up to 80 or more feet in height. Tolerant of salt spray, and high winds. Deep green foliage color.

Aloe assorted...................................................Aloe spp. - MEDICINAL. Drought tolerant. Puts on an orange/yellow flower spike once mature. Aloe spreads by clumping, and creates a colony quite quickly. They prefer dryer soils, with good drainage. Occasional watering is desired, although once mature, they can all but be forgotten.

Arboricola........................................................Schefflera arboricola, Dwarf Schefflera - Fluffy, full growth habit. Commonly used as a hedge or shrub, above 5 feet is

best. Can grow to 15 feet or more unpruned. Highly tolerant of salt spray and wind, but in severe weather, some browning of the foliage will occur.

Arboricola 'Capella'..........................................Schefflera arboricola 'Capella' - Some yellow variegation, although not as evident as S. arboricola 'Trinette'. Same behaviour as above.

Arboricola 'Luseanne'......................................Schefflera arboricola 'Luseanne' - Very compact growth habit, full. Shorter internodes that Sch. arboricola

Arboricola 'Trinette'..........................................Schefflera arboricola 'Trinette' - Bright yellow variegation. Used as a shrub, hedge, specimen.

Argusia gnaphalodes.....................................Bay Lavender - *not yet in production* Native, found growing on the coast and in marshy areas throughout the region. Hopefully we will be producing this plant in 2007.

Autograph Tree...............................................Pitch Apple, Clusea rosea - Large growth, hardy species. Very tolerant of high winds and direct salt spray. Growth to 40 feet or more. The useful dwarf variety, C. rosea 'nana' is also available, and is generally more popular than the larger growing species. Can be planted directly on the coast line, tolerant of poor soil conditions.

Coral Porter Weed............................................Stachytarpheta speciosa - NATIVE. Sprawling shrub to 4 or 5 feet. Coral colored flowers, medium green leaf. Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds. Tolerant of high winds, poor soils, and direct salt spray.

Bahama Cassia...............................................Cassia bahamensis, Stink Pea - NATIVE. Will grow in very poor, dry conditions. Shrub or tree. Bright yellow flowers.

Bismarckia nobilis...........................................Bismarck Palm - One of the most majestic and sturdy of all palms. Large silver fan leaf. Growth to 25' or more. Requires a large area. Tolerant of direct salt spray, very tolerant of wind. Very sturdy in structure.

Black Olive 'Shady Lady'..................................Bucida burseras 'Shady Lady' - A superior variety, thornless. Commands a much higher price than species Bucida.

Blue Daze..........................................................Evolvulus glomeratus - An old time favorite groundcover or potted plant. Spreading, with growth to about 18 inches in height. Tolerant os salt spray, sandy soils. Requires occassional fertilizing, and best to use some organic material when planting.

Borrichia arborescens....................................Sea Ox-Eye Daisy - A spreading shrub, growth to about 4 feet high. Silver foliage with a small yellow flower. Drought tolerant once established, can be found growing on coastal sand dunes and marshy, low lying

areas. Good for dune reclamation, as it is very wind and salt tolerant.

Bottle Palm.......................................................Hyophorbe lagenicaulis - A very sturdy palm, with a trunk that is large at the base getting thinner at the top. Hence 'bottle' name. Growth to 20'+. Tolerant of salt spray, and high winds.

Brazil Beautyleaf..............................................Santa Maria, Calophyllum brasiliense - Fairly tolerant of wet areas. Good shade. Glossy green leaf, good shade.

Bucida burseras 'Shady Lady'........................'Shady Lady' Black Olive - A superior variety, thornless. Commands a much higher price than species Bucida.

Buttonwood, Green........................................Conocarpus erectus - NATIVE. Can be planted in marsh areas, beaches. Tolerant of poor soil conditions. Trainable as tree or shrub. Bright green foliage. Upright growth habit, easily manipulated to shape (espalier). Tolerates extreme weather, salt spray and water, high winds, and poor soil conditions.

Buttonwood, Silver............................................Conocarpus sericeus - NATIVE. Can be planted in marsh areas, beaches. Tolerant of poor soil conditions. Trainable as a tree or shrub. Silver foliage, upright growth habit, although often more horizontal than C. erectus. Tolerates extreme weather, salt spray and water, high winds, and poor soil conditions.

Calophyllum brasiliense.................................Santa Maria, Brazil Beautyleaf - Fairly tolerant of wet areas. Good shade. Shiny leaf.

Capparis cynophallophora..............................Jamaican Caper - Excellent street tree - High salt tolerance & pollution tolerance. Puts on a delicate white and pink flower. Shiny dark green leaf. Also does well in high winds. Growth to about 25 feet over time. Prefers organic material in the soil, and a well drained location.

Cardboard Palm...............................................Zamia furfuracea - A very hardy plant, actually a Cycad, not a palm. Very tolerant to high winds. Recently re-classified as Zamia maritima, probably due to the fact that it is very durable in a maritime evironment. Prefers a well drained location, sun or shade.

Carissa macrocarpa........................................Carissa 'Emerald Blanket', Natal Plum - A very hardy plant, deep green leaf, with a white flower and red fruit. EDIBLE, although it does not taste of much. Very tolerant of direct salt spray, high winds. Slow to medium growth rate.

Cassia alata.......................................................Candle Bush - A large shrub or small tree. Bright yellow flowers, characteristic of Cassia species.

Catharanus roseus..........................................Vinca - Medicinal. Flowers white, pink, lavender, some hybrids have red colors. Older varieties are hardier than new hybrids. Perennial. The species has either pink/lavender or white flowers. The newer varieties are a miriad of colors, from white to purple, deep pink, red, and a variety of bi-colors. The species is very salt and wind tolerant.

Century Plant....................................................Agave americana - Many cultivars available, green, silver, variegated. Extremely hardy, attractive foliage and shape. Very architectual form. These are very salt tolerant, and can tolerate full salt spray, and sandy soils. They are also very tolerant of wind, due to the hard foliage. The root structures are not very large, and therefore do not really aid in holding sand dunes together, but they are a great plant to add to dunes if others with large root systems are already in place.

Chrysalobalanus icaco..................................Cocoplum - NATIVE. A sprawling shrub, tolerates wet areas. Fruit is EDIBLE. New foliage is red in color. Growth from 4 to 12 feet in good conditions. Often used as a formal hedge, although this is taking away from much of the natural attractiveness of this plant. Typically found growing in marsh and coastal areas, very wind and salt tolerant. Prefers sandy organic soils.

Coccoloba uvifera............................................Seagrape - NATIVE. EDIBLE fruit, can be made into wine, jams, spreads, etc. Can grow to 40 feet as a tree, or be maintained as a shrub. Very tolerant of wind, salt spray and water, extreme conditions. Sun or part shade, sandy, well drained soils are preferred, with some organic material. New growth is an attractive bronze color.

Coccoloba diversifloia......................................Pigeon Plum - NATIVE. A favorite with migrating birds. Growth to 40 feet, dark green foliage, attractive color and shape. The exfoliating bark and the twisted shapes add to the attractiveness of this tree. It creates a very heavy canopy and it makes an excellent shade tree, although it is recommended to plant away from patios and drive-ways, because of the fruit that drops and makes a mess. Otherwise, a highly recommended tree. Tolerant of wind and salt.

Coco Plum......................................................... Chrysalobalanus icaco - NATIVE. A sprawling shrub, tolerates wet areas. Fruit is EDIBLE. New foliage is red in color. Growth from 4 to 12 feet in good conditions. Often used as a formal hedge, although this is taking away from much of the natural attractiveness of this plant. Typically found growing in marsh and coastal areas, very wind and salt tolerant. Prefers sandy organic soils.

Conocarpus erectus........................................Green Buttonwood - NATIVE. Can be planted in marsh areas, beaches. Tolerant of poor soil conditions. Trainable as a tree or shrub. Bright green foliage. Upright growth habit, easily manipulated to shape (espalier). Tolerates extreme weather, salt spray and water, high winds, and poor soil conditions.

Conocarpus sericeus........................................Silver Buttonwood - NATIVE. Can be planted in marsh areas, beaches. Tolerant of poor soil conditions. Trainable as a tree or shrub. Silver foliage, upright growth habit, although often more horizontal than C. erectus. Tolerates extreme weather, salt spray and water, high winds, and poor soil conditions.

Cordia sebestena..............................................Orange Geiger Tree - Can tolerate marshy areas. Profuse bloomer, orange flowers, deep green foliage. Very tolerant of high winds, direct salt water and spray, and relatively poor soil conditions. Attracts Hummingbirds. Growth to 25 feet, and it can be trained as a large shrub, or as a small or medium sized tree.

Crinum asiaticum.............................................Tree Crinum, Poison Bulb, Crinum Lily - Light green or maroon colored strap leaves. Flowers can be either white (green variety) or white with red or purple colored stripes (red variety). Growth to about 5 feet, clumping growth habit, or spreading by seed. Prefers sandy soils, with some organic material added, and can be planted directly on the beach. Tolerant of high winds, salt water and spray.

Cryptostegia madagascariensis....................Madagascar Rubber Vine - NATIVE. Can be either a vine or a shrub. Glossy green foliage, with flowers that range from light pink to deep lavender. Extremely tolerant of salt water and spray, poor soil conditions, and can be found growing in honeycomb rock, or sandy areas.

Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India'......................Song of India, Pleomele reflexa - Bright yellow, short strap leaves. Good color accent. Sun or shade, train to any height. Can grow to 30 feet or more over many years. NOT a good low shrub. Tolerant of direct salt spray.

Dracaena reflexa 'Song of Jamaica'...............Song of Jamaica, Pleomele reflexa - Medium green, with lighter stripe. Short strap leaves. Good color accent. Sun or shade, train to any height. Can grow to 30 feet or more over many years. NOT a good low shrub. Tolerant of direct salt spray.

Dune Sunflower.................................................Helianthus debilis, Beach Sunflower - Can be used on initial sand dune, or anywhere else for that matter! Bright yellow flowers and bright green foliage. Groundcover, horizontal growth habit. Partial shade or sun, sandy, well drained soils are preferred. Covers large areas unless controlled. Containers or landscape.

Duranta repens.................................................Golden Dew Drop, Pigeon Berry - NATIVE. A shrub or small tree, purple flowers, golden seeds. Attracts birds, can take on a sprawling habit. Tolerant of salt spray, but not direct salt water.

Dwarf Oleander...................................................Nerium oleander 'Petite Salmon' - Salmon colored flowers, smaller growth than regular Oleander. Used as a formal hedge or shrub. Tolerant of direct salt spray, may suffer some burning on the foliage in extreme weather.

Dwarf Schefflera.................................................Schefflera arboricola - Fluffy, full growth habit. Commonly used as a hedge or shrub, above 5 feet is best. Can grow to 15 feet or more unpruned. Highly tolerant of salt spray and wind, but in severe weather, some browning of the foliage will occur.

Buccaneer Palm.............................................Psuedophoenix sargentii - NATIVE. This palm can be found growing in coppice and coastal areas throughout the islands,often in groups of several palms. Grows in sun or shade. Can get to be 20 feet or more over time. Slow to medium growth rate. Very salt tolerant and wind tolerant.

Barrel Cactus....................................................Golden Barrel - Slow growing, prefers dry soils. Grows in the shape of a globe, with very sharp yellow spines. Tolerates shade or sun, and is tolerant of salt spray. Prefers sandy, well drained soils. Containers or landscape.

Cactus - Peruviun Apple...................................Cereus peruvianus var. monstrosus - A beautiful cactus, get very gnarly, with a white flower 2 1/2" across in width.

Bucida burseras...............................................Black Olive - Can grow upwards of 50 feet in height. Excellent shade, although somewhat messy at times. Tolerant of salt spray, and does well in extreme weather.

Evolvulus glomeratus......................................Blue Daze - An old time favorite groundcover or potted plant. Spreading, with growth to about 18 inches in height. Tolerant os salt spray, sandy soils. Requires occassional fertilizing, and best to use some organic material when planting.

Fern, Asparagus................................................Asparagus densiflorus 'Spregerii' - Sreading growth habit, fine texture. Good filler material. Can grow in a cascading habit. Very tolerant of high wind, and salt spray, sandy soils. Tolerant of drought conditions, although as with most plants they grown best with some available moisture.

Ficus benjamina...............................................Ficus - Most commonly used as a hedge, best used when kept over 6 feet in height. Can be a tree to 80 feet or more. Best in semi-shade or sun. Tolerant of salt spray, and high winds, although some browning will occur in extreme conditions.

Ficus macrocarpa.............................................Ficus 'Green Island' - Displays a relatively horizontal growth habit. Used as a groundcover, or as a shrub or hedge. Shiny dark green foliage. Tolerant of direct salt spray, and high winds, more so than Ficus benjamina.

Firecracker.........................................................Russelia equisetiformis - Available in Red or Yellow flowering. Attractive to HUMMINGBIRDS. Can spread by seed. Flowing, spreading habit. Good filler. Tolerates salt spray and high winds.

Frangipani.........................................................Plumeria spp. - Several colors available. White, yellow, red, light pink, dark pink, orange, bicolor. FRAGRANT. Growth up to 30 feet. Dwarf varieties also available at times. Tolerates salt spray, and the tree itself is tolerant of high wind, although the leaves may be stripped.