The City of Cape Coral encourages all residents to go native when planting. Native plants are best because, once established, they are more drought tolerant than most non-natives and less dependent on fertilizers, so they grow well with minimal assistance.

Rotary Park & Four Mile Cove host large native & tropical plant sales throughout the year. Visit Rotary Park’s Excellent Events page or the Parks & Recreation Program Guide for more information.

Planting Suggestions & Tips

• How can you invite birds to your yard? Purchase a Florida privet or a beauty berry.
• Do you enjoy butterflies? Add a larval plant or two to your yard. Try milkweed, cassia or firebush.
• Would you like something fragrant? Plant a fiddlewood or sweet acacia.
• Want shade? Live oaks and several other excellent natives grow great in Cape Coral.
• Need low-maintenance plants? Consider native ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, natives require less fertilizers or pesticides & are pretty drought tolerant. (Plants must be well established to make it through a serious drought.)