central florida here. Most plants that thrive in your area of Indiana won't survive or will do so poorly here that it's not worth bringing them. plants are pretty inexpensive here because we have so many nurseries and wholesalers in Florida.

I wouldn't bother with bringing them.

Thank you very much! You confirmed what I was thinking, I am just a little confused when I see some of them listed for zone 9.

Thanks again,

Aleksandra

Sometimes - even often - I think that zone 9 is meant for CA, which doesn't have as much humidity as FL.

That said, the Rose of Sharon and Rose Mallow might do well for you. Hibiscus is grown almost everywhere in FL.

The hostas may do ok...my neighbor here in 9b/10a St. Petersburg has them, but I don't see them much here or see them for sale (maybe I'm not looking... I invest mostly in butterfly attractors... If you like butterflies, you will like gardening in Florida!)

Maybe your rose mallow will like it here???

I moved from NY where I had large gardens to Sarasota. Brought a bunch of plants I thought would grow here. We moved here eight years ago and they all died off, slowly but died. The heat and humidity is a large factor here as is the soil which is beach sand. I spent so much time trying to amend the sandy soil to no avail. The soil is horrible and really is meant for tropical's.

Don't waste your time, they just won't adapt.

Jane

Florida: So many plants to choose from - but so many environmental factors including the whims of weather. And buying Florida native plants is no guarantee they will thrive or survive.

Since I retired I have time to plant shop, plant trade, and fuss and tend them. My butterfly garden areas and potted plants get hand watered almost every day. The color palate changes each year. I can't predict which plants will survive through a summer or winter - always there are surprises.

You will learn, especially by looking in neighbors' yards, which plants will endure.

But maybe these things are also true about gardening in Indiana?

Thank you all so much for your responses! Last year I had no idea we'd be moving and I spent quite a lot of money and time on plants. Especially Rose Mallow - they were so hard to find, when I found them I bought almost all they had! I think I will take a few of them with me. The rest I will give away to friends or just leave for future owners.

I can't wait to start planting palm trees! It has always been my husband's dream to live among them.

Thanks again,

Aleksandra

Your mallow might do well in a pot, if your soil isn't appropriate.

FWIW, Orlando is in the center of the state, Sarasota is on the coast, and quite a bit further south.

FL has many variations in soil and climate. Some areas are indeed nothing but sand - esp. near the coast, while others are former wetlands, farmland, pasture or woodland/meadow.

One tip for improving the sandy soil is not to mix amendments in, where they will disappear, but simply pile them on top.

When you get here, start a compost bin/pile. You can also get cow, goat, or rabbit manure from Craigslist or buy Black Cow. These will help enrich your soil. If you havent ever composted before, check on you tube for some How To videos.

We are on 4 acres and we did not have good soil up around the house or where the veggie garden or flowerbeds were. Its really great soil now and is full of earthworms thanks to good composting over the years.

Thank you for suggestions regarding soil improvement. I improved ours here in Indiana quite a bit so I know some basics. So far any kitchen scraps I just burried in my flower beds but maybe in our new place I will start a compost bin.

My Roses Mallow still don't show any signs of life, I know they wake up late, but if they don't wake up in the next week or so I will have one thing less on my list to move...