CHARLES REYNOLDS: Rose family includes 5,000 distinct species

I advise gardeners who want to try growing roses to purchase cracker roses (Louis Philippe) because they’re tough plants that do well here. But the rose family — Rosaceae — includes nearly 5,000 distinct species that are mostly deciduous and largely native to temperate and warm-temperate regions. And while those plants’ climactic needs would make it challenging, an attractive Central Florida landscape could be built — except for appropriate groundcovers — solely from rose family species.

For small-to-medium-size shrubs to serve as foundation plants and hedges, we have Indian hawthorn, with fragrant pink or white blossoms and purple fruit for birds. A larger shrub also appreciated by birds is firethorn, a spiny, sprawling species available in numerous varieties. Firethorn flaunts clusters of dainty white flowers in spring and vast numbers of dazzling orange or red fruit from autumn into spring.

Chickasaw plum is a ‘’rosy’’ native shrub or small tree that puts on a springtime show of white blossoms and a display of yellow or red fruit in autumn, before the leaves fall. Due to a suckering habit, Chickasaw plum isn’t widely cultivated, but its tendency to spread makes this attractive plant a good no-maintenance choice to fill corners of a garden with dense, wildlife-friendly growth.

Another rose family species that produces juicy fruit — this time for humans — is the loquat tree from China. An evergreen plant that ranges from 15 to 25 feet tall in bright light, loquat enhances autumn with clusters of fragrant white flowers. That floral exuberance is followed in late winter and early spring by 1½ inch yellow or orange fruit. Use loquat trees for framing buildings, as specimen plants and as shrubbery border components.

A larger tree — a native — that’s underappreciated is cherry laurel. Generally 20 to 40 feet tall in sun or shade, cherry laurel is a fast-growing evergreen species that’s wind resistant and pest-proof. Extremely valuable for wildlife, trees boast clusters of aromatic white blossoms visited by droves of pollinators and followed by black fruit that birds deem delicious. Cherry laurel is recommended for tall hedges and screens and for sturdy specimen trees.

Many common fruits are part of the rose family, including cherries, plums, apples, peaches and pears. And though their quality may be poor, apples and peaches are cultivated by a surprising number of Florida gardeners. And lest we forget — there are strawberries that, in mild winters, grow to perfection here.

Charles Reynolds, a Winter Haven resident, has an associate’s degree in horticulture and is a member of Garden Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ballroom16@ aol.com