Be careful when using tropical plants inland as they can be frozen or killed by freezes or frosts. One basic thing to remember is that spring is fall and fall is spring. We plant vegetables and annuals in October and they finish off in April-May. Evergreen leaves fall off in the spring which is leaf raking time. SOIL Soil types vary but generally soils are alkaline with some acid pockets as one progresses northward in the state.
Coastal soils are generally sandy with organic muck type soils in central parts of the state.
Some coastal areas have marl soils which are similar to clay soils up north and have excellent moisture retention. The Redlands in Dade County also have properties similar to clay. South Dade county has rock soils which are almost impossible to plant directly in. Planting holes need to be augered in. Many gardeners used raised beds in these areas.