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Low-Maintenance Landscape Plants for South Florida1
Jody Haynes, John McLaughlin, Laura Vasquez, Adrian Hunsberger2Introduction
This publication was developed in response to requests from participants in the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) program in Miami-Dade County for a list of recommended landscape plants suitable for south Florida. The resulting list includes over 350 low-maintenance plants. The following information is included for each species: common name, scientific name, maximum size, growth rate (vines only), light preference, salt tolerance, and other useful characteristics.Criteria
This section will describe the criteria by which plants were selected. It is important to note, first, that even the most drought-tolerant plants require watering during the establishment period. Although this period varies among species and site conditions, some general rules for container-grown plants have been determined experimentally. They are as follows: 6 months for a 1-gallon plant; 1 year for a 3-gallon plant; and 6-12 months per inch of trunk diameter for larger trees.The term "low-maintenance" refers to a plant that does not require frequent maintenance--such as regular watering, pruning, or spraying--to remain healthy and to maintain an acceptable aesthetic quality. A low-maintenance plant has low fertilizer requirements and few pest and disease problems. In addition, low-maintenance plants suitable for south Florida must also be adapted to--or at least tolerate--our poor, alkaline, sand- or limestone-based soils.
An additional criterion for the plants on this list was that they are not listed as being invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC, 2001), or restricted by any federal, state, or local laws (Burks, 2000). Miami-Dade County does have restrictions for planting certain species within 500 feet of native habitats they are known to invade (Miami-Dade County, 2001); caution statements are provided for these species.
Both native and non-native species are included herein, with native plants denoted by †. Some plants listed also tolerate wet soil conditions or even periodic flooding; these are denoted by §. Also, a variety of plants that are not commonly available in south Florida nurseries or garden centers were intentionally included with the hope that increased demand will generate increased supply; plants that are commonly available are denoted by *.
This list is also posted on the Miami-Dade County FYN website, at the following URL: http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/old/programs/fyn/publications/dtpl.htm . Photos and more detailed information for each species can be obtained from this online version of the list.
Categories
Plants were evaluated according to their function or role in the landscape, and were then assigned to one or more of the following categories: A. Perennials; B. Annuals; C. Shrubs & Hedges; D. Flowering & Shade Trees; E. Fruit Trees; F. Palms, Cycads & Palm-like Plants; G. Ornamental Grasses; H. Groundcovers; I. Vines; J. Epiphytes; and K. Herbs & Vegetables. A definition of each category follows.A. Perennials. Perennials are typically herbaceous plants that live three or more years. They often bear attractive flowers, and many can be used as groundcovers (37 perennials are listed in Table 1).
B. Annuals. An annual is a plant that typically lives for one year or less. Although most annuals require moist soil, a few are considered low-maintenance. In south Florida, many annuals are cool-season plants, and, thus, will not tolerate the heat and/or wet/humid conditions of summer. Only drought-tolerant annuals are included (18 annuals are listed in Table 2).
C. Shrubs & Hedges. A shrub is typically a woody plant with several stems. However, a wide variety of plants can function as shrubs. A hedge is simply a row of closely planted shrubs that form a border or boundary; hedges may require some pruning to maintain proper form or function (117 shrubs and hedges are listed in Table 3).
D. Flowering & Shade Trees. A tree is a woody plant that is usually very large (tall or wide or both) and usually bears a single trunk. Flowering trees are those that are cultivated primarily for their showy flowers, whereas shade trees often lack significant floral displays (59 flowering and shade trees are listed in Table 4).
E. Fruit Trees. Fruit trees are typically grown or cultivated for their edible fruit. To ensure healthy, productive fruit trees, it may be necessary to feed and/or water them during fruit set (13 fruit trees are listed in Table 5).
F. Palms, Cycads & Palm-Like Plants. Palms are predominantly tropical and subtropical evergreen trees, shrubs, or woody vines of the Family Palmae (also known as Family Arecaceae). Palm stems are generally unbranched, bear a single growing point, and are topped by a crown of pinnate (feather-shaped) or palmate (fan-shaped) leaves bearing conspicuous parallel venation. In a few cases, entire palm genera are considered low-maintenance, including Brahea, Coccothrinax, Copernicia, Livistona, Phoenix Sabal Thrinax, and Washingtonia. Although many palms require regular fertilization, the species listed herein require less than most (44 palms are listed in Table 6).
Cycads are cone-bearing evergreen plants of the Division Cycadophyta; they are often mistakenly considered palms. Note, the cycads included on this list are resistant to the cycad aulacaspis scale, which is a serious pest of cycads in the genus Cycas which includes the sago palms (20 cycads are listed in Table 6).
Palm-like plants are those that superficially resemble palms but belong to unrelated plant families (four additional palm-like plants are listed in Table 6).
G. Ornamental Grasses. Ornamental grasses typically grow in tuft-like clumps and bear numerous small flowers on tall stalks that rise above the blade-like leaves. Many are quite showy and are welcome additions to a non-traditional landscape (14 ornamental grasses are listed in Table 7).
H. Groundcovers. This category includes a diverse group of unrelated plants that are used to cover areas of ground for aesthetic purposes (e.g., in shady areas where grass will not grow). Groundcovers also function to stabilize soil, or to provide focal points at the front of planting beds. Generally planted in dense stands, groundcovers can be vines, small shrubs, annuals, perennials, or grasses (59 groundcovers are listed in Table 8).
I. Vines. Vines are weak-stemmed plants that derive their support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface. Although most people think of vines as climbing vertically, a few species also grow horizontally and can function as groundcovers. Some vines have aggressive growth habits, so they need to be watched carefully to prevent them from growing out of control (25 vines are listed in Table 9).
J. Ephipytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants (e.g., trees) or objects (e.g., rocks and boulders) for support or anchorage, but not for water or nutrients. This category includes orchids, ferns, bromeliads, and some cacti (11 epiphytes are listed in Table 10).
K. Herbs & Vegetables. Herbs are plants whose leaves, stems, or roots are used as flavoring in food or as non-traditional medicines, while vegetables are plants that produce edible parts (roots, stems, leaves, or fruit) that are grown for food. Although not included in most landscapes, some herbs and vegetables have ornamental value (four herbs and two vegetables are listed in Table 11).
Selecting the "Right" Plant
Putting the right plant in the right place is of foremost importance in creating a healthy and successful low-maintenance landscape. However, this principle is dependent upon one's ability to accurately select the right plant species for a given location. Common names are often misleading, and sometimes more than one plant species may be referred to by the same or similar common name. Therefore, whenever possible it is best to refer to scientific names when researching and selecting plants for your south Florida Landscape.Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following UF-IFAS Specialists for reviewing this article: Dr. Robert Black, Dr. Kimberly Klock-Moore, Dr. Kenneth Langeland, and Dr. Eva Worden. In addition, Roger Hammer, Head Naturalist for Miami-Dade County Parks & Recreation, contributed significantly to this publication, and we thank him also.References
Austin, D.F. Pine Rockland Plant Guide. Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management, Miami, FL.Black, R.J. 1997. Native Florida Plants for Home Landscapes. University of Florida-IFAS Publication ENH-25, Gainesville.
Black, R.J., and E.F. Gilman. 1997. Your Florida Guide to Bedding Plants: Selection, Establishment and Maintenance. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.
Broschat, T.K., and A.W. Meerow. 1991. Betrocks Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants. Betrock Information Systems, Inc., Hollywood, FL.
Burks, K.C. 2000. Non-native Plant Species Restricted by Federal, State, or Local Law in Florida. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, Tallahassee, FL.
FLEPPC. 2001. List of Floridas Invasive Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Internet: http://www.fleppc.org/Plantlist/01list.htm .
Florida's Water Management Districts. 2001. Water Wise Florida Landscapes: Landscaping to Promote Water Conservation Using the Principles of XeriscapeTM. St. John's River Water Management District, Palatka, FL.
Gilman, E.F., and R.J. Black. 1999. Your Florida Guide to Shrubs: Selection, Establishment and Maintenance. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.
Haynes, J.L. 2001. Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia. Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida, Inc. Internet: http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/vce_index.htm .
Haynes, J.L. 2001. Virtual Palm Encyclopedia. Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida, Inc. Internet: http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/vpe_index.htm .
Hubbuch, C. 2001. Water shortage continues and not a drop to irrigate. Garden Views. Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, FL.
Maidman, K. 1997. Ten great palms. Garden News. Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, FL.
Meerow, A.W. 1991. Native Shrubs for South Florida. University of Florida-IFAS Publication EES-59, Gainesville.
Meerow, A.W. 1996. Native Trees for South Florida. University of Florida-IFAS Publication EES-57, Gainesville.
Meerow, A.W. 1999. Native Ground Covers for South Florida. University of Florida-IFAS Publication EES-60, Gainesville.
Meerow A.W., and R.J. Black. 1993. Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: Ground Covers for South Florida. University of Florida-IFAS Publication EES-39, Gainesville.
Miami-Dade County. 2001. Dade County Landscaping Manual. Miami-Dade County, FL.
Misitis, M. 1997. Salt Tolerant Plants for Dade County. UF/Miami-Dade County Extension publication, Homestead, FL.
Osorio, R. 2001. A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.
Riffle, R.L. 1998. The Tropical Look: An Encyclopedia of Dramatic Landscape Plants. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Scheper. J. 2001. FloridataTM. Internet: http://www.floridata.com .
Whistler, W. A. 2000. Tropical Ornamentals: A Guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Wilson, J. 1994. Landscaping with Herbs. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA.
Tables
Table 1. Low-Maintenance Perennials, listed by category in alphabetical order by scientific name. (Note: * indicates plants commonly available in nurseries and/or garden centers in south Florida; † indicates Florida native plants; § indicates plants that can tolerate wet soils or occasional flooding.)
Common name
Size
Light
Salt tolerance
Comments
Scientific name
(inch)
preference
Aglaonema * Aglaonema commutatum
18
Partial to full shade
Low
Small, herbaceous perennial with fleshy stems, branching from the base, and slender-stalked leaves up to about 12 inches long. Flowering stems have a narrow, pale green spathe enclosing a small white spadix. Other Aglaonema also drought tolerant.
Scarlet milkweed * § Asclepias curassavica
36-48
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Erect, evergreen perennial with narrow, elliptical leaves and terminal clusters of scarlet and orange flowers spring to fall. Attracts butterflies Spring to Fall. Can tolerate wet soil. Butterfly weed * † Asclepias tuberosa
18-36
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Native perennial with orange, summertime flowers. Essential component of a butterfly garden. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cast iron plant * Aspidistra elatior
36
Partial to full shade
Moderate
Grown for its deep green foliage. Named for its ability to tolerate harsh, adverse conditions. Spreads to form clumps. Excellent for shady areas.
Star begonia, winter begonia * § Begonia heracleifolia
24-36
Partial to full shade
None
Rhizomatous (spreads by rhizomes) begonia with large, hairy, deeply lobed, toothed, bronzy green leaves and fragrant, white to pink flowers on long, reddish stalks. Caution: Begonia cucullata is FLEPPC Category ll invasive.5
White begonia * § Begonia popenoei
24-48
Partial to full shade
None
Rhizomatous begonia with huge, round, dark glossy green leaves to two feet wide and large white, fragrant flowers held in large panicles well above foliage.
Castor bean begonia * § Begonia ricinifolia
24-36
Partial to full shade
None
Rhizomatous begonia with apple green leaves shaped like stars and with rings of red hairs around leaf petioles. Winter blooms are deep pink.
Strawflower Brachteantha bracteatum
36
Full sun
Low
Annual or short-lived perennial with erect habit. Weak, hollow stems. Thin green leaves bear golden yellow blooms up to two inches in diameter at branch tips summer to early fall. Good groundcover or small shrub.
Spiral ginger § Costus scaber
72
Partial shade
Low
Tall spiral ginger with attractive roundish jade green leaves with fuzzy underside, and long, hard, waxy 8" to 12" red bracts with small, yellow flowers that peek out as bracts open from bottom up. Long lasting flower; excellent cut flower.
Crossandra * Crossandra infundibuliformis
12-36
Partial to full shade
Low
Simple leaves arranged in opposite pairs and bearing erect spikes of showy yellow to red flowers, with petals opened flat into a hand-like shape.
African iris § Dietes iridioides
24-36
Full sun
Low
Drought tolerant perennial, though extra water needed when in bloom. Easy to grow. Attractive white flowers with blue and brown shading appear in spring. Forms spreading clumps. Also known as D. vegeta; D. bicolor has yellow flowers.
Twinflower † Dyschoriste angusta
6-18
Full sun
Low
Native perennial with small, delicate, purple flowers. Grows best in dry sand. Plant close together for best cover.
Dwarf crown-of-thorns * Euphorbia milii
12-36
Full sun
High
Small Thai dwarf varieties used as bedding plants and groundcovers. See full description in Table 3.
Indian blanket * † Gaillardia pulchella
12-24
Full sun
High
Colorful native annual or perennial. As easily grown as it is beautiful. Considerable variation in flower color; typical variety bears red flowers with yellow-tipped petals. Plant in open site with good drainage. Good for beach-front plantings.
Whirling butterflies Gaura lindheimeri
24-48
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Herbaceous perennial that grows in loose, bushy clump. Stems slender, wiry, and covered with tiny hairs. Leaves spoon-shaped with toothed margins. Flowers above foliage on long spikes; open white at dawn, fading to rose-pink by day's end. Requires well-drained soil.
Moss verbena Glandularia puchella
12
Full sun to partial shade
Unknown
Freely branching, sprawling perennial with 3-lobed, finely dissected, aromatic leaves and clusters of pink, lilac, purple or white flowers. Requires well-drained soil. Attracts butterflies. Good bedding plant.
Tampa verbena * † Glandularia tampensis
18-24
Full sun
Low
Native, sprawling, short-lived perennial. Sometimes treated as annual. Flowers purplish-pink. Also known as Verbena tampensis.
Rain lilies † Habranthus spp.
24-48
Full sun
Moderate
Flowers yellow, pink, red or white produced spring/summer after rain. Goes dormant in cool season, requiring very little water. Flowers best when crowded.
Beach sunflower † Helianthus debilis
36-48
Full sun
High
Erect or prostrate, spreading plant with sandpaper-like leaves and 2.5 - three-inch yellow flowers. Suitable for beach-front plantings. Good for attracting butterflies.
Daylily * Hemerocallis spp.
12-24
Full sun or partial shade
Moderate
Clump-forming perennial with grass-like leaves and lily-like flowers from late spring to fall, depending on variety. Available in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and near-white. Only certain varieties succeed in south Florida (Evergreen, Semis).
Amaryllis * Hippeastrum spp.
24
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Spectacular trumpet-shaped, tropical lilies. Many species and varieties. Moderately drought tolerant.
Beach elder † Iva imbricata
24-36
Full sun
High
Scraggly, coarse, shrubby perennial. Good for beach-front plantings.
Shrimp plant * Justicia brandegeana
36-60
Full sun to full shade
None
Perennial or shrub with stems topped with 6'' spikes of red, rusty brown, or green brachts containing small, white, shrimp-like flowers. A related species bears yellow brachts. Unique, adaptable, easily grown plant. Also known as Beloperone guttata.
Kalanchoe * Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
12
Partial shade
Moderate
Small, shrubby African species. Multiple, upstretched branches covered with round to rectangular, deep green leaves with red margins and notched tips. Thick racemes of small, deep red, cylindrical flowers appear from winter to early summer; may also be pink, yellow, or orange. Can be weedy.
Statice Limonium sinatum
18
Full sun
Low
Bushy, upright perennial. Dense rosettes of oblong, deeply waved, dark green leaves and masses of tiny, papery flowers on winged stems summer/ early fall. Fairly slow growing. Available in golden, lemon-yellow, white, cream, salmon-pink, purple or blue spikelets.
Pennyroyal † Piloblephis rigida
6-24
Full sun
Low
Low-growing perennial. Not picky about soil, but likes it dry. Small, shrimp-like flowers emerge from green, scale-like brachts. Attractive to butterflies. Also known as Pycnothymus rigidus and Satureja rigida.
Plumbago * Plumbago auriculata
36-72
Full sun
Low
Attractive light blue flowers in terminal spikes. Drought tolerant once well established. Prone to root and stem rots. Freely draining soil and good air circulation.
Florida mountainmint † Pycnanthemum floridanum
48
Full sun to partial shade
None
Erect, loosely-branched, shrublike perennial. Leaves smell like spearmint or camphor. Tiny, lavender flowers in dense terminal clusters. Attracts butterflies.
Firecracker plant * Russelia equisetiformis
24-48
Full sun
High
Grown for weeping habit, masses of small, red tubular flowers, and scale-like leaves. Often used in planters. Requires freely draining soil. Russelia sarmentosa is similar, although with actual leaves and smaller red flowers that are highly attractive to butterflies.
Stonecrop Sedum spectabile
24
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Hardy plant, well adapted for rockeries, with showy fall flowers. Many cultivars (white, pink or red); at least one with variegated leaves.
Blue porterweed * † Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
12-36
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Native, small, shrubby perennial. Flowers highly attractive to butterflies--must for any butterfly garden. Name derived from traditional foamy, porter-like beverage brewed from the plant.
Pink porterweed * Stachytarpheta mutabilis
60-96
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Small, shrubby perennial with somewhat weedy habit. Flowers highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Variety violacea is violet-flowered form.
Mexican sunflower * Tithonia deversifolia
60-72
Full sun
Low
Warm-season annual or perennial. Leaves coarse, three-lobed, and covered in soft, downy fuzz. Flowers orange to red-orange.
Society garlic * Tulbaghia violacea
24-36
Full sun to partial shade
None
Clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with narrow, grayish leaves and large clusters of lavender flowers. Related to garlic.
Purpletop verbena * Verbena bonariensis
36-72
Full sun to light shade
Low
Erect, clump-forming perennial with stiff, widely branched stems. Small, purple flowers in clusters held high above foliage. Best when densely planted. Attracts butterflies.
Verbena * Verbena x hybrida
36-72
Full sun
Low
Erect, clump-forming perennial or annual with stiff, widely branching stems. Flowers purple and borne in rounded clusters. Treat as annual. Powdery mildew and whiteflies may be occasional problems. Good bedding plant.
Rain lily * Zephyranthes spp.
6-15
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Charming, clump-forming, flowering bulbs. Most species have open flowers like small Asiatic lilies and are deciduous. Can be white, yellow or various shades of warm pink. All bear one flower to a stem, and most close their petals at night.
5 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) defines Category I invasive plants as those plants that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives; FLEPPC Category II plants are those that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.
6 Miami-Dade County restricts certain species from being planted within 500 feet of the native habitats that they are known to invade; these plants are allowed to be planted in home landscapes as long as they are more than 500 feet from the designated native habitat(s).
Table 2. Low-Maintenance Annuals, listed by category in alphabetical order by scientific name. (Note: * indicates plants commonly available in nurseries and/or garden centers in south Florida; † indicates Florida native plants; § indicates plants that can tolerate wet soils or occasional flooding.)
Common name
Size
Light
Salt tolerance
Comments
Scientific name
Preference
Scarlet milkweed * § Asclepias curassavica
3-4'
Full sun to partial shade
Low
See description in Table 1.
Orach, French spinach Atriplex hortensis
2-6'
Full sun
Unknown
Usually grown for its tender, spinach-like leaves. Leaves can be green, yellowish-green, red or purple. Sometimes grown as bedding plant.
Strawflower Brachteantha bracteatum
3'
Full sun
Low
See description in Table 1. Cosmos * Cosmos bipinnatus
5-6'
Full sun
Low
Feathery-leaved annual from Mexico and far southern USA. Showy, daisy-like flowerheads in summer and fall, in shades of pink, red, purple or white. May require staking. May not survive rainy season.
Indian blanket * † Gaillardia pulchella
1-2'
Full sun
High
See description in Table 1. Gazania * Gazania rigens
6-24"
Full sun
Moderate
Mat-forming plant with crowded rosettes of mostly unlobed leaves that are green above and whitish beneath. Orange flowerheads with a black eye spot at petal bases.
Moss verbena * Glandularia puchella
12"
Full sun to partial shade
Low
See description in Table 1. Tampa verbena * † Glandularia tampensis
18-24"
Full sun
Low
See description in Table 1. Globe amaranth * Gomphrena globosa
1-2'
Full sun
Low
Small, branching annual with hairy leaves and bright purple, pink, or white, clover-like flowers. Benefits from mulching.
Sunflower * Helianthus annus
3-10'
Full sun
Low
Fast-growing, upright annual. Large, daisy-like, 12" wide yellow flowerheads with brown centers borne in summer. Coarse, leggy plants with heavily veined leaves.
Annual lion's ear Leonotis nepetifolia
8'
Full sun to light shade
Low
Coarse-textured, rather gangly, erect, loosely branching summer annual. Smooth leaves with toothed margins. Bright red, tubular, downward-curving flowers encircle stem at intervals. Self-seeds easily, but not considered invasive. Attracts butterflies.
Butter daisy * Melampodium divaricatum
6-24"
Full sun
Low
Small, summer annual with small, yellow flowers and bright green foliage. Prolific self-seeder. Great bedding and border plant. Also known as M. paludosum.
Moss rose, rose moss * Portulaca grandiflora
4-8"
Full sun
High
Small, annual, low-growing succulent with small, lance-shaped, fleshy, bright green leaves on reddish stems. Yellow, pink, red, or orange flowers in summer; close at night and on cloudy days. Suitable as groundcover, in rockery, or as border.
Black-eyed Susan * † Rudbeckia hirta
3'
Full sun to light shade
Low
Typical daisy-like perennial or annual (depending on variety). Large, yellow-orange to reddish-orange flowers with darker centers. Attracts butterflies. Does not tolerate prolonged, wet, humid weather.
Ornamental sages * Salvia spp.
1-5'
Full sun
Low
Semi-woody, mostly herbaceous shrubby annuals with fuzzy leaves and spikes of blue, red, pink, or white flowers. Wilt and lose leaves during drought, but recover when rain returns. Attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Most do not tolerate prolonged wet, humid weather.
Verbena * Verbena x hybrida
3-6'
Full sun
Low
See description in Table 1.
Zinnia * Zinnia elegans
30"
Full sun
Low
Coarse, upright, bushy annual with lance-shaped leaves and daisy-like flowersin a rainbow of colors. Requires well-drained soil and good air circulation. Powdery mildew occasional problem when humid; newer varieties resistant. Leaf spot during rainy season possible problem. Also known as Zinnia violacea.
Mexican zinnia * Zinnia haaeana
1-2'
Full sun
Low
Upright, bushy annual. Small, narrow leaves. Daisy-like flowers in white, orange, yellow, red, mahogany, or bicolor (gold, maroon, purple, brown, cream, and pink). Good annual groundcover.
5 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) defines Category I invasive plants as those plants that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives; FLEPPC Category II plants are those that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.
6 Miami-Dade County restricts certain species from being planted within 500 feet of the native habitats that they are known to invade; these plants are allowed to be planted in home landscapes as long as they are more than 500 feet from the designated native habitat(s).
Table 3. Low-Maintenance Shrubs and Hedges, listed by category in alphabetical order by scientific name. (Note: * indicates plants commonly available in nurseries and/or garden centers in south Florida; † indicates Florida native plants; § indicates plants that can tolerate wet soils or occasional flooding.)
Common name
Size
Light
Salt tolerance
Comments
Scientific name
(feet)
preference
Chenille plant * § Acalypha hispida
6-12
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Medium to large shrub with large, oval, evergreen leaves. Separate male and female plants. Females have long, velvety clusters of purple, bright red, or crimson flowers resembling fluffy cattail. Can wilt in full sun during drought.
Copperleaf * Acalypha wilkesiana
8-12
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Purple/red, green and pink foliage. Excellent for hedge or border, but can be over-powering.
Desert rose* Adenium obesum
3-7
Full sun
Moderate
Very showy flowers year-round, particularly during hot, dry weather. Must have perfect drainage since this plant is very prone to root and stem rots. Will lose leaves during cool weather. Excellent for rock gardens. Scales occasional pest.
Century plant * Agave americana
6-8
Full sun
High
Dramatic foliage and form. Evergreen, silver/gray to blue-green foliage. Showy, green-brown fruit. Armed with spines. Gritty, free-draining soil required. Blooms anywhere from 12-20 years of age, then dies. Excellent for rock gardens. Many other agaves available; some are variegated; all are drought tolerant. Caution: Sisal hemp, A.sisalana, is a FLEPPC Category II invasive.5
Purple allamanda * Allamanda blanchetii
10
Full sun
None
Evergreen, vining shrub with purple, tubular flowers. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Also known as Allamanda violacea.
Bush allamanda Allamanda neriifolia
3-5
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Colorful, bright yellow, trumpet flowers. Glossy leaves in whorls of 3-6 on smooth stems, which bleed milky sap if cut. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Shell ginger * § Alpinia zerumbet
6-8
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Tall stems topped with drooping inflorescences bearing white, pink, red, and yellow, shell-shaped flowers. Forms dense clumps. Green and variegated forms. Best growth in moist soil, but can tolerate drought. Benefits from mulch.
Bird's nest anthurium * § Anthurium salviniae
3-5
Partial to full shade
None
Large, herbaceous shrub or epiphyte consisting of majestic cluster of long, erect, tropical-looking leaves with wavy margins. Flowers relatively insignificant. Other bird's nest anthuriums are also moderately drought tolerant, but may require high humidity. Marlberry † Ardisia escallonioides
5-20
Partial shade
High
Native plant with attractive foliage and berries. Can be used as small specimen tree or barrier shrub. Attracts birds. Does poorly in full sun. Caution: The related shoebutton ardisia, A. elliptica, and coral ardisia, A. crenulata, are FLEPPC Category Iinvasive.5
West Indian sea lavender † Argusia gnaphalodes
4-6
Full sun
High
Rounded shrub with fine, grayish-green leaves and small white flowers. Also known as Mallotonia gnaphalodes.
Sea oxeye † Borrichia arborescens
2-4
Full sun
High
Yellow, daisy-like flowers. Widely used on banks and slopes. Excellent for beach-front plantings in sand. Elsewhere, use freely draining soil to prevent root rot. Borrichia frutescens is a native silver oxeye, and has similar requirements.
Bougainvillea * Bougainvillea spp.
5-30
Full sun
None
Very showy, thorny vine-like shrubs with best bloom during dry season. Numerous cultivars available in a striking array of colors, magenta being the most common. Some with variegated foliage. Best effect as a vine but can be trained as a shrub. Caterpillars occasional pest. Requires freely draining soil. Do not over-fertilize. Yesterday-today- tomorrow * § Brunfelsia grandiflora
3-8
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Aptly named shrub with pansy-like flowers that open purple on the first day, then turn pale lavender on the second day, and finally white on the third day. Some leaf drop may occur during persistent drought.
Butterfly bush * Buddleia officinalis
6-12
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Fast-growing shrub with attractive pink, purple, or white flowers and gray-green leaves. Highly attractive to butterflies-hence the name. Nematodes occasional problem in sandy soils. Buddleia madagascariensis is also drought tolerant. Other Buddleia species typically do not grow well in south Florida.
Locust-berry † Byrsonima lucida
3-30
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Native shrub to small tree with spreading canopy. Attractive flowers are white/pink to yellow. Orange to yellow berries attract wildlife. Can be used as a hedge.
Dwarf poinciana * Caesalpinia pulcherrima
5-20
Full sun
Moderate
Large shrub to small tree. Showy, orange/yellow flowers during warmer months. Needs good drainage. Leaves and seeds poisonous.
Beautyberry * † Callicarpa americana
6-8
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Native shrub. Flowers insignificant, though long-lasting purple berries are quite attractive, and provide a good food source for birds.
Giant milkweed § Calotropis gigantea
6
Full sun
Moderate
Large, thick, grayish-green leaves and purple to white, crown-like flowers. Tolerates poor soil, but requires excellent drainage. Host plant for monarch butterfly larvae.
Spicewood † § Calyptranthes pallens
5-25
Partial Shade
Moderate
Small, shrubby, native tree with burgundy-tinged new growth and insignificant white flowers. Can be sheared and grown as a hedge. Prefers moist soil.
Jamaica caper * † Capparis cynophallophora
18
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native, slow-growing, undemanding plant with attractive, white, fragrant, spider lily-like flowers. With time, can be shaped into attractive hedge.
Natal plum * Carissa macrocarpa
3-12
Full sun to light shade
High
Large shrub to small tree with attractive, thick, glossy foliage, fragrant, jasmine-like flowers, and edible fruit. The spiny leaves and stems make this a good barrier plant once established. Web blight is a problem if kept excessively wet.
Cat palm * § Chamaedorea cataractarum
3-8
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Mounding palm with elegant, dark green, glossy, feathery leaves. Can be used as a shrub or a hedge.
Bamboo palm * § Chamaedorea erumpens
6-10
Partial to full shade
None
Heavily clumping palm with tall, slender stems resembling bamboo canes. Can be used as a shrub or a hedge. Also known as C. seifrizii.
Cocoplum * † Chrysobalanus icaco
3-15
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native shrub with insignificant flowers, but new foliage is quite attractive. Often used as a hedge, but will thin if planted in too much shade. Spreading and erect forms available.
Snowberry † Chiococca alba
2-3
Full sun
Low
Native vining shrub with glossy green, elliptical to lanceolate leaves and tiny white flowers. Chiococca parviflora, the pineland snowberry, is a similar, but less common, native shrub.
Fiddlewood † Citharexylem spinosum
12-30
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native large, densely leafy shrub to small tree with glossy, ellipitical leaves and small, white, fragrant flowers followed by round, orange-brown berries on female plants. Attractive to birds and other wildlife. Also known as C. fruticosum.
Pigeon plum * † Coccoloba diversifolia
5-30
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native evergreen large shrub to small tree with dense, narrowly rounded crown and attractive, peeling bark. Small, dark purple berries on female trees attractive to birds.
Sea grape * † Coccoloba uvifera
10-50
Full sun
High
Native large shrub to medium tree with large, thick, saucer-like leaves bearing attractive venation. Also has edible fruit. On occasion, can be susceptible to a number of pests. Leaves can be messy. Good for beach-front properties.
Croton * Codiaeum variegatum
5-10
Full sun
Moderate
Grown for the colorful, variegated foliage in greens, yellows, reds and pinks. Scales can be a problem. Can be leggy, especially if grown in shade.
Coffee colubrina † Colubrina arborescens
20
Full sun to light shade
High
Native large, course-leaved shrub or small tree with open crown of large, tri-lobed leaves with inconspicuous green flowers and 3-seeded capsules. Attractive to butterflies and many other beneficial insects.
Buttonwood * † Conocarpus erectus
5-50
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native shrub or tree. Both green and silver leaved forms available; the latter is more attractive. Insignificant flowers followed by small, button-like seed pods. Scales can be a problem and foliage can be attacked by chewing insects. Can be used as a hedge but bottom is prone to thin out.
Ti plant * Cordyline terminalis
3-10
Full sun
None
Slender palm-like plant with unique long, narrow leaves in red, pink, white, or purple. Also known as "red sister." Spiral ginger § Costus scaber
6
Partial shade
Low
See description in Table 1. Christmas berry, ground holly † Crossopetalum ilicifolium
1
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Native, prostrate, evergreen shrub with small, holly-like, spiny leaves and attractive red berries.
Desert spoon Dasylirion wheeleri
3-30
Full sun
High
Linear, grey-green leaves with toothed edges. Spectacular inflorescence bearing many creamy-white flowers may reach 30 inches after which the plant dies. Takes extreme drought, but must have excellent drainage and air circulation. Varnish leaf † Dodonaea viscosa
18
Full sun to partial shade
High
Grown for its attractive, stiff, shiny green leaves. Showy, yellowish, 3-winged capsules produced in terminal clusters; brown, pink or purple at maturity. Dense and fast growing. Used as free-standing specimen or hedge. Excellent for beach-front.
Dracaena * Dracaena marginata
15
Partial to full shade
None
Narrow, sword-like leaves with red margins. "Tricolor" cultivar has a cream stripe and red edge. Commonly grown as a house plant.
Golden dewdrop * Duranta erecta
5-18
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Sprawling, sometimes vine-like, evergreen shrub or small tree. Beautiful purple flowers and yellow, grape-like, poisonous fruit. Also known as D. repens.
Lingaro Elaegnus philippensis
3-15
Full sun
High
Shrubby, evergreen vine with attractive light green foliage, the underside a reddish brown. Small, fragrant, white flowers followed by edible fruit. Grows well on poor/calcareous soils. Caution: E. pungens is FLEPPC Category II invasive.5
Beach creeper, golden creeper † Ernodea littoralis
1-3
Full sun
High
Intolerant of over watering, but excellent as a ground cover for beach-front. Flowers insignificant.
Coral bean tree * † Erythrina herbacea
3-15
Full sun
Low
Native perennial shrub to small tree. Deciduous, 3-lobed compound leaves. Showy scarlet blossoms on tall stalks in spring, followed by large beans that split to reveal bright red seeds. May grow into small tree in south Florida. All parts of this plant are poisonous.
White stopper * † Eugenia axillaris
5-20
Full sun to dense shade
High
Native large shrub or small tree with pale, whitish bark and aromatic foliage that can be overpowering. Small, white flowers in midsummer followed by small, purplish berries. Attractive to birds.
Redberry stopper † Eugenia confusa
6-18
Full sun to partial shade
High
Slow-growing native plant with attractive glossy leaves and red berries. Used as a specimen plant or hedge. Upright growth suitable for a restricted site.
Spanish stopper * † Eugenia foetida
18-36
Full sun to shade
High
Native large shrub or small tree. Densely clothed with small, rounded leaves. Smallest flowers and fruits of all stoppers, but still attractive to wildlife. Excellent foundation or specimen plant.
Red stopper † Eugenia rhombea
9
Full sun to shade
High
Native large shrub or small tree with reddish brown bark and elegant growth habit. Branches produced in flat sprays perpendicular to main trunk. Slow-growing and does not flower or fruit as a young plant.
Scarlet plume Euphorbia fulgens
5
Full sun to partial shade
High
Evergreen, arching shrub. Very showy red flowers all year. Needs excellent drainage. Ideal for a rock garden.
Crown-of-thorns * Euphorbia milii
1-3
Full sun
High
Slow-growing, thorny, semi-succulent shrub with bright green, obovate leaves and small to medium yellow, orange, or red flowers. Excellent in rock gardens. Often used as low hedge in coastal areas. Smaller Thai dwarf varieties have more attractive foliage and much more showy inflorescences; often used as bedding plants and groundcovers.
Florida privet † Forestiera segregata
10
Full sun
High
Native shrub with insignificant flowers. Wildlife attracted to black fruit. Very tolerant of alkaline soils. Can be used as hedge plant in place of ligustrum.
Green aloe * Furcraea foetida
3-8
Full sun
High
Large rosette of thin narrow leaves up to 8' long. Requires freely draining soil. Inflorescence borne on 15-30" stem; flowers pungent. Rosette dies after flowering. New plants arise from bulbils. Variegated form available.
Thryallis * Galphimia glauca
3-5
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Versatile, evergreen, tropical shrub. Non-stop yellow flowers bloom year-round. Excellent for low hedges. Wood brittle. Requires sheltered position.
Star flower Grewia occidentalis
6-12
Full sun
Moderate
Adaptable evergreen shrub with deep green, oval, toothed, leathery leaves. Bears star-shaped, mauve-pink flowers about 1.5" across during spring and summer, followed by brownish, 4-lobed berries. Excellent plant for espaliers. Scale insects sometimes a problem.
Lignum vitae * † Guaiacum sanctum
6-25
Full sun
High
Attractive, native, slow-growing large shrub to small tree, with blue flowers year-round but mostly in spring. Flowers followed by yellow seed pods which pop open to reveal shiny, bright red seeds. Extremely dense, prized wood. Guaiacum officinale is a larger relative with blue flowers that turn white, and light green leaves with yellow petioles.
Firebush * † Hamelia patens
5-15
Partial shade to shade
Low
Produces attractive orange/red flowers at any time. Indifferent to soil, as long as drainage is good. Less shrubby and more tree-like in shade. Can be used as hedge, but pruning interferes with flowering. Highly attractive to butterflies.
Heliconia * § Heliconia episcopalis
3-7
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Smaller heliconia with tight, arrowhead-shaped inflorescence bearing dense but colorful bracts which begin red then fade to orange then yellow toward the tips. Year-round bloomer.
Heliconia * § Heliconia latispatha
6-15
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Tall heliconia with long-stalked, yellow-green, banana-like leaves with a red margin and erect inflorescence with widely spaced, triangular bracts that are yellow or orange at base, changing to scarlet at tips.
Lobster claw heliconia * § Heliconia rostrata
3-20
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Tall heliconia with long-stalked, green to bluish-green, 5' long banana-like leaves, and pendant inflorescence with zig-zagging bracts of scarlet and yellow.
Chinese hat plant § Holmskioldia sanguinea
3-6
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Unique flowers are main interest of this scrambling shrub/vine: each is a narrow, orange-scarlet tube backed by a circular calyx, appearing in dense terminal clusters fall-spring. Leaves oval and slightly serrated. Rampant growth can be contained by pruning after flowering. Old canes can be removed. Loses leaves during drought.
Beach elder † Iva imbricata
2-3
Full sun
High
See description in Table 1.
Joewood † Jacquinia keyensis
10
Full sun to partial shade
High
Very slow-growing, native shrub with attractive foliage and year-round, showy, fragrant blooms. Good resistance to wind and salt spray. Some shade from hottest sun beneficial.
Primrose jasmine Jasmimum mesnyi
5-10
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Rambling, open, evergreen shrub with long, arching stems that will climb if given support. Without support, grows as fountain-like mound. Fragrant, yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Caution: J. dichotomum and J. fluminense are FLEPPC Category I.5
Downy jasmine Jasmimum multiflorum
5-10
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Evergreen, branching vine that can be trained as a shrub. Stems and leaves covered with downy pubescence, giving the plant a grayish-green appearance. Small, white, star-shaped flowers in clusters year-round. Caution: J. sambac is FLEPPC Category II.5
Peregrina Jatropha integerrima
15
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Deeply-lobed leaves and showy display of small red flowers throughout the year. Needs good drainage. Mites and scales can be problems. Poisonous.
Coral plant, physic nut * Jatropha multifida
6-20
Full sun to partial shade
High
Shrub to small tree with loose, spreading crown. Large, distinctive leaves with 7-11 narrow lobes, each divided into narrow, pointed segments. Flowers coral red, in flat-topped clusters on long stalks above foliage. All parts are poisonous.
Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis
2-50
Full sun
Low-Moderate
Evergreen groundcover, shrub, or tree, depending on variety. Both adult and juvenile foliage found on adult trees. Berries fleshy and glaucous white.
Shrimp plant * Justicia brandegeana
3-5
Full sun to partial shade
None
See description in Table 1.
Crepe myrtle * Lagerstroemia indica
8-25
Full sun
None
Grown for peeling bark and outstanding late spring to summer blossom in various shades of pink, red purple and white. Miniatures used for edging; standards used as specimen plants. Aphids and powdery mildew can be problems.
Barbados cherry * Malpighia emarginata
5-12
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Attractive shrub. Produces clusters of small, pink flowers, followed by red, cherry-sized, edible fruit that is tart in flavor and rich in vitamin C. Makes good hedge. Nematodes problem on sandy soils; plant bugs spoil fruit. Also known as M. glabra.
Monstera * § Monstera deliciosa
5-6
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Slow-growing vine or shrub with huge, broad, glossy, perforated and deeply cut leaves and woody stems with aerial roots. Mature plants bear thick, cream spathes followed by sweet-smelling, cone-like, edible fruit. Simpson's stopper * † Myrcianthes fragrans
6-20
Full sun to partial shade
High
One of the most beautiful and ornamental native woody plants. Densely branched, densely leafy large shrub to small tree. Pure white, puffy flowers followed by large, bright orange berries that contrast with dark foliage. Attractive to birds.
Wax myrtle * † § Myrica cerifera
10-25
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Native clumping, fast-growing shrub to small tree with small, evergreen leaves, inconspicuous flowers, and waxy gray fruit attached to twigs. Leaves and fruit smell like bayberry. Tolerates periodic flooding. Natural insect repellant. Attracts birds.
Mazari palm Nannorrhops ritchiana
10-20
Full sun to partial shade
None
Medium-sized, shrubby palm with branching trunks and whitish-blue, fan-shaped leaves. Each stem flowers only once and dies back. Exceptionally cold-tolerant. Prefers cool, arid climate but tolerates south Florida quite well. Slightly susceptible to lethal yellowing disease.
Firespike Odontonema strictum
6
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Small, showy, evergreen shrub with sparse, thick, upright branches, shiny, dark green leaves with wavy margins, and 9-12" upright panicles of brilliant red, tubular flowers in late summer to early winter. Tolerates all but most severe droughts. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Caution: Do not plant within 500 of native hardwood hammock in Miami-Dade County.6
Prickly-pear cactus * Opuntia spp.
0.5-30
Full sun
High
Many species, from tiny plants with tuberous roots to over 30' tall trees. Branches constricted, forming broad/flattened or cylindrical "joints." Most have sharp spines and small bristles. Flowers generally yellow or red, followed by edible fruits (prickly pears). Caution: O. aurantiaca is a federal- and state-listed invasive species (Burks, 2000).
Jacob's ladder Pedilanthus tithymaloides
6
Partial shade
High
Flowers insignificant; surrounded by showy, slipper-like red bracts. Zig-zag stems, with prominently keeled leaves. Well adapted to poor, dry soil. Variegated cultivars. Poisonous. Prune to avoid leggy appearance.
Selloum, tree philodendron * § Philodendron selloum
5-15
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Prostrate to upright trunks. Huge, deeply divided, dark green leaves. Called tree philodendron because it does not climb. Also known as P. bipinnatifidum.
Pittosporum * Pittosporum tobira
10-15
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Broad-leaved, evergreen shrub with bright green, glossy leaves (can be variegated) and clusters of small, white flowers that smell like orange blossoms. Moderate to fast grower.
Plumbago * Plumbago auriculata
3-6
Full sun
Low
See description in Table 1.
Podocarpus * Podocarpus macrophylla
5
Full sun to partial shade
None
Evergreen shrub or tree with needle-like leaves. Makes an excellent hedge. Bears small, bluish berries.
Aralias * Polyscias spp.
2-25
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Many species and cultivars used as shrubs, hedges and groundcovers. Foliage differs in form (usually compound), and can be variegated.
Elephant Bush Portulacaria afra
3 Full sun to partial shade High Grown for jade colored leaves and red stems. Rarely flowers in cultivation. Grow in gritty, freely draining soil. Provide good air circulation. Variegated form exists. Excellent for rock gardens. Bahama wild coffee § Psychotria ligustifolia
6-9 Partial to full shade
Low
Small, understory shrub with dull green leaves. Related to gardenia and similar in overall appearance. Flowers abundant over much of the year, followed by decorative red berries.
Wild coffee * † § Psychotria nervosa
6-9
Partial to full shade
Low
Small, native, understory shrub similar to P. ligustifolia, but with distinctive, glossy, dark green leaves with deeply impressed side veins.
Velvetleaf wild coffee † § Psychotria sulzneri
6-9
Partial to full shade
Low
Native small shrub similar in all respects to P. nervosa, but with velvety, deep blue-green foliage.
White indigoberry † Randia aculeata
1.5-10
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native shrub with no outstanding features. Fragrant flowers and white berries on female plants. Main attribute is ability to grow under adverse conditions.
Buckthorn Rhamnus spp.
15
Full sun
High
Deciduous plant with glossy, dark green, oval leaves up to 3" long. Insignificant green flowers followed by small fruit that change from red to black as they ripen. No outstanding landscape value, but well adapted to dry, infertile sites. Numerous spines make these plants useful as security screens.
Lady palm * § Rhapis excelsa
5-10
Partial to full shade
None
Small, densely clumping fan palm with numerous slender, dark brown trunks bearing distinctive fibers and leaf scar patterns. Small, deeply segmented, glossy, dark green leaves on thin, delicate petioles. Often used as shrub or potted plant. Rosemary * Rosemarinus officinalis
3
Full sun
High
Evergreen, woody shrub with aromatic, needle-like leaves and gray, scaly bark. Easy to propagate from cuttings. Widely used as herb or nontraditional medicine. Upright forms perform best in south Florida.
Firecracker plant * Russelia equisetiformis
2-4
Full sun
High
See description in Table 1.
Scrub palmetto * † Sabal etonia
3-5
Full sun
Moderate
Small, native, trunkless, solitary, shrub-like fan palm. Bears large clusters of small, purplish black fruit. Grows best in sandy soils.
Dwarf blue palmetto * † § Sabal minor
2-4
Partial shade
Moderate
Small, native, trunkless, shrub-like palm resembling S. etonia, but smaller and with bluish-green leaves. Can tolerate wet soils.
American elderberry † Sambucus canadensis
10-15
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Native bushy, multi-stemmed, wide-spreading shrub with deciduous, compound leaves. Tiny, star-shaped, white flowers followed by shiny, blue-black fruit. Provides colorful autumn display of yellows, oranges, and reds in south Florida. Branches brittle. Caution: Forms dense thickets by suckering from roots.
Inkberry † Scaevola plumieri
2-4
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native plant with succulent leaves. Insignificant, small, pink/white flowers. Spreads by underground stems. Well-suited to sandy soils at beach-front. Caution: Scaevola sericea (=S. taccada v. sericea, S. frutescens) is FLEPPC Category I invasive.5
Dwarf schefflera * Schefflera arboricola
6-15
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Many cultivars, some with variegated foliage. Used as specimen or informal hedge. Takes pruning well. Mealybugs and scales can be a problem. Caution: Schefflera actinophylla is FLEPPC Category I invasive5 and is prohibited in Miami-Dade County.
Candle bush * Senna alata
8
Full sun
Low
Large, pinnate leaves. Terminal, 6" yellow flower spikes appear in late summer and fall. Also known as Cassia alata. Caution: Senna pendula is often sold as Cassia bicapsularis and is FLEPPC Category I invasive.5
Desert senna Senna polyphylla
12
Full sun
Low
Small tree with a beautiful cascading habit. Prefers well-drained soil. Small, yellow flowers mostly in dry season. Caution: Senna pendula is FLEPPC Category I.5
Cassia * Senna spp.
5-15
Full sun
Low to Moderate
Spectacular flowering shrubs with yellow flowers. Several species available; once listed as Cassia, but all shrubs have been moved to Senna. Caution: Senna pendula is FLEPPC Category I.5
Saw palmetto * † § Serenoa repens
3-8
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native clumping fan palm with subterranean, prostrate, or upright trunks. One of the most abundant native palms in Florida. Green and silver forms available. Spreading tendency can be a problem when left uncontrolled. Petioles are heavily armed.
Necklace-pod * † Sophora tomentosa
6
Full sun
High
Large, densely branched, native shrub with natural rounded shape. Bears clusters of yellow flowers at tips of branches. Fast-growing and easily cultivated. Seeds poisonous.
Blue porterweed * † Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
1-3
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
See description in Table 1.
Pink porterweed * Stachytarpheta mutabilis
5-8
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
See description in Table 1.
White bird-of-paradise * § Strelitzia nicolae
8-20
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Named for the appearance of the spectacular flowers. Foliage dark green, banana-like. Drought tolerant once established.
Orange bird-of-paradise * § Strelitzia reginae
3-5
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Named for spectacular flowers. Foliage gray-green, fan-like. Drought tolerant once established. Scales can be a problem.
Marmalade plant Streptosolen jamesonii
6
Full sun
Low
Fast-growing, evergreen shrub grown for showy yellow to dark orange flowers produced winter to spring. Needs open, sunny site with excellent drainage. Sprawling growth benefits from support. Prune hard after flowering is complete.
Bay cedar † Suriana maritima
6-12
Full sun
High
Native, small-leaved, evergreen shrub or small tree. Clusters of small, leathery leaves and attractive, peeling bark. Will grow in sand or on bare rock. Good choice for ocean and beach-front sites.
African milkbush Synadenium grantii
16
Full sun
High
Large shrub to small tree. Fleshy leaves and stems, becoming woody with age. Showy clusters of red flowers. Milky latex is poisonous.
Cape honeysuckle Tecomaria capensis
2-10
Full sun to light shade
High
Sprawling, rampant, evergreen, sometimes vine-like shrub. Compound leaves with 5-7 toothed, diamond-shaped leaflets. Clusters of brilliant red-orange to scarlet, tubular flowers. Can be pruned to shrub, trained to espalier, or grown as vine or ground-cover. Requires well-drained soil.
Tetrazygia, West Indian lilac * † Tetrazygia bicolor
6-12 Full sun to light shade
Low
Extremely ornamental native shrub or small tree. Beautiful white and yellow flowers followed by purple-black berries, highly attractive to birds. Elegant, glossy, dark green foliage. Cannot be used as hedge because branches die when pruned.
Limeberry Triphasia trifolia
3-10
Full sun
Moderate
Small, glossy, trifoliate leaves. Fragrant, diminutive white flowers. Edible red berries. Well adapted to rocky, calcareous soil.
Walter's viburnum, black haw † Viburnum obovatum
12-30
Full sun to partial shade
Low
Native large shrub to small tree with attractive, pure white blossoms in spring, before leaves fully developed. Flowers followed by berries that turn from green to pink to red to purplish-black in the fall. Ideal as a hedge. Spanish bayonet * † Yucca aloifolia
5-20
Full sun or partial shade
High
Trunk-forming yucca with dangerously pointed, strap-like leaves. Trunks often topped with large, upright clusters of creamy white flowers. Spreads to form thicket.
Bear grass, Adam's needle † Yucca filamentosa
3-6
Full sun
High
Leaves resembling long green spears edged with white threads form basal rosette. White, bell-shaped flowers bloom in terminal spikes from mid to late summer.
Spineless yucca * Yucca elephantipes
12-15
Full sun
High
Attractive form. Leaves with soft spines. Showy, white, fragrant blooms. Requires freely draining soil.
Spanish dagger Yucca gloriosa
3-4
Full sun
High
Stout, erect stem bears tufted crown of stiff, spear-like, gray-green to green leaves. White, bell-shaped flowers in long, terminal spikes--summer through fall. Caution: Leaves bear dangerously sharp pointed tips.
Cycad * Zamia amblyphyllidea
3-4
Partial shade
High
Mounding, clumping cycad with elegant leaves to 4' and bearing wide, paddle-shaped leaflets. Requires well-drained soil.
Florida coontie * † Zamia floridana
1-5
Full sun to shade High
Florida's only native cycad. Host for rare atala hairstreak butterfly. Comes in a variety of sizes, narrow to wide leaflets. Separate male and female plants; both bear reddish-brown cones; male cone small, elongate; female cone larger and wider. Also known as Z. pumila, Z. integrifolia, Z. sylvatica, Z. umbrosa. Requires well-drained soil.
Cardboard "palm" Zamia maritima
3-6
Full sun to partial shade
High Medium sized cycad with broad, stiff, carboard-like leaflets. Commonly planted in south Florida as shrubs, specimen plants, or in large planters. Name recently changed from Z. furfuracea. Can be weedy if both male and female plants are in the same vicinity. Requires well-drained soil.
5 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) defines Category I invasive plants as those plants that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives; FLEPPC Category II plants are those that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.
6 Miami-Dade County restricts certain species from being planted within 500 feet the native habitats that they are known to invade; these plants are allowed to be planted in home landscapes as long as they are more than 500 feet from the designated native habitat(s).
Table 4. Low-Maintenance Flowering and Shade Trees, listed by category in alphabetical order by scientific name. (Note: * indicates plants commonly available in nurseries and/or garden centers in south Florida; † indicates Florida native plants; § indicates plants that can tolerate wet soils or occasional flooding.)
Common name
Size
Light
Salt tolerance
Comments
Scientific name
(feet)
preference
Spineless acacia, cinnecord † Acacia choriophylla
30
Full sun
High
Native tree with dense, rounded crown, long, bipinnate leaves, and tiny yellow to golden "pom-pom-like" inflorescences. Also known as A. choriophylloides.
Sweet acacia * † Acacia farnesiana
15
Full sun
High
Small native tree with sweet-smelling, yellow, "pom-pom-like" inflorescences. Needs good drainage. Caution: Earleaf acacia, A. auriculiformis, is FLEPPC Category I.5
Pineland acacia † Acacia pinetorum
4-12 Full sun
High
Dwarf, native, spiny shrub with delicate, gray to gray-green, bipinnate leaves and round, "pom-pom-like" inflorescences. Flowers have strong, sweet fragrance.
Blue acacia Acacia sayel
35
Full sun
High
Medium-sized tree with bluish/silver, bipinnate leaves, reddish bark, and slightly fragrant yellow "pom-pom-like" inflorescences produced throughout the year.
Baobab Adansonia digitata
70
Full sun
Low
Strange African tree with massive trunk shaped like a bottle that is used to store water during dry periods. Deciduous in dry season. Large, white flowers hang on long stalks; open at night; bat-pollinated. When pollinated, produce large, football shaped (and sized), velvety seed pods. Not suitable for small lot.
Marlberry † Ardisia escallonioides
5-20
Partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Strongback † Bourreria succulenta
30
Full sun to partial shade
High
Native, rapidly growing, evergreen tree. Many small white flowers. Orange berries attract birds. Name commonly mistaken as "strongbark".
Black olive * Bucida buceras
30-40
Full sun to partial shade
High
Widely used as a shade tree. Fruit stains masonry. Leaves can be disfigured by mites, and caterpillars can be a nuisance. Roots not as invasive as many other trees.
Gumbo limbo * † Bursera simaruba
20-50
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
Grown for attractive, peeling, bronze bark and appealing form. Cuttings take easily but are weak rooted. Not a strong tree. Flame of the forest Butea monosperma
50
Full sun
High
Large, tropical, deciduous tree with large, 3-lobed, pinnate leaves. Crooked, sinuous trunk with gray bark. Spectacular, vivid reddish-orange to red flowers shaped like a claw or parrotbeak. Bluish-green, 5" long pods follow flowers.
Locust-berry † Byrsonima lucida
3-30
Full sun to partial shade
Moderate
See description in Table 3.
Spicewood † Calyptranthes pallens
5-25
Partial Shade
Moderate
See description in Table 3.
Cinnamon bark † Canella winterana
10-30 Full sun to light shade
High
Small, slow-growing native tree with a dense, broad crown; thick, aromatic leaves; fragrant, purplish flowers; and red berries. Flower aroma resembles daffodils; inner bark aroma resembles cinnamon. All parts poisonous, except berries. Requires well-drained site and protection from cold. Also known as C. alba.
Ceylon senna, red cassia Cassia roxburghii
20-30
Full sun
Low
Fairly large "shower" tree with feather-like, pinnately compound leaves and twigs covered with fine, soft hairs. Produces clusters of pink, rose, or orange flowers in late spring and summer. 'Golden' and 'Apple blossom' cassias very similar, differing primarily in flower color.
Floss silk tree * Chorisia speciosa
30-60
Full sun
Low
Awkwardly branched tree with 5-lobed leaves and swollen, spiny trunk. Drops leaves just prior to flowering. Flowers are large, pink to white, and produce a spectacular display. Not suitable for small lots. Satinleaf * Chrysophyllum oliviforme
30
Full sun
Moderate
Very attractive native tree. Tops of leaves glossy, vivid green; underside covered with soft, coppery brown hairs. Can be difficult to establish.
Fiddlewood † Citharexylem spinosum
12-30 Full sun to partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Pigeon plum * † Coccoloba diversifolia
5-30
Full sun to partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Sea grape * † Coccoloba uvifera
5
Full sun
High
See description in Table 3.
Coffee colubrina † Colubrina arborescens
20
Full sun to light shade
High
See description in Table 3. Buttonwood * † Conocarpus eretus
5-50
Full sun to partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Mexican calabash Crescentia alata
30
Full sun
Moderate
Large lobed leaves. Insignificant flowers. Interesting form and fruits. Rough bark makes a good support for orchids. Royal poinciana * Delonix regia
20-30
Full sun
Moderate
Large savanna-type tree with bipinnately compound leaves and brilliant red/yellow flowers in late spring. Requires plenty of room and freely draining site. Deciduous during winter. Roots can lift sidewalk. Limbs prone to break in storms. Sometimes called flamboyant tree.
Coral tree, tiger claw * Erythrina variegata
60-80
Full sun
Low
Broad, spreading, deciduous tree with many stout branches armed with black spines. Leaves large, and may be variegated green and yellow. Spectacular display of bright crimson flowers in dense clusters late winter or early spring.
Coral bean tree * † Erythirina herbacea
3-15
Full sun
Low
See description in Table 3.
White stopper * † Eugenia axillaris
5-20
Full sun to dense shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Redberry stopper † Eugenia confusa
6-18
Full sun to partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Spanish stopper * † Eugenia foetida
18-36
Full sun to shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Red stopper † Eugenia rhombea
9
Full sun to shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Shortleaf fig † Ficus citrifolia
25-50
Full sun to partial shade
Unknown
Medium-sized, fast-growing, attractive, native ficus tree. Lacks aerial roots, but still requires adequate room for root development. Also known as wild banyan tree.
Fern tree Filicium decipiens
20-35
Sun or Shade
None
Striking, albeit slow-growing, evergreen ornamental with dense, rounded crown. Small, white flowers. Compound leaves resemble fern fronds. Purple, olive-like fruit in clusters. Often two or three trunks.
Lignum vitae Guaiacum officinale
10-30
Full sun
High
See description in Table 3.
Lignum vitae * † Guaiacum sanctum
6-25 Full sun
High
See description in Table 3.
Longleaf blolly † Guapira discolor
30
Full sun to light shade
High
Attractive native shade tree, especially for beach-front. Hardy and adaptable. Greenish flowers insignificant. Female trees bear small, red berries.
Krug holly * † § Ilex krugiana
30
Partial shade
High
Native tropical holly with glossy foliage and black fruits. Well adapted to south Florida. Small, reddish berries ripen to black.
Jacaranda * Jacaranda mimosifolia
30-50
Full sun
None
Outstanding, showy, lavender-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring, followed by lacy, fern-like foliage. Will succeed on poor soils if freely draining. Can be susceptible to root rot. Roots can lift sidewalk and wood may break in storms.
Chinese juniper Juniperus chinensis
2
Full sun
Low-Moderate
See description in Table 3.
Black ironwood † Krudiodendrum ferreum
30
Full sun to light shade
Low
Native evergreen tree with dark, emerald green, glossy leaves and small black berries. Narrow crown allows it to be planted in tight spaces.
Wild tamarind * † Lysiloma latisiliquum
40-60
Full Sun
Moderate
Attractive native, fast-growing tree, providing broken shade. Bipinnately compound leaves and small, white/pink, "pom-pom-like" inflorescences, followed by long, brown seed pods.
Horseradish tree Moringa oleifera
25
Full sun
Low
Attractive panicles of fragrant, cream-colored flowers, particularly when climate is dry. With prolonged drought, can lose leaves, but recovers. Needs good drainage.
Simpson's stopper * † Myrcianthes fragrans
6-20
Full sun to partial shade
High
See description in Table 3.
Wax myrtle * † Myrica cerifera
10-25
Full sun to partial shade
Low
See description in Table 3.
Fried egg tree Oncoba spinosa
10-25 Full sun
Moderate
Spiny shrub or small tree. Finely serrated, dark green leaves. Prominent, sharp 1-2" spines. Showy 3" flowers with white petals surrounding prominent array of bright yellow stamens and bearing melon like fragrance. Large, hard-shelled berries.
Allspice * Pimenta dioica
40
Full sun
Low
Attractive, peeling bark and edible fruit. Glossy, deep green, oblong to elliptical leaves with prominent veins on undersides. Crushed foliage has clove-like scent.
Slash pine * Pinus elliottii var. densa
30-60
Full sun
Moderate
South Florida's only native pine. Difficult to establish. Best when planted in a group. Will not survive compacted soil. Borers and rust can be problems.
Jamaican dogwood † Piscidia piscipula
30-50
Full sun
High
Attractive, deciduous, native tree with dark green leaves and masses of white flowers prior to leafing out in spring. Poisonous.
Rusty pittosporum Pittosporum ferrugineum
20
Full sun
Moderate
Insignificant flowers, but colorful orange berries. Relatively pest- and disease-free.
Frangipani, plumeria * Plumeria spp.
25-40
Full sun
High
Unusual form and very showy, fragrant flowers. Good for sheltered coastal locations away from beach-front. Roots brittle. Larger trees more difficult to install. Leaves prone to rust (fungus) during wet season.
Podocarpus * Podocarpus macrophylla
5
Full sun to partial shade
None
See description in Table 3.
Live oak * † Quercus virginiana
40-50
Full sun
High
Impressive, undemanding, native tree--but not for small lots. Caterpillars, insect galls, and root rot sometimes problems.
Rain tree Samanea saman
30-40
Full
Low
Impressive tropical tree resembling live oak in form but faster growing. Attractive pink flowers with prominent red stamens, mostly spring to summer, followed by seed pods. Needs plenty of space for extensive roots; not for small lots.
Soapberry † Sapindus saponaria
20-60
Full sun
High