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Selected Shrubs for North Florida 1
Robert J. Black2Ornamental shrubs are an important part of the home landscape. Florida homeowners can select from a large variety of available plants. Homeowners and landscape designers must be aware of basic shrub characteristics to make wise selections. Each plant or plant group must serve a useful purpose to achieve a well-designed landscape.
Homeowners often select plants with bright flowers or unusual foliage. Only a limited number of unusual or accent plants can be used effectively in the landscape and their location must be skillfully planned. Develop a complete landscape plan before purchasing the plants.
Shrubs are selected on the basis of height, plant form, foliage characteristics, flower color, season of bloom and adaptation to the planting site. Knowledge of these characteristics allows the designer or homeowner to choose proper plant materials to create the desired landscape. Shrub growth habit is quite variable and can be categorized as broad spreading, spreading, globose, upright spreading, upright or columnar. Foliage characteristics and branching habit determine shrub texture. Flowering shrubs can be selected to provide color during all seasons in selected areas of the landscape. Knowledge of flower color and season of bloom help eliminate incompatible color combinations.
Shrubs are evaluated by their adaptability to the environmental conditions of the landscape site. Environmental conditions include the amount of sunlight (full sun, partial shade or shade) and tolerance to salt spray, particularly in coastal areas. Soil characteristics of the site may restrict shrub selection. Some shrubs are tolerant of poorly drained soils while others grow best in dry, sandy soils.
Some plants in retail outlets may be rated according to grades and standards established by the Florida Department of Plant Industries. Ranked from best to poorest quality, these classifications are: Florida Fancy, Florida No. 1, and Florida No. 2. The lower the grade, the less likely plants will be acceptable.
Because most plants are not rated, they should be inspected closely before purchase. Shrubs with an unhealthy appearance or with weak or poorly formed branches should not be purchased, because they usually develop into "leggy" plants. Each plant should be examined for insects, diseases, and mechanical damage such as scarred, cracked, or peeling trunks and branches. Abnormally small or yellow leaves indicate either nutritional disorders, weak root systems, or improper production or shipping procedures.
The root systems of container-grown plants should be well established but not root bound. Roots should be distributed throughout the soil medium and should not protrude outside the container or penetrate into the ground. The soil ball of balled and burlapped (B & B) plants should be intact and moist.
North Florida includes the area from Pensacola to Jacksonville and south to Ocala. These are general guidelines and microclimatic factors of given locations may vary.
Tables 1-3 list selected shrubs by size for north Florida. Space does not allow including all shrubs that could be grown in north Florida. The scientific name, common name, growth habit, estimate of common height, flower color and season, light requirements, soil type preference, degree of salt tolerance, and other comments of interest are included. Cultivars of some plant species listed here may differ in growth habit, flower color, foliage characteristics and/or size. This information should help homeowners and landscape horticulturists select appropriate shrubs for specific purposes and locations in their landscapes.
Table 1. Selected list of small shrubs
Table 2. Selected list of medium shrubs
Table 3. Selected list of large shrubs
Tables
Table 1. Selected list of small shrubs to use in north Florida (from Pensacola to Jacksonville, south to Ocala).
Scientific Name Common Name
Growth Habit
Height in feet
Flower Color
Flower Season
Light Requirement
Soil Type
Abelia grandiflora 'Sherwoodii' Sherwood abelia
Spreading, compact
3
White
Summer
Full sun, shifting shade
Fertile, moist Comments: Leaves and flowers also smaller than A. grandiflora.
Buxus microphylla Japanese boxwood
Globose, compact 3-4
Inconspicuous
--- Partial shade, shade Fertile, acid Comments: Tolerates shearing. Nematodes, mites and leaf miners are problems.
Euonymus fortunei Creeping euonymus
Broad, spreading, densely branched
1-2
Inconspicuous
--- Sun, shade Variety Comments: Many cultivars are available; most are variegated. Tolerant of salt spray.
Gardenia augusta 'Radicans' Prostrate gardenia
Spreading, compact
1-2
White
Spring
Partial shade
Fertile, acid
Comments: Susceptible to nematodes, white fly and sooty mold.
Ilex crenata 'Helleri' Dwarf Japanese holly
Spreading, compact
2-3
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: 'Convexa' is another dwarf cultivar.
Ilex cornuta 'Rotunda' Dwarf Chinese holly
Spreading, compact
2-4
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Multi-spined leaves; best in groups.
Ilex vomitoria 'Nana' Dwarf Yaupon holly
Spreading, compact
3-4
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, shade Variety Comments: Other cultivars include 'Stokes Dwarf' and 'Schellings.' Tolerant of salt spray.
Juniperus chinensis Chinese juniper
Spreading
2-3
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Cultivars include 'Parsonii', 'Parsonii Variegata' and 'Aureovariegata.' Moderately tolerant of salt spray.
Juniperus conferta Shore juniper
Broad, spreading
1-2
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Superior cultivars include 'Blue Pacific' and 'Compacta.' Moderately tolerant of salt spray.
Juniperus horizontalis Spreading juniper
Broad, spreading
1-1.25
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Cultivars include 'Bar Harbor', 'Wiltonii', 'Plumosa' and 'Douglasii.' Moderately tolerant of salt spray.
Lagerstroemia indica Dwarf crape myrtle
Spreading
4
Variable Summer
Full sun Variety Comments: Cultivars include 'Petite Snow', 'Petite Pinkie', 'Low Flame' and 'Dwarf Purple.'
Mahonia fortunei Fortune's mahonia
Upright, multi-stems
3-4
Yellow
Early spring
Partial shade Well-drained Comments: Thick mounded shrub. Good as specimen or accent.
Rhododendron obtusum Kurume hybrid azalea
Spreading
4
Variable
Spring
Partial shade Acid Comments: Variety of colors and growth habits.
Serissa foetida Serissa
Spreading
2
White
Warm season
Partial shade Fertile, moist Comments: Used as edging and foundation plant.
Yucca smalliana Adam's needle
Rosette, no trunk
2-3
White
Summer
Full sun, partial shade Well-drained Comments: Best used in groups; very similar to Y. filamentosa. Tolerant of salt spray.
Table 2. Selected list of medium shrubs to use in north Florida (from Pensacola to Jacksonville, south to Ocala).
Scientific Name Common Name
Growth Habit
Height in feet
Flower Color
Flower Season
Light Requirement
Soil Type
Abelia grandiflora Glossy abelia
Spreading 5-6
White
Summer Full sun, partial shade Fertile, moist Comments: Aggressive. Good for hedges.
Aucuba japonica Aucuba
Upright 5-6
Inconspicuous
--- Shade Fertile, organic Comments: Multi-stemmed. Variegated cultivars available.
Berberis julianae Wintergreen barberry
Spreading, dense 5-6
Yellow
Spring Full sun, partial shade Clay loam Comments: Black fruit; sharp spines. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Berberis mentorensis Mentor barberry
Upright, spreading
5-6
Yellow
Spring Full sun, partial shade Fertile Comments: Good for hedges. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry
Spreading, densely foliated
6
Yellow
Spring Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Good clipped hedge. Red-leaved cultivars are available. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Callicarpa americana Beauty berry
Spreading, compact
5-6
Lilac
Spring Partial shade Fertile, moist Comments: Showy magenta fruit in autumn. Variety alba has white fruit.
Cephalotaxus harringtonia Japanese plum-yew
Upright
5-6
Inconspicuous
--- Shade Fertile, moist Comments: Slow grower. Good for northern exposure.
Fatsia japonica Fatsia
Upright
5-6
Inconspicuous
--- Partial shade Fertile, acid Comments: Does well in landscape containers. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Gardenia augusta Gardenia
Spreading, compact
5-6
White
Spring Partial shade Fertile, acid Comments: Susceptible to nematodes, white fly and sooty mold. Showy spring color.
Hydrangea macrophylla French hydrangea
Spreading
5-6
Blue to pink
Late spring Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Semi-evergreen in Florida. Flower color varies with soil pH.
Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf hydrangea
Spreading
5-6
White turning purplish
Summer Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Deciduous, with large leaves. Good for wooded areas.
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Compacta' Dwarf burford holly
Spreading
5-6
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Not readily infested by scale insects.
Ilex crenata Japanese holly
Spreading
5-6
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Popular cultivars include 'Hetzii' and 'Rotundifolia.'
Jasminum mesnyi Primrose jasmine
Broad, spreading, creeper
5-6
Yellow
Late winter Full sun Variety Comments: Mounding growth habit.
Juniperus chinensis Chinese juniper
Spreading
6-8
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Varieties include 'Pfitzeriana', 'Hetzii', 'Blue Vase' and 'Armstrongii.' Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Leucophyllum frutescens Texas sage
Spreading, compact
5-6
Lavender
Summer Full sun Well-drained, sandy Comments: Good for hot, dry locations. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Loropetalum chinense Loropetalum
Spreading, compact
6-8
Cream to yellow
Spring Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Horizontal branching. Needs frequent watering.
Mahonia bealei Leatherleaf mahonia
Upright, clumping
5-6
Yellow
Early spring Partial shade Well-drained Comments: Used as specimen and in foundation plantings. Attractive grape-like fruit.
Mahonia lomariifolia Chinese holly-grape
Upright, multi-stems
6-8
Yellow
Early spring Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Interesting specimen with trunk and fruit character.
Myrtus communis Myrtle
Spreading, open
4-6
White
Spring Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: 'Microphylla' is superior selection.
Photonia glabra Redtip photinia
Upright, open
6-8
White
Spring Full sun Fertile Comments: Young foliage is red. P. x fraseri is an excellent hybrid.
Rhaphiolepis indica Indian hawthorn
Spreading, open
5
White or rose-pink
Spring Full sun, partial shade Fertile, acid Comments: Excellent seaside plant. Very salt spray tolerant.
Rhododendron spp. Native azaleas
Spreading
5-6
Variable
Spring Partial shade Fertile, acid, well-drained Comments: Deciduous. R. austrinum (yellowish), R. canescens (white to pink), R. chapmanii (pink).
Rhododendron simsii Indian hybrid azaleas
Spreading
6-8
Variable
Spring Partial shade Fertile, acid, well-drained Comments: Evergreen.
Spiraea cantoniensis Reeves spirea
Spreading
5-6
White
Spring Full sun Fertile Comments: Excellent border plant.
Spiraea thunbergii Thunberg spirea
Spreading
5-6
White
Spring Partial shade, full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Excellent border or informal hedge plant.
Tetrapanax papyriferus Rice-paper plant
Upright
8
Creamy white
Winter Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Produces suckers. Is susceptible to frost.
Viburnum suspensum Sandankwa viburnum
Spreading
6-8
White
Spring Full sun, shade Fertile Comments: Easily maintained at smaller sizes.
Viburnum tinus Laurestinus
Columnar
6-8
White to pinkish
Late winter Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Good background plant or screen.
Yucca gloriosa Spanish dagger
Upright
6-8
White
Summer Full sun Well-drained Comments: Good for hot, dry locations. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Table 3. Selected list of large shrubs to use in north Florida (from Pensacola to Jacksonville, south to Ocala).
Scientific Name Common Name
Growth Habit
Height in feet
Flower Color
Flower Season
Light Requirement
Soil Type
Callistemon citrinus Lemon bottle brush
Upright, spreading
10-15
Red
Late spring Full sun Well-drained Comments: Good specimen or accent plant. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Callistemon rigidus Bottle-brush
Upright, spreading
8-10
Red
Late spring Full sun Well-drained Comments: Leaves are quite stiff. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Camellia japonica Camellia
Upright, spreading
10-12
Variable
Winter Partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Many cultivars available.
Camellia sasanqua Sasanqua
Upright, spreading
10-12
Variable
Winter Partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Many cultivars available.
Cocculus laurifolius Cocculus
Spreading, weeping
12-15
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: May be injured by cold. Coarse textured.
Euonymus japonica Japanese euonymus
Spreading
8
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Many cultivars with variegation. Tolerates heavy pruning. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Acca sellowiana Pineapple guava
Spreading, compact
8-10
White with red stamens
Spring Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Edible fruit. Good clipped hedge. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Fortunella japonica Kumquat
Spreading
12-15
White
Spring Full sun Variety Comments: Attractive, fragrant, edible fruit. Very salt spray tolerant.
Ilex cornuta Chinese holly
Spreading
12-15
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Well-drained, acid Comments: Scarlet or red berries. Good cut foliage. 'Burfordii' is a popular cultivar.
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon holly
Spreading
12-15
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, shade Variety Comments: Excellent large shrub. Very salt spray tolerant.
Illicium parviflorum Anise
Spreading, compact
8-10
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, shade Variety Comments: Easily maintained to smaller size. Crushed foliage is fragrant.
Juniperus chinensis Chinese juniper
Columnar
12-15
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile, well-drained Comments: Cultivars include 'Sylvestris' and 'Torulosa.' Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Lagerstroemia indica Crape myrtle
Upright, spreading
12-15
White, pink, red or purple
Summer Full sun Variety Comments: Deciduous. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet
Upright, spreading
10-12
White
Spring Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Fragrant flowers. Excellent screen or barrier.
Michelia figo Banana shrub
Spreading, compact
12-15
Yellow
Spring Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Flowers have banana-like fragrance. Scale insects are a problem.
Myrica cerifera Southern wax myrtle
Upright, spreading, clumping
12-15
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Excellent, vigorous growing, hardy plant. Very salt spray tolerant.
Nerium oleander Oleander
Upright
12-15
Red, pink, cream or white
Summer Full sun Variety Comments: Showy flowers. Excellent seaside shrub; very salt spray tolerant.
Osmanthus x fortunei Fortune's osmanthus
Upright, spreading, open
8-10
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Foliage clustered at tips.
Osmanthus fragrans Sweet osmanthus
Upright, spreading, open
12-15
White
Winter Full sun, partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Fragrant flowers.
Osmanthus heterophyllus Holly osmanthus
Upright, spreading, open
8-10
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Fragrant flowers. Variegated cultivars include 'Aureus' and 'Variegatus.'
Photinia serrulata Chinese photinia
Upright, spreading
15-20
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Fertile Comments: Flowers have unpleasant odor.
Pittosporum tobira Pittosporum
Spreading, compact
8-10
White
Spring Full sun, shade Fertile, acid Comments: Easily maintained at smaller sizes. Variegated selections available. Very salt spray tolerant.
Platycladus orientalis (Thuja orientalis) Oriental arborvitae
Globose, densely foliated
15-20
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun Variety Comments: Often misused. Not a foundation plant.
Podocarpus macrophyllus Yew podocarpus
Upright, compact
20-25
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, shade Variety Comments: Easily maintained at smaller size. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Podocarpus nagi Nagi podocarpus
Upright
20-25
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, shade Variety Comments: Strong accent plant. Good cut foliage. Moderately salt spray tolerant.
Prunus caroliniana Cherry laurel
Spreading
20-25
White
Spring Shade Fertile Comments: Easily trained to small tree or clipped hedge. Messy fruit.
Pyracantha coccinea Firethorn
Spreading
15-20
White
Spring Full sun Variety Comments: Often trained as espalier. Fruit in fall.
Taxus floridana Florida yew
Upright, spreading
8-10
Inconspicuous
--- Partial shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Used as topiary, hedge or specimen. Florida native.
Ternstroemia gymnanthera Japanese cleyera
Upright
12-15
White
Partial shade, shade Fertile, well-drained Comments: Reddish midribs in leaves. Commonly used as clipped hedges.
Viburnum odoratissimum Sweet viburnum
Spreading, dense
15-20
White
Spring Full sun Variety Comments: Not a foundation plant. Regular pruning required.
Xylosma spp. Xylosma
Spreading
15-20
Inconspicuous
--- Full sun, partial shade Variety Comments: Used as specimen or patio plant.
Yucca aloifolia Spanish bayonet
Upright, clumping
12-15
White
Summer Full sun, shade Well-drained Comments: Accent plant. Excellent seaside plant; very salt spray tolerant.
Yucca elephantipes Spineless yucca
Upright
15-20
White
Summer Full sun, shade Well-drained Comments: Tallest yucca. Good specimen or framing plant in large area. Very salt spray tolerant.
Footnotes
1. This document is Circular 500, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First printed in 1981 and reviewed and revised regularly, most recently in May 1999 and October 2003. Please visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Robert J. Black, professor emeritus, consumer horticulture specialist, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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