Selected Shrubs for North Florida¹

Robert J. Black²

Ornamental 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

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.

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. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

Selected Shrubs for North Florida1

Tables

Footnotes

Selected Shrubs for North Florida¹