Gardening with Perennials in Florida1
Sydney Park Brown2
Perennials with colorful flowers or foliage can provide color in your landscape during every season of the year (Figure 1). Once established, these plants typically require less maintenance than annuals and they have the advantage of being a more permanent part of your landscape.
A cottage garden of perennials and annuals
Credit:
UF
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Perennials are plants that grow indefinitely. The shrubs and trees that comprise our landscapes are perennials, but these are referred to as woody perennials. The plants discussed here are herbaceous perennials–plants with little or no woody tissue. However, under the continuous growing conditions of South Florida, some herbaceous perennials become woody shrubs. Likewise, plants that are normally woody shrubs in South Florida behave as herbaceous perennials in North Florida, where they are killed to the ground each winter. Plants that grow from bulbs, corms, tubers, or other types of underground storage systems are also herbaceous perennials.
Selection and Use
The perennials listed in Table 1 are good performers in Florida gardens or in containers. Many other perennials exist, but they may not be suited to Florida's climate and soils.
Some perennials are used to best advantage when they are planted in masses (Figure 2). The bold displays of color they provide are much more pleasing than individual plants placed here and there. Evergreen and flowering shrubs provide a beautiful backdrop for masses of small perennials, whereas large-growing perennials can be used as specimen plants.
Bulbine massed in bed
Credit:
UF
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Note the mature size of each perennial you select. Most large-growing perennials can be maintained as a smaller plant, but it may require frequent pruning to keep them that way. Is the perennial tender or hardy to cold? Tender perennials need cold protection during frosts or freezes; some dieback and return from the roots. How much sunlight does it require? When does it flower? Ideally, a garden should have a succession of blooms throughout the year.
When designing a bed, think of plant form and texture (Figure 3). Pleasing foliage combinations (clumping with upright forms; delicate with bold textures) give the garden interest long after the flowers are gone.
The bold foliage of leopard plant provides an interesting contrast with other leaf textures.
Credit:
UF
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Flower and foliage color is another important design consideration. "Warm" colors, such as orange, red, and yellow, should be grouped together and segregated from "cool" hues and pastels. White, blue, silver/gray, and green go with everything and can be used as transition colors in the garden (Figure 4). Repetition of color and form pulls the eye through the garden and provides a pleasing cohesiveness.
The white flowers and bracts of 'Diamond Frost' Euphorbia provide a nice transition.
Credit:
UF
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Consider all these factors when determining how and where plants should be used in the landscape or perennial garden. Inexperienced perennial growers may find it challenging to design a garden. Luckily, most perennials transplant easily, and beds can be rearranged if needed.
Planting and Care
The most important step in establishing perennials is preparing the planting bed. Because most perennials remain in the bed for several years without being divided or moved, proper soil preparation is essential.
Sandy soils should be amended with organic matter, such as manure, peat, or compost. Apply several inches of organic matter to the soil surface and work into the top 10 to12 inches. A soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is recommended. Many county Extension offices test soil and make pH recommendations or soil samples can be sent to the University of Florida/IFAS (UF/IFAS) soil testing lab in Gainesville (http://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/SoilLabBrochure.pdf).
Space the plants in the bed to allow for their future growth and for cultivation between them. Plant them in the soil so that the top of the root ball is slightly above the ground line. Mulch heavily, at least 2 to 3 inches, with an organic mulch, such as leaves, pine straw, or wood chips. A thick mulch conserves moisture, insulates roots from heat and cold, and discourages weeds. Do not allow the mulch to touch the base of the plants and reapply it as needed.
Most perennials require little maintenance other than occasional pruning and fertilizing. Timing of fertilizer applications and amounts may vary with different plants and parts of the state. Let the appearance and growth rate of the plant guide you. Many perennials require little or no fertilizer once established; others benefit from one to four light applications of fertilizer per growing season. A general purpose landscape fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen and potassium and low to no phosphorus (such as 15-0-15) is recommended. Controlled-release fertilizers, such as Osmocote®, Dynamite®, and other products, release nutrients over time and can provide excellent results. Occasional pruning may be needed to remove dead flower spikes or unsightly leaves, or to reduce the size of the plant (Figure 5). Some perennials become top-heavy when in bloom and need to be staked.
Pruning spent flowers (deadheading) keeps perennials blooming.
Credit:
UF
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Propagation
The propagation method for each perennial is listed in Table 1. Division is the quickest and easiest method of multiplying some clumping perennials. Simply dig the plants and shake off the soil. It will be apparent where to separate the plants into smaller units having roots and leaves. The best time to divide plants is after the blooming season or during milder times of the year. Perennials that are frozen back to the ground can be lifted, divided, and reset at that time with good results. Some perennials are easily grown from seed or cuttings as well. Spring and summer are the appropriate seasons for these forms of propagation.
Pests and Diseases
Although the plants listed here are relatively pest free, perennials should be inspected frequently for insects and diseases. If pests are detected early enough, they can be managed before much damage occurs. Many pest problems can be eliminated by simply hand-picking the insects or infected leaves. For severe infestations, chemical control may be needed.
Perennials can also be damaged by microscopic, worm-like parasites called nematodes which live in soil and feed on plant roots. Severely infested beds should be treated and replanted with new plants. For information on nematodes, insects, and diseases, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office (http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/).
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the following for their review of this publication and their contributions: Dr. Gary Knox, UF/IFAS Horticulture professor and state Extension specialist, and Terry Brite Delvalle, horticulture agent, UF/IFAS Extension Duval Extension.
References
Park Brown, S., and R. Schoellhorn. 2006. Your Florida Guide to Perennials. Gainesville: University Press of Florida.
Tables
Useful information for selecting and growing glowering perennials in Florida
Name |
Zones |
Growth habit |
Common height |
Flower color/ Season |
Light conditions |
Soil type |
Salt-spray tolerant |
Cold hardy* |
Method of propagation |
African Iris (Dietes spp.) |
N, C, S |
Clumping |
3' |
White, yellow/Year-round |
Sun, light shade |
Wide range, drought tolerant |
No |
Hardy |
Division |
Use/Comments: Background, bedding. |
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Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis) |
C, S |
Groundcover |
6-10" |
Yellow/ Year-round |
Sun |
Well drained, wide range, very drought tolerant |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Groundcover, wildflower garden, attracts butterflies. Florida native. Does not usually overwinter in north Florida, but reseeds. |
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Begonia, Hardy Begonia (Begonia spp.) |
N, C, S |
Upright, rounded, or groundcover |
Varies |
White, pinks, reds/ Winter, spring, some year-round |
Light to full shade |
Moist, organic |
No |
Tender |
Stem or leaf cuttings, division |
Use/Comments: Hosta replacement in the shade garden, best in Central to South Florida. Best performers are 'Cane', 'Angel Wing', and rhizomatous types (other than 'Rex'). Wax begonias (B. semperflorens) are normally treated as annuals, although they can be long-lived in Central and South FL. |
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Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica) (syn. Belamcanda chinensis) |
N, C, S |
Upright |
3' |
Orange-red/ June-October |
Sun |
Wide range, drought tolerant |
No |
Hardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Background, massing. Iris-like foliage. |
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Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) |
N,C, S |
Rounded, clumping |
6-12” |
Yellow/Summer, fall |
Sun |
Well-drained |
Low |
Tender |
Seed, division, cuttings |
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomerata 'Blue Daze') |
N, C, S |
Spreading |
1-2' |
Blue/ Year-round |
Sun |
Wide range |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Mass plantings, groundcover. Often suffers from a leaf fungal disease in summer. May not survive a hard freeze in North FL. |
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Blue Sage (Eranthemum pulchellum) |
C, S |
Upright |
3-5' |
Deep blue/ Winter |
Light to full shade |
Well-drained |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background, massing. Prune back after flowering. |
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Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) |
C, S |
Clumping |
1-2' |
Orange, yellow/ Spring, summer |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
Yes |
Hardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Groundcover, container. 'Hallmark' is a sterile cultivar. May behave as perennial in some areas of north Florida. |
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Bush Daisy, African Bush Daisy (Euryops pectinatus) |
C, S |
Erect, bushy |
2-3' |
Yellow/Spring, summer, fall |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, wide range, somewhat drought tolerant |
Yes |
Semihardy |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Massing, midborder, attracts butterflies. |
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Cat's Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus) |
C, S |
Upright |
2-3' |
White, pale lavender/ Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Moist, fertile, organic |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Midborder, accent plant, attracts butterflies/hummingbirds. |
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Chrysanthemum, Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum grandiflora) |
N, C |
Spreading |
1-2' |
Many colors/Fall-spring |
Sun |
Fertile, well drained |
No |
Hardy |
Cuttings, division |
Use/Comments: Bedding. Pinch once or twice until August 15 to induce branching. |
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Cigar Flower (Cuphea micropetala) |
N, C |
Upright |
3-4' |
Yellow, orange/Fall |
Sun |
Drought tolerant |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Bedding, attracts hummingbirds. |
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Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) |
N, C, S |
Clumping |
1-3' |
Many colors/March-June |
Sun, shifting shade |
Wide range, drought tolerant |
Yes |
Semihardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Background, border plantings, massing. |
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Baby Breath Euphorbia (Euphorbia hypericifolia) |
C, S |
Spreading |
1-3’ |
White/Nearly year-round |
Sun |
Wide range, drought tolerant |
No |
Semihardy |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Produces clouds of airy white flowers nearly year-round. A low-maintenance and heat-tolerant plant. Short-lived (3 years) in North Florida. Cultivars include ‘Diamond Frost’, ‘Hip Hop’, ‘Breathless’, White Manaus’ and others. |
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Use/Comments: Back of border, accent plant, attracts butterflies/hummingbirds. Florida native. |
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Firecracker Plant, Coral Plant (Russelia equisetiformis) |
C, S |
Rounded/weeping |
3' |
Red, pale yellow, coral/Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, somewhat drought tolerant |
Yes |
Tender |
Division, tip cuttings |
Use/Comments: Massing, accent plant, container, attracts butterflies/hummingbirds. R. sarmentosa is another nice garden perennial with red flowers. |
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Firespike (Odontonema spp.) |
N, C, S |
Upright |
6' |
Red/lavender/magenta Varies by species |
Sun to light shade |
Fertile, well-drained |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings, division |
Use/Comments: Background. Attracts hummingbirds/butterflies. Odontonema cuspidatum, the red-flowered form blooms in the fall; O. callistachyum (lavender or magenta) blooms January-March. |
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Flax Lily (Dianella tasmanica'Variegata') |
N, C, S |
Clumping |
1-2' |
Small blue/ Winter, spring |
Sun or shade |
Moist, well drained |
Unknown |
Hardy |
Division |
Use/Comments: Grown for its attractive, variegated, iris-like foliage. Groundcover, specimen, or container. May reseed.Tends to develop scale insect problems in shade. |
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Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) |
N, C |
Clumping |
2-4' |
White or pink/ Year-round |
Sun |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings, seed |
Use/Comments: Massing. |
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Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) |
N, C, S |
Clumping |
12-18" |
Many colors/ Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Fertile, well drained |
Yes |
Tender |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Bedding, cut flower. Keep crowns above ground. Marginal in South FL. |
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Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea) |
C, S |
Upright |
3-4' |
Yellow/ Warm months |
Light to deep shade |
Wide range |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background. |
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Heliotrope, Scorpion Tail, or Butterfly Heliotrope (Heliotropium angiospermum) |
C, S |
Rounded |
3' |
White/ Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Drought and flood tolerant |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings, seed |
Use/Comments: Mid-border, transition plant, wildflower garden, attracts butterflies. Florida native. |
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Jacobinia (Justicia carnea) |
N, C, S |
Erect, bushy |
2-4' |
Rose, white/Warm months |
Light to full shade |
Fertile, moist |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background, massing. Frequently remove old blooms. Numerous tropical perennials can be found in the genus Justicia, including J. leonardii and J. brandegeana listed below. |
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Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum 'Variegata') |
C, S |
Rounded to upright |
3' |
Pink/ Summer |
Light to deep shade |
Rich, moist |
Unknown |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Mid-border, massing. Green form of this plant reseeds and becomes very weedy. |
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Lantana (Lantana camara) |
N, C, S |
Groundcover, rounded, upright |
Varies |
Red, pink, orange, yellow, white/ Warm months |
Sun |
Well drained, wide range, very drought tolerant |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Massing, groundcover (depending on type); attracts butterflies/hummingbirds. Native species exist. Plant only sterile varieties; non-sterile cultivars are considered invasive throughout Florida. and are not recommended.. |
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Leopard Plant (Farfugium japonicum) |
N, C, S |
Groundcover |
2' |
Yellow/ Fall, winter |
Light shade |
Rich, moist |
Unknown |
Hardy |
Division |
Use/Comments: Groundcover, container. Most cultivars have cream or yellow leaf markings. |
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Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus spp.) |
N, C |
Clumping |
2-3' |
Blue, lavender, white/ Summer, early fall |
Sun to light shade |
Fertile, well drained |
Yes |
Semihardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Massing, midborder, cut flowers. |
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Lion's Ear (Leonotis leonurus) |
N,C,S |
Upright |
4-5' |
Orange/ fall-spring |
Sun |
Well drained |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background. Prune to keep plant bushy. |
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Marble Leaf (Peristrophe hyssopifolia) |
C, S |
Groundcover |
1' |
Lavender/ winter |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained |
Unknown |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Groundcover. |
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Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) |
N, C, S |
Dwarf shrub |
18" |
Purple, rose or white/ Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/comments: Massing, edging, groundcover. Prune frequently. |
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Ornamental Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) |
N, C, S |
Groundcover |
6-12" |
Flowers not showy |
Sun |
Well drained, wide range |
Unknown |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Groundcover (seasonal), container. Vigorous plants grown for their attractive foliage. Chartreuse, purple-black, variegated, and copper-colored cultivars exist. Compact cultivars now available. |
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Peacock Ginger (Kaempferia spp.) |
N, C, S |
Groundcover |
6-36" |
Lavender, white/ Spring, summer |
Light to full shade |
Wide range, prefers enriched soil |
No |
Hardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Groundcover, hosta replacement. Dormant in winter (except in South FL). |
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Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) |
N, C, S |
Rounded to sprawling shrub |
4' |
Red, pink, white, lilac/ Year-round |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background plantings, cut flower. Attracts butterflies. May be killed completely during very cold winters. |
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Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) |
C, S |
Rounded |
4' |
Pale blue/ Winter |
Light to full shade |
Wide range |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Midborder, massing, accent plant. Winter blooms are unattractive; prune back plants at this time. |
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Philippine Violet (Barleria cristata) |
N, C, S |
Upright |
4' |
Lavender, white/ October-April |
Sun to light shade |
Wide range |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Background. Reseeds and may become weedy in the garden. B. oenotheroides (syn. B. micans) is a 3-foot, upright perennial with yellow flowers fall through early winter. |
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Plectranthus (Plectranthus spp.) |
C, S |
Rounded, upright, or groundcover |
Varies |
White, purple, pink/ Summer, fall, or intermittent |
Sun to light shade |
Rich, organic, moist |
No |
Semihardy |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Front or midborder, groundcover, container. Many are grown solely for their attractive variegated or silver foliage. |
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Use/Comments: Background, massing. |
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Porterweed (Stachytarpheta spp.) |
C, S |
Upright |
Varies |
Blues, coral, red, purple/ Warm months |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Massing or accent plant, attracts butterflies/hummingbirds. May reseed. S. urticifolia may escape cultivation. S. jamaicensis is a FL native. |
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Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) |
N,C,S |
Clumping |
3’ |
Lavender/Spring to Fall |
Full sun/part shade |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
No |
Hardy |
Seeds, division |
Ruellia (Ruellia spp.) |
N, C, S |
Varies, clumping to upright |
2-3' |
Blue, violet, red, pink/ May-November |
Sun to light shade |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
Yes |
Semihardy |
Cuttings, seed |
Use/Comments: Background, bedding. ‘Purple Showers’ Mexican petunia is a sterile cultivar of R. simplex that does not reseed and is not considered invasive. The University of Florida/ IFAS has released infertile cultivars such as the ‘Mayan’ series. Otherwise, R. simplex is considered invasive in Florida and is not recommended. |
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N, C, S |
Upright, bushy |
2-5' |
Blues, red, pink, yellow, white/ Species dependent |
Sun |
Well drained, drought tolerant |
Generally no |
Variable by species |
Division, cuttings |
|
Use/Comments: Background, massing. Many species exist. |
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Sanchezia (Sanchezia nobilis) |
C, S |
Upright |
3-8' |
Yellow/ Summer |
Sun, shade |
Rich, well drained |
Yes |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Back of border, massing, accent plant, container. |
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Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana) |
N, C, S |
Sprawling |
4-6' |
Reddish-brown and other colors/Spring, summer |
Sun to light shade |
Wide range |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings, division |
Use/Comments: Mass plantings, background. Attracts hummingbirds. 'Flava' (yellow), 'Jambalaya' (red), and 'Fruit Cocktail' (chartreuse and pink) are popular cultivars. |
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St. Bernard's Lily (Anthericum liliago) |
N, C, S |
Upright, clumping |
2' |
White/ Year-round |
Sun, shade |
Moist, well drained |
Unknown |
Hardy |
Division, seed |
Use/Comments: Mixed or mass plantings, container, specimen. |
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Stoke’s Aster (Stokesia laevis) |
N, C |
Groundcover |
8” |
Lavender to whitish/ Late spring |
Full sun |
Moist, rich, acid |
No |
Hardy |
Division, seed |
Trailing Wishbone Flower (Torenia hybrids) |
C, S |
Groundcover |
3-6" |
Deep blue, purple, pink, white/Warm months |
Light to full shade |
Fertile, moist, well drained |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings, seed |
Use/Comments: Back of border, accent plant, attracts hummingbirds. Very tolerant of heat and humidity. Performs as an annual in north Florida. |
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Toad Lily (Tricyrtis lasiocarpa) |
N, C |
Upright, clumping |
3’ |
White and amethyst Summer-fall |
Light shade |
Prefer moisture |
No |
Hardy |
Seed, cuttings, division |
Use/Comments: Forms attractive mounds of speckled foliage; small orchid-like flowers are held on archings stems. |
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Verbena (Verbena spp. and hybrids) |
N, C, S |
Sprawling |
6-8" |
Red, pink, white, lavender/March-October |
Sun |
Fertile, drought tolerant |
No |
Semihardy |
Cuttings, seed |
Use/Comments: Massing, groundcover. 'Sissinghurst', a rose-pink cultivar, appears to be reliable in South FL. |
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Yellow Alder (Turnera ulmifolia) |
C, S |
Upright |
2' |
Yellow or cream/Year-round |
Sun |
Wide range |
No |
Tender |
Cuttings |
Use/Comments: Attracts butterflies. |
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N, C, S |
Upright, mounding |
2-3’ |
White, blue, or yellow/Spring, summer, fall |
Light to full shade |
Wide range |
No |
Tender |
Division |
|
Use/Comments: Neomarica caerulea is white and purple. The cultivar ‘Regina’ has handsome 4’ tall leaves and blue-purple flowers; N. longifolia has yellow petals with brown markings. |
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*Hardy—Frost and freeze hardy. Semihardy—Some plant damage from frost or freeze. Tender—Plant is killed to the ground by frost or freeze, but recovers quickly. |
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Footnotes
This document is ENH-68, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1991. Revised June 1996, November 2011, August 2014, and March 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Sydney Park Brown, associate professor emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville FL 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 UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
