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Shrubs for Florida Gardens

© Ellie Goodwin

When I walk or drive past a lovely garden one of the things I notice is how the garden is defined. Trees usually are the anchors for landscapes, but shrubs provide the outlines. Shrubs have many uses--they can be hedges and provide boundaries, or attention-grabbing specimens that draw the eye to a particular part of the garden. I find this latter use of shrubs to be the most intriguing. For example, a planted bed or border full of wonderful annuals or perennials is lovely to look at. Add the right shrub and you've increased the drama and added a new dimensions-height-to the planted area.

What is a Shrub?

A shrub has been defined as a plant that usually is less than 10 feet tall when fully grown. Personally, I've seen some perennials and weeds that have reached that height but I wouldn't call them shrubs! A lot of the definition rests on how dense the foliage is on the shrub as well. And while we can tell the difference between a nice boxwood hedge and a lush rhododendron, both are considered shrubs.

Many homeowners use shrubs only as foundation plants. If you're at the point in your landscaping where you need to decide where to put things, consider moving away from the traditional "shrubs next to the wall" scenario. For one thing shrubs can grow quite large which can pose a problem when trying to maintain your home's exterior. You do want to be careful where you plant shrubs. Moving an established shrub can be quite an ordeal in time and effort. Consider the climate in your part of Florida and the seasonal impact on the plant. As we know, it's not always sunshine and clear skies in the Sunshine State! There are some excellent design examples for beds, borders and special areas at the Better Homes and Gardens site. Pay particular attention to how the plans make use of shrubs. Go ahead and try something new.

Where to Look for Florida Native Shrubs

Florida has a number of native shrubs that work throughout the state as well as those that favor the north, central or southern climates. The first item to consider when selecting a shrub is its purpose. Do you want a specimen plant or something with seasonal interest? Will it need to hide an unattractive feature on your property or act as a boundary? Would you like it to have attractive flowers and color or should it remain evergreen? Once you've focused on the purpose for the shrub it's time to visit your garden centers. A good rule of thumb is to select plants that are native to your part of the state. It will save you time and money in the long run and it's better for the local wildlife. If you're not sure where a garden center or nursery is in your area that carries native plants, check out the Association of Florida Native Nurseries. This organization has a list of Florida native plant suppliers that you might find useful.

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