The Sunshine State is part of a major Global Biodiversity Hotspot, and is home to at least 4,368 known animal species (269 of which are found nowhere else in the world) and 3,038 plant species. Florida has the richest biota of the Coastal Plain but also suffers the most from habitat loss caused by human activities (particularly unchecked development and urban sprawl). Some 134 species of the state’s fauna are classified as threatened or endangered, and the fragmentation of the state’s ecosystems continues at an alarming rate.
While these statistics may seem overwhelming and disheartening, conservation and management are still possible. Florida residents are in a unique position to act; homeowners, gardeners– anyone with plantable space (including pots on a balcony)– can make a difference just by growing native plants. Our native flora is the foundation on which all other life depends, including ourselves. Even small changes, like adding a single shrub, can make a big difference.
One native shrub added to your home landscape can attract birds and pollinators (and gives them food and shelter, too), reduces erosion, filters stormwater runoff and air pollutants, and may even serve as a protective windbreak or shade plant. Many of our indigenous shrubs are incredibly versatile and adaptable, having evolved to thrive in the state’s ever-fluctuating climatic conditions. Here are some of the most beautiful, easy-to-grow shrubs for your Florida landscape.
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1) Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Surrounded by zooming crowds of hummingbirds in fall, firebush is one of Florida’s top overall plant species for attracting charismatic wildlife. This showy, versatile shrub is known to be particularly enticing to zebra longwing (Heliconius charithonia) and gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterflies, but it is irresistible to hummers– Hamelia patens’ blazing red, trumpet-shaped blooms are nectar-rich, deep, and perfectly fitted to the songbirds’ slender bills.
Firebush is a gardener’s dream, with handsome foliage and flowers in dense terminal clusters from spring through the first frost (year-round where winters are mild). It is native to the West Indies and Florida, south through Mexico into Central and South America. In the Sunshine State, it occurs primarily on the peninsula, in coastal dunes, hammocks, and shell middens. In central locations, it grows 3 – 6 ft high and may die back after a hard freeze, re-emerging bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the spring. In the southern part of its range, it can reach up to 15 ft tall and remains evergreen and inflorescent. Its tangerine-yellow corollas mature to glowing crimson before giving way to edible purplish-black berries (more palatable to birds than humans).
Firebush adapts to a variety of soils, from fertile to sandy, and prefers full sun or dappled shade. Though it is cold-sensitive, it tolerates salt, heat, and drought once established, and is able to withstand hurricane winds. This species is virtually maintenance-free once it has settled in, but can be pruned to maintain a desired height, or to remove dead wood damaged by frost– shaping is unnecessary, as firebush has a lovely rounded crown.
Avoid non-native varieties (particularly H. patens var. glabra), and make sure to choose reputable growers when shopping for plants– invasive exotics are often sold under the name Hamelia patens ‘Dwarf’ or ‘Compacta,’ and are known to interbreed with the native firebush; these maladaptive hybrids are already rapidly escaping into natural areas, contributing to genetic swamping that could result in the extinction of the true native. ‘Calusa’ and ‘Firefly’ are cultivars of the Florida native that mature between 3 – 5 ft– both superior choices for gardeners seeking more compact plants.
2) Darrow’s blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii)
Florida is known for its citrus, with industry roots 5 centuries deep (the first orange trees were planted by Spanish explorers near St. Augustine between 1513 and 1565) but there is another popular crop that has grown wild here for millennia. Several species of blueberries are native to the Sunshine State, including the large, sweet highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and rabbiteye (V. ashei) varieties that you find in grocery stores– these bushes are deciduous and grow 12 – 15 ft tall, however, and may not be suitable for home landscapes.
Darrow’s blueberry, on the other hand, is a compact, charming version of its bulkier cousins that is relatively low-maintenance and evergreen. Vaccinium darrowii tops out at about 2 – 3 ft tall– the perfect height for children to help pick berries– and doesn’t require special care as long as its basic needs are met. This ardent little shrub likes well-drained acidic soil (coffee grounds and finely-milled pine bark or peat are great for amendment) and performs best in full sun to partial shade. It is indigenous to pine flatwoods, sand hills, and scrub along the Southeastern Coastal Plain from Georgia to Texas– it is well-adapted to high temperatures and can tolerate some drought once established, but prefers moist sites.
Darrow’s blueberry is a knockout ornamental as well; its leaves are waxy blueish-green with a pink or purple tinge, and small, pale urn-shaped flowers give way to blue-black berries that ripen in late spring and are packed with flavor. Unlike most cultivated blueberries, V. darrowii is self-fertile; you only need one for fruitset, but planting several genetically variable plants will allow for cross-pollination and encourage larger and earlier-ripening berries.
The genus Vaccinium is a pollinator powerhouse, hosting up to 217 species of Lepidoptera and 14 pollen-specialist bees in Florida ecoregions. Birds and other animals eat the fruit. Darrow’s blueberry is an impeccable choice for low-foundation hedges, border plantings, and natural, edible, or wildlife-focused landscapes. For drier locations, consider also shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites).
3) Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
The ‘forbidden fruit’ of peninsular Florida’s coastal uplands, seagrape is protected by state laws safeguarding important (and often endangered) seaside ecological communities: it is illegal to harvest the fruit of Coccoloba uvifera or damage the plant in any way if it is growing on public lands. To partake of this iconic Florida-native edible, your best bet is to add it to your own home landscape, away from the waterfront. Fortunately, the seagrape is one of the Sunshine State’s most attractive indigenous plants, and is readily available in nurseries– its smooth gray limbs twist upright and are clothed in broad, fan-shaped leaves that are leathery and a lush, tropical green with prominent scarlet veins. New growth is coppery red.
These long-lived evergreen (or semi-deciduous) shrubs can reach up to 50 ft tall, but usually top out between 10 – 35 ft. With patience, they can be trained into hedges, screens, windbreaks, and even tunnels. Their dense foliage filters light beautifully, which helps protect wildlife (like sea turtles). Seagrape’s small, cream-colored flowers are borne on racemes and provide nectar to butterflies and bees. Blooms are most common from February through July, but may pop up throughout the year. Pendulous clusters of up to 70 grape-like achenes hang languidly from female plants (a male is required for pollination), ripening from pale green to purple in fall. The flavor of the fruit varies from tart and acidic to mild and sweet, and makes a tasty jelly– if the birds don’t get them first.
Seagrape is versatile and hardy, tolerating partial shade (though it prefers full sun), drought, occasional inundation, and salt spray. It is sensitive to frost and freezes, but will usually resprout quickly from the root unless the cold is extreme. It has been known to withstand hurricane winds. Seagrape performs best in sandy, well-drained soils; it is ideal for beachfront properties. Its distinctive characteristics and exotic appearance also make it an excellent specimen or accent plant– it would be great as an anchor for a wildlife garden.
4) Saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia)
Understated and subtle for much of the year, saltbush (also called groundsel tree or sea myrtle) shines silvery bright in fall when most other plants have gone to bed. Its pearly, bristled cypselae (dry, indehiscent fruits) resemble fanned paint brushes; massed together, they form soft, silky clouds that cover the plant and seem to hover about 8 ft off the ground. Saltbush is native to Mexico and east Texas north through the Southeastern Coastal Plain to Massachusetts. It occurs throughout Florida, growing in exposed sandy areas, salt marshes, and moist disturbed sites– it flowers profusely along wet roadsides and ditches from August to October.
Saltbush is underutilized in home landscapes, but is perfectly suited to Florida gardens; it’s a wetland species that tolerates drier sites as well, making it ideal for areas along ponds, bioswales, and rain gardens. The only shrub (or tree) in the Asteraceae family, Baccharis halimifolia is a keystone plant of tropical wet forest ecoregions. Although it’s primarily wind pollinated, at least 4 specialist native bees depend on it for pollen, and 31 caterpillar species use it as a host plant–these beneficial insects provide food for birds and other wildlife and perform services that are essential to functioning Florida ecosystems. Growing saltbush in your yard adds late-season interest (and nectar for migrating monarchs, who love it) when few other shrubs are in bloom.
Its gray-green foliage is deciduous in the northern part of the state and evergreen in south Florida, but is inconspicuous. For best results, mix it with other shrubs in hedgerows, screens, and buffers; it is often found growing with wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) in natural settings, and the two make a handsome pair. Saltbush reaches 6 – 12 ft at maturity and likes sandy, well-drained soils. It spreads easily from seed and may become aggressive in wet areas.
5) Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)
Often overlooked in favor of exotic ornamental Viburnum species (especially odoratissimum and suspendum), Walter’s viburnum is no less attractive and far more ecologically valuable. Viburnum obovatum is indigenous to coastal hammocks, thickets, and swamp margins from South Carolina to Alabama, and occurs throughout the state of Florida with the exception of the Keys. Native viburnums are keystone plants, hosting at least 75 species of Lepidoptera in tropical wet forests. These caterpillars provide essential nourishment for a variety of birds and other wildlife (alien viburnums are unfortunately grievously lacking in this arena) and perform other important ecosystem services.
In addition to being beneficial, V. obovatum is both handsome and hardy, unequivocally earning its place in Florida gardens. Its fine evergreen foliage is dense and close-knit, superb for screens and hedges– it can also take heavy pruning and is suitable for topiaries or formal plantings. Without any trimming, Walter’s viburnum develops a rounded crown and reaches between 6 – 18 ft (rarely up to 30 ft).
Young twigs covered in a soft reddish fuzz bring a nice textured contrast to its dark, leathery leaves and masses of tiny cream-white flowers in spring– hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are attracted to the nectar-rich blossoms. Clusters of scarlet berry-like drupes follow, maturing to shiny blue-black in late summer. Walter’s viburnum provides ample food (in the form of fruit or insect protein) and nesting habitat, making it an excellent choice for bird or wildlife gardens.
V. obovatum is extremely adaptable, acclimating to a wide variety of soil and light conditions; it is tolerant of drought and hurricane winds once established. It likes full sun to partial shade (producing more blooms and denser growth in sunnier sites) and prefers moist, sandy, clayey, or calcareous loams. Cultivars of this species are popular in nurseries, but most are selected from individuals found outside the state and may not perform as well as true natives; some, including ‘Reifler’s Dwarf’ and ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ were developed in Florida, but caution is still advised as the use of clones may compromise genetic diversity.
6) Florida flame azalea (Rhododendron austrinum)
The showiest and most fragrant of the native azaleas, Florida flame is remarkable for its brilliant gold, fiery orange, and peach-colored blossoms. Like all azaleas, it prefers well-drained, acidic soil and filtered sunlight– but unlike exotic evergreen rhododendrons, R. austrinum is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and deliciously aromatic. Somewhat rare in the wild (state-endangered, in fact), it is indigenous from Georgia west to Mississippi and south into Florida, where it occurs from the Panhandle east to Leon, Wakulla, and Baker Counties. Its natural habitat includes timbered bluffs and inland riparian corridors– Florida flame is mildew-resistant and well-adapted to heat and humidity (but not tolerant of salt spray or cool summer temperatures).
In a garden setting it needs no special pampering outside of the occasional trim to help it keep its shape, and is an exquisite specimen for mixed borders and foundation plantings– it also makes a beautiful flowering hedge or privacy screen and is suitable for containers. R. austrinum has a graceful, loose growth habit, and can reach 8 – 15 ft tall. Though it is winter-deciduous, its twigs and branches are an attractive reddish-brown color and give good off-season interest. Florida flame is a regular winner of the American Rhododendron Society’s Rhododendron of the Year Award for the Southeastern U.S., most recently in 2023 for the horticultural selection ‘Earl’s Gold.’
Its vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers are borne in dense clusters and have long, exotic-looking stamens that protrude well past the corolla in upward arcs. They bloom from March to May and have a special value for hummingbirds and bumble bees, but all parts of the plant have high poison severity for people, pets, and livestock if ingested. Consider also the lovely pink piedmont azalea (Rhododendron canescens).
7) Coral bean (Erythrina herbacea)
An unusual tropical shrub with showy flowers and seed pods, coral bean (also called Cherokee bean or cardinal spear) is widely cultivated as an ornamental and makes a fabulous accent plant or buffer. Its lower woody trunk is clad with rough, white bark, while its many upright herbaceous stems are armed with curved thorns– this coarse exterior sets off delicate, light green leaves that are composed of 3 kite-shaped leaflets, and striking scarlet flowers that are up to 3 inches long and borne in terminal racemes.
The spring bloom perfectly coincides with the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds, an excellent example of co-adaptation between native species– in some areas, coral bean even blooms in the fall when the tiny songbirds are fueling up for their journey home. After pollination, flowers give way to green legume pods that turn dark– nearly black– before splitting open to reveal shiny, crimson seeds nestled inside. These ‘beans’ are very pretty– and very poisonous. Both the foliage and fruits contain toxic alkaloids and should be kept away from children and pets. The leaves are palatable to the Io moth (Automeris io), an otherworldly Saturniid that uses it as a host plant in Florida.
Coral bean is native to the Southeastern Coastal Plain and is vouchered in nearly every county in the Sunshine State, where it occurs in open sandy woodlands, clearings, and coastal or inland hammocks. It tolerates both salt and drought and is an extremely versatile garden plant. It performs best with minimal intervention, in fertile, well-drained, sandy soil and full sun to partial shade.
In north and central Florida, coral bean reaches 6 ft tall and dies back to the ground each winter. Dead wood should not be pruned in the spring, as flowers appear on the prior year’s growth; where frost damage is likely, use it in mixed borders or as a backdrop for other plants. In the southern part of its range, coral bean can rise to 25 ft and is semi-evergreen. This species is a member of the Fabaceae or legume family, and has nitrogen-fixing abilities– it makes a wonderful addition to natural or edible landscapes (just don’t eat it!).
8) Bahama cassia (Senna mexicana var. chapmanii)
The premier Senna for Florida butterfly gardens, Bahama cassia (also called Chapman’s wild sensitive plant or Chapman’s senna) is a robust, sprawling evergreen shrub native to pine rocklands, coastal strands, and hammock edges in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys (though it performs well in gardens as far north as central Florida). It is the larval host for many species of sulphur butterflies, including the cloudless (Phoebis sennae), orange-barred (Phoebis philea), and sleepy orange (Eurema nicippe). Bahama cassia produces clusters of lemon-yellow blooms with maroon anthers year-round, attracting a variety of pollinators and providing excellent forage for native specialist bees. Its pinnately compound leaflets are dark green with pointed tips.
Chapman’s senna is a delightful microcosm with complex interspecies mutualisms; its long flowering period makes it an attractive host for butterflies (sulphurs will not lay eggs on new growth if flowers are not present), but a gland at the base of its leaves attracts ants that attack caterpillars. Butterfly gardeners should avoid taking action against these ants, however, as their presence has been shown to improve individual plants’ rates of establishment, overall growth, and floral displays– ant-plant interactions are keystone associations that are fascinating to observe.
Bahama cassia is classified as state-threatened in the wild, partially due to displacement by invasive exotic Senna pendula, which goes by the common name of Christmas senna or butterfly bush and is often recommended erroneously by commercial growers (the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists it as a Category 1 invasive species). Luckily, Chapman’s senna is enjoying a surge of popularity in the horticultural trade and is readily available in many nurseries.
It is easily grown in full sun to partial shade and in dry to moist well-drained soils (especially calcareous). It reaches 3 – 5 ft in height and tolerates both salt and drought. It is sensitive to cold (it may die if exposed to a hard freeze) and is somewhat short-lived even in ideal conditions (living 3 – 5 years on average), but freely reseeds itself and grows quickly. Consider also the larger native privet senna (Senna ligustrina) which is native to the Gulf Coast and the southeastern peninsula, and prefers a little shade.
9) Florida anise (Illicium floridanum)
An underutilized evergreen shrub that adds a unique flair to home landscapes, Florida anise is native to the Gulf Coastal Plain from eastern Louisiana through Georgia and the Florida Panhandle (it is also vouchered in Putnam County). Its distribution in the Sunshine State mimics that of steepheads, or deep ravines where water seeps out of the ground to form a stream that erodes the gullies headward.
It is primarily a wetland species, preferring dappled shade and moist, rich, well-drained humus, but has moderate drought tolerance and adapts well to nutrient-poor soils. An excellent species for rain gardens or bioswales, it flourishes in difficult wet and shady areas– it can be used as a screen, massed together, or espaliered against a wall. It’s also lovely in woodland gardens or naturalized landscapes.
Florida anise has bright to dark olive-green foliage that reaches 6 – 10 ft high and forms a dense, rounded crown. Its lustrous, waxy leaves are whorled about the stems, and are aromatic when bruised– they emit a distinctive licorice (or gin-and-tonic, depending on your preference) fragrance. Florida anise is related to the culinary spice star anise (Illicium verum) but the fruit and foliage are poisonous to humans and animals if consumed (a boon for gardeners with deer-browsing problems).
The genus name Illicium comes from the Latin illicio, which means ‘to allure,’ or ‘to entice’– this certainly refers to the perfumed leaves, as the flowers of S. floridanum exude a fishy smell that attracts native flies (this species’ main pollinators). Though offensive to the nose, Florida anise’s exotic, alien-looking blossoms are a feast for the eyes; the corolla is composed of 20 – 30 claret-colored (rarely white or pink), strap-shaped petals arranged in a star-shape. After blooming from March to June, the flowers curl into inconspicuous green fruits. This species has gained interest from the horticultural trade in recent years, and many cultivars are available in nurseries. Consider also the Florida-endemic yellow anise (Illicium parviflorum).
10) Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco)
One of the most adaptable and versatile Florida-native shrubs, you’re equally as likely to find cocoplum in meticulously manicured and landscaped lawns as you are on tree islands in the wilds of the Everglades. Cocoplum is a tropical species with stellar texture and a ‘beachy’ look; it’s native from Cayo Costa south to the Florida Keys (and the West Indies south to Brazil). It occurs in a variety of habitats, from coastal marshes, beaches, and cypress domes to roadsides and the edges of freshwater canals.
Cocoplum has two major ecotypes: var. pellocarpus is the inland form, and the most commonly available from nurseries; while var. icaco is a coastal variety with a distinctive low, creeping growth habit. Var. pellocarpus can reach 15 – 25 ft high but is often trimmed to a formal hedge about 4 ft tall. Its two main cultivars– ‘Red Tip’ and ‘Green Tip’– have similar phenotypes, except that the former has coppery new growth and purplish egg-shaped fruits, while the young leaves of the latter are chartreuse and the fruit is a pale creamy white.
Var. icaco, found mainly in coastal dunes and hammocks, does not usually exceed 6 ft tall and can easily be kept between 18 – 24 inches in height with regular pruning. This ‘horizontal’ cocoplum drapes beautifully over rocks and makes an appealing groundcover, turf replacement, or low hedge. Its fruits are round and rosy pink or peach in color.
All varieties have broadly ovate, shiny evergreen leaves, and small white flowers that bloom intermittently throughout the year– these are particularly attractive to native bees. The fruits are edible drupes that are soft and sweet (though opinions vary) and suitable for preserves. Gopher tortoises are particularly fond of them. Cocoplum grows easily in a wide array of landscape conditions– though it yields more fruit and denser vegetation in sunny sites– and is tolerant of drought and high winds.
