Hibiscus syriacus - Hibiscus is a large genus of flowering plants in the Malvaceae or mallow family.

They prefer a sunny location and well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter. Hibiscus will tolerate light shade and less desirable soils, but their vigor and flowering will be reduced. Plenty of water is necessary for the most abundant blooming. Newly planted hibiscus will need more frequent watering, similar to other newly planted perennials.

Rhaphiolepis indica, the Indian hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn is popular as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes due to its attractive foliage and colorful flowers. It can be grown as a standalone shrub or in hedges and borders. It prefers well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded location. The Indian Hawthorn plant typically blooms in spring, producing numerous flowers in tight clusters. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance and are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Tibouchina urvilleana - This sprawling, evergreen shrub or small ornamental tree ranges from 10 to 15 feet (20 feet with proper training) in height. It can be trimmed to any size and still put on a vivid, year-long flower display. The dark green, velvety, four to six-inch-long leaves have several prominent longitudinal veins instead of the usual one, and are often edged in red. Large, royal purple blossoms, flaring open to five inches, are held on terminal panicles above the foliage, creating a spectacular sight when in full bloom.

Viburnum spp. This is a genus of popular flowering perennial landscape shrubs, with more than 150 varieties available. They bloom in spring, followed by attractive fruit and outstanding fall foliage. Fast-growing viburnums can grow one to two feet per year. These plants can be used as hedges, ground cover, a privacy fence, and more.

There is no single type of viburnum foliage. Leaves can be rounded, lance-shaped or toothed, smooth, velvety, or rough. There are multiple types of viburnum flowers, too: flat clusters of florets, flat umbels outlined with larger flowers, and dome-shaped, snowball-like clusters.

Juniperus spp - Junipers are hardy evergreen shrubs that thrive in most US growing zones. Junipers are versatile and great for adding depth and color to any landscape. Junipers are deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, and extremely low maintenance. Helpful for controlling soil erosion, Juniper plants are an excellent choice for planting on hills and slopes.

Juniper shrubs are great for group and foundation plantings, low hedges, rock gardens, and mixed beds. These tough bushes offer year-round color and great texture.

Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii Nana' - For starters, the Dwarf Burford Holly Shrub is known for its rich evergreen foliage and classic red berries but with a twist…its adaptable size fits nearly anywhere. This widely-used shrub, particularly suited for warmer climates, is still dense and layered but ideal for natural hedging beneath windows, along fences, and beyond. It’s a more compact version of the most popular Holly on the market.

Croton, Codiaeum variegatum, is a common houseplant grown for its striking foliage. It is one of six species of broadleaf evergreen perennials, shrubs, and small trees in this genus in the euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae) which are native to tropical Asia and the western Pacific region (not to be confused with Croton, another genus of more than 700 species in the same family, in which it was formerly incorrectly classified as Croton variegatum). This evergreen shrub or small tree varies widely in leaf color and pattern and numerous cultivars have been developed. It is a tender perennial, hardy only in zones 11-12. In subtropical and tropical climates they are frequently used as landscape shrubs for dramatic hedges, bold focal points in gardens, or potted specimens around buildings.

Chrysobalanus icaco - Cocoplum is a versatile, hardy native plant, perfect for coastal landscapes in the warmer half of the state.

Once this shrub is well-established, it will tolerate a moderate amount of drought and watering only during dry spells, though it does better with regular irrigation.

Duranta erecta - The plant grows quickly in well-drained soils in full sun. The showy clusters of flowers are light blue to purple and appear from summer to fall. They are followed by yellow-orange clusters of round fruits in late summer to fall. The fruits can be fatal to dogs and children if eaten but do not harm the birds.

In its native environment, it is found in rocky or sandy coastal areas with full sun or moister, disturbed sites inland. It grows in a somewhat weeping habit with showy flowers and fruits up to 10-20 feet tall. Mature plants have thorns. 

Hibiscus syriacus - Hibiscus is a large genus of flowering plants in the Malvaceae or mallow family.

They prefer a sunny location and well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter. Hibiscus will tolerate light shade and less desirable soils, but their vigor and flowering will be reduced. Plenty of water is necessary for the most abundant blooming. Newly planted hibiscus will need more frequent watering, similar to other newly planted perennials.

Ilex vomitoria 'schillings', also known as Dwarf Yaupon Holly, this dwarf compact shrub has small shiny gray-green leaves. Excellent used as a low hedge or in coastal areas. Seldom reaches heights of more than 3'. Full sun to light shade.

Rhaphiolepis indica, the Indian hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn is popular as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes due to its attractive foliage and colorful flowers. It can be grown as a standalone shrub or in hedges and borders. It prefers well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded location. The Indian Hawthorn plant typically blooms in spring, producing numerous flowers in tight clusters. The flowers have a pleasant fragrance and are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Juniperus spp - Junipers are hardy evergreen shrubs that thrive in most US growing zones. Junipers are versatile and great for adding depth and color to any landscape. Junipers are deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, and extremely low maintenance. Helpful for controlling soil erosion, Juniper plants are an excellent choice for planting on hills and slopes.

Juniper shrubs are great for group and foundation plantings, low hedges, rock gardens, and mixed beds. These tough bushes offer year-round color and great texture.

Ligustrum japonicum 'Jack Frost' - Jack Frost Ligustrum is a tough, adaptable, fast-growing evergreen flowering shrub with boldly variegated evergreen leaves. It makes a colorful evergreen hedge or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small tree. Cone-shaped clusters of sweetly fragrant white flowers are produced in abundance during spring followed by clusters of dark bluish-black berries that are enjoyed by the birds.

The attractive, dense evergreen foliage, mounded form, and adaptability to many growing conditions make pittosporum popular in landscapes such as hedges and foundation plantings. Its excellent salt tolerance makes it well-suited for planting near the beach.

Pittosporum responds well to pruning and can be maintained for many years at smaller sizes. Heavy, frequent pruning may mean sacrificing the fragrant flowers.

Pittosporums are well suited for hedges and screens due to their rapid growth rate, density, and toughness. When lower branches are removed, they also make very attractive small, multi-stemmed trees.

The Podocarpus is a low-maintenance plant with soft, green foliage and hardy nature. Easily pruned, you can decide whether it will grow as a large shrub or a small tree! Amongst the foliage, the plant also produces blue female cones that turn into blue berries that attract birds in the summer.

Part of the Podocarpus genus, it’s often mistaken for a yew due to its needle-like leaves, berries, and name. The Podocarpus is a highly adaptable tree that can survive many conditions and requires minimal maintenance.

Nerium oleander - Oleander is well-loved because it’s fast-growing, has beautiful flowers, and can grow in a broad range of soils. It’s so easy to care for, that you’ll find it planted alongside highways and interstates throughout Florida, where it handles heat and car exhaust admirably.

It’s tolerant of sea spray and thus makes a colorful addition to the beachside landscape. There are even varieties with fragrant flowers. Oleander thrives throughout much of Florida, so gardeners across the state can enjoy this evergreen beauty.

Coccoloba uvifera - Seagrape takes its common name from its coastal home and the clusters of red, grape-like fruits it produces. Though not true grapes, these fruits are edible and the taste is often compared to muscadine grapes.

Seagrape is beautiful and tasty, but like our native mangroves, it is also protected. As part of a larger effort to preserve Florida’s coastal ecological communities, the Department of Environmental Protection protects native salt-tolerant and endangered plant communities. Florida law states that no person, firm, corporation, or governmental agency shall damage or cause to be damaged sand dunes or the vegetation growing on the dune system

Scheffleras are grown for the attractive patterns formed by their leaves and for their tall and shrubby form. The leaves are composed of oval leaflets arranged in an umbrella-spoke pattern. Young plants have small leaves with only three to five leaflets. In older plants the leaves are dramatically larger, eventually developing up to 12 leaflets, each up to 12 inches long.

Galphimia gracilis - Thryallis is a Florida-Friendly splash of color that we love to see in landscapes. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, reliable shrub with a stunning floral display, this is the plant for you.

Tibouchina urvilleana - This sprawling, evergreen shrub or small ornamental tree ranges from 10 to 15 feet (20 feet with proper training) in height. It can be trimmed to any size and still put on a vivid, year-long flower display. The dark green, velvety, four to six-inch-long leaves have several prominent longitudinal veins instead of the usual one, and are often edged in red. Large, royal purple blossoms, flaring open to five inches, are held on terminal panicles above the foliage, creating a spectacular sight when in full bloom.

Viburnum spp. This is a genus of popular flowering perennial landscape shrubs, with more than 150 varieties available. They bloom in spring, followed by attractive fruit and outstanding fall foliage. Fast-growing viburnums can grow one to two feet per year. These plants can be used as hedges, ground cover, a privacy fence, and more.

There is no single type of viburnum foliage. Leaves can be rounded, lance-shaped or toothed, smooth, velvety, or rough. There are multiple types of viburnum flowers, too: flat clusters of florets, flat umbels outlined with larger flowers, and dome-shaped, snowball-like clusters.

Morella cerifera - Wax myrtles are an excellent choice for the Florida yard, especially coastal areas. Also called Southern bayberry, its name derives from the waxy berries, which were once harvested to make bayberry candles.

Today, the wax myrtle is better appreciated for its easy care and salt tolerance. This native shrub thrives in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. It is a host for butterflies and provides food and shelter for birds and can be pruned into a hedge or screen for privacy, or a nice border.