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Lagerstroemia indica 'Hopi'
Crape Myrtle
The right shrub in the right place is the key to functional beauty in the landscape as well as reduced maintenance. Many fine shrubs, both native and cultivated are overlooked in south Florida in favor of the quick solution ficus hedge.In the long run, a mature hedge of Ficus benjamina will turn out to be the costliest of all hedges to maintain. Its roots can lift pavement, crack foundations, and invade plumbing if not pruned frequently, while it also requires constant shearing to keep it a box hedge.This is because the plant is normally a 90' tree in its native setting, and after 15-20 years in the landscape, unless you can employ a gardener 5 days a week, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the hedge at 6'-10'. Ficus hedges can become infested with termites and removal of an old hedge can cost thousands of dollars.

So when in Florida, don't plant just any bush, tree, or shrub! Use a plant that will mature at the desired height and have other natural characteristics that harmonize with the desired function.Those dollars and hours spent on extra maintenance will be a lot more enjoyable when spent adding to, not tearing apart your landscape, or when spent enjoying the fruit of a job well done.

Flowering Shrubs

Barbados Cherry
Malpighia glabra Extension Service Fact Sheet by R.L. Phillips.

• Acerola Fruit Facts- Information from the California Rare Fruit Growers.

Camellias in Florida
Varieties of camellias which can be grown in Florida and how to grow them, by Robert Black, Extension Consumer Horticulturist, University of Florida, Gainesville..

Growing Bougainvilleas (Nyctaginaceae)
Aggie Horticulture at Texas A & M University.

Hibiscus Species, Varieties, and Cultivars

Oleanders for Florida
Environmental Horticulture fact Sheet by Daniel F. Culbert, county extension director and environmental extension agent, Indian River County, Vero Beach, Florida.

• Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) Close up image of flowers, foliage, and fruit, from the University of Hawaii Department of Botany.

Pentas lanceolata (Rubiaceae)
A shrubby perennial. Close up image showing three common flowers colors, from the University of Hawaii Department of Botany.

Hawaiian Flowers, Noho-malie-
Image of Thevetia flower from Hawaiian Paradise Trading Company.

Tibouchina urvilleana (Melastomaceae)
Flower closeup image from the University of Hawaii Department of Botany.

Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)
A plant naturalized in Florida currently being sold as a landscape plant. Image from the University of Hawaii Department of Botany.

Variegated Shrubs

Shrubs Suitable for Green Hedges

Murraya paniculata (Rutaceae)
Orange jasmine. Image close up of flower and foliage from the University of Hawaii Department of Botany.