ENH-68
Gardening with Perennials in Florida1
Sydney Park Brown2
1. 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.
2. 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.
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.
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 UseThe 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.
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
Figure 1. A cottage garden of perennials and annualsCredits: UF
2Gardening with Perennials in Florida
upright forms; delicate with bold textures) give the garden interest long after the flowers are gone.
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.
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 CareThe 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 recom-mendations 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
Figure 3. The bold foliage of leopard plant provides an interesting contrast with other leaf textures.Credits: UF
Figure 4. The white flowers and bracts of ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia provide a nice transition.Credits: UF
Figure 2. Bulbine massed in bedCredits: UF
3Gardening with Perennials in Florida
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.
PropagationThe propagation method for each perennial is listed in Table 1. Division is the quickest and easiest method of mul-tiplying 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 DiseasesAlthough 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/).
AcknowledgementsThe 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.
ReferencesPark Brown, S., and R. Schoellhorn. 2006. Your Florida Guide to Perennials. Gainesville: University Press of Florida.
Figure 5. Pruning spent flowers (deadheading) keeps perennials blooming.Credits: UF
4Gardening with Perennials in Florida
Tabl
e 1.
Use
ful i
nfor
mat
ion
for s
elec
ting
and
grow
ing
glow
erin
g pe
renn
ials
in F
lorid
aN
ame
Zone
sG
row
th h
abit
Com
mon
he
ight
Flow
er c
olor
/ Se
ason
Ligh
t co
ndit
ions
Soil
type
Salt
-spr
ay
tole
rant
Cold
har
dy*
Met
hod
of
prop
agat
ion
Afr
ican
Iris
(Die
tes s
pp.)
N, C
, SCl
umpi
ng3’
Whi
te, y
ello
w/Y
ear-
roun
dSu
n, li
ght
shad
eW
ide
rang
e,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Har
dyD
ivis
ion
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, b
eddi
ng.
Beac
h Su
nflow
er
(Hel
iant
hus d
ebili
s)C,
SG
roun
dcov
er6-
10”
Yello
w/
Year
-rou
ndSu
nW
ell d
rain
ed,
wid
e ra
nge,
ve
ry d
roug
ht
tole
rant
Yes
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er, w
ildflo
wer
gar
den,
att
ract
s but
terfl
ies.
Flor
ida
nativ
e. D
oes n
ot u
sual
ly o
verw
inte
r in
nort
h Fl
orid
a, b
ut re
seed
s.
Bego
nia,
Har
dy B
egon
ia
(Beg
onia
spp.
)N
, C, S
Upr
ight
, ro
unde
d, o
r gr
ound
cove
r
Varie
sW
hite
, pin
ks, r
eds/
W
inte
r, sp
ring,
som
e ye
ar-r
ound
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eM
oist
, org
anic
No
Tend
erSt
em o
r lea
f cu
ttin
gs, d
ivis
ion
Use
/Com
men
ts: H
osta
repl
acem
ent i
n th
e sh
ade
gard
en, b
est i
n Ce
ntra
l to
Sout
h Fl
orid
a. B
est p
erfo
rmer
s are
‘Can
e’, ‘A
ngel
Win
g’, a
nd rh
izom
atou
s typ
es (o
ther
than
‘Rex
’). W
ax
bego
nias
(B. s
empe
rflor
ens)
are
nor
mal
ly tr
eate
d as
ann
uals
, alth
ough
they
can
be
long
-live
d in
Cen
tral
and
Sou
th F
L.
Blac
kber
ry L
ily
(Iris
dom
estic
a)
(syn
. Bel
amca
nda
chin
ensis
)
N, C
, SU
prig
ht3’
Ora
nge-
red/
June
-O
ctob
erSu
nW
ide
rang
e,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Har
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, m
assi
ng. I
ris-li
ke fo
liage
.
Blac
k-ey
ed S
usan
(R
udbe
ckia
spp.
)N
,C, S
Roun
ded,
cl
umpi
ng6-
12”
Yello
w/S
umm
er, f
all
Sun
Wel
l-dra
ined
Low
Tend
erSe
ed, d
ivis
ion,
cu
ttin
gs
Blue
Daz
e (E
volv
ulus
gl
omer
ata
‘Blu
e D
aze’
)N
, C, S
Spre
adin
g1-
2’Bl
ue/
Year
-rou
ndSu
nW
ide
rang
eYe
sTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
ass p
lant
ings
, gro
undc
over
. Oft
en su
ffers
from
a le
af fu
ngal
dis
ease
in su
mm
er. M
ay n
ot su
rviv
e a
hard
free
ze in
Nor
th F
L.
Blue
Sag
e (E
rant
hem
um
pulc
hellu
m)
C, S
Upr
ight
3-5’
Dee
p bl
ue/
Win
ter
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eW
ell-d
rain
edYe
sTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, m
assi
ng. P
rune
bac
k af
ter fl
ower
ing.
Bulb
ine
(Bul
bine
fru
tesc
ens)
C, S
Clum
ping
1-2’
Ora
nge,
yel
low
/ Sp
ring,
sum
mer
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
Yes
Har
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er, c
onta
iner
. ‘Hal
lmar
k’ is
a st
erile
cul
tivar
. May
beh
ave
as p
eren
nial
in so
me
area
s of n
orth
Flo
rida.
Bush
Dai
sy, A
fric
an B
ush
Dai
sy (E
uryo
ps p
ectin
atus
)C,
SEr
ect,
bush
y2-
3’Ye
llow
/Spr
ing,
su
mm
er, f
all
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
wid
e ra
nge,
so
mew
hat
drou
ght
tole
rant
Yes
Sem
ihar
dyCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, m
idbo
rder
, att
ract
s but
terfl
ies.
Cat’s
Whi
sker
s (O
rtho
sipho
n ar
istat
us)
C, S
Upr
ight
2-3’
Whi
te, p
ale
lave
nder
/ Ye
ar-r
ound
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eM
oist
, fer
tile,
or
gani
cN
oTe
nder
Cutt
ings
5Gardening with Perennials in Florida
Nam
eZo
nes
Gro
wth
hab
itCo
mm
on
heig
htFl
ower
col
or/
Seas
onLi
ght
cond
itio
nsSo
il ty
peSa
lt-s
pray
to
lera
ntCo
ld h
ardy
*M
etho
d of
pr
opag
atio
n
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
idbo
rder
, acc
ent p
lant
, att
ract
s but
terfl
ies/
hum
min
gbird
s.
Chry
sant
hem
um,
Gar
den
Mum
(C
hrys
anth
emum
gr
andi
flora
)
N, C
Spre
adin
g1-
2’M
any
colo
rs/F
all-
sprin
gSu
nFe
rtile
, wel
l dr
aine
dN
oH
ardy
Cutt
ings
, div
isio
n
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
eddi
ng. P
inch
onc
e or
twic
e un
til A
ugus
t 15
to in
duce
bra
nchi
ng.
Ciga
r Flo
wer
(Cup
hea
mic
rope
tala
)N
, CU
prig
ht3-
4’Ye
llow
, ora
nge/
Fall
Sun
Dro
ught
to
lera
ntN
oTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
eddi
ng, a
ttra
cts h
umm
ingb
irds.
Day
lily
(Hem
eroc
allis
spp.
)N
, C, S
Clum
ping
1-3’
Man
y co
lors
/Mar
ch-
June
Sun,
shift
ing
shad
eW
ide
rang
e,
drou
ght
tole
rant
Yes
Sem
ihar
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, b
orde
r pla
ntin
gs, m
assi
ng.
Baby
Bre
ath
Euph
orbi
a (E
upho
rbia
hyp
eric
ifolia
) C
, SSp
read
ing
1-3’
Whi
te/N
early
yea
r-ro
und
Sun
Wid
e ra
nge,
dr
ough
t to
lera
nt
No
Sem
ihar
dyCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: P
rodu
ces c
loud
s of a
iry w
hite
flow
ers n
early
yea
r-ro
und.
A lo
w-m
aint
enan
ce a
nd h
eat-
tole
rant
pla
nt. S
hort
-live
d (3
yea
rs) i
n N
orth
Flo
rida.
Cul
tivar
s inc
lude
‘Dia
mon
d Fr
ost’,
‘Hip
Hop
’, ‘Bre
athl
ess’,
Whi
te M
anau
s’ an
d ot
hers
.
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ack
of b
orde
r, ac
cent
pla
nt, a
ttra
cts b
utte
rflie
s/hu
mm
ingb
irds.
Flor
ida
nativ
e.
Fire
crac
ker P
lant
, Co
ral P
lant
(Rus
selia
eq
uise
tifor
mis)
C, S
Roun
ded/
wee
ping
3’Re
d, p
ale
yello
w,
cora
l/Yea
r-ro
und
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
som
ewha
t dr
ough
t to
lera
nt
Yes
Tend
erD
ivis
ion,
tip
cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, a
ccen
t pla
nt, c
onta
iner
, att
ract
s but
terfl
ies/
hum
min
gbird
s. R.
sarm
ento
sa is
ano
ther
nic
e ga
rden
per
enni
al w
ith re
d flo
wer
s.
Fire
spik
e (O
dont
onem
a sp
p.)
N, C
, SU
prig
ht6’
Red/
lave
nder
/m
agen
ta
Varie
s by
spec
ies
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eFe
rtile
, wel
l-dr
aine
dN
oTe
nder
Cutt
ings
, div
isio
n
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d. A
ttra
cts h
umm
ingb
irds/
butt
erfli
es. O
dont
onem
a cu
spid
atum
, the
red-
flow
ered
form
blo
oms i
n th
e fa
ll; O
. cal
lista
chyu
m (l
aven
der o
r mag
enta
) blo
oms
Janu
ary-
Mar
ch.
Flax
Lily
(Dia
nella
ta
sman
ica’
Varie
gata
’)N
, C, S
Clum
ping
1-2’
Smal
l blu
e/
Win
ter,
sprin
gSu
n or
shad
eM
oist
, wel
l dr
aine
dU
nkno
wn
Har
dyD
ivis
ion
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
row
n fo
r its
att
ract
ive,
var
iega
ted,
iris
-like
folia
ge. G
roun
dcov
er, s
peci
men
, or c
onta
iner
. May
rese
ed.T
ends
to d
evel
op sc
ale
inse
ct p
robl
ems i
n sh
ade.
Gau
ra (G
aura
lind
heim
eri)
N, C
Clum
ping
2-4’
Whi
te o
r pin
k/
Year
-rou
ndSu
nW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs, s
eed
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng.
Ger
bera
Dai
sy (G
erbe
ra
jam
eson
ii)N
, C, S
Clum
ping
12-1
8”M
any
colo
rs/ Y
ear-
roun
dSu
n to
ligh
t sh
ade
Fert
ile, w
ell
drai
ned
Yes
Tend
erD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
eddi
ng, c
ut fl
ower
. Kee
p cr
owns
abo
ve g
roun
d. M
argi
nal i
n So
uth
FL.
6Gardening with Perennials in Florida
Nam
eZo
nes
Gro
wth
hab
itCo
mm
on
heig
htFl
ower
col
or/
Seas
onLi
ght
cond
itio
nsSo
il ty
peSa
lt-s
pray
to
lera
ntCo
ld h
ardy
*M
etho
d of
pr
opag
atio
n
Gol
den
Shri
mp
Plan
t (P
achy
stac
hys l
utea
)C,
SU
prig
ht3-
4’Ye
llow
/ W
arm
mon
ths
Ligh
t to
deep
sh
ade
Wid
e ra
nge
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d.
Hel
iotr
ope,
Sco
rpio
n Ta
il, o
r But
terfl
y H
elio
trop
e (H
elio
trop
ium
an
gios
perm
um)
C, S
Roun
ded
3’W
hite
/ Ye
ar-r
ound
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eD
roug
ht a
nd
flood
tole
rant
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs, s
eed
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
id-b
orde
r, tr
ansi
tion
plan
t, w
ildflo
wer
gar
den,
att
ract
s but
terfl
ies.
Flor
ida
nativ
e.
Jaco
bini
a (J
ustic
ia ca
rnea
)N
, C, S
Erec
t, bu
shy
2-4’
Rose
, whi
te/W
arm
m
onth
sLi
ght t
o fu
ll sh
ade
Fert
ile, m
oist
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, m
assi
ng. F
requ
ently
rem
ove
old
bloo
ms.
Num
erou
s tro
pica
l per
enni
als c
an b
e fo
und
in th
e ge
nus J
ustic
ia, i
nclu
ding
J. le
onar
dii a
nd J.
bra
ndeg
eana
list
ed
belo
w.
Jew
els
of O
par (
Talin
um
pani
cula
tum
‘Var
iega
ta’)
C, S
Roun
ded
to
uprig
ht3’
Pink
/ Su
mm
erLi
ght t
o de
ep
shad
eRi
ch, m
oist
Unk
now
nTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
id-b
orde
r, m
assi
ng. G
reen
form
of t
his p
lant
rese
eds a
nd b
ecom
es v
ery
wee
dy.
Lant
ana
(Lan
tana
ca
mar
a)N
, C, S
Gro
undc
over
, ro
unde
d,
uprig
ht
Varie
sRe
d, p
ink,
ora
nge,
ye
llow
, whi
te/
War
m m
onth
s
Sun
Wel
l dra
ined
, w
ide
rang
e,
very
dro
ught
to
lera
nt
Yes
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, g
roun
dcov
er (d
epen
ding
on
type
); at
trac
ts b
utte
rflie
s/hu
mm
ingb
irds.
Nat
ive
spec
ies e
xist
. Pla
nt o
nly
ster
ile v
arie
ties;
non-
ster
ile c
ultiv
ars a
re c
onsi
dere
d in
vasi
ve th
roug
hout
Flo
rida.
and
are
not
reco
mm
ende
d..
Leop
ard
Plan
t (Fa
rfug
ium
ja
poni
cum
)N
, C, S
Gro
undc
over
2’Ye
llow
/ Fa
ll, w
inte
rLi
ght s
hade
Rich
, moi
stU
nkno
wn
Har
dyD
ivis
ion
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er, c
onta
iner
. Mos
t cul
tivar
s hav
e cr
eam
or y
ello
w le
af m
arki
ngs.
Lily
of t
he N
ile
(Aga
pant
hus s
pp.)
N, C
Clum
ping
2-3’
Blue
, lav
ende
r, w
hite
/ Su
mm
er, e
arly
fall
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eFe
rtile
, wel
l dr
aine
dYe
sSe
mih
ardy
Div
isio
n, se
ed
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, m
idbo
rder
, cut
flow
ers.
Lion
’s Ea
r (Le
onot
is le
onur
us)
N,C
,SU
prig
ht4-
5’O
rang
e/ fa
ll-sp
ring
Sun
Wel
l dra
ined
Yes
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d. P
rune
to k
eep
plan
t bus
hy.
Mar
ble
Leaf
(P
erist
roph
e hy
ssop
ifolia
)C,
SG
roun
dcov
er1’
Lave
nder
/ w
inte
rSu
n to
ligh
t sh
ade
Wel
l dra
ined
Unk
now
nTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er.
Mex
ican
Hea
ther
(C
uphe
a hy
ssop
ifolia
)N
, C, S
Dw
arf s
hrub
18”
Purp
le, r
ose
or
whi
te/ Y
ear-
roun
dSu
n to
ligh
t sh
ade
Wel
l dra
ined
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, e
dgin
g, g
roun
dcov
er. P
rune
freq
uent
ly.
7Gardening with Perennials in Florida
Nam
eZo
nes
Gro
wth
hab
itCo
mm
on
heig
htFl
ower
col
or/
Seas
onLi
ght
cond
itio
nsSo
il ty
peSa
lt-s
pray
to
lera
ntCo
ld h
ardy
*M
etho
d of
pr
opag
atio
n
Orn
amen
tal S
wee
t Po
tato
(Ip
omoe
a ba
tata
s)
N, C
, SG
roun
dcov
er6-
12”
Flow
ers n
ot sh
owy
Sun
Wel
l dra
ined
, w
ide
rang
eU
nkno
wn
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er (s
easo
nal),
con
tain
er. V
igor
ous p
lant
s gro
wn
for t
heir
attr
activ
e fo
liage
. Cha
rtre
use,
pur
ple-
blac
k, v
arie
gate
d, a
nd c
oppe
r-co
lore
d cu
ltiva
rs e
xist
. Com
pact
cu
ltiva
rs n
ow a
vaila
ble.
Peac
ock
Gin
ger
(Kae
mpf
eria
spp.
)N
, C, S
Gro
undc
over
6-36
”La
vend
er, w
hite
/ Sp
ring,
sum
mer
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eW
ide
rang
e,
pref
ers
enric
hed
soil
No
Har
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: G
roun
dcov
er, h
osta
repl
acem
ent.
Dor
man
t in
win
ter (
exce
pt in
Sou
th F
L).
Pent
as (P
enta
s lan
ceol
ata)
N, C
, SRo
unde
d to
sp
raw
ling
shru
b4’
Red,
pin
k, w
hite
, lil
ac/
Year
-rou
nd
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d pl
antin
gs, c
ut fl
ower
. Att
ract
s but
terfl
ies.
May
be
kille
d co
mpl
etel
y du
ring
very
col
d w
inte
rs.
Pers
ian
Shie
ld
(Str
obila
nthe
s dye
rianu
s)C,
SRo
unde
d4’
Pale
blu
e/
Win
ter
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eW
ide
rang
eYe
sTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
idbo
rder
, mas
sing
, acc
ent p
lant
. Win
ter b
loom
s are
una
ttra
ctiv
e; p
rune
bac
k pl
ants
at t
his t
ime.
Phili
ppin
e Vi
olet
(B
arle
ria cr
istat
a)N
, C, S
Upr
ight
4’La
vend
er, w
hite
/ O
ctob
er-A
pril
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ide
rang
eN
oTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d. R
esee
ds a
nd m
ay b
ecom
e w
eedy
in th
e ga
rden
. B. o
enot
hero
ides
(syn
. B. m
ican
s) is
a 3
-foot
, upr
ight
per
enni
al w
ith y
ello
w fl
ower
s fal
l thr
ough
ear
ly w
inte
r.
Plec
tran
thus
(P
lect
rant
hus s
pp.)
C, S
Roun
ded,
up
right
, or
grou
ndco
ver
Varie
sW
hite
, pur
ple,
pin
k/
Sum
mer
, fal
l, or
in
term
itten
t
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eRi
ch, o
rgan
ic,
moi
stN
oSe
mih
ardy
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: F
ront
or m
idbo
rder
, gro
undc
over
, con
tain
er. M
any
are
grow
n so
lely
for t
heir
attr
activ
e va
riega
ted
or si
lver
folia
ge.
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, m
assi
ng.
Port
erw
eed
(Sta
chyt
arph
eta
spp.
)C,
SU
prig
htVa
ries
Blue
s, co
ral,
red,
pu
rple
/ W
arm
mon
ths
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
Yes
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng o
r acc
ent p
lant
, att
ract
s but
terfl
ies/
hum
min
gbird
s. M
ay re
seed
. S. u
rtic
ifolia
may
esc
ape
culti
vatio
n. S
. jam
aice
nsis
is a
FL
nativ
e.
Purp
le C
onefl
ower
(E
chin
acea
pur
pure
a)N
,C,S
Clum
ping
3’La
vend
er/S
prin
g to
Fa
llFu
ll su
n/pa
rt
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Har
dySe
eds,
divi
sion
Ruel
lia (R
uelli
a sp
p.)
N, C
, SVa
ries,
clum
ping
to
upr
ight
2-3’
Blue
, vio
let,
red,
pin
k/ M
ay-
Nov
embe
r
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ell d
rain
ed,
drou
ght
tole
rant
Yes
Sem
ihar
dyCu
ttin
gs, s
eed
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, b
eddi
ng. ‘P
urpl
e Sh
ower
s’ M
exic
an p
etun
ia is
a st
erile
cul
tivar
of R
. sim
plex
that
doe
s not
rese
ed a
nd is
not
con
side
red
inva
sive
. The
Uni
vers
ity o
f Flo
rida/
IF
AS h
as re
leas
ed in
fert
ile c
ultiv
ars s
uch
as th
e ‘M
ayan
’ ser
ies.
Oth
erw
ise,
R. s
impl
ex is
con
side
red
inva
sive
in F
lorid
a an
d is
not
reco
mm
ende
d.
Salv
ias,
Sag
es (S
alvi
a sp
p.)
N, C
, SU
prig
ht, b
ushy
2-5’
Blue
s, re
d, p
ink,
ye
llow
, whi
te/
Spec
ies d
epen
dent
Sun
Wel
l dra
ined
, dr
ough
t to
lera
nt
Gen
eral
ly n
oVa
riabl
e by
sp
ecie
sD
ivis
ion,
cut
tings
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ackg
roun
d, m
assi
ng. M
any
spec
ies e
xist
.
8Gardening with Perennials in Florida
Nam
eZo
nes
Gro
wth
hab
itCo
mm
on
heig
htFl
ower
col
or/
Seas
onLi
ght
cond
itio
nsSo
il ty
peSa
lt-s
pray
to
lera
ntCo
ld h
ardy
*M
etho
d of
pr
opag
atio
n
Sanc
hezi
a (S
anch
ezia
no
bilis
)C,
SU
prig
ht3-
8’Ye
llow
/ Su
mm
erSu
n, sh
ade
Rich
, wel
l dr
aine
dYe
sTe
nder
Cutt
ings
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ack
of b
orde
r, m
assi
ng, a
ccen
t pla
nt, c
onta
iner
.
Shri
mp
Plan
t (Ju
stic
ia
bran
dege
ana)
N, C
, SSp
raw
ling
4-6’
Redd
ish-
brow
n an
d ot
her c
olor
s/Sp
ring,
su
mm
er
Sun
to li
ght
shad
eW
ide
rang
eN
oTe
nder
Cutt
ings
, div
isio
n
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
ass p
lant
ings
, bac
kgro
und.
Att
ract
s hum
min
gbird
s. ‘F
lava
’ (ye
llow
), ‘Ja
mba
laya
’ (re
d), a
nd ‘F
ruit
Cock
tail’
(cha
rtre
use
and
pink
) are
pop
ular
cul
tivar
s.
St. B
erna
rd’s
Lily
(A
nthe
ricum
lilia
go)
N, C
, SU
prig
ht,
clum
ping
2’W
hite
/ Ye
ar-r
ound
Sun,
shad
eM
oist
, wel
l dr
aine
dU
nkno
wn
Har
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
ixed
or m
ass p
lant
ings
, con
tain
er, s
peci
men
.
Stok
e’s
Ast
er (S
toke
sia
laev
is)N
, CG
roun
dcov
er8”
Lave
nder
to w
hitis
h/
Late
sprin
gFu
ll su
nM
oist
, ric
h,
acid
No
Har
dyD
ivis
ion,
seed
Trai
ling
Wis
hbon
e Fl
ower
(Tor
enia
hyb
rids)
C, S
Gro
undc
over
3-6”
Dee
p bl
ue, p
urpl
e,
pink
, whi
te/W
arm
m
onth
s
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eFe
rtile
, moi
st,
wel
l dra
ined
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs, s
eed
Use
/Com
men
ts: B
ack
of b
orde
r, ac
cent
pla
nt, a
ttra
cts h
umm
ingb
irds.
Very
tole
rant
of h
eat a
nd h
umid
ity. P
erfo
rms a
s an
annu
al in
nor
th F
lorid
a.
Toad
Lily
(Tric
yrtis
la
sioca
rpa)
N, C
Upr
ight
, cl
umpi
ng3’
Whi
te a
nd a
met
hyst
Su
mm
er-fa
llLi
ght s
hade
Pref
er
moi
stur
eN
oH
ardy
Seed
, cut
tings
, di
visi
on
Use
/Com
men
ts: F
orm
s att
ract
ive
mou
nds o
f spe
ckle
d fo
liage
; sm
all o
rchi
d-lik
e flo
wer
s are
hel
d on
arc
hing
s ste
ms.
Verb
ena
(Ver
bena
spp.
an
d hy
brid
s)N
, C, S
Spra
wlin
g6-
8”Re
d, p
ink,
whi
te,
lave
nder
/Mar
ch-
Oct
ober
Sun
Fert
ile,
drou
ght
tole
rant
No
Sem
ihar
dyCu
ttin
gs, s
eed
Use
/Com
men
ts: M
assi
ng, g
roun
dcov
er. ‘S
issi
nghu
rst’,
a ro
se-p
ink
culti
var,
appe
ars t
o be
relia
ble
in S
outh
FL.
Yello
w A
lder
(Tur
nera
ul
mifo
lia)
C, S
Upr
ight
2’Ye
llow
or c
ream
/Ye
ar-r
ound
Sun
Wid
e ra
nge
No
Tend
erCu
ttin
gs
Use
/Com
men
ts: A
ttra
cts b
utte
rflie
s.
Wal
king
Iris
(Neo
mar
ica
spp.
)N
, C, S
Upr
ight
, m
ound
ing
2-3’
Whi
te, b
lue,
or
yello
w/S
prin
g,
sum
mer
, fal
l
Ligh
t to
full
shad
eW
ide
rang
eN
oTe
nder
Div
isio
n
Use
/Com
men
ts: N
eom
aric
a ca
erul
ea is
whi
te a
nd p
urpl
e. T
he c
ultiv
ar ‘R
egin
a’ ha
s han
dsom
e 4’
tall
leav
es a
nd b
lue-
purp
le fl
ower
s; N
. lon
gifo
lia h
as y
ello
w p
etal
s with
bro
wn
mar
king
s.
*Har
dy—
Fros
t and
free
ze h
ardy
. Se
mih
ardy
—So
me
plan
t dam
age
from
fros
t or f
reez
e.
Tend
er—
Plan
t is k
illed
to th
e gr
ound
by
frost
or f
reez
e, b
ut re
cove
rs q
uick
ly.