Adding low-maintenance shrubs to your yard can help you achieve a landscape that requires minimal maintenance. Let’s look at low maintenance shrubs for central Florida. We’ll discuss how to grow and care for plants such as butterfly milkweed, Florida privet, and oakleaf hydrangeas. In Central Florida, such plants must be able to withstand temperatures from the 30s to 90s and higher.
Low maintenance shrubs for central Florida
Here are ten varieties of shrubs that can stay looking great with minimal effort:
Marlberry Tree
The Marlberry tree is a small tree that grows to a height of around 15 feet and is native to Central Florida. It produces small white flowers in the spring, followed by red berries, which are often eaten by birds and wildlife in the fall.
Marlberry trees require little maintenance once established but may benefit from pruning or trimming in late fall or early winter. They should be grown in either partial sun or shade rather than very sunny spots.
The shrub is tolerant of salty conditions and can also be grown in coastal areas.
Butterfly Milkweed
Butterfly milkweed is a low-maintenance shrub featuring bright orange-yellow flowers in the summer that attract butterflies and other pollinators. It often attracts monarch butterflies that use the shrub to lay their eggs.
The plant is durable, tolerating hot temperatures and dry soil conditions. It will also reseed itself in the fall.
Purple Lovegrass
This showy grass produces purple flower spikes all year round, making it a great addition to any yard, border, or flowerbed. It can grow up to a foot tall and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Florida Privet
This low-maintenance evergreen shrub is native to Central Florida and produces fragrant white flowers in the spring. The plant is drought tolerant and can easily be pruned into a hedge or other shape. You’ll need to ensure you have enough space to grow Florida Privet, as it can grow to ten feet in height.
Chinese Fringe Flower
This flowering shrub produces white and pink flowers in the spring and summer. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can be grown in various conditions.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub with large blooms of pink or white flowers in the spring. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade but can tolerate full sun.
Allamanda Bush
This low-maintenance shrub features bright yellow flowers in the summer and is drought-tolerant once it is established. It prefers full sun to partial shade but will grow in many different types of soils.
Viburnum
Viburnum is an evergreen shrub with colorful foliage. It can tolerate hot and cold temperatures and full sun and produces white flowers in the spring.
Texas Sage
This showy shrub produces clusters of purple or white flowers in the summer and prefers well-drained soil and full sun. It is drought tolerant once established and can tolerate temperatures into the 30s.
Banana Shrub
The banana shrub is another fantastic option for anyone creating a low-maintenance yard. The shrub produces yellow flowers in the summer and prefers well-drained, acidic soil. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade but should not be planted in areas with poor drainage.
How to choose a shrub for your yard?
When choosing a shrub for your yard, consider the climate and soil conditions of the area. Some shrubs prefer full sun, while others require partial shade. Also, choose a shrub that is adapted to your soil type. If you are unsure, speak to a local nursery or gardening center for advice on which plants will work best in your area. Finally, consider the size and shape of the shrub when selecting one for your yard.
Conclusion
With the right selection of low-maintenance shrubs, you can have a beautiful and easy-to-maintain garden or landscape in Central Florida. From Marlberry Trees to Texas Sage, these ten varieties are sure to add beauty and effortless care to your garden.