19 Stunning Perennials Perfect for Florida Gardens
These selections endure heat, invite pollinators, and ensure vibrant blooms throughout.
19 Beautiful Perennial Plants for Lush Florida Gardens
Floridaâs sunny climate, humid air, and distinctive soils make gardening a unique adventure. With brutal summer heat and sudden downpours, the right perennial choices are key for vibrant gardens that return season after season. Below youâll find 19 stellar perennial plants perfectly suited for Florida landscapes, with growing advice, botanic details, and standout garden features.
- Discover resilient perennials that thrive in Florida’s unique zones
- Find flowers, foliage, and pollinator-friendly options
- Get practical gardening and maintenance tips for each plant
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
| Sun: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Height: | 2-3 feet |
| Zones: | 10-11 |
Pentas stand out with clusters of star-shaped pink, red, or white flowers that bloom in Florida’s warmth. These bushy perennials are excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in well-drained soil with good spacing to allow mature size. Pinch stems in early growth stages for bushier plants.
- Blooms in warm months
- Great for pollinator gardens
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyeriana)
| Sun: | Partial to full shade |
| Height: | 3-4 feet |
| Zones: | 8-11 |
This perennial is chosen for its metallic purple and pink iridescent foliage. While flowers are small and not showy, the vibrant leaves make it a favorite for shady beds. Keep soil moist and well-drained. Protect from frost, or treat as an annual above zone 8.
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 6-12 feet (can be pruned smaller) |
| Zones: | 9b-11 |
Firebush delivers clusters of tubular red-orange flowers for most of the year, drawing native pollinators and hummingbirds. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and fast-growing, making it ideal for wildlife and low-maintenance gardens.
- Blooms spring through fall
- Attracts butterflies and bees
Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 2-4 feet |
| Zones: | 8-11 |
A crucial host plant for Monarch butterflies, tropical milkweed offers red-orange and yellow flower clusters. Plant several together to help caterpillar populations thrive. In South Florida, cut back at least once annually to minimize spread of pathogen OE.
- Essential for pollinator gardens
- Easy to propagate from cuttings
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 12-24 inches |
| Zones: | 3-10 |
Known for daisy-like, red-yellow bicolor blooms, blanket flower is a tough, cheerful perennial for sandy or dry soils. Long blooming, drought-tolerant, and beloved by bees, itâs ideal for borders and wildflower settings.
Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 6-12 inches |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
Blue daze forms a spreading mat of soft green foliage dotted with sky-blue flowers. Perfect for ground covers and containers. It prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil and thrives in heat.
Caladium (Caladium bicolor and hybrids)
| Sun: | Part shade to shade |
| Height: | 12-30 inches |
| Zones: | 9b-11 (can be treated as summer annual elsewhere) |
What others are reading
These tuberous perennials are prized for their extravagant, heart-shaped leaves in white, red, and pink. Use in shaded beds or as container accents. Dig tubers in North Florida before frost.
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 12-18 inches |
| Zones: | 7-11 |
With garlic-scented foliage and delicate purple flowers, society garlic is both ornamental and edible. Tolerates poor soils and is deer-resistant â a reliable edging and container perennial.
Salvia (Various species)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 1-4 feet (variety dependent) |
| Zones: | 8-11 |
This versatile genus includes many colorful, long-blooming perennials that attract bees and hummingbirds. Prune spent flowers for rebloom, and select native or well-adapted species for best Florida performance.
- Popular choices: Salvia guaranitica, Salvia leucantha, Salvia farinacea
Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 2-3 feet |
| Zones: | 8-11 |
Floridaâs only native cycad, coontie has attractive palm-like fronds and is ultra-resilient. Slow-growing but drought-tolerant, itâs the host plant for the rare Atala butterfly. Suitable for deciduous or evergreen gardens.
Dune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 1-3 feet |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
This low-growing native sports cheerful yellow flowers year-round in frost-free areas. Tolerant of sandy soils and salty breezes, itâs perfect for Floridaâs coastal and drought-prone gardens.
- Spreads quickly â great for erosion control
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 1-2 feet |
| Zones: | 3-9 |
With flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, and pink, yarrow is heat-tolerant, easy, and feeds pollinators. Drought-resistant once established, coppice to basal leaves in fall for tidier growth.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 1-2 feet |
| Zones: | 4-9 |
Coreopsis, Floridaâs state wildflower, offers daisy-like golden blooms that flourish from spring to autumn. It is low maintenance and a favorite for sunny cottage gardens.
Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 6-18 feet |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
Vigorous and striking, golden dewdrop is known for purple-blue flower sprays and decorative golden fruit. Prune to maintain shape or as a hedge; site away from areas with children or pets, as berries are toxic if ingested.
Giant Crinum Lily (Crinum asiaticum)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 3-6 feet |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
Showy, tropical-looking foliage and large white starburst flowers make this lily a dramatic focal point. Tolerates wet and dry periods, prefers enriched soils.
Lantana (Lantana camara and hybrids)
| Sun: | Full sun |
| Height: | 12-36 inches |
| Zones: | 8-11 |
Bright clusters of flowers in red, orange, yellow, or pink help lantana bloom for months. These ever-blooming shrubs lure pollinators but be sure to choose sterile or native species, as some forms are invasive.
- Drought-tolerant
- Excellent for sunny borders
Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 1-3 feet |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
Ideal for butterfly gardens, blue porterweedâs spiky blue flowers produce nectar through the warm months. Grow as a low perennial in frost-free zones or as an annual elsewhere.
Society Garlic
As above.
Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
See coreopsis above â golden, daisy-like flowers that excel in Floridaâs sun-drenched gardens.
Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 24 inches |
| Zones: | 9-11 |
This small, bushy perennial gives a cloud of tiny purple or white flowers against fine green leaves. Attractive to pollinators and useful as edging or mass plantings.
Canna Lily (Canna indica and hybrids)
| Sun: | Full sun to part shade |
| Height: | 3-8 feet |
| Zones: | 7-11 |
Massive, paddle-shaped leaves and fiery red, orange, or yellow blooms give canna lilies a jungle look. Best in moist soils, often grown beside water features in Florida gardens.
Tips for Growing Perennials in Florida
- Know your USDA zone: South Florida (10-11) can grow tropicals year-round, while North/Central (8-9) should watch for frost.
- Choose well-draining sites and enrich sandy soils with compost.
- Space plants properly for airflow and disease prevention.
- Water deeply but infrequently once established, to build resilience.
- Diversify plantings for all-season color and wildlife diversity.
Table: At-a-Glance Florida Perennials
| Plant Name | Best Use | USDA Zone | Sun | Wildlife Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentas | Borders, pollinators | 10-11 | Sun/part shade | Butterflies, hummingbirds |
| Persian Shield | Foliage, shade beds | 8-11 | Shade | Ornamental foliage |
| Firebush | Shrubs, wildlife | 9b-11 | Sun/part shade | Birds, butterflies |
| Coontie | Low-maintenance, natives | 8-11 | Sun/part shade | Atala butterfly host |
| Salvia | Borders, pollinators | 8-11 | Full sun | Bees, hummingbirds |
| Blanket Flower | Wildflower, low water | 3-10 | Full sun | Bees, butterflies |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are these perennials OK in North or Central Florida?
A: Many featured perennials thrive throughout Florida. Always double-check USDA zones and microclimatesâsome, like pentas or caladium, may need extra winter protection up north.
Q: What perennials best attract butterflies and hummingbirds?
A: Pentas, firebush, salvia, milkweed, and blue porterweed are outstanding choices for pollinator gardens and wildlife support.
Q: Can I grow these perennials in containers?
A: Yes â many perennials like pentas, blue daze, and caladium thrive in pots. Choose large containers and use quality potting mix.
Q: When should I plant perennials in Florida?
A: Plant after the last frost in spring for north/central Florida; in South Florida, you can plant fall through spring. Avoid summer planting due to extreme heat stress on young roots.
Q: How do I maintain Florida perennials year to year?
A: Remove faded blooms, divide crowded clumps every 2-3 years, feed with slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
References
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