Beach sunflower is an attractive coastal plant that is well suited for many landscapes. The native plant can thrive in hot and dry spots where other plants may struggle. Learn more about Beach sunflower, Helianthus debilis, and how to use it in your landscape.
Shade is a wonderful feature in the landscape as we move into our summer months. It can also offer an opportunity to include a different palette of beautiful plants the bring color and brighteness to some filtered shade or full shade locations.
Here are a few plants to consider for those low light areas of the yard.
The native oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia will do well in dappled shade spots. The leaves are attractive on their own but the addition of large flowers make it very showy. This native hydrangea will like a little moisture but soils should be well drained. A little morning sun is fine but afternoon shade is very helpful as the summer months progress.
The old standard Japanese aucuba, Acuba japonica, is a favorite with it’s green leaves speckled with yellow. New growth is damaged by sun so this evergreen shrub is best with a good amount of shade. Be sure to place in a spot with good air circulation to make the environment less conducive to some plant pests.
Each Aucuba leaf has a unique pattern. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.
One of the shrimp plants that really needs shade is the White shrimp plant, Justicia betonica. Although this can be damaged in freezing weather, it is worth replanting every spring in a small grouping. Plants are easily started from cuttings and sometimes they will return from roots in the protected shade areas.
White bracts with pink flowers of White shrimp plant. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.
An annual that is very showy for shade is related to the shrimp plant. Persian shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus is grown for it’s iridescent purple and silver foliage. It thrives in our heat with a little water when rainfall is lacking. It grows well either planted in the ground or in a container to provide bright color amongst the green foliage plants of your shady spot.
A bit of dappled morning sunlight on the Persian shield leaves. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.
Most people know the Cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior, which is a full shade plant. Plants that receive too much sunlight with have scalding spots. Although green foliage is attractive in summer, consider one of the cultivars with various types of variegation. You may choose a selection with white or yellow stripes through leaves or a plant with lots of white spots throughout green leaves.
Southern magnolia makes an attractive tree in the Florida landscape. Choosing the best spot for your tree is important for its optimum growth.
Since so many people are asking questions about alternatives to lawns, I wanted to provide an update on the growth of Powderpuff Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) in my own home lawn. Almost a year ago, I made a video about using this native plant as a companion plant in an existing North Florida lawn. You may view the video if you missed it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NxKdN74jVs. Almost a year later, I am very happy with the spread of this plant through the lawn area and the beautiful blooms that offer interest in the lawn.
Powderpuff mimosa bloom. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.
If you are considering this plant as a lawn companion in North Florida, realize that the foliage will often die back with a freeze. I did have a couple of small bare spots through winter. I could see the running stems of the mimosa but it did not have any foliage. That is one of the reasons why the plant is best as a companion plant instead of the main lawn feature in North Florida. You must also be considerate of the neighbor’s property if your planting area is on the border. Talk to your neighbor first about the strong possibility of the mimosa growing across a property line and if that is ok. My lawn area is bordered by many feet of mulched beds so that is not an issue for my planting. Like I mentioned in the video, I do have to edge the mimosa at the mulch beds where I don’t want it growing into other plants and groundcovers.
One last practice that I do have with the mimosa is hand pulling any weeds that I don’t want growing in it. I have a few rushes and some of the annual chamberbitter that will pop up. Some of the traditional weed management techniques that are acceptable for turfgrasses, will not be appropriate for mimosa. Consider carefully if you will be able to tolerate a few weeds or if you can commit to hand pulling a few here and there.
Mimosa will look different than your turfgrass. Photo by Beth Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.
If you determine that your lawn or landscape is suitable for Powerpuff mimosa, you may look for plants at a native nursery. We have a couple of good native nursery options in the western Panhandle and you may be able to find plants throughout North Florida. There is also seed available through wildflower cooperatives. If you have a friend with some, you can always start a tray from a few cuttings too.
In the garden, mistletoe is not a plant we want to see. This parasitic plant can cause issues for some of our trees and we need to address the issue when we are able. Learn more about mistletoe in our landscape plants with UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.