Zone Ten Nursery - Shrubs, Grasses and
Groundcovers Page 1 (A-G)
Last update: 10/20/07
The following photographic gallery shows a selection of some of the shrub plants usually available at our nursery.
Shrubs are, technically, woody, multi-stemmed
plants that don't become very tall, say, under 12 feet or so. The following list contains
some herbaceous plants which are used as you would use any shrub in the landscape. The
point is that they are all perennials, and in south Florida, most herbaceous perennials
hang around all year long.
Acalypha hispida - Chenille Plant; Red Hot Cat's Tail
A perennial flowering shrub from Malaysia. Blooms year-round with long red blooms. It has a fast growth rate and grows to about six feet. Once fairly common in the South Florida landscape but now rather difficult to find. Likes full sun to partial shade. It likes regular watering with low drought tolerance and a medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Acalypha
wilkesiana
-
‘Macafeana’
Very showy long red leaves on this evergreen shrub lends both color contrast and unusual foliage to the tropical garden. Grows to 6 feet. Likes full sun, has medium growth rate, medium salt and but low drought tolerance. Zones 10-11.
Acalypha wilkesiana - Copperleaf
See above. Grows to 8 feet or more with leaves reaching 7-8 inches across. It adds color and texture to the landscape. Zones 10-11
Aloe sp.
The species grows to 3 feet in height but grows relatively slowly. Sun to part shade. Will spread to form beds of plants. High salt/ drought tolerance. Zones 10-11
Bambusa ventricosa - Buddha's Belly Bamboo
One of the most attractive bamboo, this species has swollen internodes. A slower growing, clumping bamboo from southern China reaching 50 feet. A must-have for the larger garden. Full sun/ medium drought tolerance. Zones 10-11
Bambusa vulgaris ‘Vittata’-Hawaiian Stripe, Ohe Nui
A fast-growing, clumping, tropical bamboo to 60 feet. Yellow stems with green longitudinal stripes. Tropical Asia. Medium drought tolerance; medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Barleria micans
- Yellow Barleria
A rare Barleria from Mexico. To 4 or 5 feet. Prefers light shade, rich soil, regular watering. Blooms all year with clear, bright, yellow flowers in a terminal bract. New introduction at Zone Ten.
Begonia spp.
We
usually offer two species of
Beg
onia.
Both
are nice additions
to a shady garden.
They add an unusual foliage
shape
and both species do well in
dappled/part
shade. Both have white
flow
ers.
One species grows to 4-5 feet while
the other grows
to 3-4 feet. They both
bloom
through- out
the year
and add a tropical look to the garden.
They like moist
but well drained
soil.
Zones
10-11
Brugmansia sp. - Angel's Trumpet
An evergreen shrub to 8 feet or more with huge, pendant blooms on and off all year. Likes plenty of fertilizer, sun and water for best blooming. Wonderful fragrance, especially in the evening. It has a fast growth rate and likes regular watering as it has low drought tolerance. It also has low salt tolerance. The flowers are toxic if eaten. Originates from South America. Available in peachy pink and white. Zones 10-11
Caesalpinia pulcherimma - Dwarf poinciana; Barbados pride
Lovely
yellow, red/orange, pink or yellow pyramidal clusters of flowers appear
in the spring,summer
and into fall. It has a fast growth rate and is a
shrubby tree to about 10 feet. It can go deciduous during cold winters
even here in Miami. It originates from the
Caribbean region. It has medium
salt tolerance but high drought tolerance.
Zones 9-11
Calliandra emarginata - Dwarf powderpuff
This is a different species from the large powderpuff (C. haematocephala) but has similar red flowers. This evergreen species grows to only 6 feet, so it makes a good patio plant. Blooms in the spring and summer. Originates from Mexico and Guatemala. This little tree has high drought tolerance. Zones 10-11
Calotropis gigantea - Giant Milkweed
Very unusual year-round bloomer with waxy pink, lavender and white flowers. It serves as larval food for the Monarch butterfly. Grows to 15 feet.
Cassia alata - Candlestick
cassia
Bright yellow clusters of cylindrical flowers in spring until fall. Native to tropical America and the West Indies, this upright or sprawling shrub reaches 6-8 feet. It is recommended that the shrub be trimmed back after flowering. Butterflies love it (nectar source and larval food). Zones 10-11
Cestrum nocturnum - Night-blooming Jasmine
One of the most fragrant plants in existence, blooming throughout the spring and summer. The flowers open at night and release perfume for long distances. Trim off old flower bracts to ensure continuous blooming. It likes full sun to part shade. A perennial shrub with a fast growth rate it can reach to 10 feet. It is from the Caribbean region. Night blooming jasmine has medium drought and medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Clerodendrum philippinum - (Clerodendrum fragrans); Japanese Rose
Fast-growing flowering shrub to 6 feet with
rounded clusters of
wonderfully
fragrant, rose-like flowers mostly white, sometimes with a peach tinge.
This plant like many in this genus produces shoots
from the roots, so it should be planted in an area where new growth can be
controlled. Likes part shade and regular watering. Zones 10-11
Clerodendrum speciosissimum
- Java Glory Bower
A fast-growing flowering shrub from Java to 6-8 feet and blooms year-round with inflorescences of bright 2 inch orange-red flowers. Thrives in part shade. Likes regular watering but well-drained soil. It has medium drought but low salt tolerance. Attracts hummingbirds. Zones 10-11
Codiaeum variegatum - Dewdrop
leaf croton
This unusual croton has dewdrop-shaped leaves and will probably reach 6 feet. It is evergreen and will grow in full sun to part shade. Crotons provide year-round color and this one provides unusual texture as well. It is a medium to slow grower, is drought tolerant once established and has medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Combretum sp. - Combretum
Unusual, bright red-orange brushy flowers appear spring through fall on this very uncommon woody, rather vining shrub from New Zealand. May be deciduous even in Miami during a cold winter. To about 4 feet tall. Zones 10-11
Codiaeum variegatum - Dewdrop
leaf croton
This unusual croton has dewdrop-shaped leaves and will probably reach 6 feet. It is evergreen and will grow in full sun to part shade. Crotons provide year-round color and this one provides unusual texture as well. It is a medium to slow grower, is drought tolerant once established and has medium salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Combretum sp. - Combretum
Unusual, bright red-orange brushy flowers appear spring through fall on this very uncommon woody, rather vining shrub from New Zealand. May be deciduous even in Miami during a cold winter. To about 4 feet tall. Zones 10-11
A perennial grass from India and Sri Lanka that grows to 4 feet. The bulbs are used in Southeast Asian cooking and the leaves are used for tea. The aromatic foliage is a source of lemon oil. Lemon grass needs full sun and regular watering. It has a fast growth rate. Zones 10-11
Cyperus
alternifolius - Papyrus, Umbrella plant
Dombeya x 'S
eminole'
Clusters of vivid pink flowers appear in fall, winter and spring on this lovely, perennial, compact flowering shrub from East Africa. Grows to 10 feet. Likes full sun and regular watering. Low salt tolerance. Zones 10-11
Duranta
repens - Golden dewdrop
We offer thornless varieties with blue or white flowers year-round. A fast-growing barrier shrub to 12 feet. The berries are toxic to humans, though edible to birds. From the Caribbean, it may also be native to the Florida Keys. High drought tolerance and medium salt tolerance. Full sun to partial shade. A good butterfly attractor. Zones 9-11
Euphorbia lactea - Milkstripe Euphorbia
This unusual plant is actually related to the poinsettia and the crown of thorns. It grows to 7 feet and has a candelabra-like growth habit. Tiny flowers appear along the tips of the spines. Very salt tolerant. It will tolerate full sun to part shade. It is cold sensitive however. It is native to the East Indies. Zones 10-11
Galphimia gracilis - Thryallis
A dense, evergreen shrub to 5 feet that has year-round clusters of yellow fragrant flowers. Makes good hedge material. It has medium salt and drought tolerance. Give it full sun for maximum flowering. Native from Mexico to Peru. Zones 9-11
Gardenia augusta - Grafted Gardenia
We offer a grafted gardenia that should do well in our south Florida soils. The fragrant white flowers appear in the spring and early summer. It needs regular watering as it is not drought tolerant. It also has low salt tolerance. Use ixora or gardenia fertilizer if you notice deficiencies. Zones 10-11
Grewia occidentalis - Star Flower
Lovely star-shaped
dark lavender flowers almost every day of the y
ear. We know of no plant that
blooms so consistently. Shrub or small tree to 9 feet from Africa. It
has an unusual flat shape to its branches and can easily be espaliered along an
interior garden wall. It has
medium salt and medium drought tolerance.
A good bonsai subject;a wonderful
and underused addition to the garden. Zones 10-11