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Florida Gardening

Need Advice: Plants that don't need pruning

15 years ago

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Florida gardening (bought a seasonal property) and want to fill my yard (just south of Sarasota) with attractive plants (mostly shrubs) that do not need much watering or any pruning. Things that bloom in the fall, winter or early spring and/or are fragrant are preferable, but not necessary.

I'd also like easy care palms that don't require pruning or watering and that don't grow too high -- maybe a maximum of 20 feet.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!

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Comments (8)

tclynx
15 years ago
Crep Myrtles don't need pruning but might get a bit taller than 20 feet. But they bloom later in the spring usually.

Rosemarry might be a good choice.

I have a bottle brush plant that is blooming now, they are supposed to need little to no extra care.
solstice98
15 years ago
gardenia
azaleas
porterweed (starts small but gets huge)
thunbergia erectus (Kings Mantle)
firebush
firespike (red tends to bloom from summer through fall, purple tends to bloom very early spring to summer)
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gatormomx2
15 years ago
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15 years ago
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Tom
15 years ago
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Here is a link that might be useful: Louis Philippe
beerwolf
15 years ago
Can't beat Plumeria (unless your wanting the opacity)
showy, fragrant, maintenance free
annafl
15 years ago
I live in Sarasota. In my area, jatrophas don't stop blooming during the year and don't have to have any pruning. For the last two months, the rondeletias (panama rose) have been blooming beautifully with not so much as a wince from the cold this year. They can get large, but look good at any size. Epidendrum orchids look great in beds and have started blooming since last month through July. My gardenias are just getting buds(late this year) so will be blooming late March and into April. Landscape begonias are just starting to bloom (late also), and will bloom through late April or May. The foliage looks good year round. Foliage plants can be just as pretty as flowers, so try to be open to those also. Their rewards are usually year-round.

You did not tell us anything about your conditions, so you will get a mixed bag of suggestions. More details and pics would mean better information for you. Enjoy our paradise, if even for a few months!

Anna
frompa2fl_in9b
15 years ago
I live in Sarasota, too. I love pittosporum, dark or varigated. White fragrant flowers in late spring. Also, indian hawthorne is great. White (or pink) flowers in spring and dark blue-black berries in fall. Both no-care.

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