Timetraveler.... not sure what to tell you as your foundation plant..... I live on the Intracoastal and have lots of salt and wind damage because I am on the wide part,,,, I grow roses, and had the same kind of problem.After Hurricane Wilma I had Geoff Coolidge of Cool Roses look at my plants and he told me that after hurricanes and tropical storms my roses were suffering from salt damage. He told me to pull the leaves off and wash the salt off the plant. It made them think they were dormant like up north. They came back really good... in fact better than before..... since I get a lot of salt and wind storms I don't always pull the leaves off but I do wash the salt off the leaves all of the time. My suggestion instead of new foundation plant would be to wash the leaves off your firebush and give it a good trim and some fertilizer..... that is if you like your firebush.... I think you would give it a boost on new growth..... It is such a good plant for hummingbirds, I think you might really miss it.

Sharon

I believe silver buttonwood and cocoplum are salt tolerant, but I'm not sure if these would like more sun than what you describe. There is - or was - a native plant nursery in Melbourne (Maple Street Natives?). The gentleman there should be able to make recommendations.