Flower bed to handle full Florida sun?
by
Jennifer
+11
I am redoing the sod in my back yard and am thinking of putting in a flower bed next to the brick wall at the edge of my yard. It gets hot Florida sun all day and I am not sure what flowers to put in it to survive the heat? They will have to be drought tolerant too as we can't water except once a week. I hope all you green thumbs can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
14 answers
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I too have the heat and sun problems here in Louisiana. I have found a few tropicals I like and they really do well. Depends on how much room you have and what size plants you want. I love my split leaf philodendrom, tropicannas and I have a banana which has a burgundy red stems and leaf backs and it does not spread like regular banana plants. If it's flowers you want I know there are several sun lovers. Let us know what you want.
Pam
on May 15, 2012
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I was thinking just flowers to make it easy- the bed may be 3 feet out from the wall. Now you have me thinking about some height filled in with flowers. Something super easy to maintain because my green thumb is lost.... Thanks Pam for the info.
Jennifer
on May 15, 2012
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White flower farm and spring hill nursery(on line) have been my main sources for my zone 9 garden as I too reside in central Fl. I have purchased many full sun, drought tolerant plants from them and have enjoyed great success. Depends on what you are wanting to plant ( annual vs. perenial, tropical vs. floral), you will find much to choose from.
Barb A
on May 15, 2012
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Hibiscus, perennial!
Rebecca D
on May 15, 2012
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Gardening in full sun in Florida can be a challenge, Jennifer. If you want to keep your bed small and stick with plants that bloom, I'd suggest you take a look at bulbine (Bulbine frutescens), a great plant from South Africa that thrives in hot, dry conditions. Other good choices for you would include beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) and blanket flower (Gaillardia spp) , lantana (Lantana spp.) and pentas (Pentas lanceolata). And any of the salvias would do well. I just added a beautiful one called "Wendy's Wish" to a sunny spot in my garden. Remember that all of these plants will need water to get established. Even with water restrictions in Florida, you can hand-water at any time, and you will need to do so to get these plants going.
Douglas Hunt
on May 16, 2012
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Douglas, I always use a tsp. of Root Blast in the hole before I sit my plant root ball down and my plants get a head start and grow vigorousely. My nieghbors can't understand why my plants grow so well and their's don't. If the root system gets fed and grows really well, you know the plant will thrive. Could Jennifer use a sponge or some of those pellets that swell and hold the water in the hole to help also?
Pam
on May 16, 2012
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I use Epsom Salt and a little water before I plant. Keeps the plants feet wet,
Rebecca D
on May 16, 2012
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I hope I pasted this correctly, but this is some plants suggested for the south from Home & Gardens; http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/south/types-of-southern-perennials/#page=1
Pam
on May 16, 2012
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Thanks for all the replies and great info. And thanks Pam D for the article- just what I needed. I will post again hopefully with a great bed of flowers...
Jennifer
on May 16, 2012
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You're welcome.
Pam
on May 16, 2012
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Happy planting, Jennifer. We look forward to your photos.
Douglas Hunt
on May 17, 2012
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I would like to add that succulents do very well in the Central Florida heat and some of them bloom beautifully. Cactus....aloe vera, etc. do very well in warm sandy soil.
Pat Croley
on Sep 06, 2015
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Pintas. Pink, red, white, full size, dwarf size. They have an abundance of small star shaped flowers. Full size can get waist high. They grow in full sun, full shade and everything in between. They need plenty of water to get them established, but after that, they will grow even in drought conditions. Most versatile and durable flowering plant for Florida that I ever grew. I spent 20 plus yrs in Lakeland, FL and insisted on flowers that could survive on there own.
Susan Dye
on Oct 07, 2015
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Thank you Susan I can't wait to go look for them!
Jennifer
on Oct 08, 2015
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