What can give me little color in the heat of SW Florida?

In lower South of Florida growing annual flowers in the summer or even veggies is near to impossible..Can anyone tell me some things that can stand the heat and humidity..along with the drenching summer rains ?
  17 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 10, 2017

    portulace will withstand the heat but not the rain

  • Bebe Bebe on Jun 10, 2017

    Bougainvilleas and Hybiscus are beautiful and will grow and bloom practically all year. They come in a variety of colors.

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    • PRESIDENTSAC PRESIDENTSAC on Jun 11, 2017

      I'm from Ft. Lauderdale and those are your two best options.

  • Bre24546540 Bre24546540 on Jun 10, 2017

    day lilies

  • Har24960533 Har24960533 on Jun 10, 2017

    How about bird of paradise?

  • Kerry Federspiel Kerry Federspiel on Jun 10, 2017

    Huge, the get bsolutely Huge!

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    • Marta Marta on Jun 10, 2017

      The White Bird of Paradise do have very large leaves and get very tall over time and spread. The orange variety is lower in height, with smaller, narrower leaves and is more compact. And the flowers are brightly colored.

  • Patricia De Franco Rini Patricia De Franco Rini on Jun 10, 2017

    They are pretty when they bloom but then they are a mess to look at..but thanks..I really want something that will bloom all summer.

  • Carmen Carmen on Jun 10, 2017

    I'm from Illinois and now in SW Florida. I've learned by trial and error that tropical gardening is way different! To add color and texture to my landscape, I've added color plants and trees like croton, elephant ears, jatropha just to name a few.

  • Linda Linda on Jun 10, 2017

    Crown of Thorns bloom all year round. I have them planted on the north side of my house and whenever I want to make a new plant, I cut a stem and put it in the ground or a planter. If there is going to be a frost in the winter, they must be covered because they are really a desert plant but do well at my house. Had them when I lived in CA.

  • Nancy Nancy on Jun 10, 2017

    Hibiscus ( they have some gorgeous ones on line , very tropical looking ) they would go well with your lush setting, make sure that they drain well. Plumerias, love that area and do not require much son..again very tropical and fragrant. I would also love to see gardenias, some wedding flower vines....I would go crazy ! lol..Good luck.


    • Patricia De Franco Rini Patricia De Franco Rini on Jun 11, 2017

      I have two Plumerias off to the side of this area that are higher than the house but the Hibiscus get leggy too soon and are a pain to get rid of when that happens as they also get very woody..Lol..on the gardenia I have one growing behind one of those chairs that I cut to the ground and is coming back but has problems with black mold because of the humidity ..but I love the smell....

  • Nancy Nancy on Jun 10, 2017

    If you go with Crown of Thorns, make sure you use a quick draining soil due to all the rain.

  • Nancy Nancy on Jun 10, 2017

    The little area seems nice and protected so I would not be surprised that the micro climate that it creates would allow most plants to have several blooming seasons instead of just blooming in Summer.

  • Francisco Cano Francisco Cano on Jun 10, 2017

    iPensamientos Tus ¡vComparte! lm

  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Jun 10, 2017

    Bougainvilleas can be grown in pots to keep them from taking over. Experiment with different flowers in large pots that you can move in or out of sun if necessary. As for veggies, eggplant has pretty lavender flowers and fruit, there is red Russian kale for wintertime. I find geraniums quite sturdy. Camellias are pretty shrubs. If all else fails, plant anything in a bright colored pot for your pop of color, or add brightly colored outdoor pillows.

  • Ilu10720007 Ilu10720007 on Jun 11, 2017

    Desert roses are great for the sweet Florida area. I have mine in pots. I don't like them big so I keep cutting them down. The literally take care of themselves. I never water then.

  • Pauline Sodermark Pauline Sodermark on Jun 11, 2017

    Various kinds of crotons grow almost anywhere in Florida. They are colorful and come in different formations of plant.


  • Lorraine Lorraine on Jun 12, 2017

    How about just colorful pillows. And rugs made from recycled plastic bottles,have some great ones at Cost Plus, world market. An inexpensive statue from Ross or other stores like that, would look adorable in that corner,you can spray paint it hot pink,or a bright orange for more color. Spray paint that white chair a fun bright color get a colorful pot and put an orchid in it. A market umbrella would also be pretty.

  • Ellis Ellis on Jun 12, 2017

    Lantana, it grows in Florida, comes in many colors, can be planted in tubs, planters.