Drought Resistant Shrubs for Florida

Florida is one of my favorite states to visit. What isn't there to love about the heat and the ocean? If you live in Florida you might be a bit frustrated by what all this dry weather is doing to your lawn and garden. Well, you're in luck. Here is a list of some drought friendly shrubs that will stay alive through these dry months.

The first I recommend is the wax myrtle. It grows beautiful white fruits that will bring the wildlife to your yard especially ones of the bird population. The wax covering the fruit is used for making candles. This plant also has a very pleasant, distinct scent. It grows well in sandy ground. It can reach up to forty feet at its tallest height.

One of my personal favorites is an oleander. You have to be very careful about planting these shrubs as the entire thing is highly toxic. Even the fallen shriveled leaves are toxic. Also, be prepared that this shrub can sometimes grow to the size of a small tree. The flowers this shrub creates in the summer are beautiful and range in color from white to red and pink. Oleanders can be purchased for a cheap price and grow very quickly and without too much assistance. My favorite things in a plant!

Another favorite of mine is the orange jasmine. This shrub too produces beautiful, fragrant flowers that are white or yellow colored. The leaves are bright green and waxy to the touch. It can grow up to twelve feet tall. It also does very well indoors in a pot and will fill your house with the sweet smells of its flowers as it blooms year round.

A good shrub if you're looking to create hedges is the Japanese boxwood. It is a tough shrub that will withstand weather changes and temperature changes. Once grown, they are easy to cut into shapes. In the warmer temperatures the leaves area bright green color that turn brown as the temperatures cool. It won't grow any higher than three feet.

A fun shrub to plant is the firecracker plant. True to its name, the flowers of this shrub resemble a firecracker. The flower is red and tube-shaped and its pistil sticks out of the end like the lighting end of a firecracker. This is a tropical shrub so it thrives in the Florida atmosphere and will need plenty of sunlight. It grows to about three feet at its maximum.

I hope these suggestions help. Happy planting!