Perennial Plants in Florida

Sprekelia formosissima

• Floridata describes Sprekelia formosissima as a perennial plant native to Mexico and Guatemala commonly grown by Florida gardeners. Alternately known at Aztec lily, Jacobean lily, St. Jame's lily and orchid lily, Sprekelia formosissima bears large, crimson and scarlet flowers that grow up to 5 inches across. Aztec lily is the only species of its genus and is suited to United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 11. These Zones include the Florida cities of Gainesville, St. Augustine, Naples and Miami.

Canna flaccida

• Canna flaccida is a flowering plant native to Florida. Listed as a perennial by Floridata, the plant is commonly known as golden canna and is described by the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants as growing to 4 feet tall and sporting a 3 inch long yellow/gold flower. Canna flaccida grows around water, although has been hybridized to grow in standard gardens. Hybrid variety flowers can be tinged orange or red.

Tecoma stans

• Tecoma stans is a yellow-flowering plant listed as a perennial by Floridata. Also known as yellow elder, trumpetbush, yellowbells and ginger-thomas, the plant is native to Arizona, Texas and south to Argentina. Tecoma stans has naturalized in South Florida and is grown by gardeners in the Sunshine State. The plant bears groups of one to nine flowers that are 2 to 3 inches across each. Trumpetbush is suited to USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 through 11. Floridata cautions that though the plant is not known to be invasive in Florida, it is on some Pacific islands.

Alternanthera dentata

• Alternanthera dentata, also known as Brazilian red hots, is listed as a popular garden perennial by Florida Friendly Plants. The bushy plant grows from 20 to 28 inches tall with a spread of up to 18 inches. Foliage is variegated pink and red, meaning that leaves of the Alternanthera dentata will display both colors in tandem. Brazilian red hots are described by Florida Friendly Plants as fairly tolerant to drought once the plant has established itself in a garden. Alternanthera dentata will grow in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11.