Native Nontoxic Hedges in Florida

Late Bloomers

• Common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a nontoxic native that makes an excellent tall hedge in northern Florida. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8 or 9 (depending on variety), it is the last plant to flower in the growing year, producing fragrant yellow, ribbonlike blooms in very late fall or early winter. The plants grow 15 to 20 feet tall, with a similar spread, but can be kept smaller for landscape purposes. The rounded green leaves turn bright yellow in the fall, and the bark is smooth and light gray.

Beautiful Fruits

• American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a deciduous Florida shrub, hardy in USDA zones 6 or 7 through 10 or 11. The nontoxic shrubs reach 6 to 10 feet tall, with a similar spread, and are best-suited to informal hedging situations because of their broad leaves and loose growth habit. Beautyberry's best feature is the fruits, which appear in fall, clustered on the stems. They are an unusual rich amethyst color, making the branches lovely in hedges or clipped for cut flower arrangements. Beautyberry grows in full sun to part shade.

Evergreen Floridians

• Walter's viburnum (Viburnum obovatum), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10 is a dense, upright native shrub that is an excellent hedging plant. Remaining evergreen in mild winters, it features clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring and berries that turn from red to shiny black in fall. It grows 6 to 15 feet tall. The leaves turn bronze-purple in fall, adding interest to the hedge. The plants thrive in part shade to full sun, and the fruits are attractive to birds.

Special Situations

• Purple anise (Illicium floridanum) is a Florida native shrub, hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. It is a broadleaf evergreen, with a height of 6 to 10 feet and a spread of 4 to 8 feet. The nontoxic plant is well-suited to use as a hedging plant in shady situations, including full shade, and requires uniformly moist soil. The common name is derived from the fact that the leaves give off an aniselike fragrance when they are crushed. Nodding, showy maroon flowers bloom in spring.