Native Shade-Loving Shrubs of Florida

Red Flowers

• Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a deciduous shrub that can grow in full or part shade, but grows better in full shade with plenty of moisture. The spicy, aromatic red or maroon flowers sometimes appear in potpourris. This shrub can reach 6 to 9 feet high and 6 to 12 feet wide and an upright growth habit, making it ideal as a border or screen. Several trunks may form at the base of the plant.

Green-Yellow Flowers

• The strawberry bush (Euonymus americana) is a shade-loving shrub native to the eastern United States from New York down to Florida, and out to Texas. In spring, yellow or green flowers bloom, which turn to red fruit in fall. The fruit has a strawberry color and will pop open its shell to expose its seeds. This plant grows best in full to partial shade and prefers moist soil. It can reach 6 feet or more in height.

  Illicium parviflorum, otherwise known as anise plant, is a shrub or small tree native to Florida that produces the best growth in shady conditions. It grows quickly and becomes a rounded canopy shape if grown in the shade. In the sun, it will grow to be much thinner. Flowers are green or yellow, bloom in spring, then turn to star-shaped seed pods. Prune to use as a hedge or screening plant, providing a location with moist soil. If grown in the sun, this plant may appear more thin and scraggly.

White Flowers

• Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an attractive semishade shrub that is native to Florida. In early to mid summer, white flowers appear and stay on the shrub for a lengthy period. They may grow as high as 6 feet. The large leaves turn brilliant reds and purples in the fall, making it an attractive plant year around. It grows best in dry soil in morning sun with afternoon shade.

Bell-Shaped Flowers

• The fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) is an evergreen shrub found near swamps and moist areas in Florida and other parts of the Southern U.S. The shrub grows best in part shade to full sun conditions. The flowers appear in late winter to early spring, and are shaped like bells. They are aromatic and exhibit many colors. These shrubs can reach up to 5 feet in height and have a multistemmed growth habit.