5 Flowers That Bloom All Year in South Florida
One of the many highlights of a garden is not only how beautifully it’s maintained but also the various colorful flower blooms, a garden that produces such color pop is not only pleasing to one’s eyes but displays a feeling of peace and relaxation that lets us know that nature is at work. The construction of a flower garden provides curb appeal, contributes to our ecosystem (food source) for pollinators, is inexpensive and environmentally friendly, can be used as cut flowers, etc…
With these many benefits, it’s no wonder why the popularity of flower gardens has grown, filling your gardens with plants that flower or at least adding a few can be a real game changer that brings your gardens and landscape to life. With so many varieties to choose from there is no shortage of these flower plants, below, we will be taking a closer look at 5 of these flowers that will keep your South Florida garden colorful year-round.
Ixora Flowering Plant Care
The Ixora perennial plant produces flower blooms that come in an array of colors. This tropical to semi-tropical plant is grown widely in many home gardens, the flowers are small and grow in a cluster. There are more than 400 hundred species, and the leaves of this evergreen shrub are glossy. When installing some species it’s best to give the proper spacing because they can grow very large.
- Ixora prefers soil that is slightly acidic and well-drained, adding organics to your existing soil will help. These shrubs are finicky about which soils they are installed in and installing them in soils that are alkaline will cause them to develop chlorosis.
- Ixoras loves the sun requiring 8-10 hours of direct to partial light in a day.
- Ensure that the soil is moist and not waterlogged which can lead to root rot.
- Fertilizing your Ixora with a fertilizer that has a good nitrogen source will keep them healthy looking.
- Garden insect pests are scales, aphids, and spider mites.
- These garden insect pests suck the sap from the Ixora and secrete a sugary substance known as honeydew. This honeydew will attract ants and also cause a black substance to form on the leaves known as sooty mold. Insecticidal soap will bring these garden pests under control.
- There is no serious threat when it comes to diseases, just monitor the amount of water because overwatering can cause root rot.
Lantana Flowering Plant Care
The lantana is a tropical plant that is known for its versatility thriving in the most adverse conditions, lantanas produce small clusters of flower blooms, and many varieties attract wildlife such as butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other bird species. Lantanas carry an aroma that is mild and pleasant.
- Grow lantanas in an area that gets lots of sunlight.
- The soil type should be soil that has good drainage because lantanas don’t like wet feet although they can tolerate poor soils. The soil pH should be slightly acidic.
- When watering your lantanas give plenty of water and allow the soil to dry out a bit before giving another drink.
- Lantanas don’t need to be fertilized to encourage flower bloom but it’s still good to feed them with a balanced fertilizer.
- Garden insect pests include aphids, lace bugs, spider mites, mealy bugs, whiteflies, and lantana leaf blotch miners. Aphids, spider mites, mealy bugs, and whiteflies can be controlled with insecticidal soap, neem, or horticultural oil. The larva of the lantana leaf blotch miner is white to yellowish, the removal and proper disposal of infected plant parts and the use of pesticides which are labeled for this plant pests will bring control.
- Diseases include powdery mildew, root rot, and botrytis blight, Root rot occurs either because of overwatering or poor soil drainage. The soil should have good drainage along with being somewhat moist and not waterlogged or saturated. Powdery mildew appears as a white powdery substance on the plant leaves and stems hence the name. This disease is brought on by full sun-loving plants that are grown in the shade along with plants that are crowded which encourages poor air circulation. This fungus may cause leaves to become distorted and discolored. The use of neem oil or baking soda will offer a solution.
- Overhead irrigation is responsible for this disease, to prevent botrytis blight, water lantanas from the ground level during the morning hours which will give the plant time to dry if water makes contact with the leaves. Botrytis blight is another disease that is an issue with lantanas, symptoms of botrytis blight show up as the leaves develop brown spots that are wet followed by gray mold covering the leaves. Applying a fungicide that contains chlorothalonil will bring control.
Bougainvillea Flowering Plant care
Bougainvillea is a tropical plant that produces an abundance of flower blooms, there are approximately 18 species, bougainvilleas are drought-tolerant but can grow out of control if not properly pruned or maintained. Bougainvilleas are known to attrcat butterflies, bees, and birds which makes this garden’s beauty a must-have bringing many flower blooms and activity (pollinators) to your gardens and landscapes.
- To grow their best bougainvilleas requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- A well-drained soil is ideal, good garden soil or mixing in some compost with your native soil will have them growing their best.
- Provide moderate water especially during the bloom period to keep them thriving.
- I have and am taking care of bougainvillea which produces an abundance of beautiful flower blooms without any fertilization, but if your desire is an application of fertilizer then apply an application that’s formulated for flower bloom.
- Insect pests or bougainvilleas include aphids, bougainvillea loppers and scales. Scale insects are very tiny but can cause huge damage to your plant. These garden insect pests remain motionless causing much damage, the body of scale insects is round and looks like armor. Scales also cause damage by sucking the plant’s fluids which contribute to the yellowing of the leaves, leaf drop, and sooty mold the use of insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or releasing beneficial insects into your garden area will eliminate them. Aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects that also cause damage by sucking the plant’s sap and excreting a sticky substance known as honeydew which encourages sooty mold. A strong spray of water or the use of insecticidal soap will bring them under control. The bougainvillea loppers are nocturnal meaning they are most active at night times and the only thing you will see during daylight is the damage or webbing, as you do your inspection you may come across these insects. The caterpillars (bougainvillea loppers) do damage by chewing the leaves leaving holes and causing the plant to appear sickly. These caterpillars appear around mid-summer, the use of bacillus thuringiensis or neem oil will bring them under control. Before applying pesticides read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
- Diseases to keep a watch for are chlorosis, root rot, and leaf spot, chlorosis appears as pale green leaves with dark veins along with yellow leaves are an indication that your plant may have chlorosis, root rot may also encourage this disease. A lack of iron is the major cause, 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water well shaken and poured around the plant’s root zone will help also, and aluminum sulfate or iron sulfate will correct this problem. Follow the manufacturer’s direction for the best results. Root rot is caused by overwatering or soils that have poor drainage, signs of root rot include yellowing of the leaves followed by leaf drop if discovered early the use of a spectrum of fungicides will help but if the disease has spread and the plant has deteriorated remove and discard of. Leaf spots appear as reddish-brown spots on leaves, especially the new growth, this color spreads and enlarges causing defoliation or leaf drop. To avoid leaf spots don’t allow the leaves to get wet, watering during the morning hours will allow the leaves to dry also pruning will help with proper air circulation. When this disease shows up immediately remove infected plant parts, a fungicide will offer some help but will not bring a total cure.
Pentas Flowering Plant Care
Pentas is also known as the Egyptian Star, which produces an abundance of flowers that come in an array of colors from purple, white, red, dark pink, and so on. What also makes Pentas so unique is the small star-shaped flowers that grow in clusters. The nectar is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but how do we care for these garden beauties for them to retain their luster?
- Penats can tolerate partial shade but the ideal location for Pentas is to locate them in an area that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Pentas can grow in just about any soil type but prefer soil that’s well-drain or soil that doesn’t remain soggy after heavy rainfall.
- Give Pentas a good soaking and then allow the soil to dry before giving them another drink of water.
- Fertilize Pentas during the growing season with a slow-release fertilizer for example Osmocote. During the fall months discontinue fertilizer application.
- Garden Insect pests such as thrips, aphids, and whiteflies can be controlled with insecticidal soap.
- There are no main disease issues with pentas except not to over water that will lead to root rot.
Hibiscus Flowering Plant Care
Hibiscus is a tropical beauty that produces a variety of beautiful flower blooms, there are believed to be several hundred hibiscus species. Hibiscus will not only provide you with that color pop but will also attract birds, bees, and hummingbirds. To get your hibiscus to grow their best here is what to do.
- Locate hibiscus in an area that has lots of sunlight.
- The soil should be slightly acidic with the ability to hold moisture but drain well, incorporating peat moss with your garden soil will help with this.
- ensure that the soil is moist because hibiscus loves moisture but don’t drown your hibiscus in water because overwatering can lead to root rot, yellowing, and browning of the leaves along with leaf drop
- A fertilizer that is high in potassium will work wonders to encourage an abundance of beautiful flower blooms. When applying fertilizers always read the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
- Garden insect pests of hibiscus are aphids, the hibiscus mealy bugs, scales, whiteflies and thrips, applying neem or horticultural oil or insecticidal soap will bring control. Remember when applying pesticides read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best results.
- Diseases of hibiscus are leaf spot, root rot, and blights, leaf spot which is influenced by fungus shows up as irregular spots on the plant’s leaves that are discolored, in the more extreme case your hibiscus will experience leaf drop. To bring this disease under control clean up fallen leaves and other debris keeping the surrounding area clean. Root rot is encouraged by saturated soils that are waterlogged with poor drainage, signs include mushrooms that grow from the soil at the plant’s base, leaves that turn from green to yellow and then brown followed by premature leaf drop along with stem dieback. To prevent rot rot ensure that your hibiscus is planted in well-drained soil and do not overwater, allow the soil to dry a bit before giving your hibiscus another drink. Blights in hibiscus appear as discolored leaves and stems which wilts and drops of plant, leaf dieback, the buds may not open and there may be bud rot and spotted flowers. To prevent or control this disease water from the soil level avoid overhead irrigation keep the leaves dry as much as possible, and prune when this fungus is less active during the dryer season, ensure proper air circulation by thinning your hibiscus and removing diseased parts.
The final word on flowers that bloom year-round in South Florida
Keeping your South Florida garden colorful year-round is possible with the installation of these garden beauties, I believe that a tropical garden should always have that color pop that is so amazing. If you’re looking for flowering plants to give your garden beautiful colors you have come to the right place. This guide will help to give your garden that color pop so give these flowering beauties a try, you will be happy with the results.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.