[shcisamax]

Our golf course view has a northern exposure. I was thinking of putting some color in between the basic shrub plant they put off the pool/lanai area. Because it is a northern exposure, in winter it is shaded by the birdcage for the most part. Any suggestions?

[readmore]

Azaleas and camelias will perform if there is some sun. Most flowering shrubs need at least few hours of sun to bloom well. Muhly grass is attractive, hardy and has a pink bloom even in mostly shade. All will take the strong winter wind across the golf course when the fronts roll through.

[Uptown Girl]

We learned a lot by taking a peek at what others did. (during our journeys out and about) We went into established areas to see how the landscape plants held up over time and how big they could eventually get. We watched the plants we found attractive for a few seasons, to see how they looked at different times of the year.

We also paid attention to homes that were the same color as ours. (for color/plant combo inspiration)
Looking at the staples that The Villages uses for permanent plantings helped too.

I did a lot of research online, to find out how to maintain the ones that really caught my eye. I was most interested in minimum fuss and disease-resistant selections.
Some plants bloom seasonally... not continually, so I checked that out too.

Often people use plants and shrubs that are marginally hardy here and don't mind replacing them after winter, for fresh beautiful color. Plants become available for sale seasonally when the time is right for planting.

I was a pretty avid perennial gardener up North, but soon found I have a lot to learn about Central Florida gardening. The UFL extension has online charts that are quite helpful, and if you google "Florida Friendly Landscaping" you will find excellent guidelines.
We also have master gardening clinics here, if you want to get that involved.
Check the Daily Sun for info on those.

I kept getting mixed opinions/instructions on plants at various landscape/garden centers around here.... so I let my own observations and my follow-up research guide me.

Did find a master gardener at the Market of Marion that I like. Everything that I have purchased from him is thriving. He has also brought in additional things for me when I wanted them at very good prices.

His name is Richard Toth. His stall is in D South. (next to the flag guy)

If you have ideas and want experienced input, there are lots of interested Gardeners on our forum. Just ask!
Most of all, have fun.

[jimbo2012]

contact the FL state plant clinic

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

I did a lot of research online, to find out how to maintain the ones that really caught my eye. I was most interested in minimum fuss and disease-resistant selections. Some plants bloom seasonally... not continually, so I checked that out too.

Is there any shrub that you can recommend (other than knock-out roses) that is frost hardy, blooms year round, and requires little maintenance?

[borjo]

My variegated ginger does beautifully in the shade. It's beauty is the light green striped leaves, no flowers. It grows only about to 2 feet high and fountains out. It does get hit by frost but easily grows back. No maintenance.

[shcisamax]

I'll look for Richard Toth. Thanks.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Is there any shrub that you can recommend (other than knock-out roses) that is frost hardy, blooms year round, and requires little maintenance?

You can't go wrong with any shrub in the "Holly" family. Rich green all the year through!!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

You can't go wrong with any shrub in the "Holly" family. Rich green all the year through!!

I like holly. It makes a nice bird sanctuary. We usually have nests within our bushes. And of course we have knock-out roses which provide year-round color. But I long for something tropical looking that blooms year round. I guess it is just too cool here, everything tropical needs to be covered when the temperatures dip.

[gmcneill]

Originally Posted by borjo

My variegated ginger does beautifully in the shade. It's beauty is the light green striped leaves, no flowers. It grows only about to 2 feet high and fountains out. It does get hit by frost but easily grows back. No maintenance.

Borjo:

My variegated ginger plants produce a strand of beautiful shell-shaped flowers in late spring- early summer. The shape of that flower gives the plant its other name, Shell Ginger. Yours should also! If they don't, give them a stern lecture!

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Is there any shrub that you can recommend (other than knock-out roses) that is frost hardy, blooms year round, and requires little maintenance?

Well, depending on how big you want to go.... some larger types: Evergreen types of Hibiscus, repeat blooming azaleas, Loropetalum and Oleander have long and/or repeat bloom seasons. Low maintenance, all.

Firecracker plant (Russelia) is rather shrub-like in it's growth pattern and blooms profusely much of the year, but is more of a single specimen plant.

Others I can think of aren't as frost hardy, or only bloom seasonally. Camellias, for example are lovely and very hardy, but they only bloom in winter.
Anyone else have suggestions to add?

[travelguy]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Is there any shrub that you can recommend (other than knock-out roses) that is frost hardy, blooms year round, and requires little maintenance?

hate to be so blunt but this is central florida, a SUB-tropical climate. this is not Miami or Key West, where there is no frost. and Knockout roses do not bloom year round!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by travelguy

Knockout roses do not bloom year round!

My knockout roses do bloom year round. Travelguy, I realize this isn't a tropical climate. But thanks Uptown Girl for some great suggestions!

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

Well, depending on how big you want to go.... some larger types: Evergreen types of Hibiscus, repeat blooming azaleas, Loropetalum and Oleander have long and/or repeat bloom seasons. Low maintenance, all.

Firecracker plant (Russelia) is rather shrub-like in it's growth pattern and blooms profusely much of the year, but is more of a single specimen plant.

Others I can think of aren't as frost hardy, or only bloom seasonally. Camellias, for example are lovely and very hardy, but they only bloom in winter.
Anyone else have suggestions to add?

Do you have problems with your Oleanders and caterpilars??? Seems like they just keep coming back after spraying!!

[shcisamax]

The one thing to be careful of Oleander is they are poisonous so if you have dogs around, it can be a problem.