The Top 4 Native Plants for Your Northeast Florida Landscape

Native plants are becoming more of a desire for commercial landscapes in Northeast Florida.

And for a lot of great reasons. Native plants are usually more drought and stress tolerant, requiring less water. And since they are well-adapted to a local region, they typically thrive better during climate shifts.

Since there are so many great varieties out there, landscaping with Florida native plants is becoming easier. There are so many tree, shrub, grass, flower, and groundcover options available.

Whether you’re interested in adding native plants to your commercial landscape or are curious about some varieties that could work well in your industrial, retail, office, hospital, HOA, or educational space, try some of these options for shrubs and perennials that we prefer using in our clients’ properties.

The Top Native Plants in Northeast Florida

Native plants are those that occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat.

Non-native plants are species that have not existed in an area but have been introduced due to human activities.

Sometimes you’ll hear the term “naturalized,” which refers to plants that have become successfully established in a new environment. While naturalized plants can become invasive, most don’t cause harm in their new environment.

Invasive species, however, are not native to an environment, and once they enter a space, they quickly reproduce and spread, causing harm to the area or other species.

Understanding these definitions helps you figure out why native plants are the best option for your Florida commercial property.

Florida native plants need less care and energy to grow and are healthy additions to your region.

But your grounds maintenance team still has to follow proper planting rules, which means placing plants in soil they prefer and ensuring they receive the right amount of sunlight and adequate moisture.

These 4 toughest Florida native plants are some we like to use in our commercial clients’ landscapes because they are great performers and have some qualities that make them attractive favorites for our customers.

Landscaping With Florida Native Plants: Best Shrubs

These are some of the best performing Florida native plants that can serve as great shrubs for your commercial facility.

1. Ligustrum

Also known as privet, ligustrum is a versatile and resilient shrub that thrives in Northeast Florida’s warm climate.

This hardy evergreen is renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage that can add polish to any commercial site. You can shape ligustrum into hedges, screens or use them as standalone ornamental shrubs.

This plant has small, white, fragrant flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, adding some elegance, as well as a nice scent, to outdoor spaces that are used by your visitors and customers.

Beyond aesthetics, ligustrum is a low-maintenance Florida native plant that is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and easy to maintain. This shrub also supports local wildlife by providing food and shelter.

2. Viburnum

People love this standout native plant in Northeast Florida for its beauty, resilience, and versatility in commercial landscapes.

Viburnum is known for its dense foliage, which can range from deep green to a lighter,  more variegated pattern, adding visual interest and texture.

In spring, viburnum produces clusters of small, white or pink flowers that are visually attractive, offer great aromas, and attract pollinators. Some viburnums also produce berries in the fall months, which can be another textural and seasonal interest for visitors to your site, as well as great for local birds.

You can shape viburnums to be standalone accent shrubs or as privacy screens or hedges with multiple plants.

On top of these striking features, viburnum is low-maintenance, pest-resistance, and tolerates various soil conditions, which makes it an ideal plant for commercial properties to use for multiple solutions. It can welcome visitors and customers year-round, as well as support wildlife in Northeast Florida.

Landscaping With Florida Native Plants: Best Perennials

When it comes to choosing perennials, these are some of the greatest performing Native florida plants for landscaping for your commercial property.

3. Agapanthus

This native plant of Northeast Florida, also known as Lily of the Nile, offers striking floral displays.

Commercial landscapes choose this perennial for its ability to thrive in full sun and partial shade, offering consistent visual appeal throughout the year.

Agapanthus can reach an average height of 2 to 4 feet, with a similar spread, making it great for borders, mass plantings or focal points in landscape beds.

One of this plant’s best features is its bloom time, which begins in late spring and extends to early summer, and showcases large, spherical clusters of tubular flowers in shades of blue, violet, or white. These blooms rise above the plant’s dark green leaves on tall, sturdy stalks, creating dramatic displays.

As a drought-tolerant perennial, this perennial is a practical choice for property managers that want an attractive addition to their commercial landscape but minimal upkeep. It is also pest- and disease-resistant.

4. Bird of Paradise

Looking for a little tropical flair in your Northeast Florida commercial property? This iconic perennial with an average height of 3 to 5 feet is known for its unique, bird-like flowers that resemble an orange and blue bird in flight.

Thriving in warm, humid climates, this Florida tropical plant species offers color from late fall through spring, delivering brightness when many other plants aren’t blooming.

Plant this beauty in full sun to part shade to elevate commercial landscape designs with low-maintenance, pest-resistance, and disease-resistance perennials.

Bring More Florida Native Plants to Your Commercial Landscape

Native plants adapt well to Florida’s soils and climate. This makes them more drought-tolerant with roots that reach deeper, aiding in stormwater management and erosion control.

Choosing the right native plants in Northeast Florida can be overwhelming. As a property manager, you don’t have the time to waste. You want to pick plants that are going to work in your space without adding to your maintenance costs.

We get it. Taylor Anthony 365 wants to help you make the most informed decisions on native plants for your site. We are happy to take the time to educate you on different plant species and habits, so you feel confident with the choices you make.

Want to learn more about the native plants that could work best in your Northeast Florida commercial property? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice. 

Image Sources | Privet, Viburnum, Agapanthus, Bird of Paradise