SE Florida Summer Flower Bed Plant Idea's

[ChrisBroward]

Hello everyone,

I have a flower bed that faces east and gets morning through early afternoon sun. Currently I have sunpatients but with winter coming to a close it will soon be time to plant something new. In the past I have used Vincas and Pentas but I wanted to try something new.  I was thinking about trying Lily of the Nile, the dwarf variety. I've never grown these, would anyone know if they can handle the summer heat without melting. Do you have to wait multiple seasons before they bloom or do they do they flower shortly after planting(1 Gallon)? Open to any other suggestions.

 

https://imgur.com/a/FtBPMpE

Photo link to said flower bed.

 

Thank you.

Chris

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, ChrisBroward said:

Hello everyone,

I have a flower bed that faces east and gets morning through early afternoon sun. Currently I have sunpatients but with winter coming to a close it will soon be time to plant something new. In the past I have used Vincas and Pentas but I wanted to try something new.  I was thinking about trying Lily of the Nile, the dwarf variety. I've never grown these, would anyone know if they can handle the summer heat without melting. Do you have to wait multiple seasons before they bloom or do they do they flower shortly after planting(1 Gallon)? Open to any other suggestions.

 

https://imgur.com/a/FtBPMpE

Photo link to said flower bed.

 

Thank you.

Chris

You could try them ( Agapanthus ) but i really don't think they'll handle S. FL heat and nematodes. Doesn't hurt to try though because i could be wrong.  Regardless, none of the nurseries i worked at in Central FL. stocked them.

If it were me, plants like the blue flowered Walking Iris, Trimezia / Neomerica coerulea and Turnera ulmifolia would be two great go to, and less common ( ...Compared to Pentas and Vinca ) summer flowering options ..that can offer flowers at other times of the year as well.

Trimezia croerula have a similar look to Agapanthus, but bigger and pretty exotic looking flowers / more palm-like looking foliage.

Several Justicias ( Shrimp Plant -related plants )...and some other exotic looking plants in the same family you might research that could work, if any peak your interest..

While more shrub-like, Brunsfelsia ( Yesterday Today Tomorrow ) are great.. Some species are white, others producing blue, purple, and/ or whitish Lavender flowers -on the same plant-  Flowers are intensely fragrant on most species.

...That is just the tip of the iceburg. S. FL. has a ton of options for your situation worth looking into. Some are easier to find, but down there, there are lots of great nurseries where you can find more unusual / rarer things too.

[ChrisBroward]

I know of one nursery down here that sells Agapanthus, so you're probably right that they wont handle the mid day heat. I am not dead set on them, just brainstorming new ideas.

Trimezia croerula looks really interesting, I'll have to do some reading on those.

I was thinking shrimp plant as well, maybe in the back row.

I have a 8-10 foot Brunsfelsia, the smell is intense!

 

Thank you for the great suggestions.