Plantation, FL

Apr 4, 2026 · 6 zones analysed

Looks & curb appeal

Before & Concept

Concept is illustrative — not a build spec

Recommended Plants

6 plants

Firebush (Hamelia patens)

Right end of bed near palm trunks

Native Florida shrub with year-round orange-red blooms, provides height and screening near palm base, thrives in sandy soil and full sun

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Watering

Low once established; drought tolerant

Soil

Sandy, well-drained; tolerates poor soil

Maintenance

Light pruning 1-2x per year; cut back hard after cold snaps if needed

Spacing

4-5 ft apart

Seasonal

Blooms spring through fall; semi-deciduous in rare cold weather

Tips

Very pest-resistant; watch for scale in dense growth

Dwarf Bougainvillea ('Helen Johnson' or 'Rosenka')

Center section of bed against the stucco wall

Iconic South Florida color plant with blazing magenta bracts, thrives in heat, drought, and full sun; dramatic against light-colored wall

Sunlight

Full sun — minimum 6 hours

Watering

Low; overwatering reduces blooms — water deeply but infrequently

Soil

Sandy, well-drained; avoid over-amending with organics

Maintenance

Prune after bloom cycles; wear gloves due to thorns

Spacing

3-4 ft for dwarf types

Seasonal

Multiple bloom cycles per year in Zone 10b triggered by dry/stress periods

Tips

Watch for caterpillars; avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal issues

Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)

Front edge of bed, mid-section drifts

Continuous bloomer in red and pink, stays low at 1.5-2 ft, butterfly and hummingbird magnet, extremely reliable in South Florida heat

Sunlight

Full sun to light shade

Watering

Moderate; water regularly until established then reduce

Soil

Well-drained amended sandy soil

Maintenance

Deadhead spent flower clusters; cut back by 1/3 if leggy

Spacing

18-24 in

Seasonal

Blooms year-round in Zone 10b; peaks in warm months

Tips

Spider mites in dry weather; ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues

Xanadu Philodendron (Philodendron xanadu)

Left end of bed near large window awning

Bold tropical foliage texture and lush green presence; frames the left end of the border and contrasts beautifully with the light stucco wall

Sunlight

Part shade to filtered/morning sun

Watering

Moderate; keep evenly moist but not soggy

Soil

Rich, well-drained amended soil

Maintenance

Remove dead outer leaves; virtually pest-free outdoors in Florida

Spacing

Allow 3-4 ft width at maturity; plant as solo specimen

Seasonal

Evergreen year-round; may show minor cold stress below 40F

Tips

Mealybugs occasionally; treat with neem oil solution if needed

Lantana 'New Gold' (Lantana camara 'New Gold')

Outer front edge of bed as continuous edging drift

Sterile non-invasive cultivar with golden-yellow blooms year-round; perfect bed-edge definition plant, extremely heat and drought tolerant

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Low once established; very drought tolerant

Soil

Sandy, well-drained; minimal amendment needed

Maintenance

Cut back by half every few months to keep tidy and promote blooming

Spacing

24-30 in

Seasonal

Blooms year-round in Zone 10b; heaviest in warm months

Tips

Use ONLY sterile cultivars like 'New Gold' — wild-type Lantana is invasive in Florida

Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomeratus)

Middle ground of bed between Pentas drifts and Firebush

Provides sky-blue contrast color against warm orange, red, and yellow tones in the rest of the bed; low-growing, full-sun Florida-friendly plant

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Well-drained sandy soil

Maintenance

Minimal; light trimming to keep compact

Spacing

18-24 in

Seasonal

Blooms spring through fall; may slow during coolest winter weeks

Tips

Very pest resistant; excellent deer resistance

Full Plan

Cross-check with a local nursery

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