Best Ornamental Plants for Florida Landscaping

**Best Ornamental Plants for Florida Landscaping**

When it comes to crafting a beautiful, vibrant landscape in South Florida, ornamental plants are your secret weapon. They add color, texture, and character to any outdoor space — transforming a plain yard into an eye-catching haven. Florida’s subtropical and tropical climate means a wide array of plant choices, but selecting the right ornamental varieties is crucial for long-lasting beauty and low maintenance.

At Horseman’s Landscaping, we specialize in developing stunning South Florida landscapes that thrive in this climate. With decades of experience in lawn care, landscape design, and hardscaping, we’ve seen firsthand which plants perform best — and which are more trouble than they’re worth.

Here are our top picks for ornamental plants that are perfect for Florida landscaping and how you can integrate them effectively into your next project.

**1. Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum)**

Crotons are a fan favorite for South Florida landscapes, thanks to their dazzling, multicolored foliage. With hues of red, yellow, orange, and green, these plants add a burst of color even in the hottest months.

**Why we love them**: Crotons are drought-tolerant, enjoy full sun to partial shade, and make excellent border plants or foundation plantings.

**Design tip**: Use Crotons along driveways or walkways to bring energy and contrast to hardscaped areas like pavers and patios.

**2. Bougainvillea**

Few plants capture the tropical charm of Florida landscapes like the Bougainvillea. It flowers in brilliant shades of purple, pink, orange, and white almost year-round, especially in South Florida where frost is rare.

**Why we love them**: Bougainvillea is hardy, salt-tolerant, and excellent for trellises, fencing, or cascading over a retaining wall.

**Maintenance note**: While stunning, Bougainvillea does require routine trimming. A professional landscape maintenance team, like ours, can manage this beautifully.

**3. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)**

Looking for a bold, architectural plant with tropical flair? The Bird of Paradise fits the bill. Known for its unique bird-like flowers and upright leaves, this plant adds sculptural quality to any garden.

**Preferred use**: Excellent as a privacy screen or planted in groupings along the border of larger properties.

At Horseman’s Landscaping, we often use Bird of Paradise to soften corners near patios or pool decks, especially when designing with complementary paver elements. If you’re looking to add hardscaping features, check out our South Florida paver installation services for ideas on combining softscape and hardscape.

**4. Hibiscus**

Hibiscus plants are synonymous with Florida landscape design. Their enormous, tropical blooms come in eye-catching colors like red, pink, yellow, and white, offering both beauty and a food source for hummingbirds and butterflies.

**Ideal conditions**: Hibiscus prefer full sun and consistent moisture. They can be used as a flowering hedge or as a showy centerpiece in garden beds.

**Landscape use**: Create drama around a front entry or add curb appeal with a row of colorful hibiscus along your property line.

**5. Coontie Palm (Zamia pumila)**

For a native ornamental with a prehistoric look (and low maintenance requirements), the Coontie Palm is an excellent choice. Its feathery foliage works well in formal gardens or naturalistic landscape designs.

**Why it stands out**: This drought-tolerant cycad requires little trimming, is resistant to most pests, and serves as a host plant for the endangered Atala butterfly.

**Use in landscape**: Place in groupings around paver edging or as an understory plant beneath larger palms.

**6. Firebush (Hamelia patens)**

Want to attract pollinators while adding a pop of fiery color to your garden? Meet the Firebush. With orange-red tubular blooms and fast-growing habits, this native Florida shrub is a must-have for both residential and commercial landscapes.

**Why it’s effective in South Florida**: Firebush thrives in full sun and sandy soils, making it ideal for coastal environments and xeriscaping.

**Pro tip**: Firebush is a favorite among South Florida landscape designers for drought-resistant beds. Pair it with mulch or rock features for a clean tropical aesthetic.

**7. Silver Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)**

With its soft, silvery foliage, the Silver Buttonwood is a standout ornamental that adds contrast and texture to lush green landscapes. It adapts well to pruning, allowing designers to use it either as a shrub or a small tree.

**Best uses**: Use it as a privacy hedge, an accent tree, or to soften hardscape elements like retaining walls.

At Horseman’s Landscaping, we often include Silver Buttonwoods in coastal projects where salt spray might affect more sensitive species. Learn more about our landscape design services and how we customize plant selection based on your location.

**8. Dwarf Bougainvillea**

Prefer a compact version of the traditional Bougainvillea? The Dwarf Bougainvillea packs the same colorful punch but with a smaller footprint — great for pots, walkways, or raised bed installations.

**Low maintenance, high impact**: Ideal for high-style garden beds or framing entrances, and perfect for those who want less pruning.

**9. Variegated Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’)**

This ornamental foliage plant is prized for its yellow-and-green striped leaves and fragrant summer flowers. It grows in shaded areas where other tropicals may struggle, making it a valuable player in diversified landscape designs.

**Where to plant**: Great under palm canopies, around paver patios, or in side yards with indirect sunlight.

**10. Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa)**

No tropical landscape is complete without the dazzling hues of the Ti Plant. From deep reds to bold purples and pinks, it adds a vibrant, exotic flair to garden beds or containers.

**Ideal combination**: Plant with neutral pavers or stone walls to make the foliage pop. It also tolerates container growing, making it excellent for patios or balconies.

**Professional Help to Get It Right**

Designing a South Florida landscape that thrives year-round is more art than science. The right plant choices are only part of the equation. You need proper soil prep, irrigation planning, and a layout that balances function, beauty, and sustainability.

That’s where Horseman’s Landscaping comes in. From fully customized design to professional paver installations and routine lawn care, we’re South Florida’s one-stop shop for outdoor transformation. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical garden oasis or a clean, modern landscape accented with pavers and lighting, our team has the hands-on experience and design knowledge to bring it to life.

Already have a vision? Let’s build it together. Not quite sure what fits your space and budget? We offer personalized consultations to help you discover the best solutions based on your property’s unique micro-climate, soil, and light exposure.

**Get Started with Horseman’s Landscaping Today**

Beautiful outdoor living starts with thoughtful planning and expert execution. The right mix of ornamental plants can dramatically elevate the look and feel of your space — but only when installed and maintained correctly.

Ready to turn your home or commercial property into a South Florida showpiece? Contact our team at Horseman’s Landscaping and explore how we can help you achieve a lush, colorful, and perfectly designed outdoor environment.

Discover how your landscape can blossom into something extraordinary with expert help — because beautiful properties start from the ground up.