Shrub Layer for Florida Zone 9
This page focuses on the shrub layer—woody plants that typically stay below
full-sized canopy trees but still form a strong backbone in hedges, wildlife borders, and
mixed food forest plantings in Florida’s USDA Planting Zone 9.
All of the shrubs listed here are commonly recommended for Central and North Florida conditions by regional university extensions, native plant societies, and Florida-focused nursery lists. Not every plant shown has been tested yet at the Ocala Food Forest, but each one appears consistently on reputable sources as a good fit for our climate.
Use this page alongside our other resources when planning your shrub layer, hedgerows, and wildlife edges, or when combining shrubs with trees and perennials in your own food forest and edible landscape.
Zone and suitability information on this page is drawn from regional sources such as UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Native Plant Society, and Florida-focused nursery databases that specialize in heat, humidity, and storm-tolerant plants for USDA Zone 9.
Shrub Layer – Florida Zone 9
Florida Native Shrubs
Native shrubs that evolved in Florida’s soils and weather, supporting local wildlife and fitting naturally into Zone 9 landscapes.
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American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) 7a–10bDeciduous wildlife shrub; purple berry clusters feed birds and add fall color.
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Ancient Hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii) 7b–9bSmall native hawthorn; white spring blooms and fruit for wildlife hedgerows.
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Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) 5a–9bMulti-stem shrub; white flower clusters followed by berries for birds.
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Florida Flame Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum) 7a–9bFragrant yellow-orange blooms; great for dappled shade woodland edges.
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Piedmont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) 6b–9bPink fragrant native azalea; lends spring color to partially shaded borders.
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Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 5a–10aPrefers wet soils; spherical flower “buttons” loved by pollinators.
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Coastalplain Staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa) 7a–10aEvergreen heath shrub; bell-shaped blooms and good cover in piney plantings.
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Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) 8a–11bNative cycad; palm-like clumps for dry shade and larval host for atala butterflies.
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Dwarf Forsythia Sage (Salvia madrensis) 8a–10bTall yellow-flowering sage; draws pollinators in fall and late season.
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Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) 7a–10aCompact native palm; good for understory and moist low spots.
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Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) 3a–9bFast-growing shrub; edible flowers and berries (with proper preparation) and great for wildlife.
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Florida Anise (Illicium floridanum) 7a–9bShade-loving evergreen; starry red flowers and fragrant foliage in moist woodland beds.
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Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum hybrid) 7a–9bNative-style hybrid azalea; showy blooms for filtered light under tall trees.
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Florida Privet (Forestiera segregata) 8a–11aCoastal-tough shrub; good for hedges and bird cover in sunny, dry sites.
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Firebush (Hamelia patens) 8b–11bHummingbird magnet; orange-red tubular flowers all warm season long.
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Gallberry (Ilex glabra) 6a–10aEvergreen holly; important nectar source for honey production and wildlife.
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Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’) 6a–10aCompact native holly; good replacement for boxwood-style evergreen edging.
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Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) 9a–11bShady understory shrub; fragrant flowers and dark berries for birds.
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Myrsine (Myrsine cubana) 8b–11aEvergreen screen shrub; dense foliage provides year-round privacy and cover.
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Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) 5a–9aShowy panicles and burgundy fall foliage; best in morning sun and afternoon shade.
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Pineland Heliotrope (Heliotropium polyphyllum) 8a–10bLow shrubby groundcover; pale flowers and fine foliage for hot, dry sites.
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Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) 7b–11aIconic native palm; fruits feed wildlife; forms tough, low-maintenance thickets.
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Shiny Lyonia (Lyonia lucida) 7a–9bEvergreen heath shrub; glossy leaves and pink bell flowers in acidic soils.
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Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) 9a–11bDense evergreen; fragrant white blooms and orange berries; good for formal hedges.
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Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) 7a–9bTree-like blueberry; exfoliating bark and small berries for birds.
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Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) 4a–9aFragrant summer flower spikes; moisture-loving shrub for ditches and swales.
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Walter’s Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) 7a–10aVersatile native for hedges or small trees; white spring blooms and berries.
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Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) 7a–11aFast-growing evergreen screen; aromatic foliage and waxy berries for birds.
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Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) 9a–11bShade-tolerant native; red berries and glossy leaves for tropical-looking understory.
Florida Friendly Shrubs
Non-native but Florida-tough shrubs often used in Zone 9 home landscapes, hedges, and mixed borders when selected and maintained responsibly.
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Abelia, Glossy (Abelia ×grandiflora) 6b–9bArching shrub with small bell flowers; good for mixed hedges and pollinators.
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Abelia, Kaleidoscope (Abelia ×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’) 6b–9bVariegated foliage with changing seasonal color; compact accent shrub.
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Azalea, Encore Hybrid (Rhododendron ‘Encore’ series) 7a–9bReblooming azalea series; color in spring and again later in the year.
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Azalea, Indica (Rhododendron indicum) 8a–10aTraditional large-flowered azalea; best with afternoon shade and acidic soil.
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Boxwood, Japanese (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) 6a–9bLow hedge shrub; formal edging around beds and paths in filtered sun.
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Camellia, Japanese (Camellia japonica) 7a–9bWinter-blooming shrub; large flowers in pinks, reds, and whites for shade gardens.
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Camellia, Sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua) 7a–9bAirier foliage and smaller blooms; good as hedge or small evergreen screen.
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Cleyera (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) 7b–9bDense evergreen shrub; bronzy new growth; used commonly for foundation plantings.
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Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta ‘Burfordii Nana’) 7a–9bCompact holly with red berries; tough low-maintenance hedge plant.
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Dwarf Firethorn (Pyracantha angustifolia dwarf) 7a–9bThorny barrier shrub; bright berry clusters for birds; good for wildlife hedges.
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Dwarf Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’) 8a–10aLow, spreading form; fragrant white flowers and glossy evergreen leaves.
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Dwarf Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Pringles’) 8a–11aCompact coniferous shrub; useful as clipped hedge or foundation accent.
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Drift Rose (Rosa ‘Drift’ series) 4b–10aLow, spreading shrub roses; long bloom season and good disease resistance.
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Gardenia, Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) 8a–10aClassic fragrant shrub; features white blooms and deep green evergreen foliage.
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Holly, Nellie R. Stevens (Ilex × ‘Nellie R. Stevens’) 6b–9bLarge holly for tall screens; heavy red berry set for winter interest.
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Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) 8a–10aLow evergreen shrub; pink or white flowers; frequently used in coastal landscapes.
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Japanese Privet (dwarf forms) (Ligustrum japonicum dwarf) 7b–10aCompact ligustrum selections; formal hedges where managed carefully.
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Loropetalum, Chinese Fringe (Loropetalum chinense) 7a–10aEvergreen with fringe-like spring flowers; green or purple foliage types.
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Loropetalum ‘Purple Diamond’ (Loropetalum chinense ‘Purple Diamond’) 7a–10aCompact purple-foliage selection; bright pink fringe flowers in spring.
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Pittosporum, Variegated (Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’) 8a–10aCream-edged leaves; brightens hedges and foundation plantings in part sun.
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Pittosporum, Wheeler’s Dwarf (Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’) 8a–10aLow mounding form; neat balls of foliage for edging walks and patios.
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Plumbago, Blue (Plumbago auriculata) 8b–11aLong-blooming blue flower clusters; sprawls gently in sunny beds.
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Podocarpus, Japanese Yew (Podocarpus macrophyllus) 7a–11aVersatile evergreen; can be hedged or limbed up as a narrow screening tree.
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Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) 8a–10aFast-growing hedge shrub; dense foliage and fragrant flower clusters.
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Suspensum Viburnum (Viburnum suspensum) 8a–10aCoarser foliage and arching growth; good for informal screens and corners.
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Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) 8a–10aSilver foliage shrub for hot, dry, well-drained spots; purple blooms after rains.
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Thryallis (Galphimia glauca) 8b–11aFine-textured shrub with small yellow flowers; thrives in sun and heat.
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Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) 8a–10bHibiscus relative with folded flowers; hummingbird plant for shade or part sun.
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Viburnum, Sandankwa (Viburnum suspensum hybrid) 8a–10aSimilar to suspensum; dense evergreen for medium-height screening.
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Waxleaf Ligustrum (tree-form) (Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’) 7b–10aCan be trained as small tree or tall hedge; glossy leaves and white flower clusters.