Understory Trees & Large Shrubs for Florida Zone 9
This page focuses on understory trees and large shrubs that are known to handle
the heat, humidity, storms, and occasional freezes common in Florida’s USDA Planting Zone 9.
All of the plants listed here are commonly recommended for Central and North Florida conditions
by regional university extensions and native plant resources.
Not every plant shown has been tested yet at the Ocala Food Forest, but each one appears consistently on reputable Florida plant lists as a good fit for this region. Use this as a companion to our Monthly Guild Challenge when choosing the understory layer for your own food forest or edible landscape.
Zone and suitability information on this page is drawn from regional sources such as UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Native Plant Society, and nursery listings that specialize in Florida climate conditions.
Understory Trees & Large Shrubs – Florida Zone 9
Florida Native
Native understory trees and large shrubs adapted to Florida’s soils and climate.
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American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) 7a–10bWildlife shrub with showy purple berries; great for hedgerows, understory color, and bird food.
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American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) 3a–9bSmall shade-tolerant tree with strong wood; good for moist woodland edges and wildlife value.
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American Snowbell (Styrax americanus) 6b–9bFragrant white bells on a small tree; thrives in moist soils and supports pollinators in dappled shade.
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Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) 3a–8bDense, bird-friendly shrub with white flowers and blue berries; useful for natural hedges and screens.
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Ashe Magnolia (Magnolia ashei) 6b–9aLarge-leaved understory magnolia with dramatic blooms; prefers sheltered sites with afternoon shade.
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Atlantic Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) 3a–8bArching shrub with peeling bark and pollinator flowers; good for slopes, rain gardens, and wildlife cover.
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Buckwheat Tree (Cliftonia monophylla) 7b–9bEvergreen shrub for acidic, moist soils; fragrant flowers support pollinators along woodland edges and wetlands.
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Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 5a–10aSphere-shaped flower heads loved by bees and butterflies; ideal for pond edges, ditches, and wet spots.
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Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana) 5b–9bThornless small tree with bird-friendly fruit; good for shady understory and mixed native hedges.
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Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana) 7a–10aFast evergreen screen; provides dense cover and bird food but may seed around in favorable conditions.
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Carolina Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) 4a–8bBell-flowered understory tree for cooler, well-drained sites; brings spring interest to woodland gardens.
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Chapman Oak (Quercus chapmanii) 7b–10aSmall scrub oak for sandy sites; supports acorn-eating wildlife and adds structure in dry guild edges.
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Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia) 5a–9bThicket-forming plum with small tart fruit; good for wildlife, jelly, and living fences with spring bloom.
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Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) 8b–11aLow cycad for dry shade; host plant for atala butterflies and good evergreen texture near paths and trunks.
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Darrow's Blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii) 7a–10aCompact, drought-tolerant blueberry; edible fruit for people and wildlife, good for acidic sandy soils.
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Devilwood (Cartrema americana) 6b–9bFragrant blooming understory tree; evergreen foliage and small fruit support birds in woodland guilds.
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Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) 7a–10aShade-tolerant palm for wet or dry spots; provides evergreen structure and habitat for insects and birds.
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Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) 4a–9aEarly-blooming small tree with edible flowers; great for spring color at woodland edges and near paths.
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Elliott's Blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) 6a–9bTall, lanky blueberry species; fruit feeds birds and can be foraged where moisture and acidity are right.
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Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) 7b–10aEvergreen shrub for wet acidic soils; bell-shaped flowers support pollinators in boggy or piney woods.
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Flatwoods Plum (Prunus umbellata) 7a–9bSmall native plum with wildlife fruit; suited to dry, sandy flatwoods and hedgerow mixes for habitat.
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Florida Anise (Illicium floridanum) 7b–9bShade-loving aromatic shrub; starry flowers and evergreen foliage suit moist, protected understory spots.
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Florida Flame Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum) 6b–9aDeciduous azalea with fiery spring blooms; attracts pollinators and brightens dappled woodland edges.
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Florida Hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii) 6a–9bThorny small tree with white flowers and bright fruit; useful for wildlife shelter and seasonal interest.
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Florida Maple (Acer floridanum) 6b–9bSmaller native maple with modest fall color; can function as a light shade canopy in mixed plantings.
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Florida Privet (Forestiera segregata) 8a–11aCoastal-tough evergreen shrub; good for hedges, bird cover, and salty or windy sites in Zone 9 fringes.
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Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) 3b–9b“Old man’s beard” flowers in spring; small tree that brings fragrance and pollinator support to guild edges.
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Gallberry (Ilex glabra) 5a–10aEvergreen holly with nectar-rich bloom; one of the classic gallberry honey plants for bees in piney woods.
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Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) 9a–11aEvergreen shrub or small tree with dark berries; supports birds and works in shaded coastal plantings.
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Myrtle Oak (Quercus myrtifolia) 7b–10aLow scrub oak for sandy ridges; tough, drought-tolerant, and valuable for wildlife acorns and cover.
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Myrsine (Myrsine cubana) 9a–11aEvergreen shrub to small tree; bird-feeding fruit and dense screening foliage for warm, coastal guilds.
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Pawpaw, Common (Asimina triloba) 5a–9aSmall tree with custard-like fruit; prefers moister, cooler pockets in Zone 9 and partial shade.
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Pawpaw, Dwarf (Asimina parviflora) 6a–9aShorter pawpaw species; edible fruit for people and wildlife, good under light canopy on acidic soils.
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Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) 5a–9bDeciduous holly with bright winter berries; excellent for bird food and bare-branch seasonal color.
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Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum) 5a–9bMoist-site shrub with glossy foliage and colorful fruit; useful in rain gardens and low, wet guild areas.
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Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) 6a–9bHummingbird magnet with red spring flower spikes; best in part shade and moist, well-drained soils.
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Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) 4a–9aUpright shrub with edible-tart fruit (after processing); good for wildlife, hedges, and fall color.
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Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum rufidulum) 5a–9aSmall tree or large shrub; showy flowers, fall color, and fruit for birds in drier woodland settings.
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Rusty Lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea) 8a–10aEvergreen shrub of scrub and pinewoods; good for wildlife cover and texture in dry, acidic soils.
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Saltbush (Groundsel Tree) (Baccharis halimifolia) 5a–10aTough coastal shrub with fluffy fall seed heads; important for pollinators and wind-tolerant screens.
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Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) 8a–11aIconic palmetto of Florida flatwoods; edible fruit (with caution), wildlife food, and strong evergreen structure.
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Shiny Lyonia (Lyonia lucida) 7b–10aEvergreen shrub with glossy leaves; thrives in acidic, moist conditions and supports native insect life.
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Simpson's Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) 9a–11aVersatile evergreen shrub or small tree; fragrant flowers and berries for wildlife, excellent coastal hedge.
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Southern Crabapple (Malus angustifolia) 6a–9bTart, small crabapples for jelly and wildlife; good for field edges and mixed hedgerows in cooler pockets.
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Southern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola) 7a–10aSalt-tolerant evergreen tree; berries feed birds and foliage makes a tough screen or windbreak near coasts.
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Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) 7a–11aFast native hedge shrub; aromatic foliage, bird food, and nitrogen-fixing association in wet or dry soils.
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Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) 7a–9bTree-sized blueberry relative; fruits feed wildlife and bark adds year-round interest in dry woods and edges.
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Staggerbush (Lyonia mariana) 5a–9aDeciduous shrub of dry, acidic soils; good for wildlife and subtle spring bloom in pine-oak guilds.
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Sweet Acacia (Vachellia farnesiana) 8b–11aThorny shrub with fragrant yellow puffballs; nitrogen fixer and excellent wildlife cover in dry sites.
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Sweet Mockorange (Philadelphus inodorus) 4a–8bFragrant spring flowers on arching stems; best in cooler, partially shaded Zone 9 microclimates.
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Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) 5a–10aFragrant white magnolia for wetter soils; semi-evergreen in Zone 9 and excellent for ponds and swales.
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Sweetspire (Itea virginica) 5a–9aArching shrub with fragrant flower spikes; thrives in moist soils and offers fall color and pollinator value.
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Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) 4a–8bFragrant, late-blooming azalea; prefers cooler, wet spots and brings perfume to pond edges and bog gardens.
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Swamp Dogwood (Cornus foemina) 5b–9bMoist-site dogwood for ditches and low areas; provides bird food and structural diversity in wet guilds.
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Tarflower (Bejaria racemosa) 7b–10aSticky white flowers that trap small insects; a distinctive scrub shrub for dry, nutrient-poor sands.
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Walter's Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) 6a–9bVersatile native hedge shrub; dense foliage, pollinator flowers, and berries for birds in sun or shade.
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Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) 9a–11aShade-loving evergreen for understory; red berries feed birds and foliage adds tropical texture (not true coffee).
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Wild Lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) 9a–11aSpiny shrub used by giant swallowtail caterpillars; citrus-scented leaves and excellent wildlife habitat.
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Yellow Anise (Illicium parviflorum) 7b–9bEvergreen shrub with aromatic foliage; useful for deep shade screens and moist understory planting.
Florida Friendly
Well-behaved non-native shrubs and small trees that perform reliably in Zone 9 landscapes.
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Abelia, Glossy (Abelia × grandiflora) 5b–9bLong-blooming shrub for pollinators; semi-evergreen and tidy, great near entrances and along paths.
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Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) 8b–11aStrong almond-scented flowers; magnet for butterflies and bees in sunny mixed borders.
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Azalea, Encore Hybrid (Rhododendron spp. hybrids) 6b–9bReblooming azaleas for extended color; best in morning sun/afternoon shade with acidic mulch.
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Azalea, Kurume (Rhododendron obtusum hybrids) 7a–9bCompact, spring-blooming azaleas; dense habit works well as low hedges or foundation shrubs in shade.
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Banana Shrub (Michelia figo) 7b–10aCreamy flowers with banana-like scent; evergreen backdrop plant for sheltered courtyards and entries.
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Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata) 9a–11aVitamin C–rich edible fruit; tropical-looking shrub for warm microclimates and edible hedges.
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Blueberry 'Sunshine Blue' (Vaccinium 'Sunshine Blue') 5b–9bCompact, self-fertile blueberry; good for containers or small edible borders in acidic soil pockets.
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Bottlebrush 'Red Cluster' (Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster') 8a–10bBright red brush-like flowers; attracts hummingbirds and bees, works as a small accent tree or shrub.
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Bottlebrush, Dwarf (Callistemon citrinus 'Little John') 8a–10bLow-growing bottlebrush for borders; evergreen with red blooms and good drought tolerance once established.
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Bottlebrush, Weeping (Callistemon viminalis) 8b–11aGraceful, fountain-shaped tree; red bottlebrush flowers for pollinators and soft screening near water or drives.
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Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) 9a–11bThorny vine or shrub with intense color; ideal for hot, dry walls and arbors in frost-sheltered areas.
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Boxwood, Japanese (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) 6a–9bClassic low hedge shrub; slow-growing evergreen used for edges, parterres, and formal garden structure.
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Camellia japonica (Camellia japonica) 7a–9bWinter-blooming evergreen; large flowers for shade gardens and foundation plantings in acidic soils.
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Camellia sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua) 7a–9bEarlier, lighter-flowered camellia; can be trained as an airy hedge or small tree with fall blooms.
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Cape Jasmine Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) 8a–11aStrongly scented white flowers; evergreen shrub for high-visibility spots with good drainage and acidity.
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Chinese Fringe-Flower (Loropetalum chinense) 7a–10aColorful foliage and fringe-like blooms; useful as a burgundy accent shrub or low hedge in sun to part shade.
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Chinese Holly 'Burfordii' (Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii') 7a–9bHeavy berry-set holly; dense, spiny hedge shrub for security, winter color, and bird food.
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Chrysanthemum Tree (Murraya paniculata) 9a–11aOrange jasmine relative with fragrant bloom; evergreen hedge or accent for warm, protected courtyards.
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Cleyera (Cleyera japonica) 7a–9bBroadleaf evergreen for shade; clean foliage and layered form make it a solid background or screen shrub.
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Crape Myrtle 'Acoma' (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei 'Acoma') 7a–9bSemi-dwarf white crape myrtle; long summer bloom, good for smaller yards and sunny mixed borders.
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Crape Myrtle 'Natchez' (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei 'Natchez') 7a–9bLarge white-flowering crape; smooth bark and canopy shade, often used as a small street or patio tree.
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Crape Myrtle 'Tonto' (Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei 'Tonto') 7a–9bCompact red-flowering crape; powdery mildew resistant and ideal for sunny, colorful foundation beds.
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Dwarf Yaupon Holly (cultivar) (Ilex vomitoria 'Schilling's Dwarf' and similar) 7a–10aLow, mound-forming holly; great for clipped borders, parking-lot islands, and dry sunny spots in Zone 9.
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Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) (Acca sellowiana) 8a–10aEvergreen edible hedge; showy edible flowers and guava-like fruit in sunny, well-drained sites.
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Fig 'Brown Turkey' (Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey') 7a–10aReliable edible fig; good for fresh eating and preserves, performs well in warm, protected locations.
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Fig 'Celeste' (Ficus carica 'Celeste') 7a–10aSweet small figs and good cold tolerance; ideal backyard fruit tree for low-maintenance edible landscapes.
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Firethorn (Pyracantha) (Pyracantha coccinea) 6a–9bThorny evergreen shrub with bright berries; good for security screens and bird habitat along fences.
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Gardenia 'August Beauty' (Gardenia jasminoides 'August Beauty') 8a–11aLong-blooming gardenia selection; large fragrant flowers for high-traffic paths and patio edges.
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Holly, Nellie R. Stevens (Ilex × 'Nellie R. Stevens') 6b–9bVigorous hybrid holly; tall evergreen screen with heavy berry set and formal look when pruned.
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Hydrangea macrophylla (Hydrangea macrophylla) 6a–9bClassic bigleaf hydrangea; large summer blooms, best in morning sun/afternoon shade with consistent moisture.
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Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata) 3a–8bPanicle hydrangea tolerant of more sun; large conical blooms for cooler spots in Northern Zone 9 gardens.
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Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) 7b–10aCompact shrub for foundations; spring flowers and blue berries, good for coastal and urban plantings.
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Japanese Blueberry Tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens) 8b–11aEvergreen ornamental tree; glossy foliage and modest fruit, often used as a narrow screen or street tree.
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Japanese Maple (heat-tolerant) (Acer palmatum, heat-selected cultivars) 6b–9aDelicate foliage tree; best in morning sun and afternoon shade with consistent moisture in Zone 9 gardens.
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Japanese Persimmon 'Fuyu' (Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu') 7a–10aNon-astringent edible persimmon; sweet when firm, excellent backyard fruit tree in sunny positions.
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Japanese Persimmon 'Hachiya' (Diospyros kaki 'Hachiya') 7a–10aAstringent persimmon best eaten fully soft; heavy producer for drying, baking, and winter sweets.
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Knock Out Rose (Rosa 'Radrazz' and series) 5b–9bLow-care rose line; continuous bloom and good disease resistance for mixed borders and pollinator value.
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Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) 8a–10aEvergreen fruit tree; sweet-tart spring fruit and strong presence as an edible ornamental in yards.
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Meyer Lemon (Citrus × meyeri) 8b–11aThin-skinned, sweeter lemon; ideal patio or in-ground citrus for continual home harvests in mild winters.
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Mexican Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) 9a–11aClassic Key-lime type fruit; best in the warmest microclimates or containers that can be protected from cold.
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Mock Orange (hybrid) (Philadelphus hybrids) 5a–9bFragrant white blossoms on arching stems; good for spring scent near seating areas and windows.
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Oleander (dwarf forms) (Nerium oleander, dwarf cultivars) 8b–11aHeat- and salt-tolerant flowering shrub; all parts poisonous, so site away from play areas and livestock.
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Olive 'Arbequina' (Olea europaea 'Arbequina') 8a–10aCompact olive cultivar; good for small edible groves or containers, with oil and table olive potential.
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Photinia (Red Tip) (Photinia × fraseri) 7a–9bNew red growth and white spring flowers; used as a large hedge or backdrop, prefers good air circulation.
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Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) 8b–11aLong-season sky-blue flowers; sprawling shrub for sunny slopes, mixed borders, or low informal hedges.
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Podocarpus (Yew Plum Pine) (Podocarpus macrophyllus) 7b–11aNarrow evergreen for screens; tolerant of pruning, good as a formal hedge or columnar accent tree.
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Pomegranate 'Parfianka' (Punica granatum 'Parfianka') 7b–10aHighly rated for fresh eating; productive shrub or small tree for hot, well-drained edible landscapes.
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Pomegranate 'Wonderful' (Punica granatum 'Wonderful') 7b–10aClassic pomegranate variety; good for juice, jelly, and fresh use when sited in full sun with dry feet.
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Rose 'Drift' (Rosa 'Drift' series) 5b–9bGroundcover roses with continuous bloom; good for bed edges, slopes, and pollinator-friendly mass plantings.
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Rosemary (upright shrub form) (Salvia rosmarinus) 7a–10aEdible, aromatic herb shrub; evergreen and drought-tolerant for sunny, well-drained edible borders.
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Spirea 'Bridal Wreath' (Spiraea prunifolia) 5a–9aArching sprays of white spring bloom; suited to cooler sites and hedgerows in Northern Zone 9 gardens.
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Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) 7b–10aTiny flowers with huge fragrance; evergreen shrub for courtyard corners, patios, and shaded entries.
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Tea Olive (Osmanthus × fortunei) 7b–10aHybrid sweet olive; similar fragrant clusters, good for evergreen screens with seasonal bloom waves.
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Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) 7b–10aGrape-scented purple flower clusters; drought-tolerant evergreen small tree for hot, dry sites (all parts toxic if eaten).
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Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) 8a–11aSilver foliage and purple blooms after rains; great for hot, dry, reflective spots as a low-care shrub.
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Tibouchina (Princess Flower) (Tibouchina urvilleana) 9a–11aVivid purple flowers and soft foliage; best in wind-sheltered, frost-protected spots for tropical color.
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Weigela (Weigela florida) 4a–8bHummingbird-friendly spring flowers; suited to cooler conditions, so use in Northern Zone 9 microclimates only.
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Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow (Brunfelsia spp.) 9a–11aFlowers that change color over several days; provides fragrant, shifting color interest in part shade.