Flowering Shrubs and Trees for Fall-Winter Color in Miami

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Flowering Shrubs and Trees for Fall-Winter Color in
Miami-Dade Landscapes
John McLaughlin1
One of the benefits of living in Miami during fall and winter is the range of superb plants
available to provide color to local landscapes including the holiday season. For some this means
relying on the annual bedding plants, (e.g., impatiens) that become available during fall at local
garden centers. However as outlined below there’s also a wide range of herbaceous perennials,
shrubs and small trees that flower during this period, and once installed will reward you for
many more years.
There are familiar favorites such as blue plumbago, chenille plant,
hibiscus, ixora and peregrina, that bloom on and off throughout the
year. While not necessarily at their showiest, they can be relied on to
contribute some garden color during most of winter. The earliest cold
wave (night time temperatures below 40ºF) usually arrives after
Thanksgiving, exceptionally as early as mid-December. Mussaendas
and allamandas will flower year round given a warm moist climate, but
in Miami-Dade they usually have ceased flowering by Christmas.
Musseandas, especially the ‘Dona Aurorae’ hybrids
invariably loose most of their blooms and some leaves with
the first significant cold front. The less commonly seen red
flag M. erythrophylla (shown above) is somewhat hardier
and may retain some color into the New Year.
Roses though are often at their best around Christmas;
unlike gardeners further north there is no need to severely
cut back roses as winter approaches. Heirloom Tea and
China roses include cultivars (such as the Mrs. B.R. Cant
shown right) that are quite drought tolerant once established
and far less prone to disease problems that afflict more
modern roses.
1
Miami-Dade County Extension Office, Homestead, FL 33030
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Many of the plants that flower in late fall to early spring are termed ‘short day plants’: as days
become shorter during late summer, genes responsible for differentiation of reproductive tissue
(i.e. flowers) are switched on. Among trees and shrubs this is a phenomenon restricted to those
endemic to warm winter climates. Rather than a decrease in daylight it is increasing darkness
that provides the stimulus and this is gauged by light sensitive leaf pigments (phytochromes).
Where plants use day length to assess the time of year and adjust physiological activity, the
phenomenon is termed photoperiodism. Other extrinsic factors can also affect flowering to
varying degrees including soil moisture (or more accurately a plant’s internal moisture reserves),
nutritional status (i.e., fertilizer use) and when last pruned.
Temperature is also important - if too low flower buds can be injured; conversely in some
instances flowering only occurs if there’s sufficient exposure to cool temperatures. This is the
case with the winter flowering butterfly bush (Buddlia asiatica) which flowers in central Florida,
but not in Miami-Dade. Similarly Camelia japonica and Hardenbergia violacea (a blue
flowering Australian vine popular in southern California) flower in mid-winter providing
overnight temperatures remain below 55ºF.
One decorative, short day plant that is a familiar
indoor sight throughout the holiday season is the
poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherellum). When used
outdoors as a permanent part of the landscape, reliable
flowering during the festive season is possible only if
plants are situated well away from outdoor lighting.
In practical terms this means that from the beginning of
October until early December, poinsettias must
experience 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each
night. At the same time it is also important not to prune or
fertilize the plants. The Jamaican poinsettia (Euphorbia punicea) is an impressive 12’
shrub/small tree with striking trichotomous branching; it is also a short-day plant but flowers
from December well into late spring. Like the
common poinsettia, color is provided by
prominent, bright red flower bracts (cyathophylls
– see photo above left) borne on fleshy branches.
Once difficult to find it is now available from
several area growers. Drought tolerant, Jamaican
poinsettia needs full sun and fast draining soil
(which is essential). Unlike the common
poinsettia, the Jamaican poinsettia contains irritant
milky sap.
Another euphorb that bursts into bloom at this
time of year is pascuita or little Christmas flower
(Euphorbia leucocephala). For most of the year
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it’s a rather ordinary 8-10’ shrub. However from early
November through December and into the New Year it
transforms into a large, airy, pinkish white cloud (shown
above right). The colorful bracts provide ornamental
appeal, while the flowers en masse contribute a delicate,
sweet fragrance. As flowering wanes cut back heavily,
thereafter prune lightly if required up until late August.
Pruning after this can reduce flowering since like the
poinsettia, pascuita is also a short day plant. For this
reason flowering of pascuita is improved if it is situated
away from street lights (cf. poinsettia). Otherwise all
that is required is a site in full sun with free draining soil.
If you prefer yellow flowering shrubs/small trees Christmas bush and Christmas candles are
common names for two sennas flowering during the holiday season, Senna bicaspularis and S.
alata respectively (careful, latter may be confused with golden senna, Senna pendula var.
glabrata an invasive species). Other sennas flower at this time of year including the popular
glaucous cassia (S. surattensis) and desert senna, S. polyphylla (shown above right) as well as
the native Bahama cassia (S. mexicana var. chapmanii), the latter two both drought tolerant,
low maintenance shrubs. For coastal locations the Indian savin Caesalpinia vesicaria is a small
evergreen tree having compound leaves with deep green leaflets, and racemose spikes of pale
yellow flowers. Flowering is from fall into early winter. The tree is drought tolerant, readily
adapting to local calcareous soil and.
For those with childhood memories of daisy chains, the 10-15’ tree
daisy, Montonoa grandifolia is for you. A fast
growing, soft-stemmed shrub to 15’, it has 10”
entire to shallowly lobed leaves, and from fall to
early winter covered in daisy like inflorescences,
ray and disc florets white and yellow respectively.
Of particular ornamental note are the white
globose seed-heads (at right), often mistaken as
blossoms. The related tree marigold, Tithonia
diversifolia (shown upper left) is smaller, to 12’,with
deeply lobed leaves and from fall into winter produces
inflorescences made up of bright orangey yellow ray
florets and yellow disc florets. Both make coarse,
leggy landscape plants but are quite striking when in
flower, especially the latter species. The familiar
thryallis, Galphimia gracilis a 3-5’ shrub, blooms for
much of the year; however the clusters of small yellow
flowers (shown lower left) are especially attractive in
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fall and winter. This is a useful source of yellow in the landscape for areas that are partially
shaded – stems are brittle so choose a site protected from strong
winds.
For more choices where there’s some light shade, Eranthemum
pulchellum (blue sage, shown at right) is a soft wooded multistemmed shrub, growing to about 3-4’ with a spread of 5-6’. From
December into early April it produces handsome spikes of deep
blue flowers. In Miami-Dade, Eranthemum is best planted in
enriched soil choosing a site with either dappled or some afternoon
shade. In full hot sun the shrub will rapidly wilt unless watered
frequently. Deadhead to encourage further flowering, then once
flowering is finished drastically prune, cutting stems back by a half
(just above a node) and removing those that are dead or yellowing.
Apply fertilizer after pruning and again in late summer. The less
familiar Eranthemum
wattii is a smaller shrub
with larger purplish flowers.
If you are still blue, yesterday-today-andtomorrow, is a common name applied to several
species of brunfelsias of which Brunfelsia
grandiflora (shown at left) is best adapted to MiamiDade’s calcareous soil. Flowers occur in clusters
from winter through early spring, at first appearing
deep purplish blue, fading to light blue then white.
Provide some partial shade from hot afternoon sun,
water as needed to maintain soil moisture, reducing
frequency during the cool season.
Often referred to as Christmas-pride, Ruellia
macrantha is a 3-4’ herbaceous shrub with large, very
showy, pink to purplish pink, funnel-form flowers, from late fall into spring (shown at right).
Install where there is some shade, especially from hot
afternoon sun, and provide a moist, enriched, free draining
soil. After flowering plants can be cut back to prevent them
from becoming leggy, though avoid pruning after July.
Bougainvilleas are the perfect choice for full sun locations,
with an extensive range of colors and cultivars that grow as
stand-alone shrubs or sprawling vines as well as dwarf forms
that can be used as groundcover. Used widely in local
landscapes, they respond as short day plants flowering on new
growth during late fall/early winter; in some instances
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flowering can occur at other times of the year if the soil becomes sufficiently dry. Where
vegetative growth is stimulated through too much fertilizer nitrogen, flower production will be
suppressed, while pruning after early September can delay or severely reduce flowering.
Assuming optimum growing conditions, i.e. a site with perfect drainage that receives full sun,
you can help ensure reliable late fall flowering of a Bougainvillea by leaving well alone after the
end of summer, save for attending to any disease/pest problem. Pruning, which can be quite
severe, should be done in late spring or once flowering subsides. At this time also provide a
complete slow release fertilizer with subsequent applications of trace element nutritional
supplements as required. An established bougainvillea should never require watering –
remember, dry soils help to promote flowering.
Also suited to full sun is the Christmas rose, no not Helleborus
niger familiar to northern gardeners, but a quite different plant, a
flowering tree from Africa that is more commonly known as
tropical snowball (Dombeya wallichi). Dombeyas grow as large
shrubs in Miami-Dade and flower from late fall through winter.
Individual flowers range from white to cream through various
shades of pink to red and are arranged in dense umbellate cymes –
each inflorescence resembles a hydrangea looking nothing like
rose blossoms. Rather than D. wallichi, where the flowers tend to
be obscured by the large coarse leaves, choose D. burgessiae
(above left). The inflorescence can vary both in shape
and color (white to pink) - the cultivar ‘Seminole’
(shown at right) is especially attractive with deep pink
flowers, and is available in some local nurseries.
Situate in full sun, and apply a covering of mulch to
help maintain soil moisture; provide applications of a
complete slow release fertilizer in early spring and
late summer, and deadhead to extend flowering.
Arachnothryx leucophylla (formerly Rondeletia
leucophylla), is a short day plant that enjoys full sun
with an extended
period of flowering
from late fall/early
winter well into late spring. It is an especially appropriate
choice if you like Pentas (one of its common names is bush
pentas) and hummingbirds. A somewhat willowy shrub
growing up to 10’, leaves are narrow, lanceolate with
distinctly silvery undersides. The inflorescence (shown at
left) consists of a corymb of deep pink flowers; deadheading
to remove spent flowers improves repeat flowering. Bush
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pentas adapts well to local limestone based soils and is a good
choice as a low maintenance, specimen shrub; several can be used to
provide a tall, colorful, informal screen. In late spring as flowering
ends perform any major pruning that is required and provide an
application of a slow release fertilizer. There are few if any pests; an
extended period of cool weather can cause some of the leaves to
develop red blotches, but this is temporary and of no serious
concern.
There remain a diverse group of fall/winter flowering vines,
shrubs and a few trees which includes the chalice vines (Solandra
spp.); red passion flower, Passiflora vitifolia; hybrid bleeding
heart vine (Clerodendrum x
speciosum shown left) and two
familiar scandent shrubs/ climbers the cape honeysuckle,
Tecoma capensis and Chinese hat plant, Holmskioldia
sanguinea. The former has a sprawling habit, stems that
touch the ground readily rooting. Apart from the common
orange-flowering species type there are more diminutive
cultivars with yellow, pale orange or mauve flowers. The
Chinese hat plant has an even more scandent habit (it can be
grown as a vine) and is noted for its unusual orangey red,
disc shaped flowers. The cultivar ‘Mandarin Red’ has bright
red flowers (shown at right) while ‘Citrina’ is a yellow form.
In Miami-Dade flowering occurs from late fall well into
spring, after which the plant should be cut back.
Not particular as to soil providing it doesn’t
become too dry; flowering occurs in full sun or
part shade.
The powderpuff Calliandra haematocephala
is a large shrub blooming November through to
early spring. Notable for the large mimosa-like
flowers with their striking scarlet stamens.
Avoid pruning after late summer and look out
for thorn bugs which can be occasional pests.
For long term color C. haematocephala ‘Nana’
is a dwarf cultivar that flowers intermittently
during most of the year.
Finally, to add to the previously mentioned
Solandra maxima (See Table 1 below)
Bahama senna, three other South Florida native plants
with seasonal interest: the first two matrimony vine (Lycium carolinianum) and ground holly
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(Crossopetalum ilicifolium), both also known by
the common name Christmas berry. The former
is a medium-size, open, spreading shrub (to 6’) in
the potato family (Solanaceae) with small
succulent leaves and attractive pale blue to
lavender flowers. Flowering is most pronounced
late summer into fall, followed in winter by
cheery bright red berries, the shrubs principal
ornamental feature. Matrimony vine is especially
suited for ocean front properties, just be careful of
the spines (another common name is Carolina
desert thorn).
Ground holly is a low growing often prostrate shrub (shown above left) found in local pine
rocklands. The leaves are small with spiny margins and from late fall into spring decorative
small red fruits (drupes) appear. The plant requires full sun, adapts well to limestone, and since
it is slow growing makes an easy to maintain groundcover. The berries are edible but best left
for wildlife.
Beautyberry Callicarpa americana is another native shrub with seasonal color that also
features highly ornamental fruit. For a full list of plants and thumb-nail sketch including items
not described in the above review go to Table 1 below.
Handroanthus impetiginosa (See Table 1 below)
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TABLE 1 Shrubs and trees for fall-winter color in Miami-Dade
Color descriptions are to a degree unavoidably subjective; season refers to the period
within which flowering can be expected, and not necessarily its duration.
Scientific Name
(Common Name)
Traits
Arachnothryx
leucophylla2
Flower color: deep pink fading
to almost white.
Bush pentas
Season: December – early June
Bauhinia x
blakeana
Flower color: dark purplish red
with lilac markings
Hong Kong
orchid tree
Season: Oct. - March
Bixa orellana
Flower color: Pink to lavender,
followed by crimson seed
capsules
Anatto
Season of color: Nov – March
Comments
12’ shrub with furrowed bark;
narrow lanceolate leaves, undersides
silvery; tolerates drought and
limestone.
20-30’ tree, sterile (non-invasive);
weak wood liable to storm damage;
often develops deficiency symptoms
of iron and/ or potassium.
Small, low branching tree, cordate
bright green leaves, flowers in
terminal panicles, fruit a bristly
capsule, seeds with bright red arils
used as food colorant; powdery
mildew; iron deficiency.
Yesterday-today
and tomorrow
Flower color: Violet fading to 10’ shrub; on calcareous soils may
pale blue then white.
need to provide chelated trace
element supplements.
Season: mid- December into late
April.
Caesalpinia
vesicaria
Flower color: yellow (followed
by decorative red seed pods).
Brasiletto
Season: December to March
Calliandra
haematocephala
Flower color: crimson
Brunfelsia
grandiflora
Red powderpuff
2
Shrubby small tree sometimes spiny;
tolerates drought and limestone.
12-15’ shrub with bipinnate leaves;
drought tolerant; correct trace
Season: December – March (cv. element deficiencies; thorn bugs an
‘Nana’ flowers intermittently occasional pest.
throughout the year).
syn. Rondeletia leucophylla
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Callicarpa
americana
Flower color: insignificant, but
clusters of heliotrope colored
drupes along the stems,
Sprawling evergreen bush; cut the
long cane-like stems back heavily
after New Year; Florida native.
Beautyberry
Season: late summer-fall (fruit)
Cassia roxburghii
Flower color: reddish pink
Red Cassia
Season: September - December
Small to medium tree with striking
appearance; broad, layered canopy
of downward curving branches;
flowers held in axillary racemes
above leaves.
Flower color: bright red corolla A sterile, hybrid, scandent climber tube with exserted white stamens needs to be tied into a support;
and purplish calyx.
ovate, dark green, somewhat rugose
leaves, full sun to part shade.
Glory Bower Vine
Season: mainly November –
Hybrid
April
Clerodendrum x
speciosum
Colvillea
racemosa
Flower color: vivid orange to
scarlet
Colville’s Glory
Season: October – early
December
Dombeya
burgessiae
Wild pear
Flower color: white; ‘Seminole’ Large shrub to 12’; leaves cordate
a popular pink cultivar
with shallow lobes; flowers (in
compact umbels) persistent petals
Season: December - April
drying and turning brown,
‘Seminole’ seen most frequently;
deadhead to extend flowering.
Irrigate as needed to maintain soil
moisture.
cv.‘Seminole’
Tropical
hydrangea
Eranthemum
pulchellum
Flower color: dark blue
Season: late: November to April
Blue sage
Euphorbia
leucocephala
Little Christmas
flower
Flower color: cyathia3 minor ;
associated leafy bracts
(cyathophylls) provide color,
white becoming tinged red
Medium sized deciduous tree;
usually sparingly branched; feathery
compound leaves; flowers in coneshaped pendent racemes.
Small shrub 2-4’, dark green leaves
with conspicuously depressed veins;
cut back by a third after flowering.
Requires some partial shade.
Large shrub to 12’; flowers lightly
scented; cut back in spring as color
fades.
Season: November – March
3
Cyathia: Cup-like structure (involucre) containing much simplified flowers (found in Euphorbiaceae)
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Euphorbia
punicia
Jamaican
poinsettia
Galphimia glauca
Flower color: insignificant
(cyathia3); associated nectar
glands (yellow) and cyathophylls
(bright red)
Season: December – May.
Tree or large shrub with narrow
lanceolate leaves; grows by repeat 3forked branching; Full sun and fast
draining, gritty soil essential.
Flower color: bright yellow
Season: Summer - Late fall
Low shrub; thin, brittle stems; small
lanceolate leaves, partial/light shade;
needs sheltered site; resents hard
pruning.
Flower color: lavender - pink
Season: winter /early spring
Small (25’) deciduous tree; palmate
leaves; clusters of trumpet shaped
flowers on bare tree.
Flower color: orange bracts and
yellow flowers
Season: December – March
Herbaceous perennial 3-4’; upright
inflorescence; free draining,
enriched soil; partial- light shade.
Flower color: red to pink bracts
and white flowers
Season: December – March
Herbaceous perennial 2-4’; upright
inflorescence; free draining enriched
soil; partial shade; adapts to
container culture.
Flower color: red (Mandarin
red’); yellow (Citrina)
Season: late November – early
April
Scandent shrub (needs support);
drought tolerant; light shade; cut
back in spring after flowering.
Flower color: bracts vermilion
becoming apricot; corolla white,
spotted purple within
Season: December – April
Small (3-4’) much branched shrub;
Inflorescence with imbricate
(overlapping) bracts and small
tubular flowers; light - partial shade
Flower color: white
Season: December – January
(Also functions year round as a
foliage plant)
Terrestrial orchid; fragrant flowers
in tall spikes; leaves ovate, dark
maroon with red or silvery veins;
cool, shaded location with moderate
light; enriched, free-draining soil;
suitable for use in planters.
Thryalis
Handroanthus
impetiginosus4
Pink Ipê or Pau
d’arco
Heliconia angusta
‘Orange
Christmas’
Heliconia angusta
‘Red Christmas’
Holmskioldia
sanguinea
Chinese hat plant
Justicea
brandegeana
Shrimp plant
Ludisia discolor
Jewel orchid
4
Synonyms: Tabebuia impetiginosa; Tabebuia palmeri
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Lycium
carolinianum
Christmas berry
Montanoa
grandiflora
Tree-daisy
Passiflora vitifolia
Scarlet
Passionflower
Poranopsis
paniculata
Flower color: blue/mauve or
white; (followed by decorative
red berries)
Season: Flowers year round
especially July – November,
berries December – February
Small (4”), spiny, salt tolerant shrub;
Florida native; free draining sandy
soils
Flower color: white (ray
flowers) and yellow (disc)
(white, globular seed heads the
main ornamental feature).
Season: late November –
January
Large (12’) soft wooded shrub; large
coarse, grey -green leaves; daisylike ‘flowers’; pale chartreuse to
white, papery seed head (may be
mistaken for blossom); cut back
hard in early spring.
Flower color: crimson to scarlet
Season: year round (best fall into
early winter)
Passion vine to 20’ with trilobate
leaves; evenly moist, enriched soil;
some afternoon shade; for fruit set
pollinator plant required (selfincompatible).
Flower color: white
Season: intermittently from
November to March
A vigorous woody vine, terminal
pendulous large branched panicles
of small, sweetly fragrant, tubular
flowers; needs a strong trellis or
pergola; cut back lateral branches
after flowering. Stems readily root
on contacting soil.
Flower color: bright lemon
yellow
Season: November – February
Small shrub (3’) with gray branches,
flowers 4-5 petals; adapts to
limestone, light, evenly moist soil;
cut back after flowering.
Flower color: magenta with
white throat
Season: showiest during fall,
intermittently at other times of
the year.
Compact climber or train as a shrub;
leathery trifoliolate leaves; flowers
in short panicles; full sun and fast
draining soil.
Flower color: yellow
Season: Nov - January
Shrub to 6’, foliage coarser than
other sennas, flowers tightly
clustered in an erect spike, cut back
hard after flowering.
Christmas vine
(Coralita blanca)
Reinwartdia
indica
Yellow flax
Saritea scandens
Glow Vine
Senna alata
Christmas
Candles
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Senna
bicapsularis
Flower color: yellow
Season: October- December
Shrub with somewhat scandent
habit; may be confused with Senna
pendula a spring flowering invasive
species, needs pruning to maintain
shape.
Flower color: yellow
Season: November – March
Diminutive stature, slow growth rate
and fine lacy foliage make for an
ideal showy flowering tree; highly
drought and salt tolerant, adapted to
rocky infertile soil.
Flower color: butter yellow
deepening to gold with five
prominent purple lines in throat.
Season: November - February
S. maxima is a heavy woody vine
with deep green ovate leaves, large
night-fragrant, cup shaped flowers;
requires a sturdy trellis (preferably a
pergola) for support.
Flower color: bright crimson
with an orangey yellow throat.
Season: November- March.
12 – 20’ climber (large trellis,
pergola); leaves somewhat fleshy,
large (to 10’) with deeply impressed
veins and shallowly cordate base;
inflorescence with funnel shaped
flowers, plant in full sun with free
draining sandy soil; prune back hard
in early spring after flowering.
Flower color: lilac to pinkish
purple.
Season: November - March
An open shrub to 6; somewhat
glossy leaves with prominent lateral
veins and a pronounced ‘drip tip’,
inflorescence a much branched,
delicate panicle bearing numerous
small bell shaped, flowers; provide
enriched moist soil (must not
become dry) and dappled shade to
bright light.
.
Sprawling habit; stems that touch
the ground readily root at the nodes;
clusters of trumpet shaped flowers;
full sun and free –draining soil.
Christmas bush
Senna polyphylla
Desert cassia
Solandra spp.5
Chalice vines
Stictocardia
beraviensis
King’s Ipomoea
Strobilanthes
hamiltoniana
Chinese rain bell
Tecoma capensis
Cape
Honeysuckle
5
6
Flower color: orange6
Season: Intermittent, especially
fall into spring
Frequently offered as Solandra guttata by nurseries but more likely to be S. maxima
Diminutive cultivars with yellow, pale orange or mauve flowers.
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Tithonia
diversifolia
Tree Marigold
Flower color: bright orangey
yellow ray florets and yellow
disc florets.
Season: November - February
A large, leggy, herbaceous plant
with deeply lobed coarse foliage and
an extensive root system; daisy-like
‘flowers’ with mild chocolate
fragrance; full sun; slightly moist to
dry soil.