If you are busy handling other tasks besides gardening and still want a nice garden around you, then it's better to go with low-maintenance shrubs.
In this article, I will guide you in choosing the best low-maintenance shrubs for a west-facing area in Florida. (Please note that this guide is only for those who are from Florida as choosing shrubs according to the direction depends upon where you are living)
List of shrubs for west facing area
For a west-facing area in Florida, you need shrubs that can handle direct afternoon sun, heat, and possibly drought conditions. I have created a list of hand-picked shrubs that you can choose.
1. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun.
- Water: Drought-tolerant.
- Features: Evergreen with showy, colorful flowers. Oleander is tough, thrives in heat, and requires minimal care.
Tip: There is a slight chance it will attract moths.
2. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Very drought-tolerant.
- Features: Native to Florida, this slow-growing palm-like shrub has fan-shaped leaves and needs little upkeep.
3. Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Drought-tolerant
- Features: A Florida native, this cycad is hardy, requires minimal water, and looks good year-round.
4. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun. (You can also consider partial shade)
- Water: Low maintenance; drought-tolerant
- Features: This fast-growing shrub is evergreen, pest-resistant, and can handle salt and sandy soils.
Tip: This shrub can be attacked by a type of caterpillar if you are growing it in Hillsborough County.
5. Dwarf Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water: Drought-tolerant once it's good and stable.
- Features: A compact, dense shrub with small leaves and red berries. It requires little pruning or care.
6. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Water: Low water needs after establishment
- Features: Known for its clusters of bright purple berries, it is a hardy, native shrub that attracts wildlife.
7. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
- Sun Exposure: Need
- Water: Extremely drought-tolerant
- Features: A silver-leaved, low-maintenance shrub with lavender flowers that bloom after rain.
8. Firebush (Hamelia patens)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water: Drought-tolerant
- Features: A Florida native that produces bright orange-red flowers and attracts hummingbirds.
All the shrubs I mentioned above can handle Florida's heat. I consider these low-maintenance shrubs as these shrubs do not require much water and are also resilient against the challenges of a west-facing spot. (Pest free also)
Note: You can consider bromeliads here. But they are often thought of as tropical plants. Not every species of this plant can be a good choice for growing in Florida.
If you want to know which varieties of bromeliads you should grow, comment below your zone or county. I will reply.
