Wendy’s Wanderings

The Case for Choosing Dwarf Shrubs in Florida Landscapes

January 3, 2025

It is not uncommon to see over-sheared shrubs in landscapes. I often joke that the new guy on the landscape crew gets handed the gas-powered shears and is just let loose. However, this practice isn’t a laughing matter. Over-pruning, sculpting, or topping shrubs is detrimental to plant health and deeply offends my sense of aesthetics. If a shrub needs to be pruned into the shape of a large meatball or a big box, is it really the right plant in the right place?

Consistent shaping of fast-growing shrubs frequently cuts off their newest leaves. These young leaves are the most photosynthetically active part of the shrub, so removing them hampers the plant’s ability to produce energy. Additionally, this pruning style often results in shrubs that are wider at the top than the bottom, shading the lower portions of the plant. As Dolly Parton might say about her shoe size, nothing grows in the shade. Consequently, the plant gradually loses leaves at the bottom, leaving it with “ugly ankles” or resembling a stalk of broccoli.

This problem can be avoided by selecting the right plant for the right place—or better yet, the right dwarf plant. Dwarf plants require little to no pruning to maintain a low profile and never need to be sheared into submission. Here are a few of my Florida favorites:

Dwarf Yaupon Holly: This self-mounding evergreen holly, with cultivars like ‘Schillings’ and ‘Nana,’ thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9. It adapts well to a range of soil types and reaches a height of just 4 feet. As a cultivar of the Florida native Ilex vomitoria, it performs well in full to partial sun.

Dwarf ‘Carissa’ Holly: A compact form of Ilex cornuta, this holly grows to only 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its deep green leaves have a single spine at the tip. This drought-tolerant shrub makes an excellent foundation plant or works beautifully in mass plantings in full to partial sun.

Japanese Plum Yew: For shaded areas, Cephalotaxus harringtonii ‘Prostrata’ is a great choice. This evergreen has soft, dark green needles and grows to just 2-3 feet tall. Unlike traditional yews, it tolerates Florida’s summers and thrives up to zone 9b, adding a soft texture to the landscape.

‘Green Island’ Ficus: Perfect for South Florida’s zone 10, this cultivar of Ficus macrocarpa grows to 3-5 feet tall. Its glossy, dark green leaves make it an attractive, drought- and salt-tolerant option for both sunny and shady locations.

Wild Coffee: A native shrub for zones 9 and 10, Psychotria nervosa can reach 4-10 feet tall and wide. The dwarf form, ‘Little Psycho,’ grows to just 2 ½ feet tall and thrives in partial shade. Its small white flowers attract pollinators, while the red berries entice birds and other wildlife.

Other dwarf plants to consider for a low-maintenance, reduced-pruning landscape include dwarf Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum), dwarf firebush (Hamelia patens var. glabra), and dwarf Ixora (Ixora spp.).

So, let’s bid farewell to the over-pruned look and embrace the charm of dwarf shrubs. These compact plants allow you to enjoy a well-manicured landscape without the constant maintenance. Give dwarfs a try—your garden (and your back) will thank you!

— Wendy Wilber