White Flowering Shrubs in Florida

Gardeners in the Sunshine State are limited by little more than their imaginations. It is hard to find a shrub that will not thrive in Florida's backyard gardens. White-blooming shrubs look wonderful when planted in groups or when mixed with their more colorful blooming counterparts.

Abelia (Abelia grandiflora x 'Rose Creek')

'Rose Creek' abelia has tubular white flowers that sometimes have a pale pink tint. Lightly prune abelia after flowers fade for a fresh flush of blooms. Flowers of the abelia attract butterflies and hummingbirds when in bloom. The evergreen shrub provides cover for small animals in the winter. Birds may also use this dense shrub as they migrate. 'Rose Creek' abelia prefers full sun to very light shade and well-drained soil. This compact shrub grows to 3 feet tall with a spread up to 4 feet. It thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness zones 6 to 9.

Azalea (Rhododendron hybrid x 'Robleb')

Autumn Angel is patented variety of the shub marketed under the Encore brand of long-blooming azaleas that grows up to 3 feet tall. The shrub has white flowers three seasons of the year spring, summer and fall. Autumn Angel is an evergreen azalea that likes a little shade in the hottest part of the day and well-drained acidic soil. Autumn Angel grows best when planted in USDA zones 7 to 10. Plant Autumn Angel in mass with the Encore azalea, Twist to add interest to large areas. Twists' white flowers have purple stripes and occasional solid purple blooms. Twist grows to 4-1/2 feet tall.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides x 'August Beauty')

'August Beauty' gardenia has double white blooms, 2-1/2 inches wide, that appear in spring and continue until the temperature begins to climb in summer. This gardenia grows to 6 feet tall and spreads to 4 to 5 feet wide. Plant this evergreen in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil in USDA zones 7 to 9.

Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinensis x 'Emerald Snow')

'Emerald Snow' has stringy white clusters of blooms in spring. The shrub can reach 4 feet tall and equally as wide. Plant the evergreen 'Emerald Snow' in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, rich garden soil. Loropetalum chinesis 'Emerald Snow' grows best in USDA zones 7 to 10.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii x 'White Profusion')

'White Profusion' butterfly bush is loaded with clusters of fragrant, white flowers from summer through fall attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds daily. The shrub, which can reach 10 feet tall, has a waterfall habit. Branches drape toward the ground under the weight of the bloom clusters. Plant 'White Profusion' butterfly bush in full sun to light shade, average garden soil in USDA zones 5 to 9.