Flowering Plants Jacksonville FL: Complete Growing Guide

Jacksonville's Zone 9a/9b climate offers year-round growing opportunities that gardeners farther north can only dream about. But getting continuous color in our heat, humidity, and occasional freezes requires understanding which flowering plants actually thrive here—and when to use them.

After decades of installing and maintaining Jacksonville gardens, I've learned which flowering plants deliver reliable performance and which ones promise more than they produce. Here's what works, what doesn't, and how to create gardens with color through all seasons.

Understanding Jacksonville's Growing Seasons

Unlike northern climates with distinct growing and dormant seasons, Jacksonville has two primary planting seasons with year-round options.

Cool Season (October-March)

Our "winter" is prime growing season for cool-season flowering plants. Temperatures in the 40s-70s provide ideal conditions for plants that struggle in summer heat.

This is when we plant pansies, snapdragons, petunias, and other flowers that northern gardeners consider summer annuals. Here, they're winter color because they can't handle July and August.

Warm Season (April-September)

Summer heat and humidity challenge many flowering plants. The varieties that thrive now are truly heat-tolerant—pentas, zinnias, marigolds, and tropical perennials adapted to high temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms.

Year-Round Options

Some flowering plants perform continuously in Jacksonville with proper care. These workhorses form the backbone of landscapes that maintain color without constant replanting.

Top Cool-Season Flowering Plants

These plants provide color from fall through spring and struggle or die in summer heat.

Pansies and Violas

Pansies are the iconic Jacksonville winter annual. Plant them in October or November, and they flower continuously through March—sometimes into April if temperatures stay moderate.

Why they work here:

• Peak performance in cool temperatures (40s-60s)
• Hundreds of color options
• Reliable continuous flowering
• Affordable for mass plantings
• Frost-tolerant

Planting tips:

• Plant in October for longest performance
• Full sun to part shade (prefer morning sun)
• Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming
• Fertilize monthly with balanced water-soluble fertilizer

Varieties: Standard pansies have larger flowers. Violas have smaller flowers but often bloom more prolifically. Both work well—choose based on aesthetic preference.

Best uses: Bed plantings, containers, hanging baskets, borders. Combine colors for impact or use single colors for sophisticated appearance.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons provide vertical interest and come in dwarf (6-8 inches), medium (18-24 inches), and tall (30-36 inches) varieties.

Why they work here:

• Excellent cool-season performance
• Wide color range
• Attractive to hummingbirds
• Cutting garden favorite
• Handles light frost

Planting tips:

• Plant in October or November
• Full sun for best flowering
• Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier growth
• Tall varieties may need staking
• Fertilize every 2-3 weeks for maximum flowering

Best uses: Borders, cutting gardens, background plantings (tall varieties), containers (dwarf varieties). Mix heights for layered effect.

Petunias

Petunias offer massive color impact. Modern varieties handle Jacksonville winters better than older types that were primarily summer annuals.

Varieties for Jacksonville:

• Wave petunias - spreading habit, excellent for groundcover effect
• Supertunia - vigorous growth, continuous flowering
• Traditional grandiflora - large flowers, classic appearance

Why they work here:

• Prolific flowering in cool weather
• Heat tolerance varies (some perform into May)
• Wide color selection
• Spreading varieties cover ground quickly

Planting tips:

• Plant October through December
• Full sun essential for maximum flowering
• Deadhead regularly or choose self-cleaning varieties
• Fertilize weekly with liquid fertilizer
• Prune back if plants get leggy in late winter

Best uses: Hanging baskets, containers, bed plantings, borders. Spreading varieties excellent for covering large areas.

Dianthus

Dianthus (also called pinks) provides spicy fragrance along with color. Compact growth and continuous flowering make them ideal for borders and edges.

Why they work here:

• Excellent cool-season performance
• Fragrant flowers (not all varieties, but many)
• Compact, mounding growth habit
• Handles frost well
• Lower water needs than other annuals

Planting tips:

• Plant October through January
• Full sun to light shade
• Excellent drainage essential (wet soil causes rot)
• Deadhead for continuous flowering
• Fertilize monthly

Best uses: Border plantings, rock gardens, containers, bed edges. The compact size makes them perfect for defining borders.

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage

For unique texture and color, ornamental kale and cabbage provide impact through winter. Not flowers technically, but used as flowering annuals for cool-season color.

Why they work here:

• Peak color in cold weather (colors intensify below 50°F)
• Unique texture and form
• Extremely cold-hardy
• Long-lasting (November through March)

Planting tips:

• Plant October or November
• Full sun for best color
• Colors intensify as weather cools
• Low maintenance once established

Best uses: Focal points, container centers, border accents. Combine with pansies or dianthus for contrasting texture.

Top Warm-Season Flowering Plants

These plants handle Jacksonville's summer heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms.

Pentas

Pentas is possibly the best summer flowering plant for Jacksonville. Continuous blooming, heat tolerance, and butterfly attraction make them indispensable.

Colors: Red, pink, white, lavender

Why they work here:

• Thrives in heat and humidity
• Continuous flowering May through October
• Butterfly and hummingbird magnet
• Low maintenance
• Drought-tolerant once established

Planting tips:

• Plant March through June
• Full sun to part shade
• Deadheading increases flowering but not essential
• Fertilize monthly during growing season
• Can overwinter in Jacksonville (cut back after frost)

Best uses: Bed plantings, pollinator gardens, containers, mixed borders. Essential for any butterfly garden.

Zinnias

Zinnias provide bold color and excellent cutting flowers. Fast growth and easy care make them perfect for summer gardens.

Why they work here:

• Heat-loving
• Fast growth (flowers in 6-8 weeks from seed)
• Excellent cutting flowers
• Wide range of colors and sizes
• Attracts butterflies

Planting tips:

• Plant seeds or transplants March through July
• Full sun essential
• Deadhead for continuous flowering
• Susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions (newer varieties more resistant)
• Direct seeding works well in Jacksonville

Varieties:

• Benary's Giant - tall (3-4 feet), large flowers, excellent for cutting
• Profusion series - compact, disease-resistant
• Zinderella - unique dahlia-like flowers

Best uses: Cutting gardens, bed plantings, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens. Plant in masses for maximum impact.

Marigolds

Marigolds are bulletproof summer annuals that handle Jacksonville heat without complaint.

Types:

• African marigolds - large, upright (12-36 inches)
• French marigolds - compact (6-12 inches), more flowers
• Signet marigolds - tiny flowers, ferny foliage, edible

Why they work here:

• Extreme heat tolerance
• Continuous flowering
• Pest-deterrent properties (some insects avoid them)
• Low maintenance
• Inexpensive

Planting tips:

• Plant March through June
• Full sun required
• Deadhead for continuous blooming (or plant self-cleaning varieties)
• Minimal fertilization needed
• Can reseed if allowed to go to seed

Best uses: Vegetable garden borders, bed plantings, containers, cutting gardens. French marigolds excellent for edging.

Vinca (Catharanthus)

Also called Madagascar periwinkle, vinca provides groundcover-style flowering through summer. Not to be confused with shade-loving perennial vinca.

Why it works here:

• Extreme heat and humidity tolerance
• Continuous flowering May through October
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Self-cleaning (no deadheading needed)
• Available in many colors

Planting tips:

• Wait until soil warms (April-May) to plant
• Full sun to part shade
• Excellent drainage essential (susceptible to root rot in wet soil)
• Minimal fertilization needed
• Space 10-12 inches apart for coverage

Best uses: Groundcover plantings, hanging baskets, containers, bed plantings in hot, dry areas. Perfect for sites where other plants struggle.

Salvia

Multiple salvia species work well in Jacksonville summers. Salvia provides vertical interest and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Species for Jacksonville:

• Salvia coccinea (scarlet sage) - red, pink, or white flowers
• Salvia farinacea (mealycup sage) - blue or white spikes
• Salvia guaranitica (anise sage) - deep blue, tall

Why they work here:

• Heat and humidity tolerant
• Pollinator magnet
• Vertical flower spikes add structure
• Long flowering period
• Relatively drought-tolerant

Planting tips:

• Plant March through June
• Full sun to part shade
• Deadhead for continuous flowering
• Taller varieties may need staking
• Some species reseed readily

Best uses: Pollinator gardens, mixed borders, container thrillers, cutting gardens. Combine with spreading plants for texture contrast.

Year-Round Flowering Perennials

These plants perform continuously or bloom repeatedly through the year in Jacksonville.

Lantana

Lantana is a must-have for Jacksonville gardens. Heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and constantly flowering from spring through fall (and winter in mild years).

Why it works here:

• Thrives in heat and humidity
• Extreme drought tolerance
• Continuous flowering
• Butterfly magnet
• Available in many colors
• Can overwinter in Jacksonville

Varieties:

• Trailing types (hanging baskets, groundcover)
• Upright types (shrub-like, 2-4 feet)
• Sterile varieties (don't produce berries, less invasive)

Planting tips:

• Plant spring through summer
• Full sun essential
• Minimal water needed once established
• Deadheading not necessary but can shape plant
• Cut back after frost; usually returns in spring

Considerations:

• Berries are toxic (choose sterile varieties if concerned)
• Can be invasive in natural areas (birds spread seeds)
• Cold-sensitive (damaged below 30°F but usually rebounds)

Best uses: Containers, hanging baskets, groundcover, pollinator gardens, low-maintenance beds.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Native to North America and perfectly adapted to Jacksonville conditions. Daisy-like flowers in red, orange, and yellow combinations bloom continuously from spring through fall.

Why it works here:

• Excellent heat tolerance
• Drought-tolerant
• Native (adapted to local conditions)
• Long flowering period
• Low maintenance
• Attracts butterflies

Planting tips:

• Plant spring or fall
• Full sun required
• Excellent drainage essential
• Minimal fertilization (too much reduces flowering)
• Deadhead for continuous blooming

Best uses: Perennial borders, native plant gardens, rock gardens, pollinator gardens. Excellent for low-maintenance landscapes.

Coreopsis

Another North American native that thrives in Jacksonville. Yellow, pink, or bi-color flowers on upright stems bloom spring through fall.

Species for Jacksonville:

• Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf coreopsis)
• Coreopsis verticillata (threadleaf coreopsis)
• Coreopsis grandiflora (large-flower coreopsis)

Why it works here:

• Native to Southeast
• Heat and humidity tolerant
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Long flowering period
• Attracts butterflies
• Deer-resistant

Planting tips:

• Plant spring or fall
• Full sun to very light shade
• Deadhead for extended flowering
• Cut back in late summer for fall reblooming
• Low fertilization needs

Best uses: Perennial borders, wildflower meadows, native gardens, cutting gardens. Mass plantings create significant impact.

Knock Out Roses

While technically shrubs, Knock Out roses function as flowering perennials in Jacksonville landscapes. Continuous flowering from spring through fall with minimal care.

Why they work here:

• Heat and humidity tolerant
• Disease-resistant (no black spot or powdery mildew issues common with traditional roses)
• Continuous flowering
• Self-cleaning (no deadheading required)
• Multiple color options

Planting tips:

• Plant late winter through spring
• Full sun (minimum 6 hours) essential
• Regular fertilization during growing season
• Minimal pruning needed (cut back in late winter)
• Water consistently during establishment

Best uses: Bed plantings, foundation plantings, mass plantings, mixed borders. Combine with perennials for color continuity.

Tropical Perennials for Year-Round Interest

These plants blur the line between annuals and perennials in Jacksonville—they perform year-round in mild winters but may die back during hard freezes.

Angelonia

Often called summer snapdragon, angelonia provides vertical flower spikes through summer heat that would melt actual snapdragons.

Why it works here:

• Extreme heat tolerance
• Continuous flowering
• No deadheading needed
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Available in purple, pink, white, bi-colors

Planting tips:

• Plant spring through summer
• Full sun to part shade
• Minimal care required
• Can overwinter in mild Jacksonville winters
• Cut back after frost if it returns

Best uses: Containers, bed plantings, borders. Provides vertical interest without staking.

Crossandra

Orange, yellow, or salmon flowers year-round in Jacksonville (in protected locations). Shade-tolerant flowering option.

Why it works here:

• Thrives in shade (rare for flowering plants)
• Continuous flowering
• Glossy evergreen foliage
• Low maintenance

Considerations:

• Cold-sensitive (damaged below 35°F)
• Needs protection or treat as annual in exposed locations
• Prefers consistent moisture

Best uses: Shade gardens, protected courtyards, container plantings. Excellent under trees or on north-facing locations.

Persian Shield

Grown primarily for stunning purple foliage but also produces small blue flowers. The foliage provides color impact equivalent to flowering plants.

Why it works here:

• Thrives in heat and humidity
• Spectacular foliage color
• Performs in sun or shade (deeper color in sun)
• Fast-growing

Considerations:

• Cold-sensitive (dies below 32°F)
• Treat as annual or provide protection
• Can reach 3-4 feet in one season

Best uses: Container center, accent plant in beds, foliage contrast in mixed plantings. The purple color creates dramatic impact.

Soil and Site Preparation

Even the best plant selections fail without proper site preparation.

Soil Requirements

Most flowering plants prefer well-drained soil with organic matter. Jacksonville's sandy or clay soils benefit from amendment.

Improving sandy soil:

• Add compost or aged manure (2-3 inches)
• Incorporate before planting
• Improves water retention and nutrient availability

Improving clay soil:

• Add compost and coarse sand
• Improves drainage and prevents compaction
• Raised beds work well in heavy clay areas

Sun Exposure

Most flowering plants need significant sun. "Full sun" means 6+ hours of direct sunlight. "Part shade" means 3-6 hours of direct sun or filtered light all day.

Jacksonville's intense summer sun can stress some plants that tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Afternoon shade helps petunias, pansies, and other marginally heat-tolerant plants perform better.

Irrigation

Flowering plants need consistent moisture, especially during establishment. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses work better than overhead watering (which can promote disease in humid conditions).

Once established, many flowering perennials tolerate short dry periods. But annuals and tropical perennials need consistent moisture for continuous flowering.

Seasonal Planting Schedule

Timing matters in Jacksonville. Planting outside optimal windows reduces performance or kills plants.

Fall (October-November)

Plant cool-season annuals:

• Pansies and violas
• Snapdragons
• Petunias
• Dianthus
• Ornamental kale and cabbage
• Sweet alyssum
• Calendula

Spring (March-April)

Transition period. Plant heat-tolerant options:

• Pentas
• Lantana
• Vinca
• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Salvia
• Perennials (blanket flower, coreopsis, daylilies)

Summer (May-June)

Plant true heat lovers:

• Pentas
• Vinca
• Marigolds
• Zinnias (can direct-seed)
• Salvia
• Lantana

Winter (December-February)

Maintain existing cool-season plantings. Not an ideal planting window, but pansies and other established cool-season annuals continue flowering.

Maintenance for Continuous Flowering

Keeping flowering plants performing requires ongoing attention.

Deadheading

Removing spent flowers encourages continued blooming. Some plants are self-cleaning (vinca, pentas, lantana), others benefit from deadheading (zinnias, snapdragons, blanket flower).

Fertilization

Flowering plants are heavy feeders. Use water-soluble fertilizer every 1-2 weeks during active growth, or incorporate slow-release fertilizer at planting.

Look for fertilizers with higher middle number (phosphorus) for flower production.

Pest and Disease Monitoring

High humidity creates disease pressure. Watch for:

• Powdery mildew (white coating on leaves)
• Botrytis (gray mold on flowers)
• Aphids and whiteflies

Good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and early treatment prevent most problems.

Creating Year-Round Color

Successful Jacksonville gardens combine cool-season and warm-season plantings with year-round perennials.

Fall planting (October): Install pansies, snapdragons, and dianthus for winter color.

Spring transition (April): Leave cool-season plantings until they decline (May-June), then replace with pentas, zinnias, and marigolds for summer.

Year-round structure: Include lantana, blanket flower, and coreopsis that flower continuously. These provide color while you transition seasonal plantings.

This rotation creates continuous color without bare beds during transition periods.

Jacksonville Flowering Plant Success

The key to successful flowering plant gardens in Jacksonville is working with our climate rather than against it. Use cool-season plants in winter, heat-tolerant options in summer, and year-round perennials for continuity.

Prepare soil properly, provide adequate water during establishment, fertilize regularly, and monitor for pests and diseases. These basics give you gardens that maintain color through all seasons.

Jacksonville's Zone 9 climate offers opportunities northern gardeners can't access. Take advantage of year-round growing potential with plants proven to thrive in our heat, humidity, and occasional cold. The result is landscapes with color and interest that perform continuously rather than just one season per year.