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Florida hobblebushes are popular for their vibrant greenery and beautiful off-white flowers that grow in the spring. These plants grow in many parts of the country, making them a top choice for those who enjoy decorative plants that grow quite tall. However, you might be unsure if they’re considered evergreen or if they lose their colors out of season.
The Florida Hobblebush is an evergreen plant that thrives throughout the year. It yields flowers and berries in the spring, but it stays green during the winter. These plants never shed all of their leaves, but harsh weather conditions can make them lose their greenery.
In this article, you’ll find out whether or not Florida hobblebushes are true evergreens, what can make them lose their green shade, and how you can keep them healthy and colorful.
Will Florida Hobblebushes Stay Green All Year?
Florida hobblebushes will stay green all year, provided they have adequate soil conditions, water levels, and temperature control. These plants stay green through fall and winter, but they don’t produce flowers or berries until early to mid-spring. They’re classified as evergreen shrubs.
Florida hobblebushes don’t change their green foliage all year under the right growing conditions (source). These plants are tough and can withstand a lot of changing weather patterns and temperature changes. However, they can’t be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures for long periods of time.
Like most evergreens, Florida hobblebushes can grow over 10 feet (3.05 m) tall without losing color. These shrubs have complicated root systems that ensure they get all of the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.
Unfortunately, they’re often taken out of their native climate. Evergreens can only stay green through multiple seasons if they’re in their natural habitat. For instance, a Florida hobblebush wouldn’t last too long in the middle of winter in Montana or Michigan because these states get far too cold.
Can Florida Hobblebushes Lose Their Green Color?
Florida hobblebushes can lose their green color if they’re exposed to harsh weather patterns, poor soil pH, and many other unwanted conditions. Maintaining a Florida hobblebush will ensure it doesn’t lose its leaves, regardless of the time of year. It’s important to switch your routine as the weather and temperatures change.
So, what makes an evergreen Florida hobblebush lose its leave?
Extreme Temperatures
If your Florida hobblebush is exposed to frost for too long, there’s a good chance that it’ll cease to grow. In rare cases, below-freezing temperatures can discolor the leaves momentarily.
Once the climate warms up, the leaves should go back to their original condition. The same happens when exposed to excessive amounts of direct sunlight.
Harsh Weather Conditions
High wind speeds can cause windburn on Florida hobblebushes. This typically makes the leaves look dull, but it won’t turn them yellow or brown.
These plants typically look glossy or waxy, but they lose their sheen if there’s too much snow, wind, or dust in the area. Use wind covers or sunshades to protect your plants during these conditions.
Bad Planting Soil
If the soil is too alkaline, dry, or filled with clay, your Florida hobblebush can turn yellow or light green.
These durable plants will quickly go back to the previously mentioned shiny green color once you adjust the soil. Fungal growth can also be an issue, especially if you bring infected soil from another plant to grow the hobblebush.
Florida hobblebush doesn’t have any severe diseases that can cause long-lasting discoloration (source). These resilient plants return to their normal color once you make the necessary adjustments. They rarely need to be extensively treated for pests, either.
The leaves are poisonous, so they’re not a regular food source for animals.
How To Keep a Florida Hobblebush Green
To keep a Florida hobblebush green all year, apply these instructions:
- Balance the soil and maintain a healthy pH. Florida hobblebushes are acid-loving plants that need a lower pH to prevent them from drying out. Use a soil acidifier or a low-pH fertilizer to aid the soil if you live in a place with high-pH dirt, mulch, and so on.
- Keep the soil well-hydrated with mid to high drainage annually. Too much clay in the soil can be quite detrimental to your hobblebush’s growth. These plants are used to handling a lot of humidity, but they need sand or loam (or a mixture of sandy loam) to ensure the roots don’t flood or rot.
- Add compost or mulch with an acidic pH to maintain the aforementioned acidity requirements. You can use grass clippings, leaf droppings (from your hobblebush), and many other natural ingredients to create the perfect soil for your Florida hobblebush. Test the pH with a meter beforehand.
- Prune the bush to prevent the leaves and branches from shadowing the undergrowth. While these plants grow very well in a mixture of shade and sunlight, they can’t be overgrown. The top-heavy plant will put too much stress on the roots, causing long-lasting damage that can hinder its growth.
- Ensure the plant gets partial sunlight, not full sunshine exposure. These plants can’t handle direct sunlight in most climates, especially if you live in a place without much humidity. Too much dryness will wilt and discolor the leaves, making them significantly weaker. They also won’t be able to grow as quickly.
Florida hobblebushes grow best in Florida, Carolina, and Georgia climates.
If you’re having a hard time finding out what conditions you should provide, consider the weather patterns, humidity, and temperatures in these states. Optimal humidity levels can make a world of difference when growing a Florida hobblebush.
Final Thoughts
Although Florida hobblebushes are evergreens, they’re susceptible to drying out under extreme weather conditions. They’re native to the southern parts of the United States, so they’re not evolved to handle too much snow or excessively dry sunlight.
Keep in mind that the leaves are poisonous, so they should be picked up right away if they fall off the plant.
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