Even in the Sunshine State, plants sometimes need a hard reset to look and perform their best. When landscapes in Tampa Bay want to restore their property to its full glory, rejuvenation pruning can be a powerful tool. While drastic, this pruning method typically pays big dividends by giving shrubbery and other plants a fresh start.

Just as plants can respond differently to the same climate—you wouldn’t expect a palm tree to thrive in Montana, but an evergreen would be right at home—not all plants are prime candidates for rejuvenation pruning. While the practice may unleash the complete potential of one plant, another may be devastated and never recover.

In other words, it’s essential to know which plants benefit from rejuvenation pruning and which do not. Your local Tampa Bay landscaper should be able to help you determine just that, thereby protecting the plants that shouldn’t be aggressively pruned and identifying those that could profit from it. That’s why we’ve pooled our collective landscaping knowledge—and 20+ years of experience—to highlight the top plants in Tampa Bay to rejuvenate prune.

The Top Plants in Tampa Bay to Rejuvenation Prune

While we can’t list every plant variety that could be rejuvenation pruned in this blog, we can give you a strong foundation filled with the most common plants that this style of pruning can improve. If your Tampa Bay property is home to other plants that might benefit from such pruning, a professional landscaper can identify them and work with you to plan a path forward.

Arboricola (Schefflera arboricola)

Recognizable for its dark green leaves that feature a glossy sheen, this evergreen shrub is a flexible landscaping option. It can be grown and shaped into either a shrub or a tree and is a prime example of the benefits of rejuvenation pruning. In the early spring, this shrub can be aggressively pruned to remove damaged and dead branches. Doing so will prompt new, healthier growth and provide an opportunity to reshape the plant in a more compact form.

Ixora (Ixora spp.)

Bursting with tropical flair, this vibrant shrub blooms with colorful clusters of flowers. Orange, pink, red, and yellow are all available, giving you an opportunity to bring just the right shade to your Tampa Bay landscape. The Ixora shrub should also be rejuvenation pruned in early spring, primarily to remove old branches. This gives new growth a chance to thrive, and with it comes more flowers.

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

With beautiful variegated leaves that feature stunning shades of green, yellow, orange, and red, this tropical plant is a wonderful way to introduce visual texture and complement the rest of your Tampa Bay property. It also responds well to rejuvenation pruning. In early spring, you can remove dead and damaged leaves, aggressively shape the shrub, and set it up for new growth and long-term success.

Flax Lily (Dianella spp.)

With unique leaves that grow long and thin, the Flax Lily is an aesthetic addition to any Florida landscape. Accompanying its interesting shape are clusters of small, blue or white flowers. As an evergreen perennial, this plant looks great year-round. If it is in need of a refresh, rejuvenation pruning can be used in the early spring to eliminate unsightly leaves that are dead or damaged.

Liriope (Liriope muscari)

Often used as groundcover, Liriope is well-known for its gorgeous spikes of purple or white flowers that bloom in the fall. The contrast of the long, drooping green leaves with the pointed, vibrant blossoms reaching skyward is a sight to behold. When in need of a reset, either to rid it of old growth or reshape it, this groundcover can benefit from early spring rejuvenation pruning.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

If you’ve walked any tropical Tampa Bay property, you’ve surely stood in awe before a hibiscus in bloom. These shrubs produce some of the most visually striking, showy flowers in Florida. With a variety of possible colors, hibiscus adds a pop of brightness to any property its presence graces. It also responds well to rejuvenation pruning. In the early spring, old growth can be removed, which allows new growth to flourish. Not only does this improve the health of the plant, but it also encourages more blooms.

Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

An evergreen vine that is pleasant to all senses, Confederate Jasmine is as fragrant as it is visually appealing. In both the spring and summer, this vine blooms with white flowers. The result is a full, textured plant that can be implemented into a landscape in a variety of ways. When needed, this vine can undergo rejuvenation pruning in the early spring. Like the Hibiscus, removing the old growth will promote new, healthier growth with more potent blossoms.

Firebush (Hamelia patens)

When planning your Tampa Bay landscape, it isn’t all about how lovely a plant is—though that obviously matters! In the case of shrubs like the bold, red-orange blossoming Firebush, there are other benefits. This shrub and its tubular flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding an extra layer of natural beauty to your property. In early spring, this shrub can be rejuvenation pruned to remove woody old stems and encourage new ones to grow in their place.

Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)

Native to Florida, this plant can be either a small tree or a large shrub. With unmistakable leaves and clusters of fruit that shift from green to purple as they mature, Sea Grape is a staple of Tampa Bay landscaping for its aesthetics, versatility, and native origins. It also responds well to rejuvenation pruning executed in early spring, where damaged or dead branches are removed. In addition to giving new growth an opportunity to thrive, this pruning method also gives Sea Grape a denser, more compact form.

Copper Plant (Acalypha wilkesiana)

The aptly named Copper Plant stands out thanks to its large, colorful leaves. These distinctive leaves grow in shades of copper, pink, and red, bringing a dramatic flair to any landscape that strategically integrates this tropical shrub. When old foliage dies or is damaged, the Copper Plant can undergo rejuvenation pruning to restore it to a denser, more compact shrub, as well as to stimulate fresh, healthier growth.

The Tampa Bay area is overflowing with exceptional plant life that can bring something special to your landscape. Whether it’s the can’t-miss blooming of a Hibiscus or the scintillating scent of Confederate Jasmine, Florida’s climate presents a unique opportunity to create a stunning landscape full of diverse foliage.

Landcrafters Florida: Your Tampa Bay Landscaping Partner for Your Rejuvenation Pruning Needs

Rejuvenation pruning can play a key role in ensuring that your dream landscape stays healthy and vibrant, even as it ages. While only certain plants benefit from this style of pruning, a professional landscaper can identify what they are (including those on this list) and when they are in need of such a refresh. That’s why working with an experienced Tampa Bay landscaper like Landcrafters is so important.

If you would like to learn more about rejuvenation pruning, its benefits, and what to expect, we encourage you to reach out to us. We’ve been helping properties in Tampa Bay reach their full potential for decades, and we’ll happily work with you to create another success story.

In the meantime, feel free to peruse our blog. It is packed with landscaping knowledge, and we update it frequently with more tips and tricks. Better still, it’s all available to you at absolutely no cost!