10 Fast-Growing Flowering Shrubs for Color

We’re halfway into summer, and if your yard still feels like it’s missing something, this is the perfect time to add a pop of green and bursts of color. Fast-growing flowering shrubs can transform a plain outdoor space into a colorful, lush retreat in just a season or two. Unlike slower-growing options, these shrubs give you both immediate beauty and long-term value, filling in gaps and creating a layered look around your lawn and garden.

To encourage a faster growth rate, start with nursery plants rather than seeds—they’ll give you a head start on the growing season. Pair that with NutriPod® plant food for shrubs, which feeds right at the root zone to help your plants grow stronger and bloom longer. The result? Shrubs that not only look amazing but also establish themselves quickly.

We’ve previously shared our guide to the 10 Best Plants for Privacy in Florida—this list complements it by focusing on flowering shrubs that add both charm and color to complete your landscape.

Why Plant Fast-Growing Flowering Shrubs?

More than adding curb appeal, planting flowering shrubs creates a yard that works for you and your environment. These versatile plants go beyond bright blooms and glossy foliage—they can serve practical purposes, too.

• Privacy Screening – Create a natural privacy hedge that doubles as a showpiece of color.
• Add Shade – Larger shrubs with broadleaf evergreen canopies help cool down sunny corners.
• Quick Green Color – Ideal for new homeowners or wide-open spaces that require an instant boost.
• Windbreak Protection – Useful in coastal or windy areas of Florida.
• Noise Reduction – A dense hedge muffles road and neighborhood noise.
• Erosion Control – Stabilize sandy soil or slopes with sturdy shrub roots.
• Attract Pollinators & Wildlife – Fragrant white flowers, bright pink flowers, and other blooms provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and birds.
• Low-Maintenance – The best evergreen shrubs thrive year-round in warmer regions.
• Budget-Friendly – Fast-growing shrubs fill in quickly, reducing the need for other plants to fill empty spaces.

With the right shrubs, you’re not just planting flowers—you’re designing a yard with year-round interest, practical benefits, and lasting value.

10 Fast-Growing Flowering Shrubs for Florida Yards

If you’re ready to add both structure and bloom time to your Florida yard, these shrubs are excellent choices. Each one thrives in full sun or partial sun, is suited for warmer regions, and brings something special to the landscape—from colorful flowers to finely textured foliage.

1. Firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum)

Recognized for its tall growth habit and clusters of red blooms, firespike is a favorite among hummingbirds. This shrub’s deep green foliage contrasts beautifully with its flowers, making it a striking choice for background interest or a fence line. With proper care, it can reach its mature height quickly, giving you both a splash of color and a natural privacy hedge.

2. Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta)

The Golden Dewdrop produces cascading purple-blue flowers followed by golden berries, adding year-round interest. Its glossy green foliage and fast growth rate make it an excellent option for hedges or privacy screens. Many homeowners use it as a common landscape plant because of its compact habit and ability to adapt to narrow or tight spaces near property lines.

3. Bougainvillea (Bush Form)

Bougainvillea is celebrated for its wide variety of bracts, ranging from vibrant magenta, orange, and purple to softer shades like white. This salt-tolerant shrub thrives in the coastal regions of Florida and is ideal for creating a bold privacy hedge along a fence line. Its growth habit is vigorous, and with regular pruning, it can be shaped into one of the best evergreen shrubs for vibrant color all year.

4. Ixora (Ixora coccinea)

Ixora is an evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and clusters of small flowers that bloom in early summer and continue into late fall. With options ranging from red to yellow to bright pink flowers, it’s one of the best shrubs for year-round landscaping in Florida. Its compact habit makes it perfect for borders, foundation plantings, or filling in narrow spaces where other plants may struggle.

5. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)

Plumbago is a sprawling shrub that produces masses of sky-blue flowers during its bloom time. Its finely textured foliage provides a soft contrast to shrubs with broad leaves, and it’s often used as background interest in mixed beds. In warmer regions, plumbago is valued for its ability to fill large spaces quickly while providing a light, airy look.

6. Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis)

With its fiery orange-red tubular blooms, cape honeysuckle attracts butterflies and hummingbirds all season. Its growth rate is fast, and new growth emerges vigorously in early spring. Its versatility allows it to be shaped into a tall hedge fast or trained along a fence line for a cascading effect. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round appeal.

7. Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)

Bottlebrush shrubs are instantly recognizable by their striking red, brush-like flowers. They thrive in full sun and adapt well to warm climates. With dark green, narrow leaves, they provide both color and texture, making them a common landscape plant in many communities. Some varieties can be trained into trees, while others are used as a privacy hedge in residential yards.

8. Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum quadriloculare or C. speciosissimum)

Clerodendrum is fast-growing and dramatic, with showy blooms that appear in midsummer and last into late fall. Its large green leaves and striking flowers make it a standout focal point. This shrub can be used for background interest or as part of a layered planting design, creating a lush look alongside slower-growing evergreens.

9. Lantana (Shrub Form)

Lantana is hardy, colorful, and blooms almost year-round in warmer regions. Its clusters of bright pink flowers, yellows, and oranges attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. With emerald green foliage and a compact habit, it’s ideal for tight spaces, edging, or filling gaps around other plants. Salt-tolerant and low-maintenance, lantana offers reliable color and structure.

10. Dwarf Poinciana (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

Also called “Pride of Barbados,” this shrub brings tropical flair with its fiery orange-red and yellow flowers. Its growth habit is upright and bushy, reaching a mature height quickly in warmer regions. Known for its resilience, it thrives in full sun and is often used as a fence line or to fill larger open spaces where color is needed.

Tips for Getting the Best Growth from Your Shrubs

Planting fast-growing flowering shrubs is just the beginning—how you care for them afterward helps them thrive and reach their full potential. With Florida’s unique climate and long growing season, giving your shrubs the right start and consistent care ensures they’ll reward you with vibrant blooms, dense foliage, and year-round interest. Here are some practical tips to help your shrubs grow strong, healthy, and beautiful.

Choose the right location.

Some shrubs thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial sun—match your selection to their needs. Pay attention to how much light different parts of your yard get during the day, as even slight variations can affect bloom time and foliage health. Positioning your shrubs in the right spot from the start also saves you the trouble of transplanting later.

Plan for mature height.

Don’t forget about how tall your shrub will be in early spring versus its full mature height; this prevents overcrowding. Planning also keeps your landscape looking balanced and ensures your shrubs will not shade out other plants unintentionally. If you’re planting near a fence line, consider whether you want them to form a tall hedge fast or remain more compact for background interest.

Improve the soil before planting.

Adding organic matter improves drainage and helps establish healthy roots. Florida soils can often be sandy or compacted, so loosening them up and mixing in compost or peat moss creates a healthier foundation. Good soil preparation encourages new growth and sets your shrubs up for long-term success.

Water wisely.

Deep watering during the growing season encourages stronger root systems. Instead of frequent, shallow watering, give your shrubs a thorough soak so the moisture reaches below the surface. This helps them stay resilient during dry spells and protects them from heat stress.

Feed with NutriPod® Plant Food for Flowering Shrubs

These pods supply nutrients right at the root zone for consistent growth and better bloom time. Unlike surface-applied fertilizers, NutriPod delivers balanced nutrition exactly where plants need it most, reducing waste and preventing nutrient leaching. Designed for use during planting, a single application supports shrubs through the establishment stage, providing up to 45 days of nourishment.

Prune for shape.

Light pruning stimulates new growth and keeps shrubs looking tidy. Regular trimming after bloom time helps direct energy back into the plant, encouraging fuller foliage and more flowers in the next season. It also prevents shrubs from becoming overgrown, making them easier to manage in narrow spaces or tight spaces.

Final Thoughts

Fast-growing flowering shrubs are more than just a splash of color—they’re multi-purpose plants that enhance your yard with shade, privacy, and seasonal interest. Whether you’re filling a new space, building a privacy hedge, or simply adding background interest, these shrubs deliver results quickly.

By choosing the right shrubs for your space and caring for them properly, you’ll enjoy vibrant blooms and lush greenery through every season. Pair your plantings with NutriPod to support stronger roots and longer-lasting flowers, and you’ll create a yard that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

For more ideas to complete your landscape with easy-care options, also read 12 Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Your Florida Garden.