A great landscape does more than look good from the street. It changes how your home feels. It creates shade where you want it, color where you notice it most, and a sense of balance that makes stepping outside something you actually enjoy. The difference between a yard that struggles and one that flourishes almost always comes down to plant selection and how those plants are installed.
At LS Gardens, we approach every landscape with one goal in mind: build something that lasts. Not just for this season, not just for the next year, but for the long haul. That means choosing trees, shrubs, and perennials that truly belong in Tampa’s climate and placing them in a way that supports healthy growth over time. We don’t chase trends, and we don’t plant just because something looks good in a photo. We choose based on experience, local knowledge, and what we know will thrive in Florida soil and heat.
Tampa Landscapes Demand More Than Guesswork
Designing a landscape in Tampa is not simple. Between intense sun, sudden rainstorms, sandy soil, humidity, and long growing seasons, plants either adapt or fail. What looks amazing in a nursery or online often struggles once it is actually in the ground.
We start every project by learning your property. We study how the sun moves across your yard, where water collects after rain, which areas stay dry, and how your space is used day to day. One corner of your yard might be perfect for a flowering accent, while another needs shade coverage or structure.
What We Always Evaluate:
- Sun exposure throughout the day
- Soil type and drainage patterns
- Proximity to structures, walkways, and driveways
- Wind and openness of the property
- How much maintenance you actually want
Every plant we select is chosen for a reason. Our goal is not just beauty on installation day. Our goal is a landscape that grows stronger, fuller, and more cohesive with time.
Trees That Define the Space and Stand the Test of Time
Trees shape your entire landscape. They create shade, anchor the design, and influence how everything else grows around them. Choosing the wrong tree can lead to overcrowding, storm damage, or endless maintenance. Choosing the right one creates structure, comfort, and long-term value. We select trees that handle Tampa’s climate, grow predictably, and complement the scale of your property.
Trees We Recommend Again and Again
- Live Oak: This is a Florida classic for a reason. Live Oaks provide expansive shade, strong structure, and long life when given enough space. They become the backbone of a landscape and offer relief from the heat while adding timeless character.
- Weeping Podocarpus: Elegant and controlled, Weeping Podocarpus is perfect when you want height without bulk. Its soft, cascading form adds sophistication to entryways, driveways, and focal areas without overwhelming the space.
- Olive Tree: Olive trees bring a refined, architectural feel to outdoor design. Their silvery foliage, clean structure, and drought tolerance make them ideal for modern and Mediterranean-inspired landscapes in Tampa.
- Weeping Hibiscus: For homeowners who want color without sacrificing structure, Weeping Hibiscus delivers. The cascading form combined with vibrant blooms creates a striking visual feature that feels both tropical and intentional.
We always plan for mature size, root growth, and canopy spread. That means your trees enhance your property instead of creating problems down the road.
Shrubs That Create Structure, Privacy, and Flow
Shrubs are the framework of your landscape. They guide the eye, define spaces, and provide consistency throughout the year. The right shrubs create clean lines, soften transitions, and add texture without demanding constant upkeep. We choose shrubs that thrive in Florida conditions and hold their shape beautifully over time.
Shrubs That Do More Than Fill Space
- Suspensum Viburnum: This variety brings fullness and movement to the landscape. It works beautifully as a natural screen or layered backdrop while maintaining a refined appearance.
- Grafted Gardenias: Gardenias are loved for their fragrance and classic white blooms, and the grafted varieties offer stronger growth and better performance in Tampa soil. They add elegance to entryways and patio spaces while delivering seasonal beauty.
- Ixora Nora: When color is the goal, Ixora Nora makes an impact. Its bright blooms and dense growth create bold accents in sunny areas while remaining well-behaved in structure.
- Podocarpus: A versatile workhorse in Florida landscapes. Podocarpus can be shaped for formal hedging or allowed to grow more naturally for a softer look. It offers privacy, clean lines, and year-round greenery.
Shrubs are never placed randomly. We use them to frame views, guide walkways, and build balance between open areas and planted spaces.
Perennials That Bring Energy, Color, and Life
Perennials are where personality shines through. They introduce movement, color, and seasonal change into your landscape. But in Tampa, perennials must be chosen carefully. Heat, humidity, and rain can quickly overwhelm the wrong plants. We select perennials that thrive in our climate and continue to perform year after year.
Perennials That Come Back and Look Better Each Year
- Blue My Mind: A compact groundcover with vibrant blue blooms that thrives in full sun. It adds a striking color contrast along borders, beds, and accent areas.
- Pentas: One of the best flowering perennials for Florida landscapes. Pentas bloom continuously, attract pollinators, and maintain strong color even through summer heat.
- Gaura: Graceful, airy, and full of movement. Gaura brings softness and natural flow to planting beds while remaining extremely resilient in hot conditions.
- Salvia: Reliable, colorful, and low maintenance. Salvia provides long-lasting blooms and works beautifully in layered designs that need both height and color.
We design perennial beds with bloom timing in mind, creating interest throughout the year instead of a single short display.
Native and Non-Native Done the Right Way
We believe in thoughtful balance. Many native plants perform beautifully in Florida landscapes and require less water and intervention. At the same time, carefully selected non-native plants can bring unique textures, colors, and structure without harming the environment. We avoid anything invasive or overly aggressive. Every plant we install is chosen to coexist with its surroundings and support a healthy landscape ecosystem. The result is a yard that feels natural, cohesive, and effortless rather than forced or high maintenance.
Installation Is Where Success Begins
Even the best plant will struggle if it is installed incorrectly. That is why we treat installation as a critical part of the process, not an afterthought. From soil preparation to final placement, every step is done with long-term health in mind.
Our Installation Process Includes:
- Preparing soil to match each plant’s needs
- Setting correct planting depth to protect roots
- Allowing proper spacing for mature growth
- Adjusting irrigation to support new plantings
- Applying mulch carefully to retain moisture without suffocating
We also walk you through early care so your landscape establishes properly during those crucial first weeks.
Why Tampa Homeowners Trust LS Gardens
We live and work in the Tampa area. We understand the challenges of Florida landscapes because we face them every day. Our team does not rely on generic plant lists or shortcuts. Every design is tailored to the property, the homeowner, and the environment.
Whether you are building a brand-new outdoor space or refining what you already have, we approach your project with care, expertise, and attention to detail. Our work is not about quick transformations. It is about creating outdoor spaces that mature beautifully, require less maintenance over time, and feel like a natural extension of your home.
Ready to Create a Landscape That Grows Better Every Year?
Let’s Choose the Right Plants for Your Space
If you are tired of replacing struggling plants or dealing with a yard that never quite feels finished, let’s take a different approach. LS Gardens designs and installs landscapes using trees, shrubs, and perennials that truly belong in Tampa’s climate.
From your first consultation to the final walkthrough, our team is here to guide you through every decision with clarity and care. Contact LS Gardens today and let’s start building a landscape that reflects your home, your lifestyle, and the beauty of Florida living.
