In my short gardening experience I learned is best to go with the native plants and to make sure they are planted in the right location (with right spacing)... so you don't have to trim them often but rather leave them grow as nature expects it.

Even if you choose a good plant and put it in the wrong spot it would require lots of work..

Having said that.. I like firebush, firespike, passion fruit (attracts lots of butterflies), simpson stopper, butterfly weed, butterfly bush

Thanks!! :)

You can contact your local county extension office for lists of what will grow best in your area. The Florida Native Plant Society also has lists for what you need. BOPA is exactly right...right plant, right place. You may try beauty berry and one of the hollies, and (depending on your site), maybe some of the more fragrant shrubs near the house (Gardenia, Aloysia, Brumfelsia, etc.). If you do some homework before buying and planting, you will save yourself a boatload of back and heart ache. Your county extension office is there for YOU...the Master Gardener Program of Osceola County is now accepting applicants for the fall (August) course.

Yes do contact your extension office and they will gladly send you information. Also drive around your area and see what you like. If you don't know the name take a picture and ask someone what it is.
Natives are great but don't miss out on some great plants that are not native. Flax lily is a great one and I don't think anything bothers it not even the cold. Walter's Viburnum is a great small shrub and native too.
I love my beauty berry but it has two problems...it froze to the ground this year (it came back and looks great) but it doesn't easily fit into conventional plans...IMHO. I have it planted in the back.
Love pentas...generally a perinnial but can be killed by the cold.
Oh, Coonties are another great native. They are a slow grower so they can be pricey but they hang tough in they yard year after year.
I love crepe myrtles too...small tree. Although they can get rather large depending on the variety...are blooming this time of year.
My zone 9 firebush and passion vine froze to the ground. The firebush came back the passion vine (non native var.) did not. I have replaced the passion vine with a native variety and have been warned that it suckers badly! But it won't die!

OH! bla bla bla ... on and on I go! hehe. If you want low maintenance stay away from those things that freeze. I should know what freezes because all those things are in my freaking yard! What a disaster.

Oh, that's a great idea about contacting my local gardening extension. I'm in Marion county, so I hope they have one. I'll be finding out Monday. ;)

Laura1, I guess I can at least learn from your mistakes, lol. Thank you for all the great suggestions!

Thank you both!!