Fiddlewood
Citharexylum spinosum
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 9, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Fiddlewood
Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) is a Florida-native evergreen to semi-evergreen tree or large shrub prized for fragrant white flower racemes, glossy foliage, and orange-to-black berries that attract birds. Hardy through zone 9b, it is an excellent drought-tolerant landscape tree for NE Florida coastal and inland sites. Starting at $24.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Plant in full sun for the densest canopy and best flowering; tolerates part shade but growth becomes thin and irregular. Full sun is strongly preferred in NE Florida landscapes.
Drought-tolerant once established; water regularly during the first growing season to promote root establishment. Thereafter, supplemental irrigation is rarely needed in NE Florida's rainy summers.
Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils including sandy and alkaline types typical of NE Florida. Fertilize lightly once in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer; avoid heavy feeding which promotes excessive growth.
Similar needs
Ligustrum
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Olive
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Powder Puff
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Podocarpus
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
African Iris
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Agapanthus
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Fiddlewood a good plant for St. Augustine?
Fiddlewood is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with medium salt tolerance, reaching 10-20 feet × 8-12 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.