Umbrella Tree Dazzle, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Umbrella tree Dazzle is a variegated dwarf schefflera with glossy green leaves marked in cream or yellow. It grows well in SW Florida in part shade to morning sun, and it makes a tidy low hedge or a bright foliage accent. It is not the large Queensland umbrella tree that is listed as invasive. We deliver and plant 3 and 7 gallon plants.
- Light:
- Part shade to morning sun; hot afternoon sun can scorch the variegated leaves
- Water:
- Moderate; drought tolerant once established, dislikes soggy soil
- Salt:
- Low to moderate
Umbrella Tree Dazzle
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Umbrella Tree Dazzle sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Umbrella Tree Dazzle | 3 Gallon, 7 Gallon |
Umbrella Tree Dazzle in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 4 to 8 ft tall, 3 to 5 ft wide; trim to keep it at 3 to 5 ft
- Light
- Part shade to morning sun; hot afternoon sun can scorch the variegated leaves
- Water
- Moderate; drought tolerant once established, dislikes soggy soil
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Leaves burn in a frost and a hard freeze can cut it back; cover inland plantings on frost nights
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft on center for a hedge
- Florida native
- No, native to Taiwan and Hainan
- Botanical name
- Schefflera arboricola 'Dazzle'
Where Umbrella Tree Dazzle works in a SW Florida yard
Dazzle works as a bright, informal hedge or a foundation shrub where its cream-marked leaves lift a shady corner. Plant it in a row 2 to 3 feet apart for a low screen, or in groups of three in front of taller green shrubs.
It pairs well with solid dark greens such as podocarpus and with dark-leaved or purple plants. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun so the leaves don't scorch.
- Low variegated hedge
- Foundation planting
- Bright shade accents
- Large containers
How our crew plants it
Hedge plants go 2 to 3 feet apart, each in a hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper than the root ball, with the soil line level with the bed. We water in and mulch 2 inches deep, off the stems.
Lee and Collier allow extra watering for new plantings, so water every day or two at first, then taper.
Care after planting
- Trim lightly in spring and summer to hold the height and shape, since it takes pruning well.
- Water on your assigned days once rooted, and let the top inch of soil dry between waterings, because overwatering is its main problem.
- Feed lightly in spring and early fall with a slow-release fertilizer, skipping nitrogen and phosphorus products from June 1 to September 30 where local rules ban them.
- Cover inland plantings with frost cloth on frost nights.
What to watch for
- Don't confuse it with the full-size Queensland umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla), which is on Florida's invasive plant list; Dazzle is the dwarf Schefflera arboricola type and is not on that list.
- The leaves and sap contain calcium oxalate and are toxic to pets if chewed, causing mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting.
- Overwatering and soggy beds cause root rot and leaf drop, and spider mites and scale show up in hot, dry spells.
Umbrella Tree Dazzle questions we hear
Is umbrella tree Dazzle invasive in Florida?+
No. Dazzle is a dwarf, variegated Schefflera arboricola, which is not on Florida's invasive plant list. The full-size Queensland umbrella tree, Schefflera actinophylla, is the one listed as invasive, and it is a different plant that grows into a tall tree. Dazzle stays a shrub with regular trimming.
How big does umbrella tree Dazzle get, and can I keep it small?+
In SW Florida it reaches roughly 4 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide if left alone. Light trimming through spring and summer holds it at 3 to 5 feet for a low hedge. It grows at a moderate pace, so it fills a hedge row in a season or two.
Does umbrella tree Dazzle need sun or shade?+
Part shade to morning sun is best. It tolerates more light, but hot afternoon sun can scorch the variegated leaves, while deep shade leaves it thin and leggy. East-facing beds and spots under high tree canopy work well.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Umbrella Tree Dazzle
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.