You can plant ground covers that enjoy shade: Asian jasmine, English ivy, Persian ivy, liriope, ophiopogon, horseherb or dwarf shade-loving shrubs. Not sure how well they do in sandy soil though. You can also use only mulch: shredded cedar/eucalyptus, lava gravel or decomposed granite. You can also prune the trees to lift the canopy higher and let more sun "in". Or at worst, cut the trees. I am aware of some Orlando residents growing hydrangeas and the native oakleaf hydrangeas but they need shade from the summer sun starting around 11am-ish, good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew and some protection from drying summer winds. Mopheads and lacecaps can be found in the area; oakleaf a little less and panics not too much since, until recently, they got so big but Bobo and the "Little" ones (Quickfire, etc) have changed that. I have not heard of anyone growing panics myself but Univ of Florida's IFAS recommends them for north and central FL:
http://gardeningsolutions.ifas... Personally, I would first grow them in a pot until you can find a proper place in the summer where they get shade starting at the right time and then I would plant them once the temperatures have come down from summertime levels. Add compost annually & before planting to increase the levels of minerals (sandy soils need this) and then "regularly" afterwards in the form of mulch (2-4" up to or beyond the drip line. I normally apply about 1 gallon of water per watering here but feel free to use 1.5 or 2g per watering in sandy soil. Increase waterings or the amt of water from May thru September (your & my hot season). Note that growing them full time in pots can be an option and will make it easier to move around if the first spot turns to have 'too much sun' issues.
