Best Perennials To Plant In The South

Cultivating a gorgeous perennial garden in American South can be a very rewarding experience. Finding the best plants for your new adventure may be disconcerting, but don’t worry. We have found the best perennials for the southern climate.

Gladiolus come in different colors, sizes, and shapes, but are always dramatic. With 180 species, you have plenty from which to choose. The flowers are present on spikes that are 3 to 5.5 feet tall. To grow, full sun or partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil are required. These beauties can be propagated in the spring with seed or cormlet separation. Gladiolus grows in Zones 8-11.

Yellow Elder not only smells wonderful, but it also attracts hummingbirds. What’s not to like? This plant grows fast and is drought resistant. Its leaves are pointed, bright green, and with 2 to 3 inches long. The flowers on this shrub are trumpet-shaped, 1 to 2 inches, and yellow. These perennial needs well-drained soil in full sun. These can be propagated in the spring with seeds or in the summer with cuttings.
blooms all year round in Zone 10.

The David Viburnum is an evergreen honeysuckle shrub that reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet. Dark green leaves stretch 3 to 6 inches long. White tiny flowers dangle daintily near its metallic blue drupe fruit. Light shade and regular watering are essential.
Fall seeding or semi-ripe tip shoots in the Summer can be performed in order to spread this gift farther. These grow best in Zones 7-9.

Daffodils grow easily and tolerate drought extremely well. These are also butterfly attractors. Strap-like leaves measure 6 to 30 inches long. Flowers can bloom 4 to 24 inches tall and are usually yellow or white. Sometimes, orange, pink, and red flowers can occur. Rich, neutral, well-drained soil is a must. Daffodils do best with morning sun and partial shade. Water once a week for optimal results. Propagation can be accomplished by seed or by bulb division. Zones 6 through 9 are the best growing regions. These bloom later the colder the environment.

Sweet Viburnum is a bird attracting, fragrant, fast-growing, and evergreen shrub that can grow as tall as 20 feet tall. Its bright green leaves are 6 inches long. Tiny white flowers and red berries decorate this shrub. It grows best in full sun to moderate shade and in average to moist soil. Propagation can be done through layering or cuttings. This plant does well in Zones 8b through 10a.

Crape Myrtle grows fast and easily. This shrub can grow from 18 inches to 40 feet in height.
Its leaves are smooth. Flowers appear in white, pink, red, lavender, and purple. This plant does great in either well-drained or moist soil. Propagation methods are seeding, hardwood cuttings in the winter, or medium wood cuttings in the fall. This plant does best in Zone 7 and may need winter protection in Zones 5 or 6.

Contact Innovated Landscape Design if you have any questions.