Gardening Ideas Gardening & Landscaping Ideas USDA Planting Zones 20 Zone 8 Plant Ideas For The Lower South Perennials, shrubs, and vines that will thrive in your Southern garden. By Diana Kirby Diana Kirby Diana Kirby creates inspirational designs for her landscaping firm, Diana's Designs, launched in 2007. For 16 years, she has written for national publications, spoken publicly, consulted, and appeared on television, sharing her extensive knowledge of plants, gardening, design and outdoor living. Her personal gardens have also been featured on television, in print, and in the landscaping book, Deer Resistant Design. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 2, 2024 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Jillian is a freelance writer, editor and fact-checker with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. In addition to fact-checking for Southern Living, Jillian works on multiple verticals across Dotdash-Meredith, including TripSavvy, The Spruce, and Travel + Leisure. brand's fact checking process Close Photo: Getty Images Characterized by mild winters and a long growing season, USDA Zone 8 includes the Lower South and affords almost year-round opportunities for gardening. It is one of the warmest zones in the United States, running from the Virginia coast out to central Texas. Zone 8 is defined by winters where the temperature dips to 10-20° F at its most extreme. Enjoying typically mild winters, some Zone 8 plants experience multiple blooming and fruiting seasons. But the Southeast also experiences steamy summers, and plants must stand up to the intense summer heat in order to survive. If you're not sure what to plant or are looking for some inspiration, here's a list of our favorite perennials, evergreens, vines, shrubs, and trees that will thrive year after year in a Zone 8 garden. 01 of 20 Salvia Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Salvia spp.Sun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-draining, richSoil pH: 6.0-8.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-10 Salvias come in every size and color imaginable, with more than 900 species to choose from worldwide. Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the mint family and is drought-tolerant once established. Salvia includes evergreen shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. One of the most common go-to-salvias, Autumn sage (Salvia greggii), is an evergreen sub shrub with blooms in shades of red to fuchsia and purple. This salvia graces countless Lower South gardens, growing 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Other salvias range from 18 inches tall to 5 feet tall with varieties for both sun and part shade. Learn More 02 of 20 Zexmenia Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Wedelia hispida, W. acapulcensis var. hispida, Zexmenia hispidaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.5-8.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11 Zexmenia is a stellar garden performer, even in the hottest, driest summer conditions and the rockiest soils. The hardy Texas native is evergreen in warmer climates and blooms from summer through fall. It can survive in Zone 7, dying back in winter and returning consistently each spring. This mounding plant sports perky, yellow daisy-like flowers and reaches approximately 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Pollinators are drawn to this prolific bloomer. The rough, hairy gray-green leaves make Zexmenia deer resistant. Cut back by half in July to encourage another flush of fall flowering. 03 of 20 Catmint Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Nepeta x faasseniiSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.0-8.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Few perennials can compare to the long-lasting, showstopping blooms of catmint. This dynamo packs a pale purple punch from late spring into early fall. Its compact, mounding form is tailor-made for borders, pathways, and rock gardens. Cousin to the feline favorite catnip, this herbaceous perennial grows 6 to 12 inches tall by 12 to 36 inches wide. Flowers grow along the stems in whorls, enveloping almost the entire plant in blooms. Its minty, fuzzy, gray-green leaves make it rabbit and deer-resistant. Catmint adapts to any well-draining soil, is heat- and drought-tolerant, and requires little to no care once planted. Deadheading or shearing mid-summer will encourage a bushier plant and more blooms. 04 of 20 Lion’s Tail Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Leonotis leonurusSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.5-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11 Native to South Africa, Lion’s Tail could vie for the King of the Garden title, with its striking blooms and majestic form. Lion’s Tail is a semi-evergreen perennial that grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It dies back to the ground in Zone 8 winters, and will not survive in wet, cold soils. With brilliant orange flowers that grow on upright stems, the tiered tufts are reminiscent of lion’s tails. The fuzzy tubular blooms are also magnets for hummingbirds and pollinators. This exotic, late summer to early fall specimen keeps the garden glowing when summer bloomers start to fade. Its tall, striking stems filled with flowers also make stunning focal points for floral arrangements. It is also used as an herb used to treat a variety of medical conditions including headaches, fevers, coughs among others. 05 of 20 Pink Skullcap Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Scutellaria suffretescensSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-draining, sandy, rockySoil pH: 6.5-8.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10 Amp up the wow factor in your layered garden with a border of pink skullcap. This woody, herbaceous perennial blooms continuously from late spring to early fall. With snapdragon-like tubular flowers, gray-green leaves, and a tidy, low-mounding habit, skullcap makes an attractive addition to borders, rock gardens, or sloping hillsides. A Mexican native in the mint family, skullcap is heat- and drought-tolerant, and disease and pest-resistant. It grows from 1.5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, fitting for xeric mass plantings or a dense, spreading groundcover. Depending on the location, it can remain semi-evergreen in winter. Shear back in early spring to shape and encourage more profuse blooms. 06 of 20 Ruby Grass Laura Wills. Botanical Name: Melinis nerviglumisSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 5.5-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 While beautiful blooms often get top billing in gardens, stunning grasses add an unparalleled design element. The soft, billowy texture of this African native provides dimension to the landscape and creates a delicate contrast for sculptural plants. Ruby grass grows 18 to 24 inches tall and 16 to 16 inches wide in eye-catching clumps. In summer, the neat mounds of gray-green foliage give rise to fuzzy, pink panicles. The shimmering ruby inflorescence adds rhythm and movement, to the garden. Plant in lines along a path or bordering a bed, or plant in masses to create more impact. In late summer to early fall, the panicles begin to turn silvery white, catching the light as they wave in the breeze. Ruby grass also makes an interesting addition to cut and dried flower arrangements. 07 of 20 Distylium Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Distylium spp.Sun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-draining, moistSoil pH: 5.0-6.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 A powerhouse evergreen, distylium is a versatile, low-maintenance shrub that adapts to most soils and is suitable for foundation plantings, borders, and hedges. Its fine texture and dense, tumbling growth habit are excellent alternatives to hollies, boxwoods, or junipers. Distylium provides winter interest, sporting small maroon blooms from January until March. The foliage ranges from glossy blue-green to coppery bronze, depending on the variety. Naturally compact, distylium will hold its shape when planted in the sun and have a more open shape in shade. Lightly tip prune in summer to encourage new growth. Disease-, pest-, and deer-resistant, this shrub can take the heat and performs reliably in both wet and drought situations. Native to Asia, variety sizes range from 2 feet tall to 3 feet wide to up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. 08 of 20 Wax Myrtle Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Morella ceriferaSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Average, sandy, moistSoil pH: 5.5-7.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10 Wax myrtle is one of the fastest-growing large shrubs available and provides a striking screen for privacy, foundation plantings, and property borders. This evergreen shrub can grow as fast as 3 to 5 feet a year in optimal conditions. They need consistent moisture when first planted, but are drought-tolerant once established. Wax myrtle is available in dwarf and full sizes and can make an attractive small tree when pruned to create fewer trunks and a raised canopy. Bees and butterflies are drawn to highly fragrant March and April blooms produced by female plants. From fall through winter, the flowers are followed by weeping clusters of dusty blue berries prized by birds. Male plants are required nearby for pollination of females to occur. A good choice for coastal areas, wax myrtles are wind and salt-tolerant. 09 of 20 Dwarf Yaupon Holly Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Ilex vomitoriaSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Average, well-drainingSoil pH: 4.5-7.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9 A mounded evergreen shrub, dwarf yaupon holly supplies superior structure in the garden. This dense and bushy shrub requires little to no maintenance. Its natural, globe-like form makes it a preferred choice for manicured or formal garden styles. Used for foundation plantings, low hedges, or sculptural elements, dwarf yaupon holly sports tiny white blooms from spring to early summer. If the planting includes both male ('Schillings' or 'Stoke's Dwarf') and female ('Nana') plants required for cross-pollination, they will also produce bright red berries that attract birds. Yaupon’s small, dark shiny leaves are finely textured. This broadleaf evergreen grows to 2 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. For a tidy evergreen patio addition, it can also be grown in pots. 10 of 20 Coral Honeysuckle Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Lonicera sempervirensSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Rich, well-drainingSoil pH: 6.0-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 A profuse bloomer, coral honeysuckle is an adaptable, low-maintenance native without the overwhelming tendencies of its invasive Japanese relative. This woody twining vine yields tubular-shaped flowers in red and coral with yellow to orange throats. It blooms from spring to fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. From summer to fall, it produces bright red berries enjoyed by songbirds. Evergreen in warm climates, coral honeysuckle grows 15 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Give it a fence, trellis, or arbor and this twining vine will reward you with a vigorous vertical focal point to enjoy through three seasons. Coral honeysuckle is disease and deer-resistant. 11 of 20 Yucca Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Yucca filamentosaSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.5-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10 This clump-forming evergreen reaches 3 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide with fragrant bloom spikes. Yucca provides structure and texture to add interest in the garden. The green leaves and bright yellow edges of 'Bright Edge' pair well with more delicate plants and flowing forms. It can also be used as a container plant. Yucca doesn’t typically begin blooming until the plant is mature, blooming in June and July. Mature plants also spread by pups that can be dug up and planted in other locations. The flowers attract pollinators and hummingbirds and the foliage is deer- and rabbit-resistant. Learn More 12 of 20 Crepe Myrtle Photo: Van Chaplin, Ralph Anderson Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia indicaSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Average, well-drainingSoil pH: 5.5-6.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Crepe myrtles are weighed down with red, pink, white, or purple blooms in the height of summer in the South. The papery tan bark of these small trees is an attractive feature in winter. Best of all, it can tolerate both dry and wet soil and adapts to most acidic soils with decent drainage—even clay. Crepe myrtles make attractive specimen trees or street trees, with varieties ranging from 6 to 30 feet in height. Learn More 13 of 20 Hardy Hibiscus Getty Images Botanical Name: Hibiscus moscheutosSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Average, well-drainingSoil pH: 5.5-6.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Also called swamp or rose mallow, this summer-blooming hibiscus is a native of the Southeast. The big pink, white, or red flowers can span a foot across, attracting all manner of butterflies and hummingbirds during its long bloom period of a month. Hardy hibiscus grows as a small deciduous shrub that is 2-6 feet tall and 2-5 feet wide. These shrubs are happiest in consistently moist, loamy, and sandy loam soils. Learn More 14 of 20 Southern Magnolia Masahiro Nakano/a.collectionRF/Getty Images Botanical Name: Magnolia grandifloraSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Rich, moist, well-drainingSoil pH: 5.5-6.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10 As the name implies, this native evergreen tree is highly suitable for southern gardens. The massive, leathery white flowers appear in late spring and summer and have a wonderful fragrance. Southern magnolia grows quite large in the native landscape—up to 80 feet tall—but there are several cultivars that fit into smaller gardens. One of the most popular, 'Little Gem', grows to 20 feet tall in 20 years. Magnolias generally have no issue with sweltering summers but appreciate a layer of mulch and a bit of protection from afternoon sun in a hotter climate. Learn More 15 of 20 Verbena Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Verbena spp.Sun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 5.8-7.2USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11 Whether you're looking for a tall statement perennial, a tough flowering ground cover, or a pop of color in the flower bed, there's a verbena to fill that role. This large plant family consists of mostly sun-loving species with purple, pink, blue, or white blooms. Verbena thrives in well-draining soil (add a little compost to poor, sandy soils). These plants look their best with an inch of water a week but otherwise require little fuss. Learn More 16 of 20 Lantana Diana Kirby Botanical Name: Lantana camaraSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.0-6.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11 Lantanas thrive in hot, dry weather and tolerate just about any well-drained soil. Their gold, orange, pink, red, and white flower clusters are a magnet for butterflies. Common lantana is an herbaceous Central American shrub that grows 5 or 6 feet tall, but there are many compact varieties designed for the flower bed. Lantana needs less water than many annuals but appreciates a good drink during dry weather. A related species, trailing lantana (L. montevidensis), is hardy to Zone 8 and can be grown along walls or as a ground cover. Learn More 17 of 20 Giant Hyssop Getty Images / Catherine McQueen Botanical Name: Agastache spp.Sun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, sandy, loamySoil pH: 6.0-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-10 Giant hyssop is also called hummingbird mint, a big clue that this is a pollinator-friendly family of perennials. Most are native to North America and bloom throughout the summer in white, blue, purple, or pink. Giant hyssop must have well-draining soil to do well but can be grown in a raised bed or containers if you have heavy soil. The plants are deer- and rabbit-resistant, but the fragrant leaves can be used in teas. 18 of 20 Panicle Hydrangea Steve Bender Botanical Name: Hydrangea paniculataSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: 6.0-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9 Panicle hydrangeas like 'Limelight' and 'Little Lime' are more tolerant of hot sun and dry conditions than most hydrangeas, making them an excellent choice for Zone 8. They adapt to most soils but prefer good drainage and a layer of mulch to help conserve moisture. Depending on the variety, most grow from 8-15 feet tall and wide, with some slowly growing into a small tree. Fluffy, cone-shaped flower clusters usually start a creamy white and can age to a bright pink before turning brown. Learn More 19 of 20 Star Jasmine Larioslake/Getty Images Botanical Name: Trachelospermum jasminoidesSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Rich, well-drainingSoil pH: 6.0-7.0USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10 The heady scent of star jasmine is a harbinger of spring in many Southern cities. This vigorous evergreen climber is very shade tolerant and requires little watering after the first year. The vines can grow 3 to 6 feet per year once they get established, producing prolific star-shaped blooms that attract bees. Star jasmine can be grown on a trellis or fence or even clipped into a hedge. Prune the vines right after flowering to ensure the best show of flowers the following year. 20 of 20 Gaura Getty Images / ANGHI Botanical Name: Oenothera lindheimeriSun Exposure: FullSoil Type: Well-draining, loamy, sandySoil pH: 6.0-7.5USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Gaura is native to Texas and Louisiana where it grows in pine lands and prairies. The wispy flowers that emerge from small clumps can be white or pink. Plant this perennial in cottage garden borders or with grasses where it can wave in the breeze. Gaura blooms better with moisture, but its taproot makes it drought-tolerant. Overly rich soil or shade can make it flop. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Southern Living is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Strilbytska OM, Zayachkivska A, Koliada A, et al. Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum increases lifespan, stress resistance, and metabolism by affecting free radical processes in Drosophila. Front Physiol. 2020;11:596729. doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.596729