15 USDA Zone 7 Plant Ideas For The Mid-South

Coral Honeysuckle — Photo:
Sharon Talson/Getty

The mid-south, USDA Zone 7, is characterized by mild winters, hot and humid summers, and a long growing season. Many perennials, shrubs, and vines are hardy to Zone 7 and have no trouble getting through the winter. However, they are challenged when summer brings a moist, humid atmosphere yet fluctuating rainfall. If you're considering what to plant in a Zone 7 garden, these perennials, vines, and shrubs will thrive in the region.

01 of 15

Perennial: Bearded Iris (Iris Germanica)

Full Bloomed Bearded Iris — Getty images

There are many types of irises but the bearded iris is a favorite. Typically, one sees cultivars with dramatic flowers blooming in the summer, from 2 to 3 feet tall. But there are shorter sizes that bloom from spring to summer. These are full sun plants that grow from rhizomes. The sword-shaped, green foliage emerges in the spring, the plants flower from late spring to summer, and then the foliage remains until frost. The flowers should be deadheaded and make great cut flowers. The foliage is cut back in the fall to prevent iris borers and disease. Every few years the rhizomes must be lifted and divided rewarding one with many more plants.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-10
Bloom/Foliage Color: Flowers in every color but true red
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
Water Requirements: On the dry side

02 of 15

Perennial: Daylilies (Hemerocallis Spp.)

Daylilies are low maintenance, reliable summer bloomers. This is not the common daylily called ditch lily (Hemerocallis fulva) which is not native and can be considered invasive. This is the palette of more than 40,000 cultivars available in every flower color except true white and blue. The original or typical flower shape is trumpet but breeding has expanded the shape to be more triangle, recurved, circular, or flared. The plants will bloom for weeks in the summer even though individual flowers are open for one day (hence the name). There are early, mid, and late season bloomers so one can have flowers for months. It is not necessary to deadhead although one might want to remove unwanted seedheads. Like bearded irises, daylilies must be lifted and divided every few years. Height ranges from one foot to 5 feet and about 2 feet wide.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Every color but true white or blue
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist

03 of 15

Perennial: Hardy Geranium Or Cranesbill (Geranium Spp.)

Hardy geraniums are used as groundcovers or border plants. They have large, 2 to 3-inch, wide leaves that are lobed, like maple or finely cut. Some species have five distinct petals while others have fused petals, more like saucers. The flowers bloom above the foliage from spring to summer and are small, 1 to 2 inches wide, but many. The colors range from purple to magenta to white to pink. Some species flourish in full sun while others prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. In the fall, cool weather can color the foliage bronze red and the foliage remains above ground in the winter. Geraniums do not need to be deadheaded. They can be sheared after the first flush of blooms to encourage a second flush, and they are deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Purple, magenta, white, pink
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Varies, some prefer moisture, yet others are drought resistant

04 of 15

Perennial: Coreopsis Or Tickseed (Coreopsis Spp.)

Coreopsis is a native, perennial flower that provides a naturalistic look to the garden. The flower shape is daisy-like and yellow/orange but there are many cultivars in flower colors such as orange, pink, red, and two-tone or bicolor. Once established, this drought tolerant plant blooms all summer long in full sun. They can range in height from several feet to four feet. Typically, the flowers are not deadheaded because there are many flowers blooming at once and birds love the seedheads. This is the type of plant where it looks better to have many in a mass. However, there are 1 to 2 feet dwarf varieties that work well in containers. Coreopsis is deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Yellow, orange, pink, red
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Water to establish plant but then drought resistant

05 of 15

Perennial: Japanese Anemone (Anemone x Hybrida)

Japanese anemone is a fall bloomer. The fuzzy, pearl-like buds appear when school starts. From fall to frost, the plant blooms delicate flowers, about 2 inches wide, in white or pink above the foliage on wiry stems. There are several cultivars with single petal, semi-double, or double form. The flowers are not deadheaded and the resulting seedheads are like whisps of cotton. Japanese anemones can reach a few feet in full sun but prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. They need rich, well-drained soil, on the moist side. If given optimum conditions, they can spread but are not invasive. After the fall blooms, the plant does not die down completely in the winter. In the early spring, the tattered foliage and old flower stalks are removed for new growth. Japanese anemone is deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
Bloom/Foliage Color: White, pink, blush, red
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist

06 of 15

Perennial: Eastern Blue Star Or Willow Blue Star Amsonia (Amsonia Tabernaemontana)

Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana) — Ed Reschke / Getty Images

This is a native perennial that looks like a fluffy grass but is considered a wildflower. The short, narrow leaves emerge in the spring and quickly grow, giving the shrub a feathery appearance. Plants grow about 2-3 feet tall and wide. In late spring, early summer, the plants bloom clusters of small, blue, star-shaped flowers, attracting butterflies. It is not necessary to deadhead. In the fall, the green foliage turns honey yellow all at once so plants are best used in rows, hedges, or masses to achieve the swath of yellow fall color. This plant is deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Blue flowers and yellow fall foliage
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Prefer moist rather than dry

07 of 15

Perennial: Baptisia, Wild Blue Indigo, Or Plains False Indigo (Baptisia Spp.)

Baptisia australis, commonly known as blue wild indigo or blue false indigo blue flowers — Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

This is a perennial that may appear to be a woody shrub but will die back in the winter. There are several species but Baptisia australis is most often grown in the south. There are stunning cultivars on the market now with vibrant flower colors, including two tone flowers. New growth appears in early spring maturing to a four feet tall and wide shrub. In mid spring, the plant blooms spikes of pea-like flowers and the spikes can last several weeks. The resulting gray seed pods can last until winter and will shake when rattled. When frost blackens the foliage, stems are cut back to the ground. Prefers acidic soil; fertilize in spring and fall with an acidic fertilizer. This perennial is deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: The species has indigo blue flowers but cultivars vary
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil, toward the acidic side
Water Requirements: Drought tolerant when established

08 of 15

Shrub: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia)

There are many types of hydrangeas but one that does particularly well in this area is the oakleaf hydrangea. It is woodier than the lacecaps and mopheads so once it is established it does not wilt in the summer’s heat, can manage rainfall fluctuations, and is not bothered by high humidity. Also, it does not have to be pruned so there is no worry about accidentally pruning off flower buds. This is a large shrub, 6 to 8 feet tall and wide with large, oak-shaped leaves and equally large panicles of white flowers. The panicles of white flowers fade to blush to tan with maturity in the summer. These are not deadheaded. The leaves turn from green to bronze-red and red-purple in the fall. This is a native plant that should be in morning sun and afternoon shade. There are many cultivars now so there are compact varieties starting at 2 feet and rose or red flowers.

USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: White flowers and red fall foliage
Light Requirements: Partial shade
Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist

09 of 15

Shrub: Fothergilla Or Witch Alder (Fothergilla Gardenii)

Fothergilla is a native shrub that blooms early in April and May with white, bottle brush type flowers, several inches long. No need to deadhead. In the fall, the textured, almost scalloped leaves turn yellow, gold, orange, and red for a long period. To get the most fall impact, plant more than one shrub. This deciduous shrub prefers sun but can take partial shade and can spread by suckers. Prefers acidic soil; fertilize with an acidic fertilizer in fall and early winter. This species grows to up to six feet tall and wide. There is another species, F. major, that grows to 6-10 feet, and prefers drier soils and part shade.

USDA Growing Zones: 5-8
Bloom/Foliage Color: White flowers, fall foliage color
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Rich, well-drained acidic soil
Water Requirements: Moist

10 of 15

Shrub: Virginia Sweetspire (Itea Virginica)

This deciduous shrub can be as large as 6 to 10 feet, with a spread of 4 to 6 feet. It has arching branches with pendulous, crayon thick, bottle brush flowers in May and June. The white flowers produce noticeable brown seed heads that are equally decorative. The plant tends to form suckers to form thickets or hedges. It tolerates clay soil and moist soil and shade although there are more flowers with more sun. The shrub has brilliant fall foliage, red, orange and gold. Winter reveals red stems. The cultivar ‘Henry’s Garnet’ is more commonly sold. It is shorter at 3 to 5 feet tall but with same flowers and brilliant, burgundy red foliage. Deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: White flowers, brilliant fall foliage
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Rich in organic matter
Water Requirements: Moist soil

11 of 15

Shrub: Common Or Eastern Ninebark (Physocarpus Opulifolius)

The species is about 3 to 10 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 10 feet tall. Flowers appear in May through July. They are domes of small white or rose flowers, about 2 inches wide. These shrubs have arching branches, which can be covered with flowers. Interestingly the breeding efforts have concentrated on the foliage to produce striking colors: dark purple, red-bronze, light green, yellow green, and orange copper. The shrub is called ninebark because the bark exfoliates. This drought-tolerant shrub tolerates clay soil.

USDA Growing Zones: 2-8
Bloom/Foliage Color: White to rose flowers but cultivars can have foliage in various shades
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Not particular

12 of 15

Shrub: Sweet-Shrub Or Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus Floridus)

This shrub can be as tall as 9 feet with a 6-foot spread so give this wide berth. But the plus side is that it produces large maroon flowers, easily viewed from the kitchen window. The flowers are about 2 to 3 inches wide with many straplike petals. These summer bloomers have a fruity fragrance and there are cultivars with yellow or white flowers. The leaves provide interesting yellow fall color before dropping. Tolerates clay soil and wet soil. Can sucker. Deer resistant.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Typically maroon flowers, yellow fall foliage
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist soil

13 of 15

Vine: Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea Anomala)

hydrangea flowering vine — bkkm/Getty Images

This perennial vine blooms large fragrant white flowers, similar to lace cap hydrangeas in the summer. It is a large or thick vine that needs quite a lot of space to climb. The plant can climb up the side of a house, pergola, or arbor and the structure has to be able to take the weight of the plant. However, climbing hydrangea does respond well to pruning and some gardeners prune it to be a shrub form. This is a deciduous vine with good yellow fall color.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-8
Bloom/Foliage Color: White flowers and yellow fall foliage
Light Requirements: Full sun but can tolerate partial shade
Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, but well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist

14 of 15

Vine: Cross-Vine (Bignonia Capreolata)

This is a native, semi evergreen, perennial vine with very large, trumpet shaped flowers. The fragrant, orange/yellow flowers have five shallow lobes, sometimes yellow and sometimes curling backwards. Blooms in the spring with repeat blooms throughout the growing season. The fall foliage is red/purple persisting into winter. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Responds well to pruning if wanted to control shape and height. Tolerates shade.

USDA Growing Zones: 5-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Yellow/orange flowers
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Moist average well drained
Water Requirements: Not particular

15 of 15

Vine: Trumpet Or Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens)

This native, perennial vine has very long narrow trumpet shaped flowers in the yellow/red/coral spectrum. It is semi-evergreen and produces berries in the fall. The vine blooms from April to June. The foliage is very interesting because some leaves are oval shaped and opposite while other leaves are fused to the stem and each other creating a collar around the stem. Tolerates clay soil and black walnut. Is a hummingbird favorite.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-9
Bloom/Foliage Color: Yellow, red, coral
Light Requirements: Sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Moist soil

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