More Flowers and Shrubs

Learn about several plant varieties and the planting information for each zone.

Related To:

Autumn Jazz Arrowwood Viburnum

autumn jazz arrowwood viburnum has fall color

Deciduous shrub with glossy green foliage, white clusters of flowers, blue-black fruit and fall color

Plant in average to moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Height: 8-10 feet; Width: 6-8 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 3-8:
Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade with protection from hot afternoon sun; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Maiden Grass

maiden grass is an upright ornamental grass

Miscanthus sinensis is a non-native invasive grass from Asia. It has escaped cultivation and invaded natural areas throughout the Midwest and South.

Medium upright ornamental grass with copper-colored plumes in mid to late fall; foliage is russet in fall
Plant in full sun to light shade
Can be invasive
Tolerant of a wide range of soil
Prune back to ground in late winter to early spring; fertilize in spring
Divide every few years in early spring
Height: 4-6 feet Width: 2-4 feet

Hardy in zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.

Emerald Isle Leyland Cypress

Emerald isle leyland cypress is pyramid conifer

Upright pyramidal evergreen conifer with dense bright green foliage

Plant in average to moist, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun
Height: 20-25 feet; Width: 6-8 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 6-10:
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind; water when dry year round.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind; water when dry year round.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; water when dry year round.
Zone 9: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; water when dry year round.
Zone 10: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; water when dry year round.

Bracken's Brown Beauty Magnolia

brackens brown beauty magnolia is compact tree

Compact, dense evergreen tree with lustrous green leaves and large white flowers in summer

Plant in average to moist, but well-drained soil
Fertilize four times per year until established
Plant in full sun
Most cold-tolerant Magnolia grandiflora
Height: 30-50 feet; Width: 15-30 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 6-9:
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind; water when dry year round.
Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind; water when dry year round.
Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; water when dry year round.
Zone 9: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; water when dry year round.

Gold Mop Chamaecyparis

gold mop chamaecyparis is mounded conifer

Mounded evergreen conifer with drooping bright golden foliage that holds color well year round

Slow growing; unusual texture
Plant in organic, but well drained soil; water when dry
Plant in full sun
Height: 3-6 feet; Width: 3-6 feet

Hardy in USDA zones (3)4-8:
Zone 3: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells; may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 6: Plant in early spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.

Ash Leaf Spirea

ash leaf spirea is suckering shrub and invasive

The National Park Service reports this shrub as invasive in: Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Hampshire. In these states, Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is listed as a sensible alternative.

Multi-stemmed deciduous, suckering shrub with large clusters of white flowers in summer
Plant in organic, but well drained soil; water when dry
Plant in full sun to partial shade; prune while dormant in winter.
May be invasive in colder regions of the U.S.
Height: 5-10 feet; Width: 5-10 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 2-8:
Zone 2: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells; may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 3: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 6: Plant in early spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer; water during dry spells.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

dwarf fountain grass is colorful ornamental grass

Dwarf, finely textured ornamental grass with white seed heads and good fall color

Plant in organic, but well drained soil; water when dry; fertilize in spring
Plant in full sun; prune while dormant in winter.
Height: 1-3 feet; Width: 1-3 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; fertilize in spring with balanced fertilizer.

Dart's Gold Ninebark

darts gold ninebark has exfoliating bark

Compact deciduous shrub with chartreuse foliage and exfoliating bark

Blooms with white to pinkish corymbs of flowers in late spring or early summer
Best foliage color is in full sun; may turn green in hotter climates
Plant in rich, but well-drained soil
Water regularly until established; prune after flowering
Height: 4-5 feet; Width: 4-5 feet

Hardy in USDA zones 2-7:
Zone 2: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 3: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Zone 7: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; purple color may fade to green in hot weather.

Alexis Garden Mum

alexis garden mum is a fall blooming annual

Perennial often grown as a fall-blooming annual with soft white petals

Plant in rich to average well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Pinch back plants by ½ in late spring; divide in spring every 2-3 years
Height: 24 inches; Width: 24 inches

Hardy in USDA zones 5-10:
Zone 5: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after planting; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after planting; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
Zone 10: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Denise Garden Mum

denise garden mum has medium tall bronze petals

Perennial often grown as a fall-blooming annual with medium tall bronze petals

Plant in rich to average well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Pinch back plants by ½ in late spring; divide in spring every 2-3 years
Height: 24 inches; Width: 24 inches

Kristi Garden Mum

Perennial often grown as an early fall blooming annual with light to-medium yellow petals.
Plant in rich to average well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Pinch back plants by ½ in late spring; divide in spring every 2-3 years
Height: 24 inches; Width: 24 inches

Olivia Garden Mum

olivia garden mum has bright orange flowers

Perennial often grown as a fall-blooming annual with bright orange flowers

Plant in rich to average well-drained soil
Plant in full sun to light shade
Pinch back plants by ½ in late spring; divide in spring every 2-3 years
Height: 24 inches; Width: 24 inches

Summer Light Gloriosa Daisy

summer light gloriosa daisy has five inch flowers

Annual or short-lived perennial with 5-inch golden daisy-like flowers

Plant in well-drained soil
Plant in full sun
Deadhead to promote continued blooming; may reseed
Space generously to allow for good air circulation
Height: 36 inches; Width: 12-18 inches

Annual in all zones (seems to die in fall no matter how warm):
Zones 2-8: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; collect seed in fall for planting the following spring; discard plants after killing frost.
Zones 9-11: Plant in spring or sow seeds in fall when ripe; discard plants in fall.

Cherokee Sunset Gloriosa Daisy

cherokee sunset gloriosa daisy has bronze flowers

Annual or short-lived perennial with 3-4 inch orange, mahogany and bronze daisy-like flowers

Plant in well-drained soil
Plant in full sun
Deadhead to promote continued blooming; may reseed
Space generously to allow for good air circulation
Height: 30 inches; Width: 12-18 inches

Toto Gloriosa Daisy

toto gloriosa daisy has large yellow blooms

Annual or short-lived perennial with 4-5 inch yellow daisy-like flowers with brown centers

Plant in well-drained soil
Plant in full sun
Deadhead to promote continued blooming; may reseed
Space generously to allow for good air circulation
Height: 18-24 inches; Width: 12-18 inches