Shrubs, Grasses and Flowers
'Emerald Green' Eastern Arborvitae
Upright, large evergreen shrub noted for its tight pyramidal shape and green foliage
Plant in full sun to light shade in rich, moist, but well-drained soil
Water regularly first season and in times of dry weather
Fertilize in mid spring with acid-based fertilizer
Dog urine may leave brown spots on foliage
Height: 12-15 feet; Width: 4-6 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 2-7(8):
Zone 2: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; avoid exposure to harsh winter wind.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first frost.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch after first frost.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; apply extra mulch in fall.
Muhly Grass
Upright clumping warm season ornamental grass with thin blades and purple-pink plumes in late summer
Plant in full sun
Plant in rich, moist, but well-drained soil; salt tolerant
Water regularly first season and in times of dry weather; prune back to several inches tall in late winter
Height: 3-4 feet; Width: 3 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 6-10:
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Zone 7: Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Zone 10: Plant in early spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall.
Golden Variegated Sweetflag
Mounding evergreen perennial with variegated with green/gold stripes on grass-like foliage
Plant in full sun to partial shade
Plant in rich, moist to wet soil.
Water regularly first season and in times of dry weather; prune back to several inches tall in late winter
Height: 10-12 inches; Width: 12-24 inches
Hardy in USDA zones 7-10:
Zone 7: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall.
Zone 10: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall.
Stella D'Oro Daylily
Daylily with pale pink flowers with a green throat in spring through summer; repeat blooming in early fall and semi-evergreen foliage in warmer climates
Remove spent flower stalks to encourage continuous blooming
Plant in full sun to light shade
Remove damaged foliage in early spring; divide and fertilize in spring
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Height: 20 inches Width: 18 inches
Hardy in zones 4-10:
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; protect from salt; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost to prevent winter heaving; protect from salt; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; pull mulch back in spring.
Zone 10: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; pull mulch back in spring.
Dense Blazing Star
Perennial with grass-like foliage and spikes of purple flowers in the late summer to early fall
Plant in average, but well-drained soil
Plant in full sun
Height: 24-36 inches; Width: 12-18 inches
Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:
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; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun.
Sunny Border Blue Speedwell
Deciduous perennial with upright spikes of dark violet-blue flowers in summer and fall
Plant in full sun
Plant in average garden soil that is well-drained soil
Fertilize as new growth appears in spring
Height: 18-20 inches; Width: 18-20 inches
Hardy in USDA zones (3)4-8:
Zone 3: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring; plant may be marginally hardy in this zone.
Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; pull back mulch in spring.
Shasta Daisy
Herbaceous perennial with large white daisy flowers in early to mid summer
Tolerant of most well-drained soils
Plant in full sun; prune foliage back after flowering
Fertilize in spring; divide in spring when new foliage appears
Height: 2-4 feet; Width: 1-3 feet, slowly spreading
Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:
Zone 4: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; avoid exposure to salt; mulch heavily after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 5: Plant in spring to avoid winter heaving; plant in full sun; avoid exposure to salt; mulch heavily after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in spring.
Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost; pull back mulch in.
Climax or Rabbiteye Blueberry
Upright deciduous shrub grown for its edible blue berries and has colorful fall foliage
Designed to grow in warmer climates with fewer chill hours
Self-infertile requiring cross-pollination from another variety
Plant in full sun to light shade
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained and very acidic (pH 4.0-5.0)
Height: 6-10 feet; Width: 8-10 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 6-9:
Zone 6: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 7: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun to light shade; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Braeburn Apple
Semi-dwarf deciduous tree grown for its late season apples that are crisp, juicy with a tart/sweet flavor
Self-infertile requiring cross-pollination from another variety
Plant in full sun
Prune regularly to maintain two-dimensional espalier form.
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained
Height: 12-15 feet; Width: 12-15 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 5-8:
Zone 5: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 6: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; fertilize and prune as needed in early spring; mulch in fall.
Muscadine Grape
Vigorous deciduous vine grown for its grapes that ripen in early fall
Vines can be self-fertile (with perfect flowers) or female (requiring a perfect-flowering companion)
Plant in full sun on a trellis with a minimum of 20 feet per plant
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained; prune while dormant in winter
Length: 60-100 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 7-9:
Zone 7: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; prune while dormant in the winter; fertilize in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 8: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; prune while dormant in the winter; fertilize in early spring; mulch in fall.
Zone 9: Plant in early spring or fall; plant in full sun; prune while dormant in the winter; fertilize in early spring; mulch in fall.
Okra
Warm season vegetable grown for its edible seed pods
Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed
Plant in full sun
Plant in rich organic soil that is well-drained; water when dry
Height: 6 feet; Width 2 feet
Annual in All Zones:
All Zones: Start seeds indoor six weeks before last frost or plant outdoors after danger of frost has passed; harvest pods with 3 inches long and still soft.
Attraction Butterfly Bush
Deciduous shrub with gray-green foliage and deep purple to red flowers that attract butterflies
Plant in rich, but well-drained soil; prune heavily in very early spring
Water regularly until established; fertilize in spring
Deadhead to prolong blooming
Plant in full sun for best flowering
Height: 4-5 feet; Width: 4-5 feet
Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:
Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; care for plant as herbaceous perennial and prune to the ground in early spring.
Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; care for plant as a deciduous shrub and prune heavily in late winter.
Next Up
Flowers and Grasses
Shrubs, Flowers and Fruit
Shrub Varieties
Perennials and Shrubs
More Flowers and Shrubs
More Flowers and Foliage
More Foliage, More Flowers
Dwarf Shrubs and More
List of the Best Perennial Flowers
