Recently, I had a friend of mine move to North Carolina, and she was having trouble keeping her perennials alive when she planted them. This was mainly because the plants that she put in her garden could not handle the hot summer heat that is common in this state, so the plants had trouble growing and eventually died.
With a bit of research to find out some of the best plants to grow in this area of the county, we were able to bring her garden back, and the plants that she has now are hardy and healthy.
Let’s take a look at some of these plants.
Daylilies
A daylily is a plant that can be found in zones three through nine, and it does not have trouble growing in the heat. It can be found in nearly any color, and it will actually grow well in full sun. The soil must be well-drained because the roots cannot handle being too wet.
Hostas
Hostas are a very hardy perennial option that will tolerate almost any growing conditions. They require very little sunlight to grow, but they do require a lot of water and well-drained soil. This is a plant that will attract deer and rabbits to your garden, so keeping them in a fenced-in area is ideal.
Blanket Flower
If you are looking for a perennial that blooms late in the year, this is a plant to consider. The blossoms are orange and yellow in color. This plant prefers to grow in full-sun conditions, and if it does not get enough sun, the flowers may begin to droop.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a very hardy perennial that will add a lot of color to your garden when the plant blooms. It does not require much care, and with moderate water, full sun, and well-drained soil, this plant can quickly grow to be more than two feet tall when it is mature.
Cannas
This is a very colorful plant that has orange, yellow, pink, red, and white blooms and flashy veined foliage that is typically multi-colored as well. It will grow in zones three to 11, and it prefers full sun to really thrive, which is why it is excellent to grow in this area of the country.
Phlox
This is a plant that does great in this part of the country. It is typically a violet color when it blooms, and it prefers to grow in sandy soil. It also prefers to grow with a lot of sunlight and well-drained soil. When the plant blooms, it will be noticed right away in the garden space.
Cosmos
This is a beautiful plant that does not require a lot of care; in fact, it is one of the few that you can nearly forget about when they are growing. They like a lot of sun and well-drained soil, but they will tolerate the shade. This plant can be found growing in zones five to 11, and they even conveniently seed themselves so that more grow back each year.
Verbena
This is a lovely plant with lavender blooms that can be found in various sizes and shapes. It does not require a lot of water to grow, but it will do best in full-sun conditions. It will also do well in indirect sunlight, as long as it gets the sun each day. It also needs well-drained soil to grow.
Salvia
If you like tubular plants, then this is an excellent option for your garden. The blooms are a bright red, pink, or purple color, which is ideal for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. They prefer the full sun of the southern states, and they do not like to sit in water, so well-drained soil is best.
Lantana
Lantana is a plant that has bright, colorful blooms that are stunning to look at. The center is typically orange or yellow, and as you look to the outer petals, they will be light pink in color. It is a plant that likes the sun, so if it is grown too far north, it is likely to hibernate in colder temperatures. It also needs well-drained soil so that the roots do not hold too much water.
Pentas
If you enjoy brightly colored blooms in your garden, then this is the plant to consider. It does best in full sun and soil that is well-drained, but other than that, it does not require much maintenance. It is also an excellent option for getting pollinator to your garden space.
