Most lawn maintenance chores coincide with the mowing season. If you live in Florida, lawn care can be a year-round task. Luckily, most other Southeast gardeners are able to take a break during the winter. Yet, no matter how many months of the year you tend the yard, proper lawn care is essential to grow lush, green turf in Southeastern US states.

Proper Mowing is Key to Success

Cutting the grass at the right time and correct height is the first step toward a beautiful lawn, and it's something many homeowners overlook. The temptation to cut the grass on a schedule or clip it too short can damage the turf. It may help to view the lawn as a garden composed of thousands of grass plants. Just like the prize roses in the flower bed, proper “pruning” results in healthier plants.

To maintain a lush lawn and prevent southern lawn weeds from overtaking the yard, it's recommended that no more than the top third of grass blades are removed when mowing. Thus, if you have a species of grass which needs cut to a 2 inch (5 cm) height, the optimal time to cut the grass is when it's no more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall. Unfortunately, this doesn't always fall on Saturday afternoon.

The proper height to cut the lawn will depend upon the species of grass in your yard. Grass seed for southern lawns can be either warm-season or cold-season species. Warm-season grass perks up later in the spring and grows best during the hot, dry summer months. Cool-season species grow best in the spring and fall, but go dormant and may die during Southeastern summers.

Your local extension agent is your best source for information concerning which type of grass to plant or how high to cut the species of grass you already have. These professionals can also assist with soil tests. The results can determine which type of fertilizer for Southern lawns is right for you.

Watering a Southeast Lawn

Like mowing, watering the lawn at the right time and in the correct manner leads to greener, healthier turf. Remember that during dry spells, it may not be necessary to irrigate warm-season grass like bermuda or zoysia grass. These species will go dormant and turn brown, but will bounce back when more frequent rain showers return.

In Southern US gardening states, cool-season lawns are more likely to suffer damage or perish without supplemental water during dry spells. For either type of turf, water deeply to encourage longer roots and only when your lawn is showing signs of drought stress:

Color

If your lawn has changed from green to a bluish-green color, it's exhibiting the first signs of drought stress.

Visible footprints

If walking across the lawn leaves footprints, then the grass is lacking proper hydration and needs to be watered.

Screwdriver test

Push a screwdriver through the sod and into the soil. The more difficult it is to push the screwdriver into the ground, the drier the soil. This test can also be performed after irrigation to determine how deep the water has penetrated the soil.

Lawn Care Schedule: Southeast Region

Although mowing and watering frequencies vary throughout the seasons, these additional lawn maintenance tasks can be scheduled for your convenience:

Fertilizing

If you only feed the lawn once per year, fertilize warm-season grass in late spring and cool-season species in the fall. Choose a fertilizer with a high nitrogen level, such as 4-1-2. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can return over 50% of nitrogen to the turf and reduce fertilizer needs.

Aerating

Coring can be performed annually when the lawn is actively growing. This process removes small plugs of dirt and allows the lawn to better absorb nutrients and water. Aerate warm-season grass prior to fertilizing in late spring and cool-season species in the fall.

Thatch

Proper lawn maintenance, including not over-fertilizing, can often prevent thatch build-up. Small areas can be hand-raked, but a rented power rake can quickly de-thatch the entire yard. Perform this task when the grass is actively growing to help the lawn recover quickly.

The southeastern United States is primarily a humid, sub-tropical region. As such, it is filled with a wide variety of native flora. The area is home to the Carolinas, Virginias, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and other eastern coastal states. While many imported species are suitable for gardening in this area, natives are an excellent choice due to their adaptability to the region. Selecting natives also reduces the chances of invasive species colonizing the wild. Native trees of the southeast also provide important food and habitat for wild animals and birds, while native southeast wildflowers attract local pollinators.

Using native plants and wildflowers in the garden is a sure fire way of achieving a low maintenance landscape that is used to the existing soil, light, water, and other conditions. Georgia native plants will tolerate the sandy to red clay soils of the region, while plants native to Florida are well suited to the mostly sandy and commonly salinated soils. Most of these states contain extreme diversity of habitat from salty marshes, coastal dunes, and mountain ranges to highland meadows and deep forests. Reputable nurseries and greenhouses can guide the gardener to the correct plants for their site. Using local extension offices is also an excellent way to determine which native plants will thrive in the garden.

Considerations for Native Plants

Before designing the landscape it is important to come up with a plan. Watch the light play over the course of a week or more to determine how many hours of daylight the areas will greet. Perform soil tests to determine the pH, soil type, drainage, and nutrient concentration. Then contemplate the size of plant required and ensure there is enough space for plants such as tall trees, climbing vines, or spreading groundcovers. If necessary, amend the site with added compost, or lime and sulfur to change pH. Many of the Virginia native plants are indigenous across the southeast, but not all plants will enjoy the same growing condition found in a particular site.

Southeast Native Wildflowers

There are both herbaceous and woody wildflowers found wild across these states. The azalea is common in many forests, while orange coneflower is a part of its meadowlands. The diversity of terrain makes the southeast rich in flowering plants, as does its climate and growing season. Seek blooming plants that will develop flowers throughout the growing season. Fall, spring, and summer bloomers will provide food for animals, birds, and beneficial insects.

Southeast Flowers

• Rose - pink
• Pink Lady’s Slipper
• Goldenrod
• Wild Flag
• Butterfly Weed
• Ironweed
• Scarlet Hibiscus
• Glade Violet
• Common Yarrow
• White Snakeroot
• Eastern Red Columbine
• Tickseed
• Trumpet Vine
• Swamp Mallow
• Foamflower
• Joe Pye Weed
• Indian Blanket
• Swamp Sunflower
• Blazing Star
• Wild Lupine
• Greek Valerian

Native Trees of the Southeast

Trees form a canopy that can provide cooler temperatures below. The most effective installations of trees should provide a layered structure with taller plantings graduating to smaller species. Such an effect is most attractive to native fauna and insects, and is the way they naturally grow in the wild. The temperate forest communities of the region contain the canopy, understory, shrub, herbaceous, and ground levels. Mimicking this planting structure supports the greatest number of wildlife and creates ideal habitat for each plant level.

Southeastern trees for consideration:

Bald Cypress

Florida Maple

Willow Oak

Alabama Cherry

Flowering Dogwood

Longleaf Pine

Cane Ash

American Beech

Loblolly Pine

Gumbo Limbo Tree

Red Buckeye

Southern Magnolia

Tulip Poplar

Swamp Chestnut Oak

Sweetgum

Cucumber Tree

Tupelo

Wax Myrtle

River Birch

Sourwood

American Sycamore

Fragrant Sumac

Woody understory species:

Downy Serviceberry

New Jersey Tea Redroot

Buttonbush

Carolina Silverbell

American Holly

White Fringetree

Witch Hazel

Smooth Hydrangea

St. John’s Wort

Mountain Laurel

Spicebush

Flame Azalea

Ornamental grasses for southeast states have to be able to withstand high summer temperatures. To enjoy these beauties, choose a species and variety that suits your local soil, sunlight, and moisture conditions. Although listed by state, there is a lot of overlap and most of these ornamental grasses will do well throughout the southeast.

Ornamental Grasses – Florida

• Beach panic grass --Try this type of panic grass in your sandy, beachy areas of a garden. It is a clumping grass that grows no taller than 2 feet (61 cm) tall and prefers full sun. It has a high tolerance for salt.
• Palm grass -- Palm grass is evergreen in Florida and lends a tropical look to the garden. The wide, pleated leaves resemble small palms. Flower spikes are green and cylindrical. This grass grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall.
• Fakahatchee grass -- Also called gamma grass, this is a native grass that is easy to grow and that will tolerate drought and partial shade. The flowers are of particular interest. They extend above the foliage on thin stems.

Ornamental Grasses – Georgia

• Panic grass -- Both beaked and redtop panic grass are native in Georgia and grow 2 to 4 feet (61 cm to 1 m) tall. These are good choices for wet soil areas along swamps or streams, but they also tolerate dry soil.
• Upland river oats -- Another native, this grass produces pretty flowers on curved stems that look nice in dried arrangements. The soil should be moist and rich. Upland river oats reseed very readily.
• Eastern bottlebrush -- This grass tolerates some shade and is a good choice for meadow gardens and areas with moist but well-draining soil. Bottlebrush is notable for its spiky flower clusters.
• Blackseed speargrass -- Choose this native grass for dry areas and rocky soils. It forms clumps up to 3 feet (91 cm) tall and black seeds that seem to float over the foliage.

Ornamental Grasses – South Carolina

• Big bluestem -- Big bluestem is native throughout much of the U.S. and grows well in all of the southeast. It can be up to 8 feet (2 m) tall and forms narrow clumps with a pretty reddish fall color. Varieties include one with light blue leaves and another streaked with red.
• Fountain grass --This ornamental grass is known for its graceful shape and bottlebrush flowers that range from cream to light pink. Different varieties of fountain grass offer smaller sizes and different colors.
• Japanese forest grass -- This grass grows in dense mounds that cascade gracefully. It only grows to about 1.5 feet (46 cm) tall. Japanese forest grass makes a nice groundcover for shady areas and comes in varieties with variegation and stripes.

Ornamental Grasses – North Carolina

• Muhly grass -- Choose Muhlenbergia capillaris for dry areas of the garden. Very drought tolerant, this native grass comes in a few cultivars. Choose the pink variety for feathery, rose colored blooms in fall.
• Feather reed grass -- Thriving in the cool season, feather reed grass forms clumps up to 4 feet (1 m) tall. It loves full sun and tolerates drought. Cultivars include taller plants and striped or variegated foliage.
• Appalachian sedge -- While not technically a grass, this sedge is grass-like and native to the state. It grows in short, dense clumps and makes a nice groundcover in shady areas.

Ornamental Grasses – Virginia

• Indiangrass -- Sorghatrum nutans is native in Virginia and is often called yellow Indian grass for its golden flowers and seeds. It can grow up to 8 feet (2 m) tall and has a pretty fall color.
• Switchgrass -- Growing as tall as 10 feet (3 m), switchgrass grows in clumps and produces lacy, attractive seed clusters that are red to purple in fall. The stems turn bright yellow in fall.
• Tufted hairgrass -- This native grass grows in mountain meadows and prefers moist soil and partial shade. Tufted hairgrass starts out purplish green and fades in color for interesting seasonal variation.
• Sideoats grama -- This is the state grass of Texas, but it is also native to Virginia. It is named for its oat-like seeds that hang from a tall stalk. The flowers are pretty in bloom.

Growing conifers of the South is a good way to add interest and different form and color to your landscape. While deciduous trees are important for the air and adding shade in summer, evergreens add a different appeal to your borders and landscapes. Learn more about common coniferous trees in southern states.

Common Southeastern Conifers

Pine trees are common southeastern conifers, growing tall and sometimes weakened as they grow older. Plant tall pines away from your house. Common varieties that grow in the Southeast include:

• Loblolly 
• Longleaf 
• Shortleaf 
• Table Mountain pine
• White pine
• Spruce pine

Many pines are cone bearing with needle-like foliage. Wood of pine trees is used for numerous products necessary to our daily lives, from magazines and newspapers to other paper products and structural supports in buildings. Pine products include turpentine, cellophane and plastics.

Cedars are common trees growing is southeastern landscapes. Choose cedar trees carefully, as their lifespan is long. Use smaller cedars for curb appeal in the landscape. Larger types can grow as a border for your property or scattered through the wooded landscape. The following cedars are hardy in USDA zones 6-9:

• Blue Atlas cedar
• Deodar cedar
• Japanese cedar

Other Coniferous Trees in Southern States

The Japanese plum yew shrub (Cephalotaxus harringtonia) is an interesting member of the southern conifer family. It grows in shade and, unlike most conifers, does not need cold to regenerate. It is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. These shrubs prefer a humid environment – perfect in southeastern landscapes. Use a shorter variety suitable for beds and borders for added appeal. 

Morgan Chinese arborvitae, a dwarf Thuja, is an interesting conifer with a conical shape, growing to only 3 feet (.91 m.). This is a perfect little conifer for a tight space. 

This is just a sampling of the coniferous plants in southeastern regions. If you’re adding new conifers in the landscape, observe what is growing nearby. Research all aspects before planting.

Growing shrubs in the Southeast is an easy and fun project to beautify your landscape and add that all important curb appeal to your yard. Shrubs are among the most beautiful southern plants for landscape design.

Favorite Shrubs for Southern Gardens

Use flowering shrubs as single specimens for a focal point in the front landscape or as an attractive border that provides privacy. A shrub border may also block noise from street traffic or noisy neighbors. Take advantage of a mixed border to add all your coordinating favorites.

Classic Southern Azalea

In the Southeast, these sometimes-fragrant blooms are a staple in many beds and gardens. Azalea shrubs come in a variety of types and a range of colors. These early spring flowers may be red, pink, or white. Newly marketed varieties also come in shades of lilac and purple, such as the "Encore Autumn Amethyst" series. These provide blooms again in summer and even fall.

Flowers of these newer cultivars may be streaked, with picotee patterns or two-toned blossoms. Dappled sunlight from large trees provides the perfect growing spot for these bountiful blooms. They also appreciate the leaf litter that adds nutrients to the bed where they fall. Yellow flowering strains of the plant are now available.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is a favorite in the South because of the long lasting, cone-shaped clusters of white flowers. Blooms begin in summer and often last into autumn. Flowers later become tinged in pink or purple. Also a shade-loving plant, include this in a mixed border to take up shady areas. The plant grows in morning sun but provide at least afternoon shade when growing this attractive shrub.

Large, oak-leaf shaped foliage stays on the plant well into winter, providing red, purple, and bronze color as temperatures cool. Interest continues when leaves drop to expose the peeling bark on this specimen. It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil.

Large and spreading, the oakleaf hydrangea needs plenty of space to grow. If your border area is somewhat limited, consider adding a dwarf cultivar, such as ‘Pee Wee.’

Rose Shrubs in Southern Gardens

Grown in many beds and borders, the old-timey rose has long been a favorite among southeastern U.S. shrubs. Bushes and vines of many varieties grace gardens specifically grown to display this elegant bloom. Climbing roses often trail up walls and trellises, sending out colorful blooms on the journey.

The heirloom old garden rose, known to date back to the time of the Roman Empire, has been hybridized to create many beautiful blooms. These are colorful and fragrant, such as ‘Hybrid Perpetual’ and ‘Hybrid Rugosa.’ Many types were started from this heirloom. Roses are known to be high maintenance. Make sure before planting that you have the time and inclination to provide necessary care.

Grow roses in rich, well-draining soil where they will get at least six hours of sun daily. Be prepared for regular watering, fertilization, and disease control.

Growing shade trees in the South is a necessity, especially in the Southeast, because of sweltering summer heat and the relief they provide by shading roofs and outdoor areas. If you’re looking to add shade trees onto your property, read on for more information. Keep in mind, not every tree is suitable in every landscape.

Choosing Shade Trees for the Southeast

You’ll want your shade trees in the South to be hard-wooded, at least those planted near your home. They may be deciduous or evergreen. Fast growing southeastern shade trees are often soft-wooded and more likely to topple or break during a storm.

The more quickly a tree grows, the more likely this is to happen, making it unsuitable for providing shade near your home. Select trees that don’t grow so quickly. When buying a shade tree for your property, you want one that will last for the duration of the home and of a size to fit and complement your property.

Many new home properties have small acreages around them and, as such, have a limited landscape. An oversized tree looks out of place on a small property and limits ways to improve curb appeal. Do your research before choosing southern shade trees. You’ll want one or a few with a mature height that provides the shade you need on the roof and property.

Don’t plant trees that will tower high above your roof. A tree with a mature height of around 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m.) is the appropriate height to plant for shade near a one-story home. When planting multiple trees for shade, plant shorter ones closer to the home.

Planting Southern Shade Trees for the Best Shade Possible

Plant strong-wooded shade trees 15 feet (5 m.) away from the home and other buildings on the property. Soft-wooded trees should be planted an additional 10 to 20 feet (3-6 m.) further away from these. 

Locating trees on the eastern or western sides of the home can provide the most optimal shade. In addition, plant strong wooded southern shade trees 50 feet (15 m.) apart. Don’t plant under power or utility lines and keep all trees at least 20 feet (6 m.) away from these.

Southern Shade Trees to Consider

• Southern Magnolia (Magnolia spp): This attractive flowering tree is too tall to plant near a one-story home, but there are 80 cultivars available. Many grow to the proper mature height for home landscapes. Consider “Hasse,” a cultivar with the proper height and spread for a small yard. A Southern native, southern magnolia it grows in USDA zones 7 to 11.
• Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): Southern live oak reaches a mature height of 40 to 80 feet (12-24 m.). It may take 100 years to become this tall though. This sturdy tree is attractive and may take a twisted form, adding interest to the landscape. Zones 8 through 11, although some types grow up to Virginia in zone 6.
• Ironwood (Exothea paniculata): This little known, native hardwood of Florida reaches 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m.). It is said to have an attractive canopy and act as a great shade tree in zone 11. Ironwood is resistant to winds.

Plants for a pond increase oxygen in water, thus providing a cleaner, healthier place for fish and other aquatic life including birds, frogs, turtles, and many important insect pollinators. Pondscape plants also absorb excess phosphorus and nitrogen in the water. Read on for selecting pond plants in the southeastern U.S. region.

Plants for A Southeast Pond

Ideally, a plan for pondscaping in the South should include a variety of plants. Here are a few beautiful pondscape plants to consider.

• Duck potato (Sagittaria lancifolia): You may also know this plant as Katniss. Its unusual name is derived from the ducks that feed on its stems, seeds, and potato-like root structures. From spring until fall, duck potato displays bright white, orange centered flowers extending from its broad leaves. This resilient plant, also known as arrowhead plant and bull tongue arrowhead, attracts a variety of wildlife visitors to the pond.
• Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuss): A southern native that grows in partial shade or full sun. Lizard’s tail plant is appreciated for its arrow-shaped leaves and arching, fragrant white flowers that attract bees and butterflies all summer long. Eventually this plant, also known as American swamp lily, expands to form large colonies.
• Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata): Native to the Americas, this plant displays heart-shaped leaves and large spikes of fragrant, violet blue blooms that show up for much of the year. Pickerel is a vigorous plant that prefers full sun but tolerates heavy shade. 
• Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes): Also known as Nile cabbage or water cabbage, it is an attractive plant with rosettes that grow on the surface of the water. This plant has been proven to keep the water clean by inhibiting the growth of algae and removing heavy metals like cadmium and zinc. Check with local experts before growing, as water lettuce can be invasive in certain regions. 
• Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.): These are low maintenance plants that work beautifully for landscaping in the South. The rounded leaves appear to float on the surface of the water, but they are actually atop long stalks growing from the bottom of the pond. Waxy water lily leaves provide shade that helps cool the water and keeps fish healthier while providing shelter for fish and frogs. Butterflies love the delicate looking blooms.

Gardening in August requires careful scheduling of your time to avoid being outside when it’s just too hot. By the time August rolls around, you’ve worked out a schedule to get your garden chores finished early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures drop somewhat from the afternoon highs. Read on for some Southeast gardening tasks.

August Garden To-Do List

When considering August garden chores, remember your primary objective is to keep your plants healthy through the heat. Extra water may be necessary for southeastern gardens in summer if rainfall is limited. Here are some things to do this month:

Lawn Care

Often there is little time left for anything extra, especially lawn maintenance that is needed badly in the heat of summer. The experts recommend mowing every five to ten days with a sharp mower blade and removing just one third from the height of the grass. This puts less stress on the lawn which may be struggling in the heat. Water the day before mowing if there is no rainfall.

Continue watering as needed, especially if brown patches appear from the heat or lack of irrigation. Yellow and brown patches can indicate insect damage, like chinch bugs, or from disease as well as too little water. Check for pests and treat for them as needed.

Fertilize St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass this month. Maintain the health of your lawn in August for continued beauty throughout this and coming years. If you desire a lawn that remains green year-round, seed in annual or perennial rye grass at the end of the month or sometime in September. Purchase the seed now.

Propagation and Division

Cease fertilization of shrubs to avoid new growth that might get nipped by frost. Choose new shrubs you wish to plant in fall. Locate where you can buy them or propagate by layering if there are already bushes available.

Divide daylilies, iris, and other spring blooming perennials this month. If clumps appear overcrowded or blooms have become scarce, division will correct these issues and provide plant material for other areas.

If you’ve wanted to start a new bed or other planting area, take advantage of this division, and get it started. Space out the spring bloomers. You can add annuals and more spring/summer blooming perennials now, in fall, or even next spring. Walking iris, spider lilies, Aztec lily, and butterfly lily are plants that can go in the ground any time of year.

More Southeast Gardening Tasks

Those in more upper parts of the South can begin planting for fall harvests with cool-season crops – radishes, lettuce, and other leafy greens for autumn harvest, and spinach in a protected location, like a cold frame, for early spring harvest. The lower southern area should wait for cooler temps to arrive.

Sometimes, vertical growth and flowers are what you need in the landscape. If you live in the Southeast, you’re fortunate that there are numerous native vines for southern regions. Try something new to you and grow upward.

Types of Vines in the South

There are three types of southeastern U.S. vines that you may grow. The difference is how they climb: clinging, twining, and sprawling.

• The clinging vine has specialized organs to grab and hold onto your trellis or other structure. These tendrils assist in upward growth. Other specimens, like English ivy, have adhesive rootlets.
• Twining vines grow differently, twisting their stems to hold onto their support. When growing twining vine types, locate them to grow in the desired position.
• Sprawling vines may also need direction of their long stems, as they have no means of attachment. If not directed upward, they will grow in a mound. Direct these up on the support. If needed, use landscaping ties to keep them in place.

Best Vines for Southern Regions

• Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) – Showy, fragrant and evergreen. Plant this southern vine in early spring. Put it against a trellis or other climbing point and watch the beautiful show. Elegant yellow blooms on a lightweight, twining vine last through spring. Carolina jessamine is hardy to zone 7 and above, possibly in some areas of zone 6b. Grow in well-draining soil in a full or part sun location. Prune when blooms finish.
• Ornamental Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) – With bright green, purple, or even black foliage, this attractive southern vine is a tropical. Some areas of the Southeast grow the ornamental sweet potato as an annual. This plant loves the high humidity of southern zones, and a happy plant outside will bloom in summer. If you grow this in lower southern zones, take a cutting to grow inside as a houseplant.
• Lady Banks (Rosa banksiae) – This climbing rose can reach 15 feet (4.5 m.) when growing upward and planted in a well-draining soil. Small, showy blooms of pale yellow and limited thorns are reasons to grow this Lady Banks rose. Watering, mulching and regular fertilization keep this climber growing in top condition. Prune for shape and damaged branches. Grow it on a wall and let it spread. Hardy in zones 8 and above.
• Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) – This is a common southern vine that can quickly cover a trellis or a fence. Grow in a container in small spaces, as it tends to spread. Flowers bloom from June through the rest of summer. The blooms are trumpet shaped and an eye-catching reddish to orange color. The trumpet creeper vine is flexible and easy to grow in wet or dry soil and part to full sun. This vine is deciduous, dying back in winter. It is hardy in zones 6b-8b.

Growing perennials in the South can create a vibrant and beautiful garden when used alone or in combination with the entire landscape. Choose perennials for southeast gardens that are hardy to grow in your USDA zone to ensure they can perform in relentless heat and humidity.

Perennials for Southeast Gardens

You’ll find some plants that grow well in southeast areas, like bulbs, require a chilling period for best performance. If you live in a Southern area where it does not get cold enough to chill them, put them in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

Fall planted bulbs that bloom in spring include daffodils and tulips. If you don’t have a cold winter and must use the refrigerator, don’t chill them near fruit. Don’t expect perennial performance from bulbs that must be chilled this way. It is best to treat them as annuals.

Most information about perennial flowering plants is based on growing them in the northeast. Keep this in mind as a southern gardener and double check care and growing info for your plants.

Most perennial plants put on a flowering display for at least three years after planting. Many continue to flower for several years after this, and some appear to produce blooms indefinitely, such as the crinum. Species of this plant have been found growing on old southern plantations and in cemeteries well over 100 years.

While spring is known as a great time for perennial blooms, these flowers aren’t limited to this time period. Perennial plants in the South bloom in summer, autumn, and a few blossom before winter is finished. Nodding flowers of perennial hellebores often appear when snow is on the ground. These may be joined by the tiny, yet beautiful, crocus.

Perennial Plants That Grow Well in Southeast Gardens

While the list of perennials for southeast gardens is far too long to include here, these are some of the most popular flowering plants (and shrubs) you’ll see growing in this region:

• Lilies
• Daylilies
• Gardenias
• Peonies
• Hydrangeas
• Black-eyed Susans
• Clematis
• Crinum lilies
• Calla lilies
• Canna lilies
• Azaleas

Planting and Care of Southern Perennials

Perennial flowering plants are available in all sizes, with a plethora of shapes and flower colors. Some perennial plants are foliage only and some have indiscreet flowers that are almost unnoticeable. However, many have large showy flowers with lots of blooms on each plant. As an added bonus, many are fragrant.

Some of them demand full sun for the best performance. Many prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Whatever area you’re wanting to plant in your landscape, there’s a perennial plant for it.

Water needs vary among perennial flowering plants. Some need watering as often as every day, while some perennial succulents only need water once a month or less. Others grow immersed in water.

Prepare beds well and deep, as perennials will grow for several years without moving. They usually need division after the three-year point, and you can add amendments on top. Other than those methods of care, plants stay in the ground for several years. Make sure the soil is ready to support them.

Summer is here and those hot temperatures in the southeast are upon us, as warm season crops are vigorously growing. Many areas can begin planting for fall in late July. Start planning, amending the soil, and get seeds started. Find out about additional gardening tasks below.

July Garden Tasks

Even though you’re busy weeding, watering, and harvesting, it’s not too late for planting some crops. Southeast gardening in July often includes a start on the garden that provides the autumn harvest.

You may be succession planting your favorite crops for an extended harvest. Tomatoes are a favorite, as so many varieties exist and grow well in these warm summer conditions. Start those seeds of your Halloween pumpkins. Continue to plant cucumbers, peppers, and southern peas.

In cooler parts of the southeast, your regional gardening plan may include seed starting in peat pots for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants. You can also plant Brussels sprouts and collards in July for a fall harvest.

Plant tender bulbs now in the ornamental bed for autumn blooms. Butterfly lilies, gladiolus, and the vole deterrent society garlic can be planted in July. Work compost into planting holes before adding the bulbs.

There’s still time to plant palm trees. Get them in the ground while the rainy season helps keep them watered.

July To-Do List for the Southeast

• If plants don’t appear healthy and vigorous, apply organic fertilizer of your choice. An application of compost tea after watering is a great way to give your veggies a much-needed boost.
• Feed warm season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, and centipede grass, as these are best fertilized this month. Fertilize with 1 pound (0.5 kg.) of nitrogen per each thousand square feet (93 sq. m.) of lawn.
• Feed shrubs and ornamental flowers the last time this season. This provides time for new growth to emerge before freezing temperatures occur.
• Deadhead faded blooms on outdoor ornamentals. Many will bloom again. Prune limbs that have died back on blueberry, azalea, and mountain laurel.
• Protect developing fruits on your figs or other fruit trees. Cover them with netting to keep the birds from snatching them. Prune fruiting canes of blackberry and raspberry bushes after harvest is done.
• Divide and replant overgrown houseplants this month to allow time for them to get established outside in their new containers.
• Take a soil test from your lawn or your garden area to learn what amendments you should use in prepping the landscape for next season – or fall.
• Continue to watch for insects on your crops. Keep an eye out for disease symptoms like yellowing and dried out foliage.

Possibly the most complicated part of gardening in the South, and certainly the least fun, is controlling pests. One day it seems the garden looks healthy and the next day you’re seeing plants yellow and die. This is often the result of southern garden pests. Read on for some common pests in Southeast regions.

Garden Pests in the South

Insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts attack and literally drain the sap, fluids, and the life from happily growing plants. They have a beak (proboscis) that is modified to pierce plants. These insects include aphids, leafhoppers, scale insects, and whiteflies.

The proboscis is used by the insects similar to the way humans use a straw. Similar damage is caused by insects with rasping/sucking mouthparts, like mites and thrips.

Signs of this damage includes yellowing or curled leaves, wilting, mottled or necrotic (dead) spots on the foliage, or new leaves that are discolored and misshapen. These insects may also excrete a sticky liquid (honeydew) that covers leaves and stems. This sugary substance may attract ants and eventually become sooty mold.

Ants are particularly a problem, as they protect southeastern pests and will move them from plant to plant to continue the flow of the honeydew, a substance ants love. This symbiotic relationship can eventually destroy entire gardens if not stopped by the gardener. Speaking of ants, fire ants are a big nuisance in these parts and their painful bites are no joke.

Treating Pests in Southeastern Regions

Some insects, such as aphids, can be removed with a blast from the hose. Adding beneficial insects to the garden can eliminate the problem, as they destroy pests in southeastern regions. You can sometimes attract beneficial insects by planting flowers and providing water for them.

Before resorting to chemical control, attempt using insect control products without dangerous chemicals. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spray on stems and foliage when the sun is not shining on them. Don’t forget the underside of the leaves. Treat regularly until pests are gone.

Other pests have chewing mouthparts that create holes and tears in leaves. These also damage roots, stems, buds, and open flowers. Entire leaves become discolored and may even disappear. Stems are sometimes severed by the insects. These insects include grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, and leaf-cutter bees. When they attack the roots, the plant may wilt, become yellowed, and generally have an unhealthy appearance.

Keep an eye out for pests when you’re near flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Release or attract beneficial insects before pests appear. Sources say, “beneficial insects can often keep pace with pest populations” and keep them under control.

Temperatures are warming up for the southern area of the country by June. Many of us have experienced unusual, but not unheard of, frosts and freezes late this year. These have sent us scrambling to bring potted containers inside and cover outdoor plantings. We’re happy that is over for the year so we can get on with the chores in our gardens.

Southeast Regional To-Do List

While this likely didn’t hold us back too much, some of us may have put off planting some of our warm season crops. If so, June is a perfect time for planting seeds and young plants for the upcoming harvest. Plant cucumbers, okra, melons, and any other vegetables and fruits that thrive in summer.

Speaking of summer, we understand that those 90 and 100 degree F. (32-38 C.) afternoons are right around the corner. Interplant summer growing crops with taller specimens to provide some shade in the upcoming months. Corn is a great summer crop for shading the squash, pumpkins, and melons just when they need it. Companion plant with beans to improve the flavor.

Sunflowers, Nicotiana (flowering tobacco), and cleome (spider flower) are tall enough to provide some of that shade as well. Other heat-loving annuals like celosia, portulaca, and nasturtiums interspersed throughout the vegetable bed have ornamental and pest control uses. Try out some of the newly introduced coleus that grows in sun and heat.

Our June gardening tasks may include planting palm trees if you want to add them to your landscape. Most tree and shrub planting is best left to early spring or autumn, but palm trees are an exception.

Tomato planting continues in southern gardens in June. Soil is warm enough that seeds will sprout readily outside. For those already planted, check for blossom end rot. This is not a disease but a disorder and may come from a calcium imbalance. Some gardeners treat this with crushed eggshells while others recommend pelletized lime. Water tomatoes consistently and at the roots. Remove damaged fruit, as it is still taking water and nutrients.

Other June Tasks for Gardening in the Southeast

• Check for Japanese beetles on perennials. These can quickly defoliate hosts and move on to other plants.
• Deadhead roses and other perennials to encourage more blooms.
• Inspect fruit trees for fire blight, especially on trees that have previously had such issues.
• Thin out peaches and apples, if needed.
• Treat trees for bagworms. Heavy infestations can damage and even kill trees.
• Prune dead bottom branches on creeping junipers to increase air circulation and the health of the greenery. Feed and mulch to reduce stress in summer.
• Damaging pests become visible on the lawn this month. Treat for chinch bugs, mole crickets, and white grubs if you spot them.

Nothing tastes quite as good as fruit you’ve grown yourself. These days, horticulture technology has provided a near perfect fruit tree for any area of the southeast.

Choosing Southern Fruit Trees

Fruit you can grow in the south is often chosen by your zip code on specialized nursery sites. Local nurseries and even big box stores can purchase appropriate trees for the growing zones they serve. Autumn is often the best planting time for fruit trees.

While it is no problem to find just the right southeastern U.S. fruit trees for your area, you still have many decisions to make:

• How many trees should you buy?
• How much room to is needed to accommodate them on your property?
• Which fruits will you choose?
• How much maintenance will be necessary?
• How will you store or preserve the extras you’re likely to have?

While it normally takes three years of growth to reach an optimum harvest on southern fruit trees, you’ll want to make decisions early and plant accordingly. Nobody wants to put in all the work necessary for a plentiful crop and have fruit wasted from lack of planning.

Growing Fruit Trees in the South

Deciding which fruit to grow depends largely on what your family likes to eat. Apples, pears, peaches, and citrus grow in many areas of the southern U.S. If you have adequate space, you can grow them all. You will see that most trees have a requirement of chilling hours to produce. Here is a word on your choices:

• Citrus: Some citrus trees can grow as far north as USDA hardiness zone 7, in North Carolina and thereabouts. Some varieties are limited to coastal areas and most need special steps to protect from winter cold. Mandarin oranges, navel oranges, satsuma, and tangerines can grow and produce well in these regions with additional care. These and other citrus grow readily in USDA zones 8 to 11, but some may need winter protection for episodes of untimely freezing.
• Peaches: Peach trees are one of those trees that need winter chill hours. Consequently, they grow best in zones 6 and 7 in the southeast. Chill hours vary by type, so choose a tree appropriate for the climate in your area. Some peach trees will also produce in zone 8.
• Apples: Long season apples grow best in zones 6 and 7. Chill hours vary by type on apple trees as well. Even those with limited landscape space can likely make room for a couple of dwarf apple trees. Make sure not to plant in a “frost pocket.”
• Pears: Pears are often a favorite fruit in many households. They are of Asian or European descent. Some varieties grow in zones 8 and 9, while others fare well in zones 6 and 7. Pear types need chill hours, usually above freezing and below 45 degrees F. (7 C.).

There are numerous other fruit trees for warm climates. Do your research before planting to make sure you grow just what the family will consume and enjoy.

May is a busy month in the garden with a variety of chores to keep on track. We might be harvesting cool-season crops and planting those that grow in summer. Our May gardening tasks for the Southeast region might involve staking and caging some climbers. Depending upon our location, we might even be working up new beds. An ongoing chore for improving the soil is keeping a compost pile going.

May Gardening To-Do List

This is an appropriate time to divide clumps of bulbs previously growing in the landscape. Other perennials may be dug and divided now. Add some of the divided flowers into new beds, if needed.

Are you getting an urge to plant tomatoes and other warm-season crops? Many sources advise waiting until June in some parts of the Southeast. While freezing nighttime temperatures are usually history by this time of year in most of the southern states, check your local forecast for 10 days ahead. Mountainous areas might still get low temperatures in the morning this month. Other than those spots, it is likely the right time to start your warm-season crops.

Plant okra, sweet potatoes, and corn. Get your melons going. Start your tomatoes. If you think there’s a chance of frost or freeze shortly, start by using the succession method (plant in two-week intervals). If you get those cold morning temperatures, protect your plants with small cloches or an old sheet.

Additional tasks for May include:

• Feeding shrubs
• Feeding the lawn
• Planting daylilies (late bloomers) and other perennials
• Continue planting heat-loving annual flowers

Pests in the Southern Garden in May

Insect pests tend to appear when the weather warms up. Keep an eye out for bugs that might be on or around your growing food crops and ornamentals. Treat with an organic pesticide only if an attack appears imminent.

Add plants to gardens in the Southeast that attract beneficial insects to your landscape. Many herbs are helpful, like dill, comfrey, yarrow, and chamomile. Ornamentals like marigold, sunflowers, bee balm, and many others attract them as well. Lacewings, ladybugs, and syrphid flies will find the blooms.

Plant some of them around crops that you’ve had infested in the past. Beneficial bugs help cut down on populations of damaging insects. Be careful of treating these plants with pesticides, as these can take out the good bugs too.

This is a great time for being outside and enjoying the weather. It’s also the perfect time to get new plants growing by air layering, grafting, division, or cuttings. Try that propagation you’ve been wanting to experiment with.

Flower gardens planted with annual blooms are often the most colorful in the landscape. These plants finish their lifespan within a year, or a season, and offer the best of all the aspects of foliage and flowers within that timeframe. One of the best things about growing annuals in the South is that you can enjoy an abundance of blooms before the worst heat of summer sets in. Of course, a number of annuals will also delight in these warmer temps.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of growing a southern annual flower garden:

• Sprout easily from seed
• Flowers develop the first season
• Add color while waiting for perennials to bloom
• Grow edible flowers

Planting Southeastern Annual Flowers

Annual flowers can be planted from seed for a less expensive way to fill your flowerbeds with beauty. Planting seeds allows you to know exactly what’s been used to feed the plants, important info if you’re growing edible flowers or planting an organic bed. Start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost date in your area to get your beds filled at the earliest point.

If your area of the South is prone to a late frost, start with planting cold-hardy annuals like:

• Dianthus
• Pansy
• Sweet alyssum
• Petunia

These survive that unexpected frost. Seeds of cold-hardy annuals may be sown directly into the prepared bed, as well as starting them inside.

When temperatures are still cool, plant out sprouted seedlings of annual phlox, calendula, and cosmos. These like cooler temperatures, but don’t take frost and will fade quickly in the heat, of which southern regions are known for. While both cold-hardy and cool-season annuals decline as summer heat takes over, many will return when temperatures cool off in fall. In the meantime, add in tender annuals for a colorful show in summer.

Tender annuals are those that like the heat of summer and are best started in spring. These include vinca, impatiens, marigolds, and zinnias, among many others. You’ll want some flowers with height among those annual plants that clump or grow near the soil surface. Grow taller varieties of ageratum, tassel flower, or spider flower.

Whether you live in Florida or Virginia, April is a great time to get out in the garden when the soil is warm but the heat isn’t yet oppressive. But what exactly should you be doing in your garden in the southern states? Keep reading to learn more about April gardening tasks for the South.

April in the Southeast

The Southeast region of the United States ranges down much of the East Coast, including Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Although the climate in these states can vary dramatically, they are all similar in that April is an exciting time with relatively mild temperatures and bursts of new growth everywhere.

That means it’s the perfect time to get out into the garden.

Gardening To-Do List

So what April garden chores should you be thinking about this month? Here are the basics:

• Plant vegetables: April is the time to begin planting warm season vegetables. Early in the month, especially in more northern regions, you will probably want to start your seeds indoors. If you’re farther south, or it’s later in the month, and nighttime temperatures are steadily above 50 F. (10 C.), you can sow them directly in the ground. If you buy seedlings, plant them directly in the garden as soon as temperatures are warm enough as well.
• Move winterized plants outside: When nighttime temperatures are over 50 F. (10 C.), you can start moving most winterized tender and tropical container plants outside. Just keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to provide protection in case of a cold snap.
• Plant bulbs: April is a good time to plant frost-tender bulbs and tubers, such as canna, caladium, gladiolus, lily, and iris.
• Inspect for pests: Be on the lookout for pests, especially aphids.
• Maintain moisture: Mulch around plants and water during dry spells.
• Plant larger plants: If you’re looking to add perennials, shrubs, or trees to your landscape, now is a good time to do it. Plant warm season grasses too.
• Visit garden centers: With spring in full force, garden centers will be brimming with new plants and fresh ideas. Take a stroll down the aisles and let inspiration wash over you.