Anyone who loves mild winters and warm-to-hot seasons will be happy in USDA hardiness Zone 8. You can grow a wild variety of vegetables, perennials and annuals in this pleasant climate as long as you know when to get them started.

If you aren’t sure which Zone 8 plants should be planted when, this Zone 8 planting guide should help. This is a great USDA planting zone for a gardener since you only have two months - December and January) in which to twiddle your thumbs (or clean up the garden!) You can start seeds indoors as early as February and harvest as late as November.

Here’s your planting calendar for Zone 8 to help keep your garden tasks on track.

Zone 8 Characteristics

Every hardiness zone has its fans, but it’s easy to believe that Zone 8 isn’t one of the best for gardening. The growing season is quite long, long enough that you don’t have to worry about your crops maturing between the last spring frost date of April 1 and the first autumn frost date of December 1. While the exact dates vary a bit year to year, that is unquestionably a long growing season. But you should check for the exact dates before planting since they can vary each year by up to two weeks.

How cold is cold in USDA Zone 8? The average lowest winter temperatures range from 10 degrees F to 20 degrees F. Summers are warm to hot. Lots of trees, shrubs and vegetables grow happily in this zone. Here’s when to plant them.

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January

January is a no-gardening month. That gives you the time to recover from the holidays and relax before starting to plant in February.

February

Let’s get started planting! In Zone 8, February is the month to start many vegetables. This is also a good time to do some tool maintenance before the growing season begins in earnest. Sharpen your pruners with the Corona sharpener, set up your seed starting kit with a Vivosun heat mat and Barrina grow lights, all available from Amazon.

March

There might still be frost in March, so many seeds are sown inside. Seed starting in Zone 8 is best done indoors about 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. But be sure to follow the guidelines on the back of your seed packets for the most accurate information.

April

Generally, the last frost of the spring occurs by April 1, but you’ll want to check each year.

May

It’s spring, and no more frost will cause problems for the garden.

June

No more starting seeds indoors. It’s lovely outside so get out in the garden!

July

Zone 8 can have hot summers, so don’t neglect irrigation for your young plants.

August

Another hot month. This is Zone 8 summer at its finest.

September

School starts and the leaves start turning fiery shades. Cool season vegetables should be started so you have nice harvests through fall.

October

Leaves fall and squash ripens. Harvest regularly and begin to get your garden ready for the winter. Planting fall bulbs will ensure beauty next spring.

November

You can still harvest vegetables this month but there is no extra planting this month. Prepare your garden for winter. Now is also a good time to clean up and sharpen any tools that have gotten a workout through the growing season.

December

There is neither planting inside, planting outside nor harvesting this month. Enjoy the holiday season and use some of your bounty to make a cozy winter simmer pot to fill your home with wonderful fragrance.

A winter garden is a lovely sight. Instead of a drab, barren landscape, you can have beautiful and interesting plants that strut their stuff all winter long. That’s especially possible in zone 8, where the average minimum temperatures are between 10 and 20 degrees F. (-7 to -12 C.). This article will give you plenty of ideas for your zone 8 ornamental winter garden.

Zone 8 Ornamentals for Winter

If you’re interested in planting ornamentals for their flower or fruit appeal, then the following plants should work well: Witch hazels (Hamamelis species and cultivars) and their relatives are some of the best ornamental plants for zone 8 winters. These large shrubs or small trees bloom at varying times in the fall, winter, and early spring. The spicy-smelling flowers with elongated yellow or orange petals stay on the tree for up to a month. All Hamamelis varieties require some chilling during winter. In zone 8, choose a variety with a low chilling requirement. A colorful alternative is the related Chinese fringe flower, Loropetalum chinense, which comes in pink and white-blooming versions with winter leaf colors from green to burgundy. Paperbush, Edgeworthia chrysantha, is a 3 to 8 foot (1-2 m.) tall, deciduous shrub. It produces clusters of fragrant white and yellow flowers right at the ends of attractive brown twigs. It blooms from December through April (in the U.S.). Winterberry or deciduous holly (Ilex verticillata) sheds its leaves in winter, putting its red berries on display. This shrub is native to the eastern United States and Canada. For a different color, try inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), another North American native with black berries. Alternatively, plant firethorn (Pyracantha cultivars), a large shrub in the rose family, to enjoy its abundant orange, red, or yellow berries in winter and its white flowers in summer. Lenten roses and Christmas roses (Helleborus species) are low-to-the-ground ornamental plants whose flower stalks push up through the ground in winter or early spring. Many cultivars do well in zone 8, and they come in a wide variety of flower colors. Once you’ve chosen your flowering zone 8 ornamentals for winter, complement them with some ornamental grasses or grass-like plants. Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis x acutifolia, is available in several ornamental varieties for zone 8. Plant this tall ornamental grass in clumps to enjoy its showy flowerheads from summer through fall. In winter, it sways gently in the wind. Hystrix patula, bottlebrush grass, displays its unusual, bottlebrush-shaped seed heads at the ends of 1 to 4 foot (31 cm. to 1 m.) tall stems. This plant is native to North America. Sweet flag, Acorus calamus, is a great plant for the waterlogged soils found in some zone 8 areas. The long, blade-like leaves are available in green or variegated forms. Growing ornamental winter plants in zone 8 is a great way to liven up the cold season. Hopefully, we’ve given you some ideas to get started!

United States Department of Agriculture zone 8 is one of the warmer regions of the country. As such, gardeners can easily enjoy the fruit of their labor simply because the summer growing season is long enough to do so. How about cold season vegetables for zone 8? Can you grow vegetables in zone 8 winters? If so, what winter vegetables are suited to grow in zone 8?

Can You Grow Vegetables in Zone 8?

Absolutely! You do, however, want to consider a couple of factors before choosing winter vegetables in zone 8. The most important thing to consider is your microclimate. Zone 8 is actually divided into two sections – 8a and 8b. In zone 8a, temperatures will dip as low as 10 to 15 degrees F. (-9 to -12 C.), and in zone 8b it can drop to 15 to 20 degrees F. (-7 to -12 C.). If you live near the ocean, for example, your microclimate is likely to be more temperate. Topography from roofs or hilltops will affect your climate and make it warmer, as will areas that are protected from winds or are near heat absorbing buildings. Conversely, locations in valleys tend to be colder than average. The approximate last freeze date for zone 8 is March 15th and November 15th for the first freeze date in the fall. That said, there are no hard and fast rules; these are just annual averages. Some crops can be damaged during a light freeze and others are hardier and can withstand the cold temperatures. An excellent resource would be your local university’s extension office. They will be able to guide you regarding cold season vegetables for your particular region of zone 8.

Why Grow a Winter Garden in Zone 8?

For certain areas, planting a winter garden in zone 8 may be the best time to get cool crops like broccoli, carrots, and spinach to grow well. For many zone 8 gardeners, the impending fall months mean rain. This means less work on your part with no need to water. October is an excellent time to start a zone 8 winter veggie garden. The soil is still warm, but the intensity of the sun has waned. There are fewer insects and diseases that are likely to attack your crops. The cooler weather allows seedlings and transplants to ease into maturing. Along with the possibility of more rain, soil holds moisture in longer in the fall. Weeds grow slower and the temperature is more comfortable to work in. Also, there’s not the rush to harvest that occurs in summer heat since the plants will hold in the garden longer in the cooler temps.

Cold Season Vegetables for Zone 8

Prep the garden by turning the soil, weeding, and amending the area with compost. While the aforementioned rains mean less watering in some areas, such as the Pacific Northwest, constant rain means rotting plants, so consider growing in a raised bed. So, what crops should you consider planting in a winter garden? All the cool season veggies are good choices, such as:

• Broccoli
• Beets
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Onions
• Radishes
• Peas
• Fava beans

Tender greens are good too, like:

• Arugula
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Spinach
• Collard greens
• Swiss chard
• Mustard

These cool weather crops can be planted in winter and early spring for late spring harvest and early summer harvest respectfully, and in late August and September for harvesting during the winter. Be sure to add an organic fertilizer at or just after planting time. The mild temperatures of zone 8 allows seeds to be planted early in the season and cool weather crops can tolerate light frosts, especially if you use a cold frame or other protective covering. Plus, a winter garden in zone 8 often produces crops with better flavor, size, and texture than if they were grown in the heat of summer. Just don’t be expecting to grow tomatoes, eggplant, or peppers, but there are still plenty of cool weather crop options to choose from.

Flowering trees and zone 8 go together like peanut butter and jelly. This warm, mild climate is perfect for so many trees that flower in zone 8. Use these trees to add spring blooms to your yard, for their gorgeous scents, and to attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.

Growing Flowering Trees in Zone 8

Zone 8 is a pretty great climate for gardening. You get a nice, long growing season with plenty of warmth and mild winters that don’t get too cold. If you’re in zone 8, you have a lot of options for growing flowering trees and doing so is easy. Be sure that you do your research on what the zone 8 flowering tree varieties that you choose need to thrive: the right amount of sun or shade, the best kind of soil, sheltered or open space, and the level of drought tolerance. Once you plant your tree in the right spot and get it established, you should find it takes off and requires minimal care.

Zone 8 Flowering Tree Varieties

There are so many flowering zone 8 trees that you will be able to choose whichever varieties you want based on color, size, and other factors. Here are some notable examples of flowering trees that thrive in zone 8: Venus dogwood. Dogwood is a classic spring bloom, but there are a lot of cultivars you may not have heard of, including Venus. This tree produces exceptionally large and stunning flowers, up to 6 inches (15 cm.) across. American fringe tree. This is a truly unique option. A native plant, American fringe produces fuzzy white flowers later in the spring as well as red berries that will attract birds. Southern magnolia. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere warm enough to grow a southern magnolia tree, you can’t beat it. The glossy green leaves alone are pretty enough, but you also get beautiful, creamy white flowers in spring and throughout the summer. Crape myrtle. The small crepe myrtle tree produces clusters of bright flowers in the summer, and they will linger into the fall. Zone 8 is the perfect climate for this popular landscaping tree. Royal empress. For a fast-growing tree that also flowers in zone 8, try the royal empress. This is a great choice for getting quick shade and for pretty lavender flowers that burst forth each spring. Carolina silverbell. This tree will grow to 25 or 30 feet (8-9 m.) and produce pretty, white, bell-shaped flowers in great profusion in the spring. Carolina silverbell trees also make a good companion plant for rhododendron and azalea shrubs.

Groundcover can be an important element in your backyard and garden. Although groundcovers can be non-living materials, plants make a warmer, more attractive carpet of green. Good groundcover plants have a creeping or prostrate growth. What are good groundcover plants in zone 8? If you are looking for groundcovers for zone 8, read on for a short list of great suggestions.

Zone 8 Groundcover Info

USDA plant hardiness zone 8 is not one of the warmest zones, but it’s not one of the coolest zones either. In zone 8, the average minimum winter temperatures dip into the range of 10 to 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.). Fortunately for homeowners in zone 8, you will find a broad selection of plants for zone 8 groundcover. Keep in mind that good groundcovers for this region will reduce lawn maintenance, help control erosion, keep down weeds, and work as a mulch to control soil temperatures.

Choosing Ground Cover Plants in Zone 8

Which plants are good groundcover plants in zone 8? The best groundcover plants are evergreen, not deciduous. That’s because you probably prefer a year-round covering for your backyard soil. While some groundcovers can be a substitute for grass, sometimes gardeners wish to keep foot traffic off the areas with ground coverage. Be sure to decide in advance if you intend for your groundcover to be walked on or not, because you’ll want different plants for each option. Another element that will impact your selection is the sun exposure of the site. Does your backyard get direct sun, partial sun, or total shade? You’ll have to pick plants that work in the area you have to offer.

Ground Covers for Zone 8

One good groundcover plant for zone 8 is Aaronsbeard St. John’s wort (Hypericum calycinum). It thrives in zones 5 through 8. The mature height of this St. John’s wort is 16 inches (40 cm.), and its attractive bluish green foliage is evergreen in zone 8. The plant lights up your yard in summer with showy yellow blooms. You can find creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) in several different heights, ranging from 4 inches (10 cm.) to 2 feet (61cm.) tall. It thrives in zones 4 through 9. One beauty to try for zone 8 groundcover is ‘Blue Rug,’ with charming silver blue foliage that grows to about 5 inches (13 cm.). Dwarf nandina (Nandina domestica dwarf cultivars) plants grow to 3 feet (91 cm.) or less in zones 6b through 9. They make great groundcover plants in zone 8 and spread quickly by underground stems and suckers. The new shoot foliage has tones of red. Nandina is okay in full sun, but it tolerates full shade areas as well. Two other popular plants for zone 8 groundcover are English ivy (Hedera helix) and Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis). English ivy offers shiny dark green foliage and will grow in both shade and sun. Take care with it, however, as it can be invasive. Pachysandra covers your soil with a dense carpet of lustrous green foliage. Look for white flowers at the tips of stems in spring. This zone 8 groundcover thrives in exposure with some shade. It also needs well-drained soil.

Hedges serve many useful purposes in a garden and backyard. Border hedges mark your property lines, while privacy hedges protect your yard from prying eyes. Hedges can also serve as wind blocks or hide unsightly areas. If you live in zone 8, you may be looking for zone 8 shrubs for hedges. You’ll have quite a few choices. Read on for tips on growing hedges in zone 8, as well as ideas for zone 8 hedge plants that are suitable for whatever purpose you’re hoping to achieve.

Choosing Hedge Plants for Zone 8

In USDA plant hardiness zone 8, winter temperatures dip to 10 to 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.). You’ll want to pick zone 8 hedge plants that thrive in that temperature range. You’ll have so many hedge plants for zone 8 to choose among that you’ll have to narrow it down before going shopping. One big consideration is height. Hedge plants for zone 8 range from sky-scraping arborvitae to ornamental flowering bushes that are knee high or less. The purpose of your hedge will dictate the height you need. For a privacy hedge, the plants will need to grow at least to 6 feet (2 m.) tall. For windbreaks, you’ll need an even higher hedge. If you’re just trying to mark your property line, you can consider shorter, prettier plants.

Zone 8 Hedge Plants

Once you have narrowed down the specifications for your hedge, it’s time to look over the candidates. One popular hedge plant is boxwood (Buxus selections). Since boxwood tolerates shearing and shaping, it is often used to create clipped hedges or even geometric forms. Varieties grow to 20 feet (6 m.) tall in zones 5 through 9. If you’d like something with showy flowers, check out glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora). If you are growing hedges in zone 8 with this shrub, you’ll enjoy dangling trumpet-shaped blossoms all summer long. The shiny leaves are evergreen and grow to 6 feet (2 m.) tall in zones 6 through 9. Japanese barberry is great for a defensive hedge with its sharp spines creating an almost impenetrable barrier on this 6 foot tall (2 m.) shrub. Some varieties have foliage in shades of chartreuse, burgundy, and rosy red. The shrubs are deciduous, and many give you a fall show as well. If you want a spined shrub but prefer something taller, flowering quince (Chaenomeles spp.) plants work well as zone 8 shrubs for hedges. These grow to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and offer crimson or white flowers in spring. Sawara false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) is even taller than quince, maturing over the years to 20 feet (6 m.). It is also called threadleaf false cypress because of its delicate needles, an evergreen that grows slowly and lives long in zones 5 through 9.

There is an evergreen tree for every growing zone, and 8 is no exception. It isn’t just the northern climates that get to enjoy this year-round greenery; Zone 8 evergreen varieties are plentiful and provide screening, shade, and a pretty backdrop for any temperate garden.

Growing Evergreen Trees in Zone 8

Zone 8 is temperate with hot summers, warm weather in the fall and spring, and mild winters. It is spotty in the west and stretches through parts of the southwest, Texas, and into the southeast up to North Carolina. Growing evergreen trees in zone 8 is very much doable and you actually have a lot of options if you want year-round green.

Once established in the right location, your evergreen tree care should be easy, not requiring much maintenance. Some trees may need to be pruned to keep their shape and others may drop some needles in the fall or winter, which may necessitate a cleanup.

Examples of Evergreen Trees for Zone 8

Being in zone 8 actually gives you a lot of options for evergreen trees, from flowering varieties like magnolia to accent trees like juniper or hedges you can shape like holly. Here are just a few zone 8 evergreen trees you might want to try:

• Juniper. Several varieties of juniper will grow well in zone 8 and this is a pretty accent tree. They are most often grown together in a row to provide an attractive visual and auditory screen. These evergreen trees are durable, dense, and many tolerate drought well.
• American holly. Holly is a great choice for fast growth and for many other reasons. It grows quickly and densely and can be shaped, so it works as a tall hedge, but also as stand-alone, shaped trees. Holly produces vibrant red berries in winter.
• Cypress. For a tall, majestic zone 8 evergreen, go for a cypress. Plant these with plenty of space because they grow big, up to 60 feet (18 m.) in height and 12 feet (4 m.) across.
• Evergreen magnolias. For a flowering evergreen, choose a magnolia. Some varieties are deciduous, but others are evergreen. You can find cultivars in different sizes, from 60 feet (18 m.) to compact and dwarf.
• Queen palm. In zone 8, you are just within the limits for many palm trees, which are evergreen because they don’t lose their leaves seasonally. A queen palm is a fast-growing and regal looking tree that anchors a yard and lends a tropical air. It will grow up to about 50 feet (15 m.) tall.

There are a lot of zone 8 evergreen trees to choose from, and these are just a few of the most popular choices. Explore your local nursery or contact your extension office to find other options for your area.

Zone 8 plants for full sun include trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials. If you live in zone 8 and have a sunny yard, you have hit the gardening jackpot. There are many beautiful plants that will thrive and give you enjoyment for many years.

Sun Tolerant Plants for Zone 8

Zone 8 in the U.S. is a temperate climate with mild winters and stretches from patchy areas of the west coast, through Texas and the middle section of the southeast. It’s a pleasant climate and one in which a lot of different plants thrive. There are some, though, that won’t tolerate the heat, the sunlight, or the potential for drought. That said, there are many more that will tolerate such conditions in the landscape. Since there are so many heat loving plants and trees to choose from in zone 8, below are just a handful of favorites.

Shrubs and Flowers

Here are some zone 8 plants for full sun and heat (specifically shrubs and flowers) that you can enjoy in your garden: Century plant. This agave species loves full sun and dry soil. It’s a stunning, large plant that really makes a statement. It is called a century plant because it blooms just once before it dies, but it will last for many years. Just be sure not to overwater it. Lavender. This well-known herb is a great small shrub for landscaping, and it produces pretty little flowers with a distinctive floral smell. Lavender plants love sun and dry conditions. Oleander. Oleander is a flowering shrub that thrives in full sun and grows up to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide. It also resists drought. The flowers are large and range from white to red to pink. This plant is highly toxic, so it may not be suitable for kids or pets. Crape myrtle. This is another popular, sun-loving shrub or small tree that produces showy flowers. Crepe myrtle comes in a variety of sizes, from miniature to full size.

Zone 8 Trees for Sun

With a sunny, hot yard in zone 8, you want trees to provide shade and cool spots. There are plenty of trees that will tolerate and even thrive in the sun you can provide them: Oak. There are a few varieties of oak, including Shumard, Water, and Sawtooth, that are native to southern regions, thrive in the sun, and grow tall and wide, providing plenty of shade. Green ash. This is another tall-growing sun tree that is native to the southern U.S. Ash trees grow fast and will provide shade quickly. American persimmon. The persimmon is a medium-sized tree, growing to 60 feet (18 m.) at a maximum, but often only half that height. It loves sun, needs well-drained soil, and provides annual fruit. Fig. The Ficus family of trees is popular at nurseries and is often sold as a houseplant, but it really only thrives outdoors in sun and heat. It needs moist soil that is well drained and will grow up to about 20 feet (6 m.) tall. As a bonus, fig trees provide lots of tasty fruit. Sun and heat loving plants are abundant and that means that if you live in zone 8, you have a lot of choices. Make the most of your sunny, warm climate and enjoy these beautiful plants and trees.

One of the easiest ways to create gentle sound and movement in the garden is with the use of ornamental grasses. Most of these are very adaptable and easy to grow and maintain, but you must be sure they are suitable for your zone. There are numerous zone 8 ornamental grass varieties from which to choose. The problem will be narrowing down which of these lovely plants will fit in your garden.

Choosing Ornamental Grass for Zone 8

Using ornamental grasses has become something of a rage lately. Their visual impact paired with their ability to fit into many landscape situations has made them a popular garden addition. 

Zone 8 ornamental grasses may experience temperatures as low as 10 to 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.). Such chilly conditions can be detrimental for the tropical grasses, but there is still a wide variety from which to choose. 

Ornamental grasses come in a variety of specifications and types. There are both deciduous and evergreen varieties, drought tolerant and water loving, sun and shade species, as well as numerous sizes. The characteristic of your grass will depend upon where you are situating the plant and what effect you hope to achieve.

 Few things are as gorgeous as a mass planting of swaying grasses, but this may be too much in smaller garden situations. The statuesque pampas grass is familiar to many but its massive size of up to 7 feet (2 m.) may not be suitable for every garden. 

Blood grass is a stunning plant but is deciduous in most areas. The sudden disappearance of foliage in winter might not be the effect you are going for. Growing ornamental grass in zone 8 takes a bit more consideration than just knowing the hardiness zone, since there are so many from which to choose.

Zone 8 Ornamental Grasses for Shade

After hardiness, the exposure a plant needs is probably the biggest consideration and shady areas are the toughest to find.

• A shade-loving ornamental grass for zone 8 might be Berkeley sedge. It is a low growing, clumping, deeply green grass.
• Japanese forest grass is another magnificent shade loving specimen. It has deeply gold foliage perfect for brightening up dim areas.
• Fiber optic grass is a cute little plant with unique foliage that prefers moist areas.
• Northern sea oats have rattle-like seed heads which dangle ornamentally from the plant.
• Purple moor grass likes a bit of sun but tolerates shade.
• A plant that isn't a true grass but has the same feel is liriope. This plant comes in green, variegated, or purple black. It is an excellent shade plant to decorate along pathways or the borders of beds.

Sunny Zone 8 Ornamental Grass Varieties

Growing ornamental grass in zone 8 sunshine is effortless, but some plants like it dry while others like it moist. If you want a quirky plant, try corkscrew rush, a sun lover with twisty leaves. This is a moisture lover as are:

• Vetiver
• Hairgrass
• Zebra grass
• Maiden grass
• Cordgrass

The list for drought tolerant sun lovers is bigger.

• Fountain grass is an airy, mounding plant with white plumes. Purple fountain grass has tidy mounding deeply burgundy blades and soft, fuzzy blooms.
• An erect, colorful plant, little bluestem is a brilliant and tough plant for dry, sunny locations.
• Blue oat grass has brilliant blue arching foliage with tan colored inflorescences.
• If you want a lovely annual, purple millet might be your plant. It grows 5 feet (1.5 m) tall in a season with thick tufted flowers.

Almost any color, size, and site can be accommodated with ornamental grasses, making them a perfect addition for the home.

Vines in the garden serve a lot of useful purposes, such as shading and screening. They grow fast and most flower or even produce fruit. If you don’t have a lot of sun in your garden, you can still enjoy growing vines in the shade; you just need to know which plants will work best.

About Zone 8 Shade Vines

If you live in zone 8, you live in a warm climate with mild winters. That means you have a lot of choices for plants that will thrive in your garden, even if you have a lot of shade. Vines are popular in all zones because they grow quickly to cover things you don’t want to see, like that big air conditioning unit, but also because they soften lines, add pretty, colorful flowers, and foliage, and some even turn color in the fall. Vines are also great for small spaces, adding foliage and flowers in the vertical space.

Shade Tolerant Vines for Zone 8

Although zone 8 is a climate in which many different plants thrive, shade can be tricky. A lot of vining plants love the sun, but there are some choices you can pick that will tolerate shade during warm growing seasons: Claradendrum. Also known as bleeding heart, this vine loves shade and produces its namesake, heart-shaped white flowers with a drop of red. The vine is easy to train on a support but will also grow along the ground. Clematis. The clematis vine produces pretty flowers and while many varieties require full sun, there are a couple that thrive in the shade: sweet autumn clematis, which grows fast and produces white flowers, and alpine clematis. California pipevine. You can’t go wrong with pipevines in the landscape. This particular vine is native to California and will grow quickly and produce an abundance of small, purple flowers even in nearly full shade. Confederate and Japanese star jasmine. Jasmine generally needs sun, but these varieties will tolerate shade and still produce fragrant blooms. Chocolate vine. Also known as five leaf akebia, this is an easy vine to grow because it tolerates a variety of conditions, including sun or shade, dry or most soil. It smells like vanilla and produces pretty, mauve-colored flowers. English ivy. Ivy will give you slower-growing coverage but is a great choice for shade and to cover walls, especially brick. There are no flowers, but you do get a rich, deep green year after year with ivy. Most zone 8 vines for shade prefer moist soil that is well drained and will need to be pruned regularly to prevent them from taking over your garden. Tend your shade vines well and they will give you coverage, greenery, and add a beautiful vertical dimension to your space.

Evergreen shrubs provide critical foundation planting for many gardens. If you live in zone 8 and seek evergreen shrubs for your yard, you are in luck. You’ll find many zone 8 evergreen shrub varieties. Read on for more information about growing evergreen shrubs in zone 8, including a selection of top evergreen shrubs for zone 8.

About Zone 8 Evergreen Shrubs

Zone 8 evergreen shrubs offer long-term structure and focal points for your backyard, as well as year-round color and texture. Shrubs also provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. It’s important to make careful selections. Pick evergreen shrub varieties that will grow happily and without too much maintenance in your landscape. You’ll find evergreen shrubs for zone 8 that are small, midsize, or large, as well as conifer and broad-leaf evergreens.

Growing Evergreen Shrubs in Zone 8

It’s fairly easy to start growing evergreen shrubs in zone 8 if you pick appropriate plants and site them properly. Each type of shrub has different planting needs, so you’ll need to tailor sun exposure and soil type to the zone 8 evergreen shrubs you select. One classic evergreen bush frequently used in hedges is Arborvitae (Thuja spp). This shrub thrives in zone 8 and prefers a full sun site. Arborvitae grows fast to 20 feet (6 m.) and is a perfect choice to create a quick privacy hedge. It can spread to 15 feet (5 m.) so it’s important to space the young plants appropriately. Another very popular choice for zone 8 evergreen shrubs is boxwood (Buxus spp.) It is so tolerant of pruning that it is a top choice for garden topiary. The leaves are small and fragrant. Although some species of boxwood can grow to 20 feet (6 m.), other species are suited for small, graceful hedges. Here are a couple other zone 8 evergreen shrub varieties to consider: California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) has aromatic blue-green foliage that is often used in cooking. The shrub can grow to 20 feet (6 m.) tall and equally wide. Another one of the aromatic evergreen shrubs for zone 8 is coast rosemary (Westringia fruticose). This is a plant that works well along the coast since it puts up with wind, salt, and drought. Its gray needle-like leaves are dense, and the shrub can be sculpted. Grow this plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Despite its tolerance to drought, rosemary looks best if you water it from time to time in summer.

Choosing trees for your landscape can be an overwhelming process. Buying a tree is a much bigger investment than a small plant, and there are so many variables it can be hard to decide where to begin. 

One good and very useful starting point is hardiness zone. Depending upon where you live, some trees simply won’t survive outside. Keep reading to learn more about growing trees in zone 8 landscapes and some common zone 8 trees.

Growing Trees in Zone 8

With an average minimum winter temperature between 10 and 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.), USDA zone 8 can’t support trees that are frost sensitive. It can, however, support a huge range of cold hardy trees. The range is so big, in fact, that it’s impossible to cover every species. Here is a selection of common zone 8 trees, separated into broad categories:

Common Zone 8 Trees

Deciduous trees are extremely popular in zone 8. This list includes both broad families (like maples, most of which will grow in zone 8) and narrow species (like honey locust):

• Beech
• Birch
• Flowering Cherry
• Maple
• Oak
• Redbud
• Crape Myrtle
• Sassafras
• Weeping Willow
• Dogwood
• Poplar
• Ironwood
• Honey Locust
• Tulip Tree

Zone 8 is a slightly tricky spot for fruit production. It’s a little too cold for a lot of citrus trees, but the winters are a little too mild to get adequate chill hours for apples and many stone fruits. While one or two varieties of most fruits can be grown in zone 8, these fruit and nut trees for zone 8 are the most reliable and common:

• Apricot
• Fig
• Pear
• Pecan
• Walnut

Evergreen trees are popular for their year-round color and often distinctive, sappy fragrance. Here are some of the most popular evergreen trees for zone 8 landscapes:

• Eastern White Pine
• Korean Boxwood
• Juniper
• Hemlock
• Leyland Cypress
• Sequoia

Zone 8 shade gardening can be tricky, since plants need at least some sunlight to live and thrive. If you know which plants live in your climate and can tolerate only partial sun, though, you can easily create a beautiful garden.

Growing Plants for Zone 8 Shade

While growing plants in the shade can be tricky, zone 8 is a temperate climate that gives you a lot of options. Stretching from parts of the Pacific Northwest, down to Texas and through the middle of the southeast up to North Carolina, this zone covers a large area of the U.S. Make sure you know the specific needs of each plant you choose and give them the appropriate soil and watering level to help them thrive, even in the shade. Some of the common zone 8 shade plants will merely tolerate partial shade, while others will thrive with less sun. Know the difference so you can find the perfect place in your garden for each plant.

Common Zone 8 Shade Plants

This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few of the more common examples of plants that will grow well both in the shade and in a zone 8 climate: Ferns. Ferns are classic shade plants. They thrive in the forest with only dappled sunlight filtered through the trees. Some of the varieties that can grow in zone 8 include royal fern, ostrich fern, and cinnamon fern. Hostas. This is one of the most popular shade plants for zone 8 as well as colder zones, and let’s face it – nothing quite beats a stand of hostas in the garden. These low-growing perennials come in a variety of sizes, shades, and patterns of green, and are highly tolerant of shade. Dogwood. For a shade-friendly shrub, consider dogwood. These compact, shrub-like trees produce beautiful spring flowers, and several varieties thrive in zone 8. These include red dogwood, pink dogwood, and gray dogwood. Foxglove. A pretty perennial flower, foxglove grows up to 4 feet tall (1 m.) and produces bell-shaped blooms in pink and white. They thrive in partial shade. Groundcovers. These are popular shade plants because they cover large areas of ground that are too shady for grass. Varieties that will grow in the zone 8 climate include:

• Bugleweed
• Lily of the valley
• English ivy
• Periwinkle
• Lilyturf
• Creeping Jenny

Zone 8 shade gardening doesn’t have to be a challenge. You just need to know what to plant in partial shade, and this list should help you get started.

Japanese maple is a cold-loving tree that generally doesn’t perform well in dry, warm climates, so hot weather Japanese maples are uncommon. This means that many are suitable only for USDA plant hardiness zones 7 or below. Take heart, however, if you’re a zone 8 gardener. There are a quite a few beautiful Japanese maple trees for zone 8 and even 9. Many have deep green leaves, which tend to be more heat tolerant. Read on to learn about a few of the best heat-tolerant Japanese maple varieties.

Japanese Maple Varieties for Warmer Climates

If your heart is set on growing Japanese maples in zone 8, then the following varieties deserve a second glance: Purple Ghost (Acer palmatum ‘Purple Ghost’) produces ruffly, reddish purple leaves that turn green and purple as summer progresses, then back to ruby red in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 Hogyoku (Acer palmatum ‘Hogyoku’) is a sturdy, mid-size tree that tolerates heat better than most Japanese maple varieties. Attractive green leaves turn bright orange when temperatures drop in autumn. Zones 6 to 9 Ever Red (Acer palmatum ‘Ever red’) is a weeping, dwarf tree that retains a beautiful reddish color throughout the summer months. Beni Kawa (Acer palmatum ‘Beni Kawa’) is a small, heat-tolerant maple tree with red stems and green leaves that turn bright golden yellow in autumn. Zones 6 to 9 Glowing Embers (Acer palmatum ‘Glowing Embers’) is a hardy tree that tolerates heat and drought like a champ. Bright green leaves turn purple, orange, and yellow in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 Beni Schichihenge (Acer palmatum ‘Beni Schichihenge’) is another small tree that tolerates heat better than most Japanese maple varieties. This is an unusual maple with variegated, bluish green leaves that turn gold and orange in autumn. Zones 6 to 9 Ruby Stars (Acer palmatum ‘Ruby Stars’) produces bright red leaves in spring, turning to green in summer and back to red in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 Vitifolium (Acer palmatum ‘Vitifolium’) is a large, sturdy tree with big, showy leaves that turn shades of orange, yellow, and gold in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 Twombly’s Red Sentinel (Acer palmatum ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’) is an attractive maple with wine-red leaves that turn bright scarlet in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 Tamukayama (Acer palmatum var dissectum ‘Tamukayama’) is a dwarf maple with purple-red leaves that turn bright red in autumn. Zones 5 to 9 To prevent scorch, zone 8 Japanese maples should be planted where they are protected from intense afternoon sunlight. Spread 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) of mulch around hot weather Japanese maples to keep the roots cool and moist. Water hot weather Japanese maples regularly.

Few plants are so versatile in the landscape as juniper. Since junipers come in so many shapes and sizes, they are used as large groundcovers, erosion control, trailing over rock walls, for foundation plantings, as hedges, windbreaks, or specimen plants. There are juniper varieties that are hardy in almost every U.S. hardiness zone, but this article will primarily discuss zone 8 juniper care.

Care for Zone 8 Juniper Bushes

Juniper plants come in many different sizes and shape for landscape use. Generally, juniper varieties fall in to one of four size categories: low growing groundcovers, medium growing shrubs, tall columnar shrubs, or large shrub-like trees. Junipers also come in many colors, from light to dark green, blue shades, or yellow shades.

Regardless of shape or color, all junipers have the same growing requirements. Zone 8 juniper plants, like any other juniper plants, prefer to grow in full sun but can tolerate part shade. Junipers are very drought tolerant, and this is important for any plants in zone 8. Many varieties of juniper are also salt tolerant. Junipers grow well in tough situations, specifically poor, dry, clay, or sandy soils.

It is because of its tough nature, growing juniper in zone 8 requires very little work. Care for zone 8 junipers generally involves fertilizing with an all-purpose fertilizer once a year and occasionally trimming out dead brown foliage. Do not unnecessarily prune junipers, as cutting into woody areas will not result in new growth.

Also, pay attention to spacing requirements on spreading groundcovers, as they get very wide and can overcrowd or choke themselves out.

Juniper Plants for Zone 8

Below are some of the best varieties of juniper plants for zone 8, by growth habit.

Low Growing Groundcovers

• Sargentii
• Plumosa Compacta
• Wiltonii
• Blue Rug
• Procumbens
• Parsoni
• Shore Juniper
• Blue Pacific
• San Jose

Medium Growing Shrubs

• Blue Star
• Sea Green
• Saybrook Gold
• Nick’s Compact
• Holbert
• Armstrong
• Gold Coast

Columnar Juniper

• Pathfinder
• Gray Gleam
• Spartan
• Hetz Column
• Blue Point
• Robusta Green
• Kaizuka
• Skyrocket
• Wichita Blue

Large Shrubs/Trees

• Gold Tip Pfitzer
• Eastern Red Cedar
• Southern Red Cedar
• Hetzii Glauca
• Blue Pfitzer
• Blue Vase
• Hollywood
• Mint Julep

With more vitamin C than oranges, more potassium than bananas, copper, vitamin E, fiber, and lute, kiwi fruits are an excellent plant for health-conscious gardens. In zone 8, gardeners can enjoy many different varieties of kiwi vines. Continue reading for zone 8 kiwi varieties, as well as tips for successfully growing kiwi fruit.

Growing Kiwi in Zone 8

What kiwis grow in zone 8? Actually, most kiwis can. There are two main types of zone 8 kiwi vines: fuzzy kiwis and hardy kiwis.

• Fuzzy kiwi (Actindia chinensis and Actinidia deliciosa) are the kiwi fruits that you would find in a grocery store produce department. They have egg size fruit with brown fuzzy skin, green tart pulp, and black seeds. Fuzzy kiwi vines are hardy in zones 7 to 9, though they may need winter protection in zone 7 and 8a.
• Hardy kiwi vines (Actindia arguta, Actindia kolomikta, and Actindia polygamy) produce smaller, fuzzless fruit, which still have an excellent flavor and nutritional value. Hardy kiwi vines are hardy from zones 4 to 9, with some varieties even hardy to zone 3. However, in zones 8 and 9 they may be sensitive to drought.

Hardy or fuzzy, most kiwi vines require male and female plants to bear fruit. Even self-fertile hardy kiwi variety Issai will produce more fruit with a nearby male plant. Kiwi vines can take one to three years before producing their first fruits. They also produce fruit on one year old wood. Zone 8 kiwi vines can be pruned in early winter but avoid cutting back the one year old wood. In early spring, before growth begins, fertilize kiwi vines with a slow-release fertilizer to avoid fertilizer burn, which kiwis can be sensitive to.

Zone 8 Kiwi Varieties

Fuzzy zone 8 kiwi varieties may be harder to come by, while hardy kiwi vines are now widely available at garden centers and online nurseries. For fuzzy kiwi fruit for zone 8, try the varieties ‘Blake’ or ‘Elmwood.’ Hardy zone 8 kiwi varieties include:

• ‘Meader’
• ‘Anna’
• ‘Haywood’
• ‘Dumbarton Oaks’
• ‘Hardy Red’
• ‘Arctic Beauty’
• ‘Issai’
• ‘Matua’

Kiwi vines require a strong structure to climb upon. Plants can live up to 50 years and their base can become like a small tree trunk over time. They require well-draining, slightly acidic soil and should be grown in an area sheltered from cold winds. The main pests of kiwi vines are Japanese beetles.

With homesteading, self-sufficiency, and organic foods such rising trends, many homeowners are growing their own fruits and vegetables. After all, what better way is there to know that the food we’re feeding our family is fresh and safe than to grow it ourselves. The problem with homegrown fruits, however, is that not all fruit trees can grow in all areas. This article specifically discusses what fruit trees grow in zone 8.

Growing Zone 8 Fruit Trees

There is a wide range of fruit trees for zone 8. Here we are able to enjoy fresh, homegrown fruit from many of the common fruit trees such as:

• Apples
• Apricot
• Pears
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Plums

However, because of the mild winters, zone 8 fruit trees also include some warmer climate and tropical fruits like:

• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Bananas
• Figs
• Lemons
• Limequat
• Tangerines
• Kumquats
• Jujubes

When growing fruit trees, though, it is important to know that some fruit trees require a pollinator, meaning a second tree of the same kind. Apples, pears, plums, and tangerines require pollinators, so you will need the space to grow two trees. Also, fruit trees grow best in locations with well-draining, loamy soil. Most cannot tolerate heavy, poorly draining clay soil.

Best Fruit Tree Varieties for Zone 8

Below are some of the best fruit tree varieties for zone 8: Apples

• Anna
• Dorsett Golden
• Ginger Gold
• Gala
• Mollie’s Delicious
• Ozark Gold
• Golden Delicious
• Red Delicious
• Mutzu
• Yates
• Granny Smith
• Holland
• Jerseymac
• Fuji

Apricot

• Bryan
• Hungarian
• Moorpark

Banana

• Abaca
• Abyssinian
• Japanese Fiber
• Bronze
• Darjeeling

Cherry

• Bing
• Montmorency

Fig

• Celeste
• Hardy Chicago
• Conadria
• Alma
• Texas Everbearing

Grapefruit

• Ruby
• Redblush
• Marsh

Jujube

• Li
• Lang

Kumquat

• Nagami
• Marumi
• Meiwa

Lemon

• Meyer

Limequat

• Eustis
• Lakeland

Orange

• Ambersweet
• Washington
• Dream
• Summerfield

Peach

• Bonanza II
• Early Golden Glory
• Bicentennial
• Sentinel
• Ranger
• Milam
• Redglobe
• Dixiland
• Fayette

Pear

• Hood
• Baldwin
• Spalding
• Warren
• Kieffer
• Maguess
• Moonglow
• Starking Delicious
• Dawn
• Orient
• Carrick White

Plum

• Methley
• Morris
• AU Rubrum
• Spring Satin
• Byrongold
• Ruby Sweet

Satsuma

• Silverhill
• Changsha
• Owari

Tangerine

• Dancy
• Ponkan
• Clementine

Herbs are such a rewarding addition to the garden. They smell good, they’re often very hardy, and they’re always available when you want to add a sprig to your cooking. Keep reading to learn more about common zone 8 herbs and how to grow herbs in zone 8 gardens.

How to Grow Herbs in Zone 8

Herb gardening in zone 8 is very rewarding. Zone 8 is a great area for growing herbs. While some herbs prefer cooler temperatures, a lot of popular cooking herbs are native to the Mediterranean and thrive in hot, sunny summers. Most will do very well in full sun, although a few may benefit from some partial shade. If you’re growing herbs in containers, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t dry out too much. If your herbs are in the ground, however, pay attention to their individual watering needs. Some herbs actually prefer to grow in dry, rocky soil.

Best Herbs for Zone 8

Here are some common zone 8 herbs: Lavender – All varieties of lavender are hardy in zone 8. It prefers very well drained soil and bright sun. Rosemary – Rosemary also likes well-draining soil and plenty of sun, as long as it gets enough water. It’s hardy year-round in zone 8. Oregano – A very popular culinary herb, oregano is tough and prefers dry, poor soil and full sun. Sage – Sage likes rich soil that drains well. It prefers full sun, but if your summers are especially hot, it will benefit from some afternoon shade. Marjoram – A perennial in zone 8, marjoram is like a sweeter, more floral tasting version of oregano. Basil – An extremely popular culinary herb, basil is an annual that needs rich, moist soil and plenty of fertilizer. Mint – Most varieties are suited to zone 8. Mint is popular for its flavor and fragrance, but it can spread rapidly and become invasive. It’s best grown in a container. Bay Laurel – The tree that produces the popular culinary bay leaves, bay laurel is hardy down to zone 8. It prefers partial shade.

Are you looking for drought tolerant trees for zone 8? Although the drought in your state might currently be officially over, you know you could see another drought in the near future. That makes selecting and planting trees that tolerate drought a great idea. If you are wondering what zone 8 trees can stand drought, read on.

Drought Tolerant Trees for Zone 8

If you live in zone 8, you may have experienced hotter, drier weather in recent years. It’s best to deal with these drought conditions proactively, by filling your backyard with drought tolerant trees for zone 8. This is particularly important if you live in an area classified as arid because of its heat and sandy soil. If you are growing trees in arid zone 8, you’ll want to look into trees for dry soil.

Zone 8 Trees for Dry Soil

What zone 8 trees can stand drought? Here is a short list of zone 8 trees for dry soil to get you started. One tree to try is the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). It’s a shade tree that thrives in dry soil in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. If you have a large garden or backyard, another tree to consider is white oak (Quercus alba). These oaks are tall and majestic, yet also qualify as drought tolerant trees for zone 8. Note that white oaks can tolerate moderate but not severe drought. Other very large trees to try in dry regions of zone 8 include Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). For those who are growing trees in arid zone 8, consider Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). It is hardy all the way down to zone 2, but tolerates both heat and drought. Weeping yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Pendula') is a smaller evergreen that tolerates drought as well as heat, wet soil, and salt. Looking for ornamental zone 8 trees for dry soil? Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) is small and grows in any sunny spot, even the driest areas. It develops showy pink seed pods. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is just as undemanding and drought tolerant. It will decorate your garden with blue flowers in summer.

Groundcovers are an essential element in some gardens. They help fight soil erosion, they provide shelter to wildlife, and they fill in otherwise unappealing areas with life and color. Evergreen groundcover plants are especially nice because they keep that life and color year-round. Keep reading to learn more about selecting evergreen creeping plants for zone 8 gardens.

Evergreen Groundcover Varieties for Zone 8

Here are some of the best plants for evergreen groundcover in zone 8: 

Pachysandra – Pachysandra likes partial to full shade. Reaches 6 to 9 inches (15-23 cm.) in height. Prefers moist, fertile soil. Effectively crowds out weeds. 

Confederate Jasmine – Confederate jasmine likes partial shade. Produces fragrant white flowers in the spring. Reaches 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) in height. Drought tolerant and needs well-draining soil. 

Juniper – The horizontal or creeping varieties of juniper vary in height but tend to grow to between 6 and 12 inches (15-31 cm.). As they grow, the needles mesh together to form a dense mat of foliage. 

Creeping Phlox – Reaches 6 inches (15 cm.) in height. Prefers full sun. Likes well drained soil. Creeping phlox produces tiny needle-like leaves and lots of flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. 

St. John’s Wort – St. John's wort likes full sun to partial shade. Reaches 1 to 3 feet (31-91 cm.) in height. Prefers well drained soil. Produces bright yellow flowers in the summer.

Bugleweed – Bugleweed reaches 3 to 6 inches (8-15 cm.) in height. Likes full to partial shade. Produces spikes of blue flowers in the spring.

Periwinkle – Periwinkle can be invasive-- check with your state extension before planting. Produces light blue flowers in the spring and throughout the summer.

Cast Iron Plant – Reaches 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.) in height. Cast iron plant prefers partial to deep shade, will thrive in a variety of tough and poor conditions. Leaves have a nice tropical look.

All plants require a fair amount of water until their roots are safely established, but at that point, drought-tolerant plants are those that can get by with very little moisture. Plants that tolerate drought are available for every plant hardiness zone, and low water plants for zone 8 gardens are no exception. If you’re interested in zone 8 drought-tolerant plants, read on for a few suggestions to get you started on your quest.

Drought-Tolerant Plants for Zone 8

Growing zone 8 plants in dry gardens is easy when you know the best types to choose. Below you will find some of the more commonly grown zone 8 drought tolerant plants.

Perennials

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) – Black-eyed Susan have bright, golden yellow blooms with black centers contrast with deep green foliage. Yarrow (Achillea spp.) – Yarrow is a showy native plant with fern-like leaves and clusters of tightly-packed blooms in a huge range of intense colors. Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) – Mexican bush sage's intense blue or white blooms attract hordes of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds all summer. Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) – Daylily is an easy to grow perennial available in a diverse variety of colors and forms. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Purple coneflower is a super-tough prairie plant available with pinkish purple, rosy-red, or white flowers. Coreopsis/tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) – Coreopsis is a long-blooming, sun-loving plant with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers on tall stems Globe thistle (Echinops) – Globe thistle have large, grayish green leaves and huge globes of steely blue flowers.

Annuals

Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) – Cosmos is a tall plant with big, delicate-looking blooms in a wide range of colors. Gazania/treasure flower (Gazania spp.) – Gazania have vibrant, daisy-like flowers of yellow and orange that appear all summer. Purslane/moss rose (Portulaca spp.) – Purslane is a low-growing plant with small, vibrant blooms and succulent foliage. Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) – Globe amaranth is a sun-loving, non-stop summer bloomer with fuzzy leaves and pom-pom flowers of pink, white, or red. Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) – Mexican sunflower is a super-tall, velvety-leaved plant that produces orange blooms in summer and autumn.

Vines and Groundcovers

Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) – Cast-iron plant is an extremely tough, zone 8 drought-tolerant plant that thrives in partial or full shade. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) – A fast spreader, creeping phlox creates a colorful carpet of purple, white, red, lavender, or rose blooms. Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontatalis) – Creeping juniper is a shrubby, low-growing evergreen in shades of bright green or blue green. Yellow Lady Banks rose (Rosa banksias) – Yellow lady banks rose is a vigorous climbing rose that produces masses of small, double yellow roses.

Climbing roses are a striking addition to a garden or home. They are used to adorn trellises, arches, and the sides of houses, and some large varieties can grow 20 or even 30 feet (6-9 m.) tall with proper support. Subgroups within this large category include trailing climbers, ramblers, and climbers that fall under other groups of roses, such as climbing hybrid tea roses. Ramblers are the most vigorous climbing rose varieties. Their long canes can grow as much as 20 feet (6 m.) in one year, and the flowers appear on clusters. Trailing climbers are smaller but still capable of covering a trellis or arch, and they usually feature abundant flowers. For almost every color and flower characteristic that you can find in other roses, you can find the same among roses that climb. In zone 8, many climbing rose varieties can be grown successfully.

Zone 8 Climbing Roses

Climbing roses for zone 8 include the following varieties and many more: New Dawn – A rambler with light pink flowers, highly rated in rose trials at the Georgia Experiment Station. Reve D’Or – A vigorous climber that grows up to 18 feet (5.5 m.) tall with yellow to apricot-colored petals. Strawberry Hill – A recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, this fast-growing, disease-resistant rambler produces fragrant pink blooms. Iceberg climbing rose – Abundant pure white flowers on a vigorous plant that grows up to 12 feet (4 m.) tall. Mme. Alfred Carrière – A tall, up to 20 feet (6 m.), very vigorous rambler with white flowers. Sea Foam - This disease-resistant trailing climber was rated as one of the best performing climbing roses by the Texas A&M Earth-Kind program. Fourth of July - This All-American Rose selection from 1999 features unique red and white striped flowers.

Growing Climbing Roses in Zone 8

Provide climbing hybrid tea roses with a trellis, arch, or wall to climb up. Trailing climbers should be planted near either a structure they can climb up or an area of ground where they can grow as a ground cover. Ramblers are the tallest group of climbing roses, and they are great for covering the sides of large buildings or even growing into trees. Mulching around roses is recommend for optimal soil health and moisture retention and to prevent weed growth. Place mulch 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) deep around roses but leave a mulch free 6 inch (15 cm.) diameter ring around the trunk. Pruning practices vary based on the specific climbing rose variety, but for most climbing roses, it’s best to prune just after the flowers fade. This typically occurs in the winter. Cut side shoots back by two-thirds. Prune the oldest canes and any diseased branches back to the ground to allow newer canes to grow, leaving five or six canes. Keep the soil moist after planting your roses until they are established. Water established roses at least once a week during dry periods.

Most people have a favorite restaurant, a place that we frequent because we know we will get a good meal and we enjoy the atmosphere. Like humans, deer are creatures of habit and have good memories. When they find a place where they have gotten a good meal and felt safe while feeding, they will keep coming back to that area. 

If you live in zone 8 and would like to prevent your landscape from becoming the favorite restaurant of local deer, continue reading to learn more about deer resistant plants in zone 8.

About Zone 8 Deer Resistant Plants

There are no plants that are completely deer proof. That being said, there are plants that deer prefer to eat, and there are plants that deer rarely eat. When food and water are scarce, however, desperate deer may eat anything they can find, even if they don’t particularly like it.

In spring and early summer, pregnant and nursing deer require more food and nutrition, so they may eat things that they don’t touch any other time of the year. In general, though, deer prefer to eat in areas where they feel safe and have easy access to, not where they are out in the open and feel exposed.

Oftentimes, these places will be near the edges of woodlands, so they can run for cover if they feel threatened. Deer also like to feed near waterways. Plants on the edges of ponds and streams usually contain more moisture in their foliage.

Are There Plants Deer Hate in Zone 8?

While there are many deer repellents you can purchase and spray to deer proof gardens in zone 8, these products need to be reapplied often and deer may just tolerate the unpleasant scent or taste if they are hungry enough.

Planting zone 8 deer resistant plants can be a better option than spending lots of money on repellant products. While there are no guaranteed zone 8 plants deer won’t eat, there are plants they prefer not to eat. They don’t like plants with strong, pungent odors. 

They also tend to avoid plants with thick, hairy, or prickly stems or foliage. Planting these plants around or near deer favorites can help deter deer. Below is a list of some plants for deer proof gardens in zone 8.

Zone 8 Deer Resistant Plants

• Abelia
• Agastache
• Amaryllis
• Amsonia
• Artemisia
• Bald Cypress
• Baptisia
• Barberry
• Boxwood
• Buckeye
• Butterfly bush
• Cast Iron Plant
• Chaste Tree
• Coneflower
• Crape myrtle
• Daffodil
• Dianthus
• Dwarf Yaupon
• False Cypress
• Fern
• Firebush
• Gardenia
• Gaura
• Ginkgo
• Hellebore
• Japanese Yew
• Joe Pye Weed
• Juniper
• Katsura Tree
• Kousa Dogwood
• Lacebark Elm
• Lantana
• Magnolia
• Oleander
• Ornamental Grasses
• Ornamental Peppers
• Palms
• Pineapple Guava
• Quince
• Red Hot Poker
• Rosemary
• Salvia
• Smoke bush
• Society Garlic
• Spirea
• Sweetgum
• Tea Olive
• Vinca
• Wax Begonia
• Wax Myrtle
• Weigela
• Witch Hazel
• Yucca
• Zinnia

Raspberries are a wonderful addition to any garden. Raspberries in the store are expensive and usually not nearly as tasty, since they’re bred more to travel well in the back of a truck than to taste good. If you can have raspberries in your garden, you should. Keep reading to learn more about growing raspberries in zone 8 and the best raspberry varieties for zone 8 gardens.

Growing Raspberries in Zone 8

As a rule, raspberries are hardy all the way from zone 3 through 9. There are a wide range of raspberry varieties, however, and some are much better suited to growing in hot summers and mild winters than others. Raspberry plants come in two main types: erect and trailing. Erect canes tend to be better suited to cold climates, while trailing brambles perform better in warmer zones like 8.

Best Raspberries for Zone 8

Here are some of the best raspberry varieties for zone 8 gardens. Although all of these are listed as zone 8 raspberries, the Dormanred is the clear frontrunner and likely to produce the best results in the heat of a zone 8 summer: Dormanred – This is by far the most popular and successful of the zone 8 raspberries. It’s an everbearing plant, which means it produces fruit throughout the summer and well into autumn. The main harvest season is midsummer. The fruits are firm and must be allowed to ripen completely before they get really sweet. They’re especially good for jams and pies. Bababerry – This variety is well adapted to hot summers. Another everbearing variety. Plants are very large. Southland – This is another everbearing raspberry that produces a main crop in the summer and another in the fall. The plants don’t perform as well as the Dormanreds in extreme summer heat, and the fruits are not quite as tasty. Mandarin – This is another variety with very good heat tolerance. It produces good, firm berries.

Ah, spuds. Who doesn't love these versatile root vegetables? Potatoes are hardy in most USDA zones, but the planting time varies. In zone 8, you can plant taters very early, provided there are no expected freezes. 

In fact, potato varieties for zone 8 prefer a cool spring and plenty of moisture. Try growing potatoes in zone 8 in buckets or garbage cans for easy harvest. They are also easy to start in well prepared ground.

Growing Potatoes in Zone 8

Potatoes have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. There are somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 cultivars of these Bolivian tubers. They are related to eggplants and tomatoes and have the same potential toxins in their leaves and flowers. The tubers are the only edible part of the plant. 

The delicious spuds have innumerable uses and preparation methods. Such a versatile food is perfect for zone 8. Potatoes prefer cooler soils. At temperatures above 75 degrees F. (24 C.), tuber production slows and when temps reach 85 degrees F. (30 C.), it basically stops. That is why it is important to plant potatoes early in the season when soil is still cool. 

Potatoes need at least 100 to 120 days for adequate production. Zone 8 potato growing usually commences in early spring, but you can also plant in midsummer for a fall crop. Potatoes will produce more tubers in nice, loose sand or silt. If your soil is heavy or has deep clay components, lighten it with compost and some organic grit. Hilling is the best way of growing potatoes in zone 8 and elsewhere. 

Potatoes are planted fairly shallow in trenches and then soil is added as they sprout. This helps prevent greening, a process that leaves potatoes slightly toxic. Overtime, zone 8 potato plants will be allowed to emerge and leaf. Hilling also gives potatoes the opportunity to produce more levels of roots from which the tubers grow, increasing the harvest.

Potato Varieties for Zone 8

Potatoes are planted from portions of the tuber. Seeds are produced but rarely develop into plants with tubers like the parent. Seeds also take a long time to produce edible tubers. The variety of potato planted is really up to the gardener and will depend upon your preference. 

There are spuds that are moist, waxy, or dry. There are also red, yellow, purple, and white tubers. You may want a heavy skinned potato, like a Russet, or small, easy-to-roast tubers such as a fingerling cultivar. Some good zone 8 potato plants might be:

• Irish Cobbler
• Red Pontiac
• Yukon Gold
• Caribe
• Cranberry Red
• Norchip
• Kennebec

Planting and Care for Zone 8 Potatoes

Divide spuds into sections with a clean knife. Include one or two healthy eyes in each piece. Set cut side down in furrows 3 to 5 inches (8-13 cm.) under soil. Place pieces 8 to 10 inches apart (20-25 cm.). You can also grow potatoes on the top of soil covered with straw mulch. This makes it easier to harvest the potatoes as needed. You can continue to replace the mulch and grow more potatoes until the vines die. Potatoes need consistent water once flowers form. 

They will be making tubers at this point and need supplemental moisture. The most common problems stem from alternating wet and dry conditions, early blight, late scab, several kinds of rot and root nematode damage. Watch for insect pests and plant decoy crops or combat with Neem oil. In most cases, care for zone 8 potatoes is minimal. These prolific plants can almost grow themselves and will reward even the most minimal garden practitioner with a healthy crop of tubers.

Many gardeners have summer flings with annuals, but if you prefer longer relationships with your garden plants, pick perennials. Herbaceous perennials live for three or more seasons. If you are thinking of growing perennials in zone 8, you’ll have lots to choose from. Read on for a short list of common zone 8 perennial plants.

Perennials for Zone 8

Perennials are plants with a life cycle longer than one growing season. Annual plants complete their life cycles in one season. Many perennials for zone 8 die back in fall then send up new shoots in spring. Yet some have evergreen foliage that stays green through the winter. If you start growing perennials in zone 8, you’ll have to decide whether you are looking primarily for flowers or for foliage. Some zone 8 perennial plants offer gorgeous leaves but insignificant blossoms, while others are grown for their ornamental blossoms.

Common Zone 8 Perennials

If you want ornamental leaves more than flowers, you aren’t alone. Lots of gardeners fall for lush greenery. For foliage plants, consider ornamental grass and ferns as perennials for zone 8. Ornamental grasses are common zone 8 perennials. Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) is exceptional since it thrives in partial shade, unlike many grasses. The long, arching grass blades are pale green with a touch of bronze. If you are interested in ferns, ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a beauty, often growing taller than an average gardener. Or you could incorporate the silvery foliage of a Brunnera. Consider shrub-size Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Alexander's Great’) as one of your zone 8 perennial plants. If flowering perennials are more your thing, then the following plants may be suitable for you: Hardy geraniums are common zone 8 perennial plants, and one of the loveliest is Rozanne (Geranium ‘Rozanne’) with its deeply cut leaves and generous waves of blue flowers. Or try phlox. Popular cultivars of phlox include Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise,’ with its deep blue flowers maturing to purple. For great blossoms, consider planting lilies as perennials for zone 8. Asiatic lilies (Lilium spp) offer an extended bloom and exquisite fragrance. Star Gazer lilies (Lilium ‘Star Gazer’) are also delightfully fragrant and make great cut-flowers. Daisies are also common zone 8 perennials, like cherry ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). You might plant it with lantana (Lantana camara), or, for color contrast, Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) works well with its purple blossoms. When you start growing perennials in zone 8, don’t neglect herbs. Mexican oregano (Poliomintha longiflora) produces lavender flowers and aromatic leaves. Add pink autumn sage (Salvia greggii) for its pink flowers and evergreen shrubbery, and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) with its familiar needle-like foliage.

Finding shade tolerant evergreens can be difficult in any climate, but the task can be especially challenging in USDA plant hardiness zone 8, as many evergreens, especially conifers, prefer chillier climates. Fortunately, mild climate gardeners have several choices when it comes to selecting shady zone 8 evergreens. Read on to learn more about a few zone 8 evergreen shade plants, including conifers, flowering evergreens, and shade-tolerant ornamental grasses.

Shade Plants for Zone 8

While there are numerous choices for evergreen plants that thrive in zone 8 shade gardens, below are some of the more commonly planted in the landscape.

Conifer Trees and Shrubs

False cypress ‘Snow’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera) – False cypress 'Snow' reaches 6 feet (2 m.) by 6 feet (2 m.) with gray green color and rounded form. Suitible for zones 4 through 8. Pringles Dwarf Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Pringles Dwarf’) – Pringles dwarf podocarpus gets around 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) tall with 6 feet (2 m.) spread. It’s compact with dark green foliage. Suitable for zones 8 through 11. Korean fir ‘Silberlocke (Abies koreana ‘Silberlocke) – Reaching heights of about 20 feet (6 m.) with a similar 20 foot (6 m.) spread, Korean fir 'silberlocke' has attractive green foliage with silvery white undersides and nice vertical form. Suitable for zones 5 through 8.

Flowering Evergreens

Himalayan Sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis) – Having a height around 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) with an 8 foot (2 m.) spread, you’ll appreciate this dark evergreen’s attractive white blooms followed by dark fruit. Sweetbox makes a good candidate for groundcover. Suitable in zones 6 to 9. Valley Valentine Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Valley Valentine’) – This upright evergreen has a height of 2 to 4 feet (61 cm. to 1 m.) and width of 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.). Valley Valentine Japanese Pieris produces orange gold foliage in spring prior to turning green and pinkish red blooms. Suitable for zones 5 to 8. Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) – Glossy abelia is a nice mounding abelia with glossy green leaves and white blooms. It reaches 4 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) tall with 5 feet (1.5 m.) spread. Suitable to zones 6 to 9.

Ornamental Grass

Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichor sempervirens) – This popular ornamental grass, blue oat grass, features attractive blue green foliage and reaches 36 inches (91 cm.) tall. It is suitable for zones 4 to 9. New Zealand Flax (Phormium texax) – An attractive ornamental grass for the garden and low growing, New Zealand flax is around 9 inches (23 cm.), you’ll love its reddish brown color. Suitable for zones 8 to 10. Evergreen Striped Weeping Sedge (Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’) – The attractive grass of evergreen striped weeping sedge only reaches about 16 inches (41 cm.) tall and has gold, dark green, and white foliage. Suitable for zones 6 to 8.

Remember a few years back when kale, like cabbage, was one of the least expensive items in the produce department? Well, kale has exploded in popularity and, as they say, when demand goes up, so does the price. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, but kale is easy to grow and can be grown in several USDA zones. Take zone 8, for instance. What zone 8 kale varieties are there? Read on to learn how to grow kale in zone 8 and other helpful information regarding kale plants for zone 8.

About Zone 8 Kale Plants

Kale has been getting a lot of attention in the last few years due to the high amounts of vitamins and minerals it contains. Packed with vitamin A, K, and C, along with a good percentage of daily recommended minerals, it’s no wonder that kale is categorized as one of the super foods. The type of kale most commonly found at the grocers is grown for its ability to withstand handling, transport, and display time, not necessarily for its flavor. Kale comes in all different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures, so with a little experimentation, you should be able to find at least one kale suited for zone 8 that will suit your taste buds as well. Kale is a fast-growing green that thrives in cool temperatures and some varieties even become sweeter with frost. In fact, in some areas of zone 8 (such as the Pacific Northwest), kale will continue to grow from fall through winter and into spring.

How to Grow Kale in Zone 8

Set out kale plants in the spring about three to five weeks before the last frost and/or again six to eight weeks before the first frost in the fall. In USDA zones eight to ten, kale can be continually planted throughout the fall. Fall is the best time to plant kale in regions where winter temperatures don’t dip below the teens, or kale can be grown in a cold frame in northern climates. Set plants out in full sun to partial shade. The less sun (less than six hours per day), the smaller the leaves and stock. To produce those tender leaves, kale should be planted in fertile soil. If your soil is less than fertile, amend it with nitrogen rich components like blood meal, cottonseed meal, or composted manure. The ideal soil pH should be between 6.2 and 6.8 or 6.5 and 6.9 if clubroot disease has proven to be an issue in your garden. Set kale plants 18 to 24 inches (45.5-61 cm.) apart. If you want big leaves, give the plants more space, but if you desire small, tender leaves, plant the kale closer together. Keep the plants irrigated with 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) of water per week. To keep roots cool, retain moisture, and retard weeds, mulch around the plants with compost or fine bark, pine needles, straw, or hay.

Zone 8 Kale Varieties

The type of kale found in the supermarket is curly kale, named, of course, for its curled leaves that range from light green to purple. It is a bit on the bitter side, so harvest young leaves if possible. There are several varieties of curly kale, including the extra curly Scottish ‘bor’ series:

• ‘Redbor’
• ‘Starbor’
• ‘Ripbor’
• ‘Winterbor’

Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale, black kale, Tuscan kale, or cavolo nero, has rippled, deep blue/green leaves that are long and spear-like. The flavor of this kale is deeper and earthier than that of curly kale, with a hint of nutty sweetness. Red Russian kale is a reddish purple color and has a mild, sweet flavor. It is very cold hardy. Red Russian kale leaves are flat, somewhat like the mature leaves of oak or arugula. As the name suggests, it hails from Siberia and was brought to Canada by Russian traders around 1885. The type of kale you plant in your zone 8 garden really depends on your palate, but any of the above will grow easily and with minimal maintenance. There are also ornamental kale varieties that while edible, tend to be tougher and not as flavorful, but will look lovely in containers or the garden proper.

Can you grow tropical plants in zone 8? You may have wondered this after a trip to a tropical country or a visit to the tropical section of a botanical garden. With their vibrant flower colors, big leaves, and intense floral scents, there is a lot to love about tropical plants.

Tropical Plants for Zone 8

Zone 8 is far from the tropics, but it would be a mistake to assume that no tropical plants can be grown there. While some plants are ruled out unless you have an indoor greenhouse, there are plenty of cold hardy tropicals that would make great additions to a zone 8 garden. 

Some great zone 8 tropical plants are listed below: 

Alocasia and Colocasia species, known as elephant ears, have impressively large leaves that give them a very tropical look. Some varieties, including Alocasia gagaena, A. odora, Colocasia nancyana, and Colocasia “Black Magic,” are hardy in zone 8 and can be kept in the ground over the winter; others should be dug up in fall and replanted in spring. The ginger family (Zingiberaceae) includes tropical plants, often with showy flowers, that grow from underground stems called rhizomes. 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are the most familiar members of this plant family. Both can be grown in zone 8 year-round, though they can benefit from protection during the winter. The ginger family also includes many ornamental species and varieties. Most species in the Alpinia genus are hardy in zone 8, and they provide ornamental foliage in addition to their fragrant and colorful flowers. 

Zingiber mioga, or Japanese ginger, is also suitable for zone 8. This species is used both as an ornamental plant and as a flavoring and garnish in Japanese and Korean cuisine. Palms always add a tropical look to a landscape. 

Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), and Pindo palm (Butia capitata) are all suitable for planting in zone 8.

A banana tree would be a surprising addition to a zone 8 garden, but there are several banana varieties that can overwinter in climates as cold as zone 6.

Among the most reliably cold hardy is Musa basjoo or the hardy banana. The leaves and fruits look like those of edible bananas, though the fruits of hardy banana are inedible. Musa zebrina, a banana with ornamental red and green variegated leaves, can grow in zone 8 with some protection during the winter.

Other tropical plants that are good selections for zone 8 include:

• Peace lily
• Tiger calathea (Calathea tigrinum)
• Brugmansia
• Canna lily
• Caladiums
• Hibiscus

Of course, other options for creating a tropical garden in zone 8 include growing less cold hardy tropicals as annuals or moving tender plants indoors during the winter. Using these strategies, it is possible to grow almost any tropical plant in zone 8.

Olive trees are long-lived trees native to the warm Mediterranean region. Can olives grow in zone 8? It is entirely possible to start growing olives in some parts of zone 8 if you select healthy, hardy olive trees. Read on for information about zone 8 olive trees and tips for growing olives in zone 8.

Can Olives Grow in Zone 8?

If you love olive trees and live in a zone 8 region, you may be asking: can olives grow in zone 8? The U.S. Department of Agriculture designates areas as zone 8a if the average coldest winter temperature is 10 degrees F. (-12 C.) and zone 8b if the lowest temperature is 20 degrees F. (-7 C.). While not every olive tree variety will survive in these regions, you can succeed at growing olives in zone 8 if you select hardy olive trees. You’ll also need to be attentive to chill hours and zone 8 olive care.

Hardy Olive Trees

You can find hardy olive trees in commerce that will thrive in USDA zone 8. Zone 8 olive trees generally require that winter temperatures stay above 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). They also require some 300 to 1,000 hours of chill to bear fruit, depending on the cultivar. Some of the cultivars for zone 8 olive trees are quite a bit smaller than the massive trees you may have seen. For example, both ‘Arbequina' and 'Arbosana' are small cultivars, topping out at some 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall. Both thrive in USDA zone 8b but may not make it in zone 8a if temperatures dip below 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). ‘Koroneiki’ is another potential tree for the list of zone 8 olive trees. It is a popular Italian olive variety known for its high oil content. It also stays below 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall. Both ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Arbequina' fruit fairly quickly, after about three years.

Zone 8 Olive Care

Zone 8 olive tree care is not too difficult. Olive trees don’t need a lot of special care in general. You’ll want to be sure to select a site with full sun. It’s also important to plant zone 8 olive trees in well-draining soil. One thing you’ll need to keep in mind is pollination. Some trees, like ‘Arbequina,’ are self-pollinating, but other hardy olive trees require a pollinator. The kicker here is that not just any tree will do, so make sure the trees are compatible. Consulting with your local extension office will help with this.

Zone 8 shrub varieties are abundant and give you plenty of choices for landscaping, hedges, flowers, and even a range of sizes to fit every garden space. Zone 8 covers a wide southern region of the U.S. from Texas to parts of North Carolina and parts of the Pacific Northwest as well. It’s a temperate climate with a long growing season and there are many shrubs that thrive here.

Growing Bushes in Zone 8

Zone 8 designates a climate that has mild winters with temperatures no lower than 10 to 20 degrees F. (-6 to 10 C.) and hot summers days with cooler nights. It’s a pleasant climate and one in which many plants thrive. Due to a longer growing season, there is a greater opportunity to enjoy flowering shrubs and to have color for a longer period of time. Many shrubs will do well in your zone 8 garden and while they need to be watered regularly until established, will generally thrive with just rainwater after that, making care easy.

Shrubs for Zone 8

With this easy growing climate, you have a lot of zone 8 bushes to choose from. Here are just a few of the many options you have for your garden: Butterfly bush – This bush is aptly named and will drive beautiful butterflies to your garden. The butterfly bush is drought-tolerant and likes full sun. It needs some regular pruning to avoid getting out of control, however. Bigleaf hydrangea – The big, round flower clusters of bigleaf hydrangea shrubs are showstoppers. The vibrant colors depend on the pH of your soil: alkaline soil produces pink blooms while more acidic soil will give you blue. Lavender – Zone 8 shrub varieties include some herbs, like lavender. Given the right conditions—plenty of sun and well-drained soil—lavender makes a great low hedge and adds a gorgeous fragrance to the garden. Forsythia – The bright and abundant yellow flowers of the forsythia bush are a herald of spring. The rest of the summer they provide pretty greenery in a shrub that can be planted singly, or as part of a trimmed, large hedge. Knock Out rose – This cultivar of rose has been extremely popular since it was developed, partly because it is so easy to grow and disease resistant. Knock out rose bushes thrive in zone 8 and produce fragrant blooms in a variety of colors. Wax myrtle – If you are looking for an ornamental shrub without flowers that can be trimmed into tight shapes, wax myrtle is a great choice. It is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves. It grows easily and quickly, even in poor soil and is drought tolerant. Growing bushes in zone 8 is easy thanks to the temperate climate and wide variety of options for planting. Choose the right varieties for your garden and you can enjoy beautiful shrubs and hedges without a lot of effort.

There are many different types of hibiscus. There are annual, hardy perennial, or tropical varieties. They are all in the same family, but each has a different cold tolerance and growth form, while flowers have similar characteristics. Growing hibiscus in zone 8 gives the gardener several forms from which to choose. The relatively mild annual temperatures and the infrequency of extreme cold means many forms of hibiscus can thrive in this region. Even the most tender tropical hibiscus will bloom profusely, but they may need special protection from possible freezes.

Hardy Hibiscus Varieties for Zone 8

Hibiscus are known for the brightly colored, showy blooms that appear all season long. The flowers conjure up images of sandy, white beaches and sunsets in hot, humid locale. Fortunately, even inlanders can enjoy these sultry flowers. The presence of several varieties that are hardy even in regions with sustained freezes means members of the Hibiscus family have a long range. You just need to pick the right hibiscus varieties for zone 8. The zone 8 gardener is lucky. The climate is much milder than northern regions and the choice of hibiscus is not limited to just the hardy types. Hibiscus in the Mallow family are considered the hardy hibiscus. Interestingly, these include such plants as okra and cotton. Hollyhock is an old-fashioned example of a hardy hibiscus variety too. The hardy hibiscus plants are native to the eastern U.S. and are noted for their tall stems, large leaves, and huge flowers. These are herbaceous perennials which die to the ground in winter and re-sprout in spring. Another well-known hibiscus, rose of Sharon, is a shrub form. This plant can withstand temperatures in zone 5 and is a prolific bloomer. Others include:

• Common mallow
• Swamp mallow
• Great Red hibiscus
• Confederate rose
• Red shield
• Scarlett Rose mallow
• Texas Star hibiscus

Tropical Zone 8 Hibiscus Plants

It is often so tempting to bring tropical plants into the landscape, especially in summer. Often, we need to consider these plants short-term visitors to the garden, as they will not survive plummeting temperatures. Tropical hibiscus may succumb to occasional freezes in zone 8 and should be kept in containers and moved indoors for winter or treated as annuals. These are some of the more prolific of the zone 8 hibiscus plants, even though they may not live long. Plants respond to long lazy days of summer by growing rapidly and producing copious blooms. Tropical hibiscus can reach up to 15 feet in height (5 m.) but are more commonly around 5 feet tall (1.5 m.). Most of these are hardy in zones 9 to 11 but may need some protection. The easiest way to tell if you have a hardy hibiscus is by color and petals. If your plant flowers in salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or has double flowers, then it is likely a tropical. There are too many cultivars to list, but a hue and tone for almost any taste is available commercially.

Care for Zone 8 Hibiscus

In most cases, growing hibiscus in zone 8 requires little extra care other than providing well-draining soil, full sun, supplemental irrigation in hot summers, and a light nitrogen fertilizer in spring. The tropical varieties should be grown in pots, even if you choose to sink the pots in ground. That will prevent stress on the roots if you need to remove the pot if a hard freeze arrives. If you need to bring containers indoors, cut the plant back to 4 to 5 inches (10-13 cm.) from the soil. If you see any signs of insects, spray the plant with Neem oil. Any leaves left will likely yellow and fall off, but this is normal. Keep the container on the dry side by allowing soil to dry to the touch before watering. Gradually reintroduce the plant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Hardy species can be left alone and cut back with just some supplemental mulch applied around the root zone. These will merrily regrow in spring and begin to reward you with their show stopping blooms.

Live in zone 8 and want to grow grapes? The great news is that there is undoubtedly a type of grape suited for zone 8. What grapes grow in zone 8? Read on to find out about growing grapes in zone 8 and recommended zone 8 grape varieties.

About Zone 8 Grapes

The USDA encompasses a very large chunk of the U.S. in zone 8, from the majority of the Pacific Northwest down into northern California and a great deal of the south, including parts of Texas and Florida. A USDA zone is meant to be a guideline, a gist if you will, but in USDA zone 8 there are a myriad of microclimates. That means that grapes suited for growing in Georgia’s zone 8 may not be suited for a Pacific Northwest zone 8. Due to these microclimates, a call to your local extension office would be wise before selecting grapes for your area. They can help lead you to the correct zone 8 grape varieties for your specific region of zone 8.

What Grapes Grow in Zone 8?

There are three basic types of bunch grapes grown in the United States: the European bunch grape (Vitis vinifera), the American bunch grape (Vitis labrusca), and the summer grape (Vitis aestivalis). V. vinifeta can be grown in USDA zones 6 to 9 and V. labrusca in zones 5 to 9. These aren’t the only options for zone 8 grapes, however. There are also muscadine grapes, Vitis rotundifolia, a native North American grape that are tolerant of heat and are often grown in the southern U.S. These grapes are black to dark purple and produce about a dozen large grapes per cluster. They thrive in USDA zones 7 through 10. Lastly, there are the hybrid grapes which are bred from rootstock taken from the ancient European or American cultivars. Hybrids were developed in 1865 to combat the disastrous devastation wreaked on vineyards by the grape root aphid. Most of the hybrids are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

How to Grow Grapes for Zone 8

Once you have decided on the type of grape you wish to plant, make sure you purchase them from a reputable nursery, one that has certified virus-free stock. Vines should be healthy, one-year-old plants. Most grapes are self-fertile but be sure to inquire in case you need more than one vine for pollination. Select a site for the vine in full sun or at the very least morning sun. Construct or install a trellis or arbor prior to planting. Plant dormant, bare root grapes in the early spring. Prior to planting, soak the roots in water for two to three hours. Space the vines 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) apart or 16 feet (5 m.) for muscadine grapes. Dig a hole that is a foot deep and wide (31 cm.). Fill the hole partway with soil. Trim any broken roots from the vine and set it into the hole a bit deeper than it grew in the nursery. Cover the roots with soil and tamp down. Fill the rest of the hole in with soil but don’t tamp down. Prune the top back to two to three buds. Water in well.

Can you grow bamboo in zone 8? When you think of bamboo, you may think of panda bears in a faraway Chinese forest. However, these days bamboo can grow in graceful stands all over the world. With varieties that are hardy all the way down to zone 4 or up to zone 12, growing bamboo in zone 8 provides many possibilities. Continue reading to learn about bamboo plants for zone 8, as well as proper care for zone 8 bamboo.

Growing Bamboo in Zone 8

There are two main types of bamboo plants: clump forming and runner types. Clump forming bamboo do just as their name implies; they form large clumps of bamboo canes. Runner bamboo types spread by rhizomes and can form a large stand, shoot their runners beneath concrete sidewalks, and form another stand on the other side. Runner types of bamboo can become invasive in some areas. Before growing bamboo in zone 8, check with your local county extension office to make sure they are not considered an invasive species or noxious weed. Clump forming and runner types of bamboo are also broken down into three hardiness categories: tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate. In zone 8, gardeners can grow either sub-tropical or temperate bamboo plants. As stated above, before planting any bamboo, make sure it is not banned in your location. Even clump forming bamboo have been known to travel down waterways and escape the confines of the garden. In time, both clump forming and runner types of bamboo can become overgrown and choke themselves out. Removing old canes every two to four years can help the plant look tidy and nice. To best keep runner bamboo plants in check, grow them in pots.

Bamboo Plants for Zone 8

Below are different types of clump forming and runner zone 8 bamboo plants:

Clump Forming Bamboo

• Green Stripestem
• Alphonse Karr
• Fern leaf
• Golden Goddess
• Silver stripe
• Tiny Fern
• Willowy
• Buddha’s Belly
• Punting Pole
• Tonkin Cane
• Southern Cane
• Simon
• Switch Cane

Runner Bamboo Plants

• Sunset Glow
• Green Panda
• Yellow Groove
• Timber
• Castillion
• Meyer
• Black Bamboo
• Henson
• Bissett

Annuals are great for home gardeners because they provide much of the color and visual interest in beds and along walkways. Annuals for zone 8 include a wide variety, thanks to the warm, long summers and mild winters.

Common Zone 8 Annual Flowers

Zone 8 is defined by a common low winter temperature, so there is a lot of variation in rainfall and summer high temperatures. The zone extends along the west coast of the U.S., through parts of the southwest, across much of Texas, through the southeast, and into North Carolina. This is a great zone for growing flowers, and there are plenty common zone 8 annuals to choose from. Since there are so many, listed here are six of the most common annual flowers recommended for zone 8 gardens: Begonia – Begonias are great annuals because they are attractive and thrive and bloom from spring through the first frosts. You can find a variety of colors, not just in the flowers but also the foliage. Just avoid tuberous begonia, which does better in colder zones. Chrysanthemum – Chrysanthemum are technically perennials but are usually used as annuals because they are sensitive to winter cold. They will give you a big range of colors and are a great choice for cut flowers. Cosmos – Cosmos are pretty flowers with wispy, delicate foliage and are among the easiest annuals to grow. Colors include yellow, pink, white, and red. They can grow very tall and make good screens. Ornamental Peppers – Not all annuals are cultivated for their flowers. Varieties of ornamental peppers make great annuals that produce bright, small peppers. Colors of the peppers may be yellow, orange, red, or even deep purple to black. They can be very spicy though, so they are generally used for show, not for cooking. Zinnia – Zinnias are bright, showy flowers and they tend to spread, so choose this annual for a pretty groundcover. They thrive in heat and sun but need plenty of water. Marigold – Marigolds are common zone 8 annuals because of their beautiful rich shades of gold, orange, and red. African marigolds have larger blooms than French marigolds. These annuals are easy to grow.

Growing Annuals in Zone 8

Growing annuals is generally very easy but follow a few good practices to be sure they thrive all summer. Prepare your bed before planting by stirring up the soil and amending if necessary. Add perlite or sand if your soil is heavy, for instance. Transplanting is the easiest way to grow annuals. Place your transplants at even spaces, as recommended by your nursery, and do so only after the last frost. Watering is important for annuals. When it is not raining, watering every day is the best strategy. You don’t need to use fertilizer if you have rich soil, but many gardeners use a bloom booster when watering to ensure the plants produce plenty of flowers. Annuals for zone 8 are plentiful, easy to grow, and rewarding to enjoy in the garden.

Nearly every type of rose grows in zone 8 with its mild winters and warm summers. So, if you plan to start growing roses in zone 8 gardens, you’ll find plenty of great candidates. More than 6,000 rose cultivars are available in commerce. Read on for information about selecting zone 8 rose varieties for your garden based on their color, growth habit, and flower form.

Choosing Roses for Zone 8

Roses may look delicate, but some varieties are hardy all the way down to zone 3, while others thrive in balmy zone 10. When you need roses for zone 8, you’re in the sweet spot where most roses can thrive. Hardiness is only one factor in rose bush selection though. Even in a rose-popular region like zone 8, you’ll still need to pick other rose bush qualities. You’ll have to pick specific zone 8 rose varieties based on specifics about the flowers, like color, form, and fragrance. They also include the growth habit of the plant.

Zone 8 Rose Bushes

One of the first questions you want to ask yourself when you set out to select zone 8 rose bushes is how much space you can give the shrub. You’ll find zone 8 rose bushes that are short and compact, others that climb to above 20 feet tall (6 m.), and many in between. For rose bushes with a strong, upright growth habit, look at tea roses. They don’t grow terribly tall, averaging between 3 and 6 feet (1-2 m.), and the long stems grow huge, single flowers. If you want a tea rose producing pink roses, try David Austin’s ‘Falling in Love.’ For gorgeous orange tones, consider ‘Tahitian Sunset.’ Floribunda roses have smaller blossoms arranged in clusters on medium long stems. You have lots of color choices. Try ‘Angel Face’ for mauve blossoms, ‘Charisma’ for red flowerers, ‘Gene Boerner’ for pink, or ‘Saratoga’ for white. Grandifloras mix the features of tea and floribunda varieties. They are zone 8 rose bushes that grow to 6 feet (2 m.) tall with long stems and clustered flowers. Pick ‘Arizona’ for orange roses, ‘Queen Elizabeth’ for pink, and ‘Scarlet Knight' for red. If you want to grow roses along a fence or up a trellis, climbing roses are the zone 8 rose varieties you are looking for. Their arching stems, up to 20 feet (6 m.), climb up walls or other supports or can be grown as groundcovers. Climbing roses bloom all summer and fall. You’ll find lots of lovely colors available. The oldest roses for zone 8 are known as old roses or heritage roses. These zone 8 rose varieties were cultivated before 1876. They are generally fragrant and disease resistant and have diverse growth habit and flower form. ‘Fantin Latour’ is a particularly beautiful rose with dense, pale pink blossoms.

A conifer is a tree or shrub that bears cones, usually with needle-shaped or scale-like leaves. All are woody plants, and many are evergreen. Selecting coniferous trees for zone 8 can be difficult – not because there is a shortage, but because there are so many beautiful trees from which to choose. Read on for information on growing conifers in zone 8.

Growing Conifers in Zone 8

There are countless benefits to growing conifers in zone 8. Many provide beauty throughout the bleak months of winter. Some provide a barrier for wind and sound, or a screen that shields the landscape from less attractive landscape elements. Conifers provide much needed shelter for birds and wildlife.

Although conifers are easy to grow, some zone 8 conifer varieties also create a fair share of cleanup. Keep in mind that some zone 8 conifer trees drop a lot of cones and others may drip sticky pitch.

When selecting coniferous trees for zone 8, be sure to factor in the mature size of the tree. Dwarf conifers may be the way to go if you’re short on space.

Zone 8 Conifer Varieties

Choosing conifers for zone 8 can be daunting at first since there are many conifers for zone 8 to choose from, but here are a few suggestions to help get you started.

Pine

Australian pine is a tall, pyramidal tree that reaches heights of up to 100 feet (34 m.).

Scotch pine is a good choice for difficult areas, including cold, damp, or rocky soil. This tree grows to a height of about 50 feet (15 m.).

Spruce

White spruce is valued for its silvery green needles. This versatile tree may attain heights of 100 feet (30 m.) but is often much shorter in the garden.

Montgomery spruce is a short, rounded, silvery green conifer that reaches mature heights of 6 feet (2 m.).

Redwood

Coast redwood is a relatively fast-growing conifer that eventually reaches heights of up to 80 feet (24 m.). This is a classic redwood with thick, red bark.

Dawn redwood is a deciduous type of conifer that drops its needles in autumn. Maximum height is about 100 feet (30 m.).

Cypress

Bald cypress is a long-lived deciduous conifer that tolerates a range of conditions, including either dry or wet soil. Mature height is 50 to 75 feet (15-23 m.).

Leyland cypress is a fast-growing, bright green tree that reaches heights of about 50 feet (15 m.).

Cedar

Deodar cedar is a pyramidal tree with grayish green foliage and graceful, arching branches. This tree reaches heights of 40 to 70 feet (12-21 m.).

Cedar of Lebanon is a slow-growing tree that eventually attains heights of 40 to 70 feet (12-21 m.). Color is bright green.

Fir

Himalayan fir is an attractive, shade friendly tree that grows to heights of nearly 100 feet (30 m.).

Silver fir is an enormous tree that can reach heights of more than 200 feet (61 m).

Yew

Standish yew is a yellow, columnar shrub that tops out at about 18 inches (46 cm.).

Pacific yew is a small tree that reaches a mature height of about 40 feet (12 m.). Native to the Pacific Northwest, it prefers temperate, moist climates.

Growing oranges in zone 8 is possible if you are willing to take precautions. In general, oranges don’t do well in regions with cold winters, so you may have to take care in selecting a cultivar and a planting site. Read on for tips on growing oranges in zone 8 and hardy orange tree varieties.

Oranges for Zone 8

Both sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) and sour oranges (Citrus aurantium) grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Although it is possible to start growing oranges in zone 8, you’ll have to take some precautions. First, select cold hardy orange tree varieties. Try “Hamlin” if you are growing oranges for juice. It is fairly cold hardy, but the fruit is damaged during hard freezes. “Ambersweet,” “Valencia,” and “Blood Oranges” are other orange cultivars that might grow outdoors in zone 8. Mandarin oranges are a good bet for zone 8. These are hardy trees, especially Satsuma mandarins. They survive in temperatures as low as 15 degrees F. (-9 C.). Ask at your local garden store for hardy orange tree varieties that thrive in your location. Local gardeners can also provide invaluable tips.

Growing Oranges in Zone 8

When you start growing oranges in zone 8, you’ll want to select an outdoor planting site very carefully. Look for the most protected and warmest site on your property. Oranges for zone 8 should be planted in a full sun location on the south or southeast side of your home. This gives the orange trees maximum sun exposure and also protects the trees from cold northwestern winds. Position the orange trees close to a wall. This could be your home or garage. These structures provide some warmth during dips in winter temperatures. Plant the trees in deep, fertile soil to protect and nurture the roots. It is also possible to grow oranges in containers. This is a good idea if your area gets frost or freeze in the winter. Citrus trees grow well in containers, and they can be moved into a protected area when winter cold arrives. Select a container with adequate drainage. Although clay pots are attractive, they may be too heavy to move them easily. Start your young tree in a small container, then transplant it as it grows bigger. Put a layer of gravel in the bottom of the container, then add two parts potting soil to one part redwood or cedar shavings. Put the orange tree in the container when it is partially filled, then add soil until the plant is at the same depth as it was in the original container. Water well. Look for a sunny spot to place the container during the summer months. Zone 8 orange trees need at least eight hours per day of sun. Water as needed, when the soil surface is dry to the touch.

One of the challenges that gardeners in urban areas face is limited space. Vertical gardening is one way in which people with small yards have found to make the most of the space they have available. Vertical gardening is also used to create privacy, shade, and noise and wind buffers. As with anything, certain plants grow better in certain areas. Continue reading to learn about climbing vines for zone 8, as well as tips on growing vertical gardens in zone 8.

Growing a Vertical Garden in Zone 8

With the hot summers of zone 8, training plants up walls or over pergolas not only creates a shady oasis but can also help reduce cooling costs. Not every yard has room for a large shade tree, but vines can take up much less space. Using zone 8 climbing vines is also a nice way to create privacy in rural areas where you may sometimes feel like your neighbors are a little too close for comfort. While it’s nice to be neighborly, sometimes you may just want to enjoy the peace, quiet, and solitude of reading a book on your patio without the distractions going on in your neighbor’s yard. Creating a privacy wall with climbing vines is a beautiful and polite way to create this privacy while buffering out noises from next door. Growing a vertical garden in zone 8 can also help you maximize limited space. Fruit trees and vines can be grown vertically on fences, trellises, and obelisks or as espaliers, leaving you with more space to grow low-growing vegetables and herbs. In areas where rabbits are particularly problematic, growing fruiting plants vertically can help ensure that you get some of the harvest and are not just feeding the rabbits.

Vines in Zone 8 Gardens

When choosing plants for zone 8 vertical gardens, it’s important to start by considering how the vines will grow up. Generally, vines climb up either by tendrils that twist and twine around things, or they grow up by attaching aerial roots to surfaces. Twining vines grow better on a trellis, chain link fences, bamboo poles, or other things that allow their tendrils to twist around and take hold. Vines with aerial roots grow better on solid surfaces like bricks, concrete, or wood. Below are some hardy zone 8 climbing vines. Of course, for a vertical vegetable garden, any vining fruits or vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins can also be grown as annual vines.

• American bittersweet (Celatrus orbiculatus)
• Clematis (Clematis spp.)
• Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)
• Coral vine (Antigonon leptopus)
• Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia durior)
• English ivy (Hedera helix)
• Five-leaf Akebia (Akebia quinata)
• Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
• Honeysuckle vine (Lonicera spp.)
• Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)
• Passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata)
• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
• Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Bulbs are a great addition to any garden, especially spring flowering bulbs. Plant them in the fall and forget about them, then before you know it, they’ll be coming up and bringing you color in the spring, and you’ll feel as though you didn’t even have to do any work. What bulbs grow where though? When can you plant them? Keep reading to learn more about what bulbs grow in zone 8 and how and when to plant bulbs in zone 8 gardens.

When to Plant Bulbs in Zone 8 Gardens

Bulbs that are designed to be planted in the autumn can be planted in zone 8 any time between October and December. The bulbs need the cool weather of autumn and winter to become active and begin to grow roots. In mid to late winter, the bulbs should put up growth above ground, and the flowers ought to appear in late winter to spring.

Zone 8 Bulb Varieties

Zone 8 is a little too hot for some of the classic bulb varieties you see in more temperate zones. That doesn’t mean growing bulbs in zone 8 is impossible. There are plenty of hot weather varieties of the classics (like tulips and daffodils) as well as others that thrive only in hot climates. Here are a few:

• Canna Lily – Long blooming and very tolerant of heat, hardy all winter in zone 8.
• Gladiolus – A very popular cut flower, winter hardy in zone 8.
• Crinum – A beautiful lily-like flower that thrives in the heat.
• Daylily – A classic flowering bulb that does very well in hot climates.

Here are some zone 8 bulb varieties of popular flowering bulbs that aren’t always suited to heat:

• Tulips for zone 8 – White Emperor, Orange Emperor, Monte Carlo, Rosy Wings, Burgundy Lace
• Daffodils for zone 8 – Ice Follies, Magnet, Mount Hood, Sugarbush, Salome, Cheerfulness
• Hyacinths for zone 8 – Blue Jacket, Lady Derby, Jan Bos

Strawberries are one of the most popular berries grown in the home garden, possibly because they can be grown in a wide range of USDA zones. This means that there is a wide array of strawberries suited for zone 8 growers. The following article discusses tips for growing strawberries in zone 8 and suitable zone 8 strawberry plants.

About Zone 8 Strawberries

Strawberries can be grown as perennials in USDA zones 5 through 8 or as cool-season annuals in zones 9 through 10. Zone 8 stretches from parts of Florida and Georgia to areas of Texas and California and into the Pacific Northwest where annual temperatures rarely dip below 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). 

This means that growing strawberries in zone 8 allows for a longer growing season than in other regions. To the zone 8 gardener, this means larger crops with bigger, juicy berries.

Zone 8 Strawberry Plants

Since this zone is fairly temperate, any number of strawberries for zone 8 are suitable. 

Delmarvel is an example of a zone 8 strawberry, actually suited to USDA zones 4 through 9. It is a prolific producer with berries that can be eaten fresh or used for canning or freezing. Delmarvel strawberries do best in the mid-Atlantic and southern U.S. regions. It flowers and fruits in late spring and is resistant to many diseases. 

Earliglow is one of the earliest of the June-bearing strawberries with firm, sweet, medium sized fruit. Cold hardy, Earliglow is resistant to leaf scorch, verticillium wilt, and red stele. It can be grown in USDA zones 5 to 9. 

Allstar has the quintessential strawberry shape and is a popular variety for midseason berries. It is also resistant to a number of diseases, with a moderate resistance to powdery mildew and leaf scorch. It is tolerant of almost any growing region or soil. 

Ozark Beauty is suited to USDA zones 4 to 8. This day-neutral cultivar blooms heavily in the spring and fall, especially in cooler climes. This variety of strawberry is very adaptable and does well in containers, baskets, as well as the garden. All of the day-neutral cultivars do best in the northern United States and higher elevations of the south.

Seascape is suited to zones 4 through 8 and does best in the northeastern U.S. Another day-neutral berry, Seascape has the potential to be the most productive of the day-neutrals. It has few, if any, runners and must be allowed to ripen on the vine for utmost flavor.

Growing Strawberries in Zone 8

Strawberries should be planted after the last threat of frost has passed for your region. In zone 8, this may be as late as February or as early as March – late spring.

 Till the soil in a full sun area of the garden that has not been planted with either strawberries or potatoes for the last three years. Soil should have a pH level of between 5.5 and 6.5. Amend the soil with compost or well-aged manure if the soil seems lacking in nutrients. 

If the soil is heavy or clay, mix in some shredded bark and compost to lighten it up and improve drainage. Soak the crowns in tepid water for an hour prior to planting. If you are planting nursery plants, there is no need to soak them. 

Space the plants 12 to 24 inches apart (31-61 cm.) in rows that are 1 to 3 feet apart (31-91 cm.). Keep in mind that everbearing strawberries need more room than June-bearing cultivars. 

Water the plants in well and fertilize them with a weak solution of a complete fertilizer.

Hydrangeas are popular flowering shrubs with big summer blossoms. Some types of hydrangeas are very cold hardy, but what about zone 8 hydrangeas? Can you grow hydrangeas in zone 8? Yes! In fact, finding the best hydrangea by zone is easy with a little bit of guidance. That's why we've compiled all the zone 8 hydrangea varieties your can grow in your warm climate garden.

Can You Grow Hydrangeas in Zone 8?

Those who live in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 may wonder about growing hydrangeas for zone 8. The answer is an unconditional yes. Each type of hydrangea shrub thrives in a range of hardiness zones. Most of those ranges include zone 8. However, some zone 8 hydrangea varieties are more likely to be trouble-free than others, so those are the best zone 8 hydrangeas for planting in this region.

Zone 8 Hydrangea Varieties

You’ll find many hydrangeas for zone 8. These include the most popular hydrangeas of all, bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). Bigleafs come in two kinds, the famous mopheads with huge “snowball” blossoms, and lacecap with flat-topped flower clusters. Bigleafs are famous for their color changing act.

The shrubs produce pink flowers when planted in soil that has a high pH. The same shrubs grow blue flowers in acidic (low pH) soil. Bigleafs thrive in USDA zones 5 through 9, which means they will likely cause you no problems as hydrangeas in zone 8.

Both smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) and oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) are native to this country. These varieties thrive in USDA zones 3 through 9 and 5 through 9, respectively.

Smooth hydrangeas grow up to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide in the wild but will likely stay at 4 feet (1 m.) in each direction in your garden. These zone 8 hydrangeas have dense, large coarse leaves and many flowers. 'Annabelle' is a popular cultivar.

Oakleaf hydrangeas have leaves that are lobed like oak leaves. The flowers grow in light green, turn cream colored, then mature to deep rose by midsummer. Plant these pest-free natives in cool, shaded locations. Try dwarf cultivar 'Pee-Wee' for a smaller shrub. You have even more choices in varieties of hydrangeas for zone 8.

Serrated hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata) is a smaller version of bigleaf hydrangea. It grows to about 5 feet (1.5 m.) high and thrives in zones 6 through 9.

Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolari) takes the form of a vine rather than a bush. However, zone 8 is at the very top of its hardiness range, so it may not be as vigorous as a zone 8 hydrangea.

Vines, vines, vines. Their vertical glory can cover and transform even the ugliest perpendicular space. Zone 8 evergreen vines have year-round appeal while those that lose leaves but flower in the spring and summer herald the growing season. There are plenty of vines for zone 8 from which to choose, many with specialized adaptability to any lighting condition. Remember, perennial vines are lifetime choices and should be chosen carefully.

Growing Vines in Zone 8

Do you want flowers sailing up the trunk of a tree or an eyesore dilapidated building covered in foliar displays of Boston ivy? No matter what your landscape goal is, vines are a quick and easy solution. Most are tough enough for a broad range of weather conditions while others are suited to the slow, sultry heat of the south. 

Zone 8 plants need to be both. Some tips and tricks on climbing zone 8 plants should help separate the good from the bad and ugly. Some vines should never have passed North American shores. Like the Japanese kudzu vine, which has taken over much of the wild regions of the southern landscape. 

It was used to stabilize soil, as cattle fodder, and introduced as a shade ornamental in the southern region. Once there, however, the plant took off and now overtakes 150,000 acres annually. Your vine solution doesn't need to be nearly as tenacious or invasive. 

Once you have your location, consider the amount of light the area receives daily, how much maintenance you want to do, whether you want an evergreen or a gentle flowering vine, and many more decisions. One of the better options is to choose a plant native to your zone 8 region like:

• Carolina Jessamine
• Crossvine
• Muscadine grape
• Swamp Leather flower
• Evergreen Smilax

Flowering Zone 8 Vines

A vertical wall of color, scent, and texture can't be beaten. Flowering zone 8 vines can provide long season blooms with swaths of jewel, pastel, or even fruit tones.

• Clematis is one of the better-known ornamental bloomers. There are many cultivars and species, and each has a unique flower.
• Japanese or Chinese wisteria are tenacious vines with gently petaled blooms in white or lavender.
• Passionflower, or Maypop, is native to North America and has uniquely frilled blooms that look like something out of a 60s art project. In the right conditions, they form sweet, aromatic fruits.

Not all plants are considered climbing zone 8 vines. Climbers need to self-support and usually, they attach to the wall or structure up which they are growing. Growing vines in zone 8 that are not climbers will require your assistance going vertical. Some good ones to try are:

• Cherokee rose
• Trumpet creeper
• Tri-Color Kiwi
• Dutchman's pipe
• Climbing hydrangea
• Perennial sweet pea
• Golden hops
• Bougainvillea
• Trumpet vine

Zone 8 Evergreen Vines

Evergreen plants brighten the landscape even in the doldrums of winter.

• Climbing fig is in the class of self-supporting climbing zone 8 plants. It bears dainty, heart-shaped glossy foliage and is perfect for a partial shade location.
• Algerian and English ivy are also climbers and have colorful foliage in fall.

Many evergreen plants also produce berries and create habitats for small animals and birds. Others to consider for this zone include:

• Evergreen honeysuckle
• Fiveleaf akebia
• Wintercreeper euonymus
• Jackson vine
• Confederate Jasmine
• Fatshedera

Growing a hops plant is an obvious next step for every home brewer-- now that you make your own beer, why not grow your own ingredients? Hops plants are relatively easy to grow, as long as you have the space, and they have a fantastic payoff if you harvest and brew with them. Even if you’re not a brewer yourself, growing hops in your garden is sure to endear you to any brewers in your life and ensure that you get some home-brewed beer in the near future. Of course, they’re also quite ornamental too. Keep reading to learn more about growing zone 8 hops in your garden and selecting hops varieties for zone 8 conditions.

Can You Grow Hops in Zone 8?

Yes, you can! As a rule, hops plants grow best in USDA zones 4 through 8. This means that in zone 8, you really don’t have to worry about your plants not making it through the winter. You should, however, make sure to get your rhizomes in the ground as early in the spring as possible before temperatures rise. Hops rhizomes are usually only available to purchase between March and May in the northern hemisphere, so buy them as early as possible and plant them as soon as you get them (some websites will allow you to pre-order).

Best Hops for Zone 8 Gardens

Since there isn’t really such a thing as “zone 8 hops,” you’re free in this zone to grow the varieties you want. Many gardeners agree that Cascade hops are the easiest and most rewarding to grow because they are high-yielding and disease resistant. If you’d like a little more of a challenge or just more variety, especially if you’re growing your hops with beer in mind, then take a close look at Alpha Acids. These are, essentially, what determines a hops flower’s bitterness. Also, get a sense of hops that are commonly used in beer. If you’re planning on following a recipe, it’ll be nice to have a familiar, easy-to-find variety on hand. Some popular hops varieties are:

• Cascade
• Nugget
• Fuggle
• Chinook
• Cluster
• Columbus
• Goldings

Blueberries are delightful fresh from the garden, but the Native American shrubs only produce if the temperature drops below 45 degrees F. (7 C.) for a sufficient number of days every year. The period of low temperatures is critical to the next season’s fruiting. This can be an issue for zone 8 blueberries. Can blueberries grow in zone 8? Some types can, but not all. For information about growing blueberries in zone 8, read on.

Zone 8 Blueberry Bushes

The types of blueberries grown most extensively in the United States are highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries. Highbush includes both northern highbush and its hybrid, southern highbush. Some of these varieties are more likely than others to thrive as zone 8 blueberries. 

You’ll want to choose the best types of blueberries for zone 8 as well as the best cultivars when you start growing blueberries in zone 8. The issue is not so much the temperature as the shrub’s chill hour requirement. A chill hour is defined as an hour that the temperature drops below 45 degrees F. (7 C.). Each type of blueberry has its own chill hour requirement. 

Your climate meets a shrub’s chill hour requirement if temperatures drop below 45 degrees F. (7 C.) for the number of days specified. If you start growing blueberries and temperatures do not stay low long enough, the bushes won’t fruit the following year.

Types of Blueberries for Zone 8

So, what types of blueberries grow in zone 8? Most northern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 7. 

They generally need 800 to 1,000 chill hours to produce fruit. These are generally not good choices in zone 8. However, some cultivars can be grown as zone 8 blueberry bushes, like "Elliot" (V. corymbosum "Elliot"). It requires less than 300 chill hours. Southern highbush blueberries, on the other hand, require between 150 and 800 chill hours. 

Most zone 8 regions can provide the required number of chill hours. Just be careful which cultivar you pick. Consider "Misty" (V. corymbosum "Misty"), which requires only 300 chill hours and thrives in zones 5 to 10. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) can successfully be grown as zone 8 blueberry bushes. 

This variety of berry has very low chilling requirements, averaging between 100 to 200 hours. Almost all rabbiteye cultivars have chilling requirements that can be met in this growing zone.

Berries are a fantastic asset to any garden. If you want a good crop of fruit but don’t want to deal with a whole tree, berries are for you. Can you grow berries in zone 8 though? Zone 8 berry care is a careful balancing act between summers that get too hot and winters that do not get cold enough. Keep reading to learn more about growing berries in zone 8 and how to select zone 8 berries.

Can You Grow Berries in Zone 8?

While some berries are more suited to cooler climates, the plants are very widespread and as a rule very forgiving of broad temperature ranges. If you want to grow a berry, chances are good that there are at least some varieties that will work for you. Many berry plants are more than cold hardy enough for zone 8 winters. The problem with zone 8 berries tends to be, in fact, a lack of cold. Many fruiting plants need a certain number of “chill hours,” or hours below 45 degrees F. (7 C.) in order to produce fruit. When you’re selecting berries for zone 8, it’s important to make sure you have enough chill hours for your particular variety to fruit.

Popular Berries for Zone 8 Gardens

Here are some of the most popular berry plants and the varieties that are most suited to zone 8 gardens. Blackberries – Blackberry bushes are very well adapted to warm climates. Some varieties with low chill hour requirements are Arapaho, Kiowa, Ouachita, and Rosborough. Raspberries – Dormanred is the best adapted raspberry to zone 8, but Heritage may perform well too. Strawberries – Grown as perennials from zones 5 through 8, both the common strawberry and its smaller cousin the wild strawberry perform well in zone 8. Blueberries – Blueberry bushes that have low chill hour requirements include Georgia Dawn, Palmetto, and Rebel.

Selecting perennials for shade is no easy task, but choices are plentiful for gardeners in moderate climates such as USDA plant hardiness zone 8. Read on for a list of zone 8 shade perennials and learn more about growing zone 8 perennials in shade.

Zone 8 Shade Perennials

When looking for zone 8 shade tolerant plants, you must first consider the type of shade your garden has. Some plants only require a little shade while others need more.

Partial or Dappled Shade Perennials

If you can provide shade for part of the day, or if you have a planting location in dappled shade under a deciduous tree, selecting shade tolerant perennials for zone 8 is relatively easy. Here is a partial list:

• Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) – Colorful foliage; white, pink, or blue flowers
• Toad lily (Tricyrtis spp.) – Colorful foliage; white or blue, orchid-like flowers
• Japanese yew (Taxus) – Evergreen shrub
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.) – Berries in fall
• Chinese mahonia (Mahonia fortunei) – Fern-like foliage
• Ajuga (Ajuga spp.) – Burgundy-purple foliage; white, pink, or blue flowers
• Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) – White, pink, or yellow blooms
• Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) – Late spring blooms, attractive foliage
• Sweetspire (Itea virginica) – Fragrant flowers, fall color
• Pineapple lily (Eucomis spp.) – Tropical-looking leaves, pineapple-like blooms
• Ferns – Available in a range of varieties and sun-tolerance, including some for full shade

Perennials for Deep Shade

If you’re planting an area in deep shade, selecting zone 8 shade perennials is challenging and the list is shorter, as most plants require at least minimal sunlight. Here are a few suggestions for plants that grow in deep shade:

• Hosta (Hosta spp.) – Attractive foliage in a range of colors, sizes, and forms
• Lungwort (Pulmonaria) – Pink, white, or blue flowers
• Corydalis (Corydalis) – Colorful foliage; white, pink, or blue flowers
• Heuchera (Heuchera spp.) – Colorful foliage
• Japanese fatsia (Fatsia japonica) – Attractive foliage, red berries
• Deadnettle (Lamium) – Colorful foliage; white or pink blooms
• Barrenwort (Epimedium) – Colorful foliage; red, white, or pink blooms
• Heartleaf brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) – Heart-shaped leaves; blue flowers

Tomatoes are probably the most commonly grown garden crop. They have a myriad of uses and take relatively little garden space to yield 10 to 15 pounds (4.5-7 kg.) or even more. They can also be grown in a number of different USDA zones. Take zone 8, for instance. There are plenty of zone 8 suitable tomato varieties. Read on to find out about growing tomatoes in zone 8 and suitable tomatoes for zone 8.

Growing Zone 8 Tomato Plants

USDA zone 8 really runs the gamut on the USDA hardiness zone map. It runs from the southeast corner of North Carolina down through the lower portions of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. It then continues to include most of Louisiana, parts of Arkansas and Florida, and a big chunk of mid-Texas. 

Standard zone 8 gardening advice is targeted to these areas of zone 8, but it also includes parts of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and the coastal Pacific Northwest, quite a broad swath indeed. This means that in these latter areas, you should consult with your local agricultural extension office for advice specific to your region.

Zone 8 Tomato Varieties

Tomatoes are categorized in three basic ways. The first is by the size of fruit they produce. The smallest fruits are grape and cherry tomatoes. They are very reliable and productive tomatoes for zone 8. Some examples of these are:

• ‘Sweet Million’
• ‘Super Sweet 100’
• ‘Juliet’
• ‘Sungold’
• ‘Green Doctors’
• ‘Chadwick’s Cherry’
• ‘Gardener’s Delight’
• ‘Isis Candy’

Truly humongous slicing tomatoes require a warmer, longer growing season than zone 8 typically has, but good-sized tomatoes can still be had in zone 8. Some zone 8 tomato plant varieties to try are these perennial favorites:

• ‘Celebrity’
• ‘Better Boy’
• ‘Big Beef’
• ‘Big Boy’
• ‘Beefmaster’

Another way in which tomatoes are categorized is whether they are heirlooms or hybrids. Heirloom tomatoes are those that have been cultivated for generations with seeds passed down from mother to daughter, or father to son. They are selected for flavor first and foremost. Those that have been proven reliable in the southern zone 8 regions include:

• ‘German Johnson’
• ‘Marglobe’
• ‘Homestead’
• ‘Chapman’
• ‘Omar’s Lebanese’
• ‘Tidwell German’
• ‘Neyes Azorean Red’
• ‘Large Pink Bulgarian’
• ‘Aunt Gerie’s Gold’
• ‘OTV Brandywine’
• ‘Cherokee Green’
• ‘Cherokee Purple’
• ‘Box Car Willie’
• ‘Bulgarian #7’
• ‘Red Penna’

Tomato hybrids came about in a quest to thwart disease. Hybrid tomatoes will decrease the likelihood that the plants will get a disease but not completely eliminate that chance. The most popular hybrids include ‘Celebrity,’ ‘Better Boy,’ and ‘Early Girl.’ All are resistant to fusarium wilt and produce medium to large fruit. The first two are also resistant to nematode. If you don’t have much space and/or are growing tomatoes in a container, try ‘Bush Celebrity,’ ‘Better Bush,’ or ‘Bush Early Girl,’ all of which are resistant to fusarium and nematodes. Tomato spotted wilt virus is another serious disease of this fruit. Hybrid varieties that are resistant to this disease are:

• ‘Southern Star’
• ‘Amelia’
• ‘Crista’
• ‘Red Defender’
• ‘Primo Red’
• ‘Talledag’

Lastly, the third method for categorizing tomatoes is whether they are determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes stop growing when they reach full size and set their fruit over a four to five week period, and then they are done. Most hybrids are determinate types of tomato. Indeterminate tomatoes grow all season, continuing to set successive crops of fruit all summer and into the fall. These types get very large and need a tomato cage for support. Most cherry tomatoes are indeterminate, as are most heirlooms. When growing tomatoes in zone 8, there are plenty of options, so use them. To give yourself the best chance of success, plant a variety of tomatoes including some cherries (foolproof!), some heirlooms, and some hybrids along with some disease-resistant varieties.

If you've ever walked past a border of blooming lavender, you probably instantly noticed the calming effect of its scent. Visually, lavender plants can have that same soothing effect, with their soft, silvery blue colored foliage and light purple flowers. Lavender plants, especially when grouped together, can be reminiscent of a quaint, peaceful, English countryside. With careful selection, gardeners from zones 4 through 10 can enjoy the charm of these plants. This article will specifically discuss lavender plants for zone 8.

Can You Grow Lavender in Zone 8?

For thousands of years, lavender has been valued for its medicinal, culinary, aromatic, and cosmetic properties. It has also always been regarded as a beautiful ornamental plant. Native to the Mediterranean, most varieties of lavender are hardy in zones 5 through 9. A few varieties are known to hold up in the cold of zone 4 or the heat of zone 10. In warmer climates like zone 8, lavender has an evergreen, sub-shrub habit and may bloom throughout the year. When growing lavender in zone 8, it may be necessary to cut it back every year or two to prevent it from becoming too woody with age. Cutting and pinching lavender plants promotes more blooms and tender new growth, which contain higher concentrates of the plant's natural essential oils.

Choosing Lavender Plants for Zone 8

English lavender (Lavendula augustifolia) is one of the most commonly grown varieties of lavender and is hardy in zones 4 through 8. In zone 8, English lavender can struggle with the heat. Lightly shading English lavender from the afternoon sun can help it grow better. Common varieties of English lavender hardy to zone 8 are:

• Munstead
• Hidcote
• Jean Davis
• Miss Katherine
• Vera
• Sachet

French lavender (Lavendula dentata) is hardy in zones 7 through 9 and handles the heat of zone 8 better. Popular French lavender varieties for zone 8 are:

• Alladari
• Provence
• Goodwin Creek Gray

Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is hardy in zones 8 through 11. The most common Spanish lavender varieties for zone 8 are:

• Kew Red
• Larkman Hazel
• Purple Ribbon

English lavender and Portuguese lavender have been crossbred to produce hardier varieties of lavenders that are commonly called Lavandins (Lavendula x intermedia). These varieties are hardy in zones 5 through 9. Lavandins grow well in zone 8 climates. Popular varieties of lavandins are:

• Grosso
• Edelweiss
• Dutch Mill
• Seal

Wooly lavender (Lavendula lanata boiss) is another lavender hardy to zone 8. It prefers hot, dry climates.

Apples are by far the most popular fruit in America and beyond. This means it’s the goal of many a gardener to have an apple tree of their own. Unfortunately, apple trees aren’t adapted to all climates. Like many fruiting trees, apples need a certain number of “chill hours” in order to set fruit. Zone 8 is right on the edge of places where apples can conceivably grow. Keep reading to learn more about growing apples in hot climates and how to select apples for zone 8.

Can You Grow Apples in Zone 8?

It is possible to grow apples in hot climates like zone 8, although the variety is considerably more limited than it is in cooler areas. In order to set fruit, apple trees need a certain number of “chill hours,” or hours during which the temperature is below 45 degrees F. (7 C.). As a rule, many apple varieties need between 500 and 1,000 chill hours. This is simply more than is realistic in a zone 8 climate. Luckily, there are a few varieties that have been specially bred to produce fruit with significantly fewer chill hours, usually between 250 and 300. This does allow apple cultivation in much warmer climates, but there is something of a tradeoff. Since these trees need so few chill hours, they are ready to blossom much earlier in the spring than their cold-loving cousins. Since they bloom earlier, they are much more susceptible to the odd late frost that can wipe out a season’s worth of blossoms. Growing low chill hour apples can be a delicate balancing act.

Low Chill Hour Apples for Zone 8

Some of the best zone 8 apple trees are:

• Anna
• Beverly Hills
• Dorsett Golden
• Gala
• Gordon
• Tropical Beauty
• Tropic Sweet

Another set of good apples for zone 8 include:

• Ein Shemer
• Elah
• Maayan
• Michal
• Shlomit

Cultivated in Israel, they are used to hot desert conditions and require minimal chilling.