Zone 8 Plants – The Best Zone 8 Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Annuals, and Edible Plants
Here are the best Zone 8 plants for your garden whether you need trees, perennials, or edible garden additions.
Teo Spengler
Gardening by USDA zone is important because it allows you to choose plants appropriate for your area’s climate. Zone 8 is one of the warmer zones, so there are plenty of options for plants that will not just survive but thrive in your garden. Zone 8 plants are diverse and include trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual flowers.
Gardening in zone 8 gives you plenty of plant options, but there are still some limitations. It’s important to understand the USDA planting zone map and what it tells you about zone 8, so you can garden successfully.
USDA zones are defined by average annual extreme minimum winter temperatures, or in other words, how cold it can possibly get in winter. Plants that can survive these minimums are suitable to grow in the zone. Zone 8 extreme winter minimums range from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.2 to -6.7 Celsius). This is a region known for its hot summers and mild winters, and there are plenty of hardy zone 8 plants to choose from.
Article continues belowZone 8 includes large areas of southern and southeastern states, like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Other states that have smaller pockets of zone 8 include Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Zone 8 Perennials
- Creeping Thyme. Creeping thyme (Thymus spp.) is a low-growing type of thyme that is suitable for zone 8 and can be used as an attractive ground cover. Depending on the type, creeping thyme will grow between 2 and 6 inches (5 and 15 cm) tall. It grows best in full sun and will reward you with abundant small flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. Keep the soil moist during hot weather or drought. Find creeping thyme seeds at Amazon.
- Coneflower. Purple coneflower is the classic type, but you can now find all kinds of Echinacea species in different colors and petal types. Native coneflowers grow in zones 4 through 8 and attract birds and pollinators to the garden. These zone 8 perennials tolerate poor soil and are easy to grow in partial shade. They also tolerate drought well but will bloom more consistently if the soil stays moist. Heirloom purple coneflower seeds can be found at Amazon.
- Bleeding Heart. For shady areas of the garden, consider planting bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis). While it can tolerate some sun in warmer regions, this is a true shade plant for zone 8. Bleeding heart is known for its unique flowers in red, pink, or white, which are shaped like hearts and hang from arching branches. The soil for bleeding hearts should be rich and moist, and must drain well. Bleeding heart bare roots can be purchased from the Home Depot.
Annual Plants for Zone 8
- Marigolds. It’s hard to beat the cheerful, colorful blooms of all types of marigolds (Tagetes spp.). These are true annuals wherever they are grown, completing a complete life cycle in one growing season. The sizes of marigolds vary depending on type, and the colors can be all shades of red, yellow, and orange. Grow marigolds in full sun for the best blooms. They are not picky about soil type, but they should be watered as it dries out. Farmer's Almanac marigold seeds can be found at Amazon.
- Zinnias. Zinnia elegans is a classic summer annual. Zinnias grow fast and bloom readily throughout summer and fall, even with little care or maintenance. They’re even easy to start from seed. These days, you can find many varieties of zinnias in all kinds of colors, even green. Grow these zone 8 annuals in full sun in rich soil that drains well. Zinnias tolerate drought, but they’ll benefit from watering during very dry conditions. Find lots of gorgeous zinnia seeds from Burpee.
- Ornamental Peppers. Capsicum annuum, ornamental peppers, are a fun alternative to annual flowers. The blooms open in summer, but the real show is the abundance of small, colorful peppers that develop after the flowers. Peppers grow best in full sun and rich soil that drains well. Water your peppers regularly and don’t let the soil dry out or get soggy. Don’t plant them outside until all risk of frost has passed. Find hot Thai ornamental pepper seeds from True Leaf Market.
Trees for Zone 8
- Eastern Redbud. Cercis canadensis is a beautiful native tree suited to zone 8 yards and gardens. It’s small, only growing to about 30 feet (9 m) tall and wide. It blooms with pink or white flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. Redbud trees grow best in full sun and can tolerate even poor soils. They do need watering during droughts. Find eastern redbud trees for sale at Fast Growing Trees.
- Southern Magnolia. Another flowering tree to consider for your zone 8 garden is the classic southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). This type of magnolia can grow up to 80 feet (24 m) tall and blooms in spring and summer with creamy, pink-touched white flowers. Southern magnolias prefer moist, well-drained, and fertile soils. They don’t tolerate drought well until they are established, so water young trees as needed. Find a southern magnolia tree for sale from Nature Hills Nursery.
- Live Oak. If you garden in zone 8, you are lucky enough to be just within the right range for growing this majestic southern tree. Quercus virginiana is known for its large spread (up to 100 feet or 30 m wide) and low, horizontal branches, perfect for climbing. Live oaks are also very long-lived. They grow best in medium to moist soil and thrive in humid conditions. Purchase a live oak tree from Fast Growing Trees.
Shrubs for Zone 8
- Carolina Allspice. Calycanthus floridus is a great option for a native shrub in zone 8. Also called sweet shrub, it can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and blooms in spring with non-showy but very fragrant flowers. Grow Carolina allspice in sun or partial shade and water only during drought. This shrub can be trained into a hedge and will withstand strong winds. Carolina allspice shrubs can be purchased from Native Wildflowers Nursery.
- Camellia. Camellia (Camellia spp.) is not native to North America, but it’s a worthy choice for zone 8 gardens. This broadleaf evergreen blooms in late fall, winter, and early spring with stunning flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, yellow, or white. Camellia shrubs grow up to 12 feet (3.7 m) tall but grow slowly and are long-lived. They grow best in moist, rich soil with some shade. Give them plenty of space to grow into their full size. Fast Growing Trees has a wonderful selection of camellia shrubs in shades of pink, white, and red.
- Abelia. All varieties of abelia (Abelia spp.) are easy to grow and can be as tall as ten feet (3 m). You can find evergreen and deciduous types. Abelia is notable for its colorful foliage that changes throughout the seasons and the abundance of flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Abelia shrubs grow best in moist soil that drains well and is fertile. They can grow in full sun or partial shade. Full sun allows for the most vibrant colors and abundant blooms. 'Kaleidoscope' abelia from Fast Growing Trees makes an excellent addition to Zone 8 gardens.
Zone 8 Edible Gardens
If you live in Zone 8, your region has mild winters with the low temperatures between 10 and 20 degrees F. (10 and -6 C.). Most Zone 8 areas have temperate summer climates with cooler nights and a long growing season. This combination allows for lovely flowers and thriving vegetable plots.
Zone 8 Vegetables
When you are growing vegetable gardens in Zone 8, you can plant most of the familiar vegetables, sometimes even twice a year. In this zone, you can put in your vegetable seeds early enough to contemplate successive plantings. Try this with cool-season vegetables like carrots, peas, celery, and broccoli.
Cool season vegetables grow in temperatures 15 degrees cooler than warm season veggies. Salad greens and green leafy vegetables, like collards and spinach, are also cool-season vegetables and will do well as Zone 8 plants. Sow these seeds early – in early spring or even late winter – for good eating in early summer. Sow again in early fall for a winter harvest.
Zone 8 Perennial Edibles
You can grow herbaceous perennial edibles that come back year after year like:
Zone 8 Backyard Orchard Trees
When you are growing plants in Zone 8, think fruit trees and brambles. So many types of fruit trees and shrubs make good choices. You can grow backyard orchard favorites like:
Other Zone 8 Edible Plants
If you want something different, branch out with persimmons, pineapple guava, or pomegranates. Almost all herbs are happy in Zone 8. Try planting:
Need more ideas for getting the most from your plants, indoors and out, and looking for the best seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!
