Wondering what to plant in the Spring in the South? In that case, you’re in the right place.
Spring is the perfect time for new plantings. The sun starts shining bright, and the ground starts thawing, creating an excellent atmosphere for budding. And, who doesn’t love the sight of a colorful and fragrant garden?
Where a few spring plants are incredibly famous, some are also pretty underappreciated. Therefore, we’ve listed the top low-maintenance yet beautiful spring plants for gardening regions in the South. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these plants won’t give you a hard time and look spectacular as well.
Here are the South’s most iconic spring plants for garden.
Scarlet Storm
Scarlet Storm or Chaenomeles is a hybrid native plant hardy for gardening zones 5 to 9. The flowering quince has a typically long blooming period than other shrubs of the same kind. Beautiful scarlet red flowers pop out of the Scarlet Storm, attracting regional pollinators.
This plant thrives well in full sun to partial shade. Chaenomeles is a low-maintenance yet tough flowering shrub as it quickly adapts to various soil varieties and performs well even in droughts. It makes a lovely addition to perennial spring gardens that can also take erosion, harsh weather, and much more.
Celadine Poppy
Stylophorum Diphyllum, commonly known as Celadine Poppy is native to Eastern North America and hardy in growing zones 5 to 9. The woodland beauty grows about 12 to 19 inches in height with a width between 9 to 12 inches.
Celadine is excellent if you associate springtime with yellow blooms and deep, luscious foliage. The sunny flowers never fail to radiate joyous and peaceful vibes. So if beauty and peace are what you’re after, then Celadine Poppy will make a great addition to your garden.
It thrives well in medium wet soil and partial to full shade.
Azalea
Arguably the emblem shrub of the South, there’s nothing that beats planting this flower in a Southern Spring. Rhododendron spp or Azalea is native to North America and comes in different varieties. Most Azaleas are hardy in growing zones 5 to 9. Adding these shrubs to your garden will instantly define it as a Southern spring beauty.
Azaleas contribute to a colorful abundance in peak bloom season with their adorning pink, red, white, purple, and red flowers. As a bonus, many of the frilly Azaleas flowers are fragrant.
With that out of the way, there are two Azalea genera: deciduous and evergreen. While most deciduous Azaleas are native shrubs, the evergreen variety is usually from Japan. Their height can vary between 2 and 12 feet, depending on the variety and type.
Hydrangea
Native to Eastern North America, this deciduous shrub is hardy in zones 3 to 7. It grows as an excellent perennial in Southern spring gardens. This plant is most famous for its ever-changing blooms that take a blue hue in acidic soil and turn pink in lime.
Sure, hydrangeas are old-fashioned, and you might even think they’re overrated, but they’re one of the easiest plants to care for. They perform well and experience healthy growth in partial shade to full sun.
Although hydrangea plants can adapt to a wide range of soils, they favor rich, moist, well-draining soil over others. Not forgetting, these plants are much easier to transplant than other spring plants.
Blueberry Sundae
Baptisia Australis or Blueberry Sundae is a native hybrid plant that is hardy in zones 4 to 9. The perennial grows about 36 inches in height and between 30 and 36 inches wide.
Indigo-blue blooms pop out during spring and early summer, giving Blueberry Sundae a compact yet lush form. It is excellent if you’re looking to create a sustainable garden as this plant is incredibly pollinator-friendly.
Baptisia features decorative pods that are popular among florists in fall for drier options in floral arrangements. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in partial shade to full sun and lean, well-drained soil.
George Peach Pie
Dianthus, more commonly known as George Peach Pie is another native hybrid option for your Southern spring garden. The typical height of a George Peach Pie goes up to 8 and 12 inches with a similar width.
Hardy in zones 5 to 9, this old-fashioned plant quickly becomes a head-turner in any garden. Dianthus has unique textured foliage with stunning blue-green hues. With its soft, blush-pink flowers and compact form, George Peach Pie will make a lovely addition to your yard.
The plant is beginner-friendly as it doesn’t require much maintenance and grows well even in drought conditions. Although low-maintenance, Dianthus prefers well-draining, alkaline soil varieties and favors full sun.
Bottom Line
when it comes to what to plant in the South in the Spring, the possibilities are endless. The spring plants for garden mentioned above, including Scarlet Storm, Celadine Poppy, Azalea, Hydrangea, Blueberry Sundae, and George Peach Pie make incredible choices for a spring garden in the South.
Planning for Spring, but living through the Southern heat? Check out our tips for Heat Wave Garden Care!
