Native Southern Plants: Five Easy-to-Maintain Plants for Your Garden

The southeastern United States is one of the most diverse and lush environments in the world. More and more, gardeners are looking away from the exotic and leaning towards plants that already thrive in their area. Using plants native to the region means less work while supporting the local wildlife. Try these five easy choices for the beginning southern gardener.

Azaleas

These flowering bushes may be planted year around, and can grow from two to twelve feet. They produce red, pink or white blooms and are a staple in southern neighborhoods. They grow in acidic soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. The best area for these shrubs are under the shade of the house where they can get the morning sun, but are protected from the glare and heat of summer afternoons. When planting azaleas, make sure you mulch the area to retain moisture, as these plants hate to dry out. Adding some rhododendron food is helpful as well.

Be sure to remove the brown flowers from the plant so that more may bloom. Rhododendron food should be added again once the shrub has finished blooming.

Virginia Creeper

Typically used as a shading vine, Virginia creeper is often mistaken for poison ivy. The berries are poisonous, and humans can get a rash from the sap, but touching the leaves is not harmful. These vines usually grow along the sides of buildings or on poles, and are distinguishable by their five-leaf, jagged hands. In the fall, these leaves turn a striking crimson shade, hence its popularity.

This vine, like English ivy, clings to the walls using suction-like disks rather than roots. The only way the plant can be removed from the wall is to spray it with killer, then allow the plant to loosen. It does provide excellent shade, and can be used to cool a house if placed against the sun side of the home. That's about all it takes, plenty of sunlight and something to crawl up. Give it a fence, building, trellis, and it's a happy camper. It's known to grow up to ten feet a year and is easily the hardiest plant you'll have in your yard.

Flowering Dogwood

This tree has white or pink flowers and is recognizable by its flat, four leaf petals and spiky-looking center. According to Christian tradition, the cross on which Jesus died was made from Dogwood. Therefore the flowers bloom in the shape of a cross, with notches on the ends of the petals representing the nails that held Christ to the cross, and a "thorny" center, which represents the crown of thorns which lay painfully on his head. Many children cut these flowers and stick the stems into glasses of food coloring. I've had red, blue, and yellow Dogwood blooms decorate my table many times.

The Dogwood grows best in moist, fertile soil in moderate shade. The tree should be watered twice a week during the dry months. Mulch can be used to help evenly distribute the water, and protect the tree from the extremes of southern weather. These trees are easy to grow from seeds. Soak the seed and remove the exterior, then store the seed in peat moss and put in the refrigerator (around thirty-five to forty degrees). When spring comes, plant the seed one-half inch deep in a container of potting soil. Protect the seed, and be careful of the seedling, as these trees are very weak in their youth. Water through the summer and fall twice a week, and transplant the tree to its permanent home the following winter.

Black-eyed Susan

What is a field without the watchful gaze of the Black-eyed Susan? Hardy and vibrant, this flower is a top choice for the beginning gardener. It can grow to three feet in height and can be planted directly into the flower bed. The orange and yellow blooms may lag the first year, but will explode during the following one. Easy to maintain, this flower loves full sun and will grow in just about any soil. Wed through on occasion to make sure the more mature flowers will not crowd out the younger ones. Black-eyed Susan may be fertilized but it isn't necessary. The flower is largely resistant to many diseases and insects, making it a perfect gardening choice.

Wild Geranium

This shade-loving plant is most commonly used at the base of trees, or as a border around a shaded garden. Growing in twelve to twenty-four inch clumps, these flowers bloom in varying shades of pink, light blue, or purple which range in size from one to one and a half inches. Though it grows best in medium light, it can survive in full sun. It prefers moist, rich soil, and will not do well under drought conditions. Planting wild geraniums in your yard will bring you more abundance than just the blooms. Deer may feast on the leaves, and butterflies are very partial to the flowers.

For more information on these and other southern plants, go to www.thegardenersnet.com