Plants for Zone 8 with morning shade and blazing afternoon sun?

Tbo16211480
by Tbo16211480
Our lot is pie shaped with our driveway at the narrow point. I'd like to plant a welcoming landscape but am stumped as to what plants to pick. Living on gulf coast we get lots of rain in the summer, drier in fall and winter. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

  5 answers
  • Trudi Trudi on Apr 04, 2018

    https://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Gardening_Zone_8

    Here is a whole list of flowers and plants for your area. Happy planting.

  • Kym Kym on Apr 04, 2018

    Try checking out the Pattern book first, determine what specific zone you're in (8A or 8B) and check in with a really good grower or Ace Hardware. Locals know what grows and what doesn't. I'm headed out there by the end of this year! (I'm going for Azaleas, Dogwood, some grasses and maybe a hosta and lavender here and there) low maintenance, hardy growers! https://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FFL-Pattern-Book-Zone8A-8B.pdf

    • Tbo16211480 Tbo16211480 on Apr 04, 2018

      Thanks Kym! We're in 8B, just need to keep trying with that problem spot of ours! I grew up in mid-atlantic with 4 distinct seasons. Here it's more like little spring, LONG summer, quick autumn, with about 2 weeks of winter lol. I have had much success with blueberries, citrus, muscadines, blackberries, etc. Maybe I should try some edible landscape at that end of our driveway ;-) also have had good luck with hydrangea, azalea, crepe myrtle, gardenia, hosta, elephant ears, etc.


      Welcome to you when you get to the gulf coast!!

  • Kym Kym on Apr 04, 2018

    Thanks! I'm in the Santa Barbara area out here on the west coast and our seasons are very Mediterranean. Cool spring, long summers, short fall and January 25th for winter LOL

    Looking forward to getting back east though and am house hunting the Pensacola area in 3 more weeks! Have you tried lavender out there? It loves afternoon sun, and there's always thyme, oregano and rosemary too. Hardy herbs never hurt! Edible sounds GOOD. Sounds like you've already got a green thumb :)

  • Tbo16211480 Tbo16211480 on Apr 04, 2018

    Finally got rosemary to go in a clay pot, too wet in the ground and will try some more herbs. This year I want to try lavender on a mound to help with drainage and small white marble chips for mulch. I'm finally getting the hang of the different timing and better plant choices :)


    Good luck on your house hunting adventure!! We're just over the state line in Alabama, about 40 miles from Pensacola. I think you'll like the area.