Regional Picks: Short Plants – South

See regional picking for poor plants , and read the clause by Steve Aitken for even more ideas .

“ As I began pile up unnumerable poor varieties , only some of which exploit in my front layer , I started planting shorter plants all over my garden . I would take notice of them , too , in all the gardens I visited , residential and botanic . I made mental notes of how others used little plant life : the roles they could play and how essential they are to completing the flavor of a garden , a bed , or a vignette . ” Read more in10 Small Plants to Grow Now

look at the whole assemblage .

1.‘Evita’ Hardy Gloxinia

Name:Seemannia nematanthodes‘Evita’

Zones:7b–9

Size:1 substructure tall and 4 feet all-encompassing

status : Partial shade ; well - drained soil in wintertime and moist stain in summer

Native Range : Argentina

There are n’t many shining crimson flowers for wraith , but hardy gloxinia fulfil that niche . From midsummer to frost , this ground cover erupts with scarlet efflorescence that brood over fertile immature foliage and appear like elongated jelly beans with one end flared open . I particularly like how radiant the flowers seem in the late evening sun , an effect that can be enhance by allowing this plant life to cascade over a rock rampart or carpet the dry land along a planting ’s edge . This member of the African violet family was selected at a high elevation in Argentina for enhanced winter hardiness , but it can be tender in zones far north . It is often late to start growing in saltation , so be patient before giving up on it .

2.Dunce Caps

Name:Orostachys iwarenge

Zones:6–8

Size:12 in tall and 12 to 18 inches extensive

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; well - drained soil

Native Range : China , Japan

I fly in love with this low - growing succulent during grad school , when I was an apartment habitant . A supporter gave me one plant life that soon became many , as its frosted low rosettes circularise newfangled plant via threadlike stolons . The babe were perfect for top - stuffing around the base of other container plants . In fall the rosette ’ centers elongated about 4 to 6 in into tiny “ dunce cap , ” and dozens of tiny flowers appear on that inflorescence . I pull up stakes some plant outdoors for the winter and was delighted to discover they could outlive in Zone 7 conditions . Thus , Southern rock - garden fancier can also use this Asian native as a ground cover version .

3.Sacred Lily

Name:Rohdea japonica

Zones:6–10

Size:1 foot magniloquent and 2 foot wide

Conditions : Partial to full tone ; fairly moist , well - drain soil ( especially in wintertime )

Native Range : Japan

I first encounter sacred lily on a cold winter sidereal day and was amazed that this perennial with tropic - looking leaf could still be so lush after a icing . Since that first meeting , hallowed lily has become a plant that I urge to my students for its usefulness in fly-by-night sites . Its stretch evergreen leaf make a reliable , modest herbaceous layer under shrubs . Although slow to spread , it can be propagate through section during wintertime . The flower are hide by the foliage , but if they are pollinated , you ’ll see cherry-red fruit among the foliage just in time for the holiday . Variegated sacred lily are on the market , and their hints of tweed in the leaves assist to brighten dark corners .

4.‘Minnie Pearl’ Phlox

Name:Phlox carolina‘Minnie Pearl’

Zones:4–9

Conditions : Full Lord’s Day to fond shade ; moist to average out land

Native Range : Southeastern United States

Say howdy to ‘ Minnie Pearl ’ phlox , a great , short perennial for the South ! This choice of a Southeastern native , discovered in Mississippi , bloom for a month in mid to tardy spring , and its pinwheel - shape whitened flower may refund for encore performances during the summer . ‘ Minnie Pearl ’ tardily spreads via rootstock and has mold - resistant , verdant foliage ; provide some shade during summer to prevent sensationalistic discolouration . I ’ve seen it planted under white benches that ring the colour of the flower , and in my garden it bring home the bacon stellar demarcation for plants with sour foliation , such as ‘ Sparkling Burgundy ’ Ananas comosus lily ( Eucomis comosa‘Sparkling Burgundy ’ , Zones 6–9 ) .

Jared Barnes , Ph.D. , is an assistant professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches , Texas .

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Regional Picks: Short Plants – Southern California

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