Below are perennials that prefer moisture retentive soils and perform well in Zone 8

Name: Anemone 'Snowdrop' Botanical: Anemone sylvestris Height x Width: 18" H x 18" W Exposure: Afternoon Shade is preferred Bloom Color: White Bloom Time: Fall Water: Prefers moisture retentive soils Features: An abundannce of white flowers on tall, wirey stalks are held above attractive foliage. Best Anemone for the South! Companions: Combine with other fall flowering perennials

Name: Bee Balm Botanical: Monarda Height x Width: 2-4' H x 1-2' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: Red, Burgundy, or Pink Bloom Time: Summer Water: Performs best in moisture retentive soils Features: Enormously large, nectar rich blooms arranged in whirling clusters atop tall stems are a hummingbird magnet! The most mildew-resistant selection. Companions: Combine with other plants that attract hummingbirds and that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Canna Lilies

Name: Canna Lily 'Tropicana' Botanical: Canna Height x Width: 3-5' H x 1-3' W Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Color: Golden-Orange Bloom Time: May to Frost! Water: Dry or damp Features: Golden-Orange flowers are produced atop outstanding variegated, green, red, and yellow foliage. A beauty! Excellent in the landscape or container plantings. Tolerates dry or damp soils. Mulch in winter. Companions: Other Cannas, Elephant Ears, Yellow Flag Iris, Perennial Hibiscus, Calla Lilies, and many more.

Name: Cardinal Flower Botanical: Lobelia cardinalis Height x Width: 3-4' H x -2' W Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Intense Red Bloom Time: July through September Water: Prefers moisture retentive soils Features: Showy intense red flowers are densely packed on sturdy stems. A hummingbird magnet! Companions: A good selection for a swampy, shady area of the landscape. Naturalizes were happy.

Elephant Ears

Name: Elephant Ears Botanical: Colocasia, Alocasia Height x Width: 3-5' H x 3-5' W Exposure: Shade or Partial Shade - some take Full Sun Foliage Color: Assorted Bloom Time:   Water: Prefers moisture retentive soils but tolerates it dry Features: Huge tropical foliage resembling elephant ears is outstanding in the landscape. Some prefer moisture retentive soils and others will tolerate it dry. A must in every landscape! Companions: Yellow Flag Iris, Horsetail Grass, Bee Balms, Swamp Hibiscus, Calla Lilies, Swamp Sunflower, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Name: Joe Pye Weed Botanical: Eupatorium Height x Width: 4-6' H x 2-4' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: Lilac Bloom Time: July to October Water: Prefers consistent moisture. Water during dry spells. Features: Stately native plant producing large rounded domes of lilac flower clusters in late summer and fall at the ends of sturdy stems that are clothed in vanilla scented leaves. Excellent as a background in soils that retain some moisture during dry spells. Companions: Elephant Ears, Iris, Bee Balm, Calla Lily, Canna Lily Bengal Tiger, perennial Hibiscus, Bog Salvia, Joe Pye Weed, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Many colors available

Name: Perennial Hibicus Botanical: Hibiscus Height x Width: 4-5' H x 4-5' W Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Color: Blooms are up to 12" across - dinnerplate size!! Bloom Time: Summer through Fall! Water: Tolerates dry or damp soils Features: These hibiscus are not to be confused with 'tropical' hibiscus which are annuals in Zone 8. Companions: Elephant Ears, Yellow Flag Iris, Horsetail Grass, Calla Lilies, Canna Lilies, Joe Pye Weed, Bee Balm, and other plants that prefer damp soils.

Name: Hibiscus 'Confederate Rose' Botanical: Hibiscus mutabilis Height x Width: 8-10' H x 5-6' W Exposure: Full Sun or Light Shade Bloom Color: White, Pink, & Rose on same bush! Bloom Time: September through November Water: Tolerates damp or dry soil Features: Large, semi-double ruffly flowers are produced in Fall in 3 shades of pink! Oustanding specimen or background plant in the landscape or perennial garden. Tolerates damp or dry soils. Companions: Other Perennial Hibiscus, Yellow Flag Iris, Horsetail Grass, Canna Lilies, Joe Pye Weed, Bee Balm, Calla Lilies, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Name: Hibiscus 'Swamp' Botanical: Hibiscus coccineus Height x Width: 6' H x 6' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: Red - 6" across Bloom Time: Summer into Fall Water: Dry or Wet! Features: Outstanding red flowers are 6" across. Cutleaf foliage is very attractive.Outstanding specimen or background plant in the perennial garden or landscape. Tolerates damp or dry soils. Companions: Other perennial Hibiscus, Yellow Flag Iris, Horsetail Grass, Canna Lilies, Joe Pye Weed, Bee balm, Calla Lilies, and other plants that like damp soils.

Name: Horsetail Reed Grass Botanical: Equisetum hymale Height x Width: 4-6'H x 3'+W Exposure: Full Sun or Part Shade Bloom Color:   Bloom Time:   Water: Prefers it wet or damp. Features: A prehistoric grass resembling leafless bambo,that spreads in moisture retentive or wet soils. Can be planted in the garden pond. Deer resistant and excellent for use in cut flower arrangements. Companions: Iris Psuedacorus, Perennial Hibiscus, Calla Lily, Elephant Ear, Swamp Sunflower, Joe Pye Weed, Riverbirch, and other plants and trees that prefer damp to wet soils.

Name: Iris 'Yellow Flag' Botanical: Iris psuedacorus Height x Width: 3-5' H x 2' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partials Shade Bloom Color: Yellow Bloom Time: May-June Water: Dry or wet! Features: Large yellow flowers are produced in late spring on sturdy stalks that rise above vertical gray green foliage. Prefers moisture retentive soils but tolerates it dry too. Companions: Elephant Ears, other Iris, Bee Balm, Calla Lily, Canna Lily Bengal Tiger, perennial Hibiscus, Bog Salvia, Joe Pye Weed, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Name: Pineapple Sage Botanical: Salvia elegans Height x Width: 3' H x 2' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: Red Bloom Time: July to Frost! Water: Tolerates dry but prefers damp soils. Features: Produces an abundance of red tubular flowers that are a hummingbird magnet! The foliage of this plant smells just like fresh pineapples! A must in every garden! Like moisture retentive soils. Companions: Other perennials that like moisture retentive soils and that attract hummingbirds.

Name: 'Bog' Salvia - REPELS DEER! Botanical: Salvia ulginosa Height x Width: 3-4' H x 3-4' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade Bloom Color: Intense Sky Blue Bloom Time: June to Frost and beyond!! Water: Performs well in damp or dry soils! Features: This Salvia actually repels deer!!! The odor that comes from the foliage is intolerable to our fluffy tailed friends. Plant several of these beauties around the yard and no more deer! Companions: Other Salvias, Yarrows, Sedums, Coneflowers, Rudbeckias, Agastaches, Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Bush, Lantanas, Coreopsis, Ryans Daisy, Asters, all kinds of shrubs, and many more!

Name: Swamp Sunflower Botanical: helianthus augustifolia Height x Width: 6-10' H x 4-5' W Exposure: Full Sun or Partials Shade Bloom Color: Yellow daisies with black eye Bloom Time: August to October Water: Damp or dry soils Features: Masses of bright yellow daisies are produced all over this bush form perennial in Fall. Likes moist soils but tolerates it dry. The height makes it an excellent choice for the background. Companions: Joe Pye Weed, Elephant Ears, Butterfly Weed, Canna Lilies, Horsetail Grass, Yellow Flag Iris, Swamp Hibiscus, Bee Balms, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Name: Toad Lilies Botanical: Tricyrtis Height x Width: 18-24" H x 18-24" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Bloom Color: Assorted Bloom Time: Fall Water: Average to moisture retentive soils Features: Curiously spotted, orchid-like flowers on graceful plants with arching stems. A wonderful addition to the shade garden. Companions: Other plants that prefer shade. Put this one close to the edge for easy viewing.

Information Center How to Plant How to Fertilize How to Prune Lawn Care Insect Control Disease Control Weed Control Other Information

Plant Files

Plant Files Shrubs Trees Annual Flowers Perennial Flowers Roses Crape Myrtles Ornamental Grasses Japanese Maples Herbs Vines Groundcovers Fruit Bearing Deer Resistant Other Plants

Tips for the Month January February March April May June July August September October November December

Topics of Interest Theme Gardens Plant Groups Landscape Design Do-It-Yourself Projects Other Topics

Do-It-Yourself Projects Garden Ponds Backyard Greenhouse Night Lighting

FREE Designs Perennials Gardens Annual Beds Container Combos Screen Planting