Garden Journal, Gardening, Mississippi

Flowers that Grow Well in Mississippi

Posted by jackikellum on

 

 

 

The Following Information is from the Mississippi State University Extension Service:

 

Selected Annual Flowering Plants For Mississippi Gardens

Annuals Scientific name Light  Height  Spacing Remarks
Ageratum 

 

 Ageratum houstonianum  Full sun 6-20” 9-12” Edging; tall cultivars make good cut flowers
Alyssum 

 

 Lobularia maritima Sun to part shade 3-4” 6-8” Edging; nice ground cover; heat sensitive
Babies’ Breath 

 

 Gyposphila elegans  Full sun  1-2’ 8-12” Cut flowers; lime lover; excessive growth in rich soil
Bachelor Button 

(globe amaranth)

 

 Gomphrena globosa Full sun 1-3’ 6-12”  Drought tolerant; popular dry flower; reseeds
Balsam 

(Touch-me-not)

 

 Impatiens balsamnia Sun to part shade 15-24” 8-12” Reseeds prolifically
Basil 

 

 Ocimum basilicum Full sun 15-24” 15-18” Fragrant culinary herb; cut for regrowth
Begonia 

 

 Begonia semperflorens Sun to part shade 8-10” 8-12” Group for mass effect; green leaf cultivars are shade tolerant
Black-eyed Susan Vine 

 

 Thunbergia alata Sun to part shade Vine 6-18” Window boxes and hanging baskets
Caladium 

 

 Caladium hortulanum Sun to part shade 1-2’ 12-14” Tubers planted when day temperatures reach 70°F; dig in fall after foliage drops;
Calendula 

(pot marigold)

 

 Calendula officinalis Full sun 1-2’ 12-15” Cut flowers; bright flower bed plantings
Candlestick Plant 

 

 Senecio articulatus Full sun 4-6’ 3-5’ Accent or screen; unusual form
Castor Bean 

 

 Ricinus communus Full sun 5-7’ 2-4’ Coarse-textured bronze leaves; seeds poisonous; screen
Chrysanthemum 

 

 Chrysanthemum morifolium Full sun 1-3’ 12-14” Many different colors; plants are perennial but often planted as annuals
Cleome 

 

 Cleome lutea Full sun 4-5’ 18-24” Screen; cut flowers; reseeds prolifically
Cockscomb 

(celosia)

 

 Celosia argentea or cristata Full sun 1-2’ 8-12”  Crested or plumed cut flowers; heat tolerant; some reseed
Coleus 

 

 Coleus blumei Sun to part shade 2-3’ 10-12” Colorful foliage; mass in shade; nice container plant
Coreopsis 

 

 Coreopsis lanceolata Full sun 1-2’ 12-18” Native wildflower; reseeds; use as filler or in container
Cornflower 

(bachelor’s button)

 

 Centaurea cyanus Full sun 2-3’ 6-12” Filler plant; cut flowers; sow in fall
Cosmos 

 

 Cosmos bipinnatus Sun to part shade 2-4’ 6-12” Heat and drought tolerant; reseeds prolifically
Cypress Vine 

 

 Quamoclit pennata  Sun to part shade Vine 6-18” Attracts hummingbirds; reseeds
Dill 

 

 Anethum graveolens Full sun 3-4’ 12-18” Culinary herb; fine-textured foliage
Dusty Miller 

 

 Senecio cineraria Full sun 1-2’ 8-12” Silver-gray foliage; yellow flowers
Feverfew 

 

 chrysanthiemum parthenium Full sun 2-3’ 8-12” Filler; cut flowers; reseeds
Flowering Cabbage 

 

 Brassica oleracea Full sun 6-12” 12-18” Winter annual but not hardy in north Mississippi; colorful foliage
Flowering Tobacco 

 

 Nicotiana alata grandiflora  Sun to part shade 1-2’ 9-12” Fragrant cut flowers; borders and beds
Four-o’clocks 

 

 Mirabilis jalapa Full sun 1-3’ 8-12” Flowers open in late afternoon; require well-drained soil
Gaillardia 

(Indian blanket)

 

 Gaillardia pulchella Full sun  2-3’ 12-18” Cut flowers or dried; reseeding wildflowers
Geranium 

(zonal geranium)

 

 Pelargonium x hortorum Sun to 

part shade

 12-15” 9-12” Tolerates cool temperatures; good container plant
Gloriosa Daisy 

(Black-eyed Susan)

 

 Rudbeckia hirta gloriosa Sun to 

part shade

 18-30” 12-18” Bold texture; cut flowers; reseeds
Hollyhock 

 

 Althaea rosea Full sun 4-6’ 12-18” Annual cultivars are available; biennial cultivars, plant in fall; use as screen or background plant
Hyacinth Bean 

 

 Dolichos lablab Full sun Vine 6-12” Fast screen; colorful flowers and pods
Impatiens 

 

 Imapatiens wallerana Part shade 12-24” 8-12” Best annual for shade; some cultivars may reseed
Johnny Jump-up 

 

 Viola tricolor Sun to 

part shade

 6-12” 

long flowering

 6-8” Winter annual, plant in fall;
Joseph’s Coat 

 

 Amaranthus tricolor Full sun 

 

 6-12” 8-12” Colorful foliage; heat and drought tolerant
Lantana 

 

 Lantana camara Full sun 1-2’ 18-24” Fragrant attractive flowers; container plant; great for butterflies
Larkspur 

 

 Consolida ambigua Part shade 2-3’ 8-15” Spiked flower form; accent or mass plantings; reseeds; sow in fall
Marigold 

 

 Tagetes erecta or patula Full sun 6-30” 6-12” Mass plantings; good container plants; spider mites a problem
Morningglory 

 

 Ipomoea purpurea Full sun Vine 6-12” Colorful vine; cultivar selections rarely reseed
Moss Rose 

 

 Portulaca grandiflora Full sun 6-9” 6-12” Heat and drought tolerant; summer-long color; reseeds well
New Guinea 

Impatiens

 

 Impatiens hawkeri, 

I. linearifolia or hybrids

 Sun to 

part shade

 8-12” 12-14” Striking foliage; showy blooms; tolerates sun; hanging baskets
Pansy 

 

 Viola x wittrockiana Sun to 

part shade

 6-12” 6-10” Winter annual for fall planting and early spring color; container plant
Pepper (ornamental) 

 

 Capsicum annuum Full sun  9-30”  6-15” Many cultivars; heat tolerant; may reseed
Periwinkle (vinca) 

 

 Catharanthus roseus Full sun 1-2’ 8-12” Drought and heat tolerant; container plant; reseeds
Petunia 

 

 Petunia x hybrida Sun to 

part shade

 6-24” 12-15”  Many cultivars; mass color; heat tolerant; reseeds
Phlox (annual) 

 

 Phlox drummondii Sun to 

part shade

 8-15” 6-12” Mass color; native wildflower; reseeds
Poppy 

 

 Papaver nudicaule 

or orientale

 Full sun 1-2’ 6-12” Cut flowers; sow in fall; perennial, but mostly annual in Mississippi; easy to grow
Purslane (hybrid) 

 

 Portulaca x hybrida Full sun 6-9”  6-12” Heat and drought tolerant; summer-long color; hanging baskets; does not reseed
Queen Anne’s Lace 

 

 Daucus carota Sun to 

part shade

 3-4’ 2-3’ Naturalized wildflower; mass color; winter foliage; reseeds
Scarlet Sage 

 

 Salvia Shade 15-30”  8-12” Attracts hummingbirds; spikes of color; splendens to part sun shade during summer
Snapdragon 

 

 Antirrhinum majus Sun 12-36” 10-12” Spikes of color; cut flowers; blooms best in cool weather.
Statice 

 

 Limonium sinuatim Full sun  1-2’ 9-12” Cut flowers; salt tolerant for coastal plantings; readily dried
Strawflower 

 

 Helichrysum bracteatum Full sun 12-36” 12-15” Mass of color; cut flowers or dried
Sunflower 

 

 Helianthus annuus Full sun 4-10’  20-24” Thrives in poor soil; temporary screen; attracts goldfinches
Sweetpea 

 

 Lathyrus odoratus Full sun 1-3’ 6-8” Sow in fall; soak seed in tepid water one hour before planting
Tithonia 

 

 Tithonia rotundifolia Full sun 4-6’ 3-4’ Tall, bright, full plants; drought tolerant
Verbena 

 

 Verbena hortensis Full sun 6-12” 10-12” Notably fragrant; planter boxes and baskets
Wishbone Flower 

 

 Torenia fournieri  Part shade 6-12” 6-8” Garden borders; pots and hanging baskets
Zinnia 

 

 Zinnia sp. Full sun 1-3’ 8-15” Mass color; many cultivars; variable colors; some reseed

Quick Reference List for Annuals

  • Easy-to-Grow
    • Ageratum
    • Begonia
    • Chrysanthemum
    • Cleome
    • Cockscomb
    • Coreopsis
    • Cornflower
    • Cosmos
    • Dusty Miller
    • Four-o’clocks
    • Gomphrena
      • (bachelor button)
    • Impatiens
    • Joseph’s Coat
    • Marigold
    • Melampodium
    • Moss Rose
    • Pansy
    • Periwinkle
    • Pepper
    • Petunia
    • Poppy
    • Portulaca
    • Sunflower
    • Zinnia
  • Shade or Semi-Shade
    • Ageratum
    • Alyssum
    • Begonia
    • Coleus
    • Impatiens
    • Nicotiana
      • (flowering tobacco)
    • Pansy
    • Salvia
    • Snapdragon
    • Wishbone Flower
      • (torenia)
  • Hot, Dry Locations
    • Amaranth
      • (Joseph’s Coat)
    • Copper Plant
    • Cornflower
    • Cosmos
    • Four-o’clocks
    • Gomphrena
      • (bachelor button)
    • Melampodium
    • Morninglory
    • Moss Rose
    • Periwinkle
    • Portulaca
    • Sunflower
    • Tithonia
    • Verbena
    • Zinnia
  • Poor Soils
    • Amaranth
      • (Joseph’s Coat)
    • Cleome
    • Cockscomb
    • Coreopsis
    • Four-o’clocks
    • Gomphrena
      • (bachelor button)
    • Moss Rose
    • Periwinkle
    • Portulaca
    • Verbena
  • Annuals To Sow in
    • Annuals To Sow in Fall
      • Alyssum
      • Babies’ Breath
      • Calendula
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Dill
      • Johnny Jump-up
      • Larkspur
      • Pansy
      • Poppy
      • Queen Anne’s Lace
      • Snapdragon
      • Sweetpea
    • May Reseed Year after Year
      • Cleome
      • Coreopsis
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Gomphrena
        • (bachelor button)
      • Impatiens
      • Johnny Jump-up
      • Larkspur
      • Moss Rose
      • Periwinkle
      • Petunia
      • Zinnia
    • For Cut Flowers
      • Babies’ Breath
      • Calendula
      • Cleome
      • Cockscomb
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Gomphrena
        • (bachelor button)
      • Larkspur
      • Marigold
      • Poppy
      • Salvia
      • Snapdragon
      • Statice
      • Zinnia

    For Colorful Foliage

    • Amaranth
    • Basil
      • (purple-leafed and ruffle-leafed)
    • Caladium
    • Castor Bean
    • Coleus
    • Copper Plant
    • Dusty Miller
    • Joseph’s Coat
    • Ornamental Kale
      • (flowering cabbage)
    • For Edging
      • Ageratum
      • Alyssum
      • Begonia
      • Dusty Miller
      • Portulaca
      • Marigold
        • (dwarf)
      • Pansy
      • Petunia
      • Verbena
      • Wishbone Flower
        • (torenia)
      • Zinnia
        • (dwarf, and Z. angustifolia)
    • For Containers
      • Ageratum
      • Alyssum
      • Black-eyed Susan Vine
      • Begonia
      • Coleus
      • Geranium
      • Impatiens
      • Marigold
      • Pansy
      • Pepper
      • Periwinkle
      • Petunia
      • Portulaca
      • Verbena
      • Wishbone Flower
        • (torenia)
    • For Backgrounds and Screens
      • Amaranth
      • Castor Bean
      • Cleome
      • Cockscomb
      • Copper Plant
      • Cosmos
      • Hollyhock
      • Marigold
        • (tall)
      • Sunflower
      • Tithonia
      • Zinnia
        • (tall)
    • For Groundcovers
      • Alyssum
      • Begonia
      • Moss Rose
      • Periwinkle
      • Portulaca
      • Verbena
      • Attract Butterflies
      • Coreopsis
      • Cosmos
      • Gaillardia
      • Gomphrena
        • (bachelor button)
      • Marigold
        • (singles best)
      • Periwinkle
      • Queen Anne’s Lace
      • Verbena
      • Zinnia
        • (the best)

Selected Herbaceous Perennials for Mississippi Gardens

The following are some of the most popular and dependable perennials enjoyed by Mississippi gardeners. Try a few each year, and soon you will enjoy a nice collection of hardy plants.

Note: Names are those generally used in the nursery trade and garden books. Cultivated varieties are in single quotes.

Herbaceous Perennials Scientific Names Bloom Season Plant Height Remarks
Achillea (yarrow) 

 

 Achillea filipendulina 

or millefolium

 Spring; summer 1-3’ Fernlike winter foliage, flat round heads of spring and summer flowers; excellent cut flowers; good companion to daylilies; pink or white cultivars popular, ‘Coronation Gold’ suffers on Gulf Coast from heat and humidity.
Amsonia (blue star) 

 

 Amsonia tabernaemontana Spring; summer 2-3’ Native, spikes of blue in mid-spring, tolerates wet or dry soils, good cut flower; Clump-former to 3 feet tall
Artemisia 

 

 Artemisia ludoviciana Foliage 2-3’ Silver-gray foliage plant; invasive, but good companion; ‘Silver King’ and ‘Powis Castle’
Asters 

 

 Aster sp. Fall 2-5’ Wide range of plant heights depending on type
Banana 

 

 Musa acuminata Foliage 10-15’ Foliage giant; trunk needs mulch protection in winter
Butterfly Lily 

(ginger lily)

 

 Hedychium coronarium Late summer and fall 4-6’ Bamboo-like summer foliage; pure white, fragrant flowers; rhizomes edible as a mild ginger; mulch in winter
Canna 

 

 Canna generalis Summer 3-7’ Dependable summer flowers; coarse foliage; tolerates both very dry and very wet soils; dwarf forms popular for landscaping; insects are a problem on foliage, but easily controlled; pruning forces new growth
Cardinal Flower 

(Lobelia)

 

 Lobelia cardinalis Late summer and fall 3-4’ Native to moist or lightly shaded areas; spikes of red flowers; cut flower; do not mulch in winter or rot may occur
Chives and Garlic Chives 

 

 Allium schoenoprasum Spring 1-2’ Edible flowering members of onion family; winter foliage
Coreopsis 

(Mississippi State Wildflower)

 

 Coreopsis lanceolata Spring and 

summer

 2-3’ Several forms include spring bloomers for cut flowers and invasive, low-growing summer bloomers (‘Moonbeam’, ‘Zargreb’ with ferny foliage)
Daisies (mums) 

 

 Chrysanthemum sp. Spring to fall 1-3’ Many forms and colors
Ox-eye Daisy 

 

 C. leucanthemum Spring 2-3’ Naturalized wildflower ‘May Queen’ best variety
Shasta Daisy 

 

 C. maximum Spring 2-3’ Very popular white daisy
Garden Mum 

 

 C. x morifolium Fall 1-2’ Often planted as an annual; needs dividing in spring to prevent rot
Clara Curtis Aster 

 

 C. rubellum (C. zawadskii 

latilobum)

 Fall 2-3’ Old garden (favorite; large and pink; often called ‘Country Girls’)
Daylily 

 

 Hemerocallis Summer 1-4’ Very popular clump-former with stems of large flowers; tolerates wide range of soils except wet; many improved varieties
Elephant Ear 

 

 Alocasia cucullata Foliage 3-4’ Favorite large-leaf foliage plant; corms edible; may be invasive; many other species and hybrids available
Ferns
  • Adiantum capillus-veneria
  • Asplenium sp.
  • Athyrium sp.
  • Cyrtomium falcatum
  • Polystichum sp.
  • Pteridium aquilinum
  • Southern Maidenhair
  • Spleenworts
  • Lady Ferns
  • Holly Ferns (evergreen)
  • Leather Ferns
  • Bracken Fern
 Foliage 1-5’ Many kinds, mostly shade; divide and transplant in winter
Four-o’clocks 

 

 Mirabilis jalapa Spring to fall 1-3’ Fragrant evening bloomer; easy and fast from seed; tolerant of every poor soils; good for hummingbirds
Hibiscus (rose mallow) 

 

 Hibiscus moscheutos Summer and fall 3-5’ Several hardy varieties; do not confuse with Chinese hibiscus; tall plants, ‘Disco Belle’ series have dinner-plate-sized flowers; insects a problem on foliage
Hosta (plantain lily) 

 

 Hosta plantaginea Summer 10-24” Shade plant with coarse foliage; cut flower; not heat tolerant near Gulf Coast
Iris 

 

 Iris sp. Spring 2-5’ Louisiana iris thrives in wet soils; Bearded iris is popular, but often rots in heavy soils or if planted deep; Siberian iris more dependable in central and north Mississippi; Dwarf crested iris is a shade-loving groundcover.
Lamb’s Ears 

 

 Stachys byzantina Foliage 1-2’ Silver-gray foliage, spikes of yellow flowers in spring; drought-tolerant groundcover; container plant
Lantana 

 

 Lantana camara Spring to fall 2-4’ Long-blooming butterfly plant; drought 

tolerant; attractive berries poisonous; new cultivars may not be hardy in the north
Liatris (blazing star) 

 

 Liatris spicata Summer 2-3’ Outstanding native with tall spikes of lavender flowers that bloom from top down; great cut flower
Liriope (monkey grass) 

 

 Liriope muscari Summer 1-2’ Tough clump-former with evergreen foliage; variegated varieties available; often overlooked as flowering plant for dry or shady sites
Lythrum (loosestrife) 

 

 Lythrum salicaria Summer and fall 3-5’ Tall spikes of pink flowers; butterflies; 

named cultivars (‘Morden’s Gleam’, etc.) not invasive; tolerates wet soils or water gardens
Mistflower 

(wild ageratum)

 

 Eupatorium coelestinum Fall 2-3’ 

 

 Native; blooms in fall with masses of blue flowers
Monarda (bee balm) 

 

 Monarda didyma Summer 2-3’ Native to lightly-shaded moist sites; flowers used for herbal tea; good butterfly plant
Mondograss 

 

 Ophiopogon japonicus Summer 4-8” Dwarf lily turf; good ground cover; 

full sun to part shade
Phlox 

 

 Phlox sp. Spring 1-3’ Most kinds native; early spring ‘Thrift’; (P. subulata) good for rock gardens and (P. paniculata) taller cut flower (suffers from mildew) edging; “wild sweet Williams” (P. divaricata) good for ground cover; “summer phlox” (P. paniculata) taller cut flower 

(suffers from mildew)
Physostegia (obedience) 

 

 Physostegia virginiana Summer and fall 2-4’ Invasive native with spikes of cut flowers; ‘vivid’ pink cultivar
Purple Coneflower 

 

 Echinacea purpurea Summer 2-4’ Native summer cut flower; 

attractive seedheads
Red Hot Poker 

(Kniphofia)

 

 Kniphofia uvaria Late spring to summer 2-3’ Striking stems of late spring flowers above 

clumps of thin foliage
Rudbeckia 

(Black-eyed Susan)

 

 Rudbeckia fulgida or hirta Summer 2-4’ Traditional native wildflower; R. hirta is a short-lived spring perennial; reseeds readily; R. fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ is a more dependable, spreading groundcover with many mid-summer flowers on stiff stems. Winter foliage
Salvia 

 

 Salvia sp. Summer 3-4’ Several hardy species and cultivars 

(S. greggii, S. farinaceae, S. guarantitica), mostly blue cut flowers on spikes
Saponaria (soapwort, bouncing bet) 

 

 Saponaria officinalis Spring to fall 8-10” Old-world plant used by pioneers to make soap lather; spreading groundcover with pink and white flowers in clusters; good winter foliage
Sedum 

 

 Sedum acre or spectabile Spring or summer 10-18” Several hardy species include cascading S. acre with yellow spring flowers, and S. spectabile (‘Autumn Joy’) or house leek; very hardy, easy to root or divide; excellent very hardy, easy to root or divide; excellent
Stoke’s Aster 

 

 Stokesia laevis Spring 18-24” Native, low-growing clump-former with 

large blue aster-like flowers; tolerates wet soils
Verbena 

 

 Verbena x hybrida Spring to Summer 1-2’ Spreading ground covers for sunny, dry areas; garden verbenas are propagated from cuttings, not seed like the annual species; V. rigida and V. tenuisecta (moss verbena) are wild along roadsides and are too invasive for most gardens, but do best in very poor soils; prune in summer to control mites
Violets 

 

 Viola williamsii Late winter and spring 6-10” Woodland natives that also grow in full sun; may become weedy in lawns; winter flowers edible

Other Hardy Perennials Worth Growing in Mississippi Gardens

Note: These perennials are all easily grown. However, many of them are difficult to locate commercially except through mail order. All can be readily found in good perennial reference books if more information is needed. Latin names followed by sp. indicate many different species are available.

  • Asparagus
    • Asparagus officinalis
  • Beard-tongue
    • Penstemon sp.
  • Blue-eyed Grass
    • Sisyrinchium angustifolium
  • Boltonia
    • B. asteroides
  • Bugleweed
    • Ajuga reptans
  • Butterfly Weed
    • Asclepias tuberosa
  • Candytuft
    • Iberis sempervirens
  • Cast-iron Plant
    • Aspidistra elatior
  • Comfrey
    • Symphytum officinale
  • Coralbells
    • Heuchera sanguinea
  • Dianthus ‘Telstar’ and ‘Spring Beauty’
    • Dianthus sp.
  • Dwarf Goldenrod
    • Solidago x hybrida
  • Gerbera Daisy
    • Gerbera jamesonii
  • Hardy Begonia
    • Begonia grandis
  • Heliopsis (“cut-and-come-again”)
    • Heliopsis scabra
  • Helleborus (Lenten rose)
    • Helleborus orientalis
  • Hidden Ginger (hidden lily)
    • Curcuma petiolata
  • Indian Pinks
    • Spigelia marilandica
  • Ironweed
    • Veronia altissima and V. angustifolia
  • Joe-Pye Weed
    • Eupatorium purpureum
  • Lily (turk’s cap, Madonna, tiger, etc.)
    • Lilium sp.
  • Mexican or Mint Marigold
    • Tagetes lucida
  • Mints
    • Mentha sp.
  • Pachysandra
    • Pachysandra terminalis
  • Peony (‘Festiva Maxima’ and other early bloomers only)
    • Paeonia lactiflora
  • Peruvian Lily (parrot lily)
    • Alstroemeria pulchella
  • Purple Heart
    • Setcreasea purpurpea
  • Spiderwort
    • Tradescantia virginiana
  • Trillium
    • Trillium cuneatum
  • Umbrella Sedge
    • Cyperus alternifolius
  • Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’, ‘Blue Charm’, and ‘Goodness Grows’
    • Veronica spicata

Selected Hardy Bulbs for Mississippi Gardens

Note: These bulbs are commonly grown, though they may not be readily available through local garden supply stores. They are available through mail-order companies. Many may be found in old gardens and, with permission from the owners, can be propagated. Divide bulbs when they are not actively growing. Latin names followed by sp. indicate many different species are available. Several distinct groups have different flower forms; recommended hardy cultivars include ‘Ice Follies’, ‘Carlton’, ‘Mt. Hood’, ‘Tete a Tete’, ‘Minnow’, ‘Cheerfulness’, ‘Paperwhite’, ‘Thalia’, ‘Fortune’, ‘Unsurpassable’, ‘Jonquilla’.

Hardy Bulbs Scientific Names
Allium (chives, garlic chives) Allium schoenoprasum
Amaryllis (hardy red) Amaryllis belladonna
Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
Crocosmia (‘Lucifer’, and the orange montbretia) Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Dutch Iris Iris xiphium
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
Hymenocallis (native white spider lily)  Hymenocallis occidentalis
Jacob’s Ladder (hardy gladiolus)  Gladiolus byzantinus
Ipheion (starflower) Ipheion uniflorum
Leucojum (summer snowflake)
Lilies (garden lily; tiger, Madonna, regal, Easter) Lilium sp.
Lycoris Radiata (red spider lily)  Lycoris radiata
L. squamigera (naked ladies) Lycoris squamigera
Milk and Wine Lily Crinum latifolium
Muscari (grape hyacinth)
Narcissus (daffodil) Narcissus sp.
Oxalis (pink woods sorrel) Oxalis adenophylla
Painted Arum Arum italicum
Spanish Squill (woods hyacinth) Scilla hispanica
Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum nutans
Sternbergia (Autumn crocus) Sternbertia lutea
Society Garlic Tulbaghia violacea
Rain Lily, Atamasco Lily Zephyranthes sp.

Hardy Ornamental Grasses

  • Broomsedge (native; very invasive)
  • Andropogon virginicus
  • Carex (short, grass-like plant)
  • Carex sp.
  • Fountain Grass
  • Small grass with foxtail flowers; the maroon one is an annual and not hardy.
  • Pennisetum alopecuriodes
  • Giant Reed (striped cane)
  • Arundo donax
  • Miscanthus (maiden grass)
  • All cultivars excellent: ‘Gracillimus’ has fine texture to four feet; ‘Zebrinus’ has yellow stripes across the leaf blades; ‘Variegata’ holds up well in gardens
  • Miscanthus sinensis
  • Pampas Grass (not reliable in North Miss.)
  • Cortaderia selloana
  • River Oats (shade, good cut flower)
  • Chasmanthium latifolium
  • Variegated Ribbon Grass
  • For the shade
  • Phalaris arundinacea

Quick-Reference List for Perennial Uses

  • Shade or Part-Shade
    • Ajuga
    • Alstroemeria (Peruvian lily)
    • Aspidistra
    • Canna (may not bloom, but foliage good for texture)
    • Ferns
    • Ginger Lily (Hedychium)
    • Heuchera (Coral bells)
    • Hosta
    • Iris (Dwarf crested, and the old timey “sweet flags”)
    • Liriope
    • Lobelia (Cardinal flower)
    • Ophiopogon (mondograss)
    • Pachysandra (except on Gulf Coast)
    • Phlox divaricata (wild blue phlox)
    • Setcreasia (purple heart)
    • Spigelia (Indian Pink)
    • Viola (Violets)
  • Tolerant of Wet Soils
    • Amsonia (blue star)
    • Apsidistra
    • Canna
    • Cyperus (umbrella sedge)
    • Ironweed
    • Joe-Pye Weed
    • Louisiana Iris
    • Lobelia (cardinal flower)
    • Lythrum
    • Miscanthus (ornamental grass)
    • Stokesia
  • Bloom in Late Summer or Fall
    • Asters
    • Boltonia
    • Canna
    • Daylily
    • Dwarf Goldenrod
    • Four-o’clocks
    • Ironweed
    • Lantana
    • Physotegia (obedience)
    • Purple Coneflower
    • Mexican Mint Marigold
    • Ornamental grasses
    • Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’
    • Salvias
    • Saponaria
    • Verbena
  • Attractive to Butterflies
    • Canna
    • Coreopsis
    • Goldenrod
    • Ironweed
    • Joe-Pye weed
    • Lantana (the best)
    • Liatris
    • Lythrum
    • Monarda
    • Phlox
    • Purple Coneflower
    • Rudbeckia
    • Salvias
    • Sedums
    • Stokesia
    • Verbena
    • Yarrow

Planting a few perennials and annuals around a featured object, such as a bench, urn, or birdbath, gives an interesting all-season scene. Mixing groups of contrasting shapes or textures, and planning for a long season of color can create a dramatic effect.

Publication 1826 (POD-01-20)

Revised by Gary Bachman, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Coastal Research and Extension Center; based on an earlier edition by Felder Rushing, former area Extension agent–horticulture, and Steven E. Newman, PhD, former associate professor of horticulture.

Copyright 2019 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Produced by Agricultural Communications.

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