Home and Living

The sultry South, which is an apt description of the southern part of the United States, is not only made famous by its love of jazz and blues, its folklore and literature, as well as its cultural luminaries, but also its humid and hot climate and its dazzling display of flourishing flora. Who does not know the breath-taking beauty of streets lined with flowering Magnolias? Who is immune to the intoxicating scent of the bougainvillea?

Yet not all gardeners love to garden in this green spot. As a matter of fact, many bemoan the plants that appear to be healthy and thriving one day only to succumb to the heat the very next. For those of you who are ready to take the plunge and are determined to make your garden lush and thriving, here are the best heat tolerant flowers and plants for your sultry southern garden:

• Jade plants fall under the heading of succulents, which are plants that live on very little water in the summer, and almost none in the winter. Extremely drought resistant, these plants love the heat and sun, and will bloom pink, or sometimes white, in the spring. While they love the heat, they do not want to be exposed to a merciless beating of the sun. It is important not to over-water these plants.
• Rosemary is a well-known herb, famous for its medicinal properties, but also widely renowned for its use as an ornamental plant. A large number of different specimens are available, some of which differentiate themselves by virtue of their differently colored flowers or varying leaf colors. Sometimes able to be made into beautiful topiaries, the rosemary is certain to add a fragrance and beauty to your garden while weathering even the toughest heat. Simply plant it in well-drained soil, and if at all possible protect it against strong winds.
• Celestial Blue, a member of the sage family, is a well-known drought and also heat tolerant plant that is not only hardy but also very attractive. Its blooms are large and pink, violet or purple and are known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies that eagerly drink up the flowers’ nectar.
• Magnolia trees are one of the very plants that have made the southern portion of the United States famous worldwide. They are long-living trees that display large, delicate flowers, which emit a heady scent. If grown from a seed, these plants may take up to twenty years to mature enough to display even one bloom, while asexually propagated plants will quite possibly bloom within three to five years. If planting a Magnolia, pick a well-lit spot with little or no shade and be sure to use a well-drained soil and water very often. Fertilize frequently, and be sure to resist the urge to prune the plant.
• The Madagascar Dragon Tree is a small shrub that is well known to anyone who works in office buildings, since it is the office plant of choice. Extended light exposure, heat, and little water are perfect for this plant and therefore make it a perfect staple of the southern garden
• The California Juniper is a shrub that may also grow into a small tree. Heat as well as drought resistant, it grows quickly and beautifully and has a pleasant scent. Once word of caution: if left unchecked, this shrub soon becomes a virtual haven for spiders!
• Pansies may not be known for being extremely heat tolerant, but if planted in the shade and watered well, they make for a stunning array of flowers in the winter months!
• Blackfoot is a plant that is actually native to Florida. Greatly varying in sizes and shapes, these flowering plants are very closely related to the sunflower family. Like many heat resistant plants, they enjoy well-drained soil, but will also make do with les than perfect soil conditions.

As you can see, there is a large variety of plants, shrubs and trees that will do extremely well in a sultry southern garden, adding colorful displays, variety of texture, as well as wonderful scents that have to be smelled to be believed!