The Heat Is On: Ovenproof Flora for Southern Gardens. Plants That Thrive In Hot and Humid Weather. . .Even When You Can't
Hello,
Not all of my slide show pictures are posted below, although every one of the photo numbers and their titles are included.
If you wish to see a particular plant’s complete picture ensemble, please contact me at askamg@hotmail.com. If you have a gardening question or simply want to make a remark, you’re welcome to use the "Comments” section at the bottom of this page.
Thanks for supporting the Charleston Historic Foundation.
Horticulturally yours,
PJ Gartin
Slide 1. Title (sunflower)
Slide 1. Title (sunflower)
Slide 2. 1990 USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Slide 3. 2005 USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Both Hardiness Zone maps are available at
Slide 4. How to add interest to hot summertime gardens? Start with trees and shrubs.
Slides 5. White loropetalum (L. chinense). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9.
Slide 6–7. Pink fringe-flower (L. chinense var. rubrum). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–9.
Dr. Michael Dirr suggests that 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia' might be the hardiest—perhaps as far north as Cincinnati (6a-6b). 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia' is usually rated 7–9.
"Changed the market for purpleleaf shrubs in Zones 7 to 9." (Dirr) Has replaced purple-leaved barberries. Comes in all sizes from 1 to 2' up to 25'.
Slide 8. Purple-leaved barberry (Berberis spp.) particularly Japanese barberry (B. thunbergii) has become invasive is some areas. USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8.
Slides 9–11. Nandina or heavenly bamboo (N. domestica) USDA Hardiness Zones 6–9.
Slide 12. Abelia x grandiflora USDA Hardiness Zones 6–9.
Grandiflora is perhaps the most popular abelia. It is cold hardy in Chicago (6a).
Slide 13. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) (Picture used with permission. © F. Brian Smith, 2004). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11.
Slide 14. According to Dr. Michael Dirr, C. dichotoma or Korean beautyberry might be the most cold hardy (Picture used with permission. © F. Brian Smith, 2004). USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9a.
Also, "treat as [a] cut-back shrub to stimulate vigorous shoot growth." Dirr
Slides 15–16 Mahonia japonica ‘Bealei’. USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8.
Slides 17–18 Viburnum tinus. USDA Hardiness Zones 6–12. Two varieties: ‘Compactum, which grows 4–6 ft. tall and ‘Robustum’, which grows to 6–12 feet tall. It is difficult to tell them apart. Based on its height, the one in the photo below is probably ‘Robustum’.
Slides 19–20. Doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum tomentosum). USDA Hardiness Zones 5–8.
Slide 21. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones (6)7–9.
Flowering shrub or small tree
Slide 22. Crape myrtle ‘Natchez’
All crape myrtles bloom on new growth from about June into September. However, the white 'Natchez' (to 35 ft. tall) sometimes flowers in Charleston as early as late May or early June.
The Early Bird(™) series (5–8 ft. tall) might blossom as early as mid-May, depending on location. Early Bird comes in white, lavender, and purple. (Zones 7–10) Available from southernlivingplants.com.
Slides 23–24. Crape myrtle
Interesting bark
Interesting shape
Crape myrtle can survive winter in parts of St. Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Long Island.
Slide 25. Crape “murder"
Slide 26. Correctly grown crape myrtle
Slides 27–29. Pomegranate (Punica granatum). USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11. Double flowered pomegranates produce less fruit than single varieties (pictured).
Use as a container plant in cooler areas and haul it indoors during winter. Drought tolerant. Full sun, well-drained soil.
The standard variety grows to about 10 ft. tall. The dwarf variety, called ‘Nana, is only 3 ft. tall.
Slides 30–32. Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) USDA Hardiness Zones 5–11.
50–90 ft. tall; 15–25 wide. Fast grower. Full sun.
To read my article about dawn redwood, go to
Too cold for dawn redwood? Grow its cousin, Larix spp. (L. occidentalis or Western larch grows to 150 ft. tall and 30 ft. wide.)
Slide 33. Dawn redwood ‘Ogdon’ is bright lime green.
Slide 34. Accessories: Annuals and perennials
Slides 35–37. Gaillardia (Gaillardia spp.) Sometimes called blanket flower. USDA Hardiness Zones 2–5.
Slides 38–41. Garden phlox (P. paniculata). USDA Hardiness Zones 2-8.
Summer-blooming tall phlox needs moist, well-drained soil. Full sun to part shade.
Three native species: P. caroliniana, P. maculata, and P. paniculata
Slide 42. "House"Plants. Indoor Flora For Outdoor Southern Gardens.
Slides 43–46. Creeping fig (Ficus pumila). USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11.
Slides 47–48. Asparagus fern (A. densiflorus). USDA Hardiness Zones 8–12 (est.) From South Africa. Not a fern, but a member of the lily family. Invasive is some parts of the US.
Slides 49–52. ‘Grand Duke of Tuscany’ jasmine (Jasminum sambac). USDA Hardiness Zone 10. To read my story on 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', go to http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/newsletters/stories/grand_duke_of_tuscany/
Slides 53–59. Musical note plant (Clerodendrum incisum). USDA Hardiness Zone 10. Treat as an annual or grow it in a container and haul it indoors during cooler months.
Slide 60. Gartin on Gardening
