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Southern Living® Plants

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Oh to live where it's warm all year! While we're trying not to be too jealous, those who actually live in the steamier Southern states might be struggling with finding plants that will tolerate the relentless summer heat and humidity, and lack of a true dormant season!

This was the defining problem that Southern Living, yes the ever-popular lifestyle and entertainment magazine, wanted to address! Surely there must be a way to work with the climate instead of against it?

Through relentless plant trials, research, and evaluations, this brand has come up with the best of the best many species have to offer!

Southern Living is committed to helping the southern gardener be as successful as possible in a climate sometimes thought of as less than forgiving. So grab a large glass of sweet iced tea and start shopping for your next garden additions today!

Check out these great selections that have been field-tested to ensure they will thrive in your South of the Border landscape!

FAQs

What’s So Special About Southern Living® Plants?

Plants growing in the South can sometimes fall victim to shorter bloom times for various reasons stemming from lack of moisture, high humidity, and hot sun, to the long hours of sunlight without reprieve or chill hours.

From longer bloom times to exceptional drought tolerance, you'll be delighted by each and every product in the Southern Living® Plant Collection!

Choosing The Right Southern Living® Plants For You!

Find Perennials worth swooning over and shrubs every Southern garden needs!

Browse only for the Southern Living® Plants by selecting your Planting Zone using our USDA zone filters, choosing sun exposure levels, and then narrowing the options by flower color, size, and more!

Planning a landscape often starts at the back and works its way forward. So finding the perfect back-row, backdrop, or hedge plant can make or break the aesthetic you're going for.

Pick something that will give you the structure you need to cover those eyesores around the house or give you a bit of definition between your garden and the neighbors.

If you're the trendsetter on the street, consider an unusual specimen shrub. It could be the centerpiece of your garden without lifting a finger, er…branch.

Established, more traditional Southern gardens might need structural shrubs to define your landscape beds, and make things more formal and boxed in. Many Southern Living® plants have a dense and compact nature ensuring they'll fit anywhere! Including some for containers and planters!

If you're interested in conserving water by planting a xeriscape garden, you'll want these plants as the centerpiece! 

They make quite the statement!

History of The Southern Living® Plant Collection

This brand was introduced in the Spring of 2008 as a partnership between Plant Development Inc. and Southern Living Magazine® as a way to provide green and master gardeners alike with new plants specifically selected for their ability to thrive in warmer climates.

Since then, Plant Development Services Inc. has created and filed for more than 100 new patents on plants. If you've ever enjoyed an Encore® Azalea, then you have this partnership to thank!

The goal is to continue providing new and exciting plants to layer your garden with texture, color, and fragrance.

The game-changing breakthroughs keep coming with new product lines coming out every year. Make sure to check back often for the latest from this tried and true industry leader.

Why Order Southern Living® Plants From NatureHills.com?

Family-owned and operated since 2001, Nature Hills Nursery prides itself on meeting the needs of customers with an ever-growing collection of online plants backed by our product guarantee and protected by Plant Sentry™.

All of our Southern Living® Plants are delivered safely to your home with instructions for planting, care, and maintenance, so you can order knowing you'll have exactly what you need! Plus plenty more information in our #ProPlantTips Garden Blog for extra support and inspiration!

FAQS for Buying Southern Living® Plants Online

Why choose Southern Living® Plant Collection varieties instead of standard garden‑center plants?

The Collection was launched in 2008 through a partnership between Southern Living magazine and Plant Development Services to solve the South’s toughest landscape challenges. Each candidate endures multi‑year, multi‑state trials for heat tolerance, humidity resilience, extended bloom, non‑invasiveness, and reduced fertiliser and spray needs. Fewer than 3 % of seedlings make the cut, so home‑owners get plants pre‑vetted for long, colorful performance with minimal maintenance, reducing replacement costs and chemical inputs before any purchase decision.

What USDA hardiness zones suit Southern Living® Plants, and can they thrive outside the Deep South?

Most introductions target Zones 7 – 10, where winter lows stay above 0 °F. Many evergreen staples—such as Sunshine Ligustrum and Purple Pixie® Loropetalum—handle Zone 7 cold snaps; select deciduous items (e.g., Early Bird™ Crapemyrtle) push into warm pockets of Zone 6. Gardeners farther north can still enjoy the collection by: 1) growing compact forms in containers; 2) situating plants against south‑facing walls for extra heat; 3) mulching 3–4 in. deep to buffer roots. Matching plant ratings to local micro‑climates secures winter survival.

How do I plant and care for Southern Living® Plants so they establish quickly and flourish in hot, humid summers?

1 – Site: Pick full sun (6 + hrs) for flowering shrubs; part shade for camellias and ferns. 2 – Soil prep: Work 2–3 in. compost into the top 12 in. of native soil to improve drainage and nutrient‑holding. 3 – Planting depth: Set the crown 1 in. above grade to prevent waterlogging. 4 – Water: Saturate the root ball, then irrigate deeply when the top 2 in. of soil dries during the first season; switch to as‑needed soaks thereafter. 5 – Mulch: Apply a 2‑in. organic layer, keeping it 2 in. from stems to moderate soil temperature and suppress weeds. 6 – Feed & prune: Apply a slow‑release, balanced fertiliser in early spring and prune just after flowering or in late winter, depending on bloom timing. This sequence minimizes transplant shock, accelerates root growth, and maintains continuous color even in steamy Southern summers.

Which Southern Living® Plants are most drought‑tolerant, and how should I water them in dry spells?

Top drought stand‑outs include Sunshine Ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’), Obsession™ Nandina, Purple Daydream® Loropetalum, and La Vida Grande™ Mandevilla. These selections possess thick, waxy or fine‑textured foliage that reduces transpiration. After the first establishment year, water deeply every 10–14 days if rain is scarce, aiming for 1 in. per soak rather than frequent sips; deep moisture encourages roots to chase water downward, boosting drought resilience. Container specimens dry faster—check them every 3–4 days. Mulch and eliminate weed competition to stretch each watering.

Are Southern Living® Plants deer‑resistant, and what practices keep wildlife damage low?

While no ornamental is 100 % deer‑proof, several collection members—such as Suntastic™ Peach Abelia, Ultra Violet™ Buddleia, and Twist of Pink™ Olivine—carry leathery, aromatic, or fuzzy foliage that deer avoid. For extra insurance: (1) Group deer‑favoured plants nearer the house and deer‑resistant picks at the perimeter; (2) apply a rotating scent‑ and taste‑based repellent bi‑weekly during peak browse periods; (3) keep plants healthy—stressed shrubs emit attractant volatiles. Combining resistant genetics with smart placement and repellent routines drastically cuts browsing losses.

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