When it comes to zone nine, there are several perennial wildflowers that can thrive in this growing region. Lupines and larkspurs are especially showy and will add color in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. Penstemon spp. come in numerous colors and varieties. Begonia species will also thrive in this zone. Read on to discover the best plants for zone 9A! Here are some suggestions:
Irises
If you’re wondering which irises to grow in Zone 9A, here are a few tips to help you grow the best irises possible in your garden. Divide them when the growth is too dense, about three to four years after planting the rhizome. The rhizomes of bearded irises should be divided in early spring or fall. After cutting back the foliage by one third, divide the plant into two or three parts. Cut the leafy ends of iris rhizomes off and discard them once the new plants are established.
Irises are perennials that will grow up to a foot tall and can tolerate USDA zones three to 10. They will grow to be about 25 inches tall and require ten inches of soil. They will bloom in a variety of colors, from white to purple to yellow. Their flowers are fragrant and grow in clusters. Irises are best planted in late summer or early fall, and they will grow to a height of one foot.
Irises are best grown in late summer or early fall in full sunlight. The rhizome should be planted 1 to 2 feet apart. If spaced too close, they will produce a more immediate effect, but you will need to divide the plants sooner. Irises are best planted in clumps so that fans are in the same direction. Water newly-planted rhizomes to settle the soil.
Kiwis
Growing kiwis is relatively easy. They produce small, sweet fruit and are disease-resistant. They prefer moist, loamy soil and well-drained conditions. Kiwis grow to a height of eight to twelve feet, and they’re good for both landscape and eating. Once they reach maturity, they’re easy to harvest. To enjoy kiwi fruit year-round, harvest them when they are firm and ripe. Softening them too much may cause them to rot.
Kiwis are suitable for zones nine through ten. The ‘Vincent’ variety produces excellent-tasting medium-sized fruits. This cultivar is often paired with the ‘Tomuri’ variety. They need 100 chill hours for blooming, but otherwise thrive in zones eight to ninea. In zones nine and ten, kiwis require vigorous pruning. The vine bears fruit on canes up to a year old.
Despite their hardiness, Kiwis should be planted at least 12 feet apart to maximize their growth. Ideally, they should be planted on an east-facing slope, but they will grow further south if the climate is colder. Once established, kiwis should start bearing fruit after three years, although some may require more time to fruit. As a bonus, they require minimal pests.
Peonies
Zone 9 receives warm weather but peonies require a cool climate to grow well. They should be planted in cooler soil with full morning sun but will need shade in the afternoons. If you’re in zone 9a, consider planting tree peonies or Itohs. In addition to avoiding excessive heat, peonies should be watered by drip irrigation. Here’s a list of tips for growing peonies in zone 9a.
While peonies grow well in warmer climates, they require a specific microclimate. The optimal conditions for peonies are full morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. Plant them next to large shrubs or trees to protect them from hot afternoon sun. To keep peonies healthy, provide supplemental watering from late spring until early fall. After planting, mulch the ground to retain moisture. Plant young scions at least five to 10 inches below soil level, but do not completely fill it.
Since peonies are so heavily hybridized, they are unlikely to produce viable seeds. In addition, they are unlikely to reproduce the exact form they were meant to have. Since this is the case, the only way to guarantee the exact plant you’re after is to clone your plant. If you’re lucky enough, your peonies will bloom for years to come! You’ll be glad you did!
Begonias
Begonias grow in many different colors, and there are several types of them. They include the large, cane-type begonias. This group of plants has multiple stems and can grow up to 5 feet tall. The flowers on this type of begonia are typically light pink or white, and grow on the top of slender stalks. Large flowers cover this plant, and it blooms in early summer and continues into autumn. Large varieties of this begonia are known as ‘Rex’.
Tuberous begonias are a wonderful choice for zones 9a and higher. These plants grow best in well-drained soil and need minimal care. Begonias prefer a slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil. Their white flowers are especially beautiful in fall and winter. A good soil balance is important for this plant to thrive. It grows well in moist, well-drained soil that has an average pH level.
Begonias need well-drained soil that is evenly moist. Be sure to add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Water the plant regularly, about one inch per week, during the growing season. Too-wet soil will result in root rot, so water from below. Avoid allowing the soil to become soggy as too much moisture may cause leaf spot. Begonias can grow in USDA zones 8b-11.
Perennial chives
Chives are perennials that will grow from three to nine zones, and thrive outdoors in these conditions. This plant forms clumps of gray-green foliage between one and two feet tall. Its leaves have a mild garlic flavor. Harvest the leaves anytime they are green, even in winter. To grow them indoors, start the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date.
The chive plant can self-sow if allowed to bloom and then shakes off the seeds. In the summer, they produce spiky foliage. Divide them every two or three years. Then, divide them and plant them elsewhere in your garden. Chive plants will produce more than one bulb per year, and you can divide the bulbs every two to three years. They will grow well in a container and in a landscape garden.
You can choose from two varieties of perennial chives: golden oregano and white-flowered chives. Golden oregano grows six to twelve inches tall and 18 to 23 inches wide. The white-flowered variety grows to about the same height and width, but produces small snow-white flowers in late spring and summer. Perennial chives can thrive in shady areas and full sun.
English lavender
An evergreen shrub, English lavender is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones five through eight. It has wands of lavender-blue flowers in midsummer. The flowers are very fragrant and last for several months. Its foliage is silvery green, and its flowers are tipped with violet-blue petals. There are several varieties available, including ‘Alba’, which blooms white. The compact ‘Munstead’ variety is highly flowered.
The English lavender is not native to England, but is a Mediterranean plant with beautiful flowers. The English lavender variety Hidcote has silvery-gray foliage and deep purple-blue flowers. Its compact mounded form means it is easily pruned. Munstead, on the other hand, has silvery foliage and violet-purple flowers. For best results, prune this plant back to about eight inches in spring.
Once established, this plant is drought-tolerant and requires little water. A little lime is recommended once a month. You should also water your lavender when the soil becomes dry. You can also mulch it to keep the crown away from excessive moisture. A side-dress of compost will help keep the soil moist and prevent the lavender plant from wilting in winter. As mentioned earlier, the soil pH should be slightly above neutral. If it is below 7.0, add a little lime. If you are concerned about deer damage to your lavender, mulch your bed with gravel to protect it from excess moisture.
Cosmos delight
If you’re looking for a new perennial, consider adding some Cosmos delight plants to your garden. This annual, low-growing perennial has flowers that resemble marigolds or chrysanthemums, and its foliage is reminiscent of both. Cosmos are native to the Americas and Central America, and are members of the Asteraceae family. They are related to coneflowers, dahlias, marigolds, and chrysanthemums.
Cosmos are a traditional cottage garden plant. They look great in informal plantings and go well with tender perennials. Taller varieties are suitable for edging and filling in around perennials. You can also grow shorter varieties for the front of your border, container gardens, or a fragrant annual hedge. Regardless of size, all species of Cosmos attract butterflies and other pollinators. Once they bloom, you can move them outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
