When it comes to choosing the best shrubs for zone 8, the choices are endless. You can grow evergreens, trailing perennials, or purple-leaved cultivars. If you are looking for shrubs for full sun and deer resistance, here are a few choices to consider. These plants are not only beautiful, but deer-resistant, too. Read on for more ideas! Listed below are some of the best shrubs for zone 8 gardens.
Variegated or purple-leaved cultivars
Many gardeners prefer variegated or purple-leave-leaved shrubs. These plants grow best in zones 7b and lower, but they are not as hardy as their green counterparts. A good way to find variegated plants for zone 8 is to shop at nurseries and plant nurseries that offer one-quart pots. These plants have attractive foliage and can add great color to your landscape.
Varying the foliage on your hydrangeas can add a splash of color to your landscaping. ‘Variegatum’ is an evergreen plant with medium-green leaves accented by irregular cream-colored margins. This cultivar’s flowers are white in spring, but will turn pink in cooler soils. It is an excellent choice for shade gardens.
A good choice for shade is a variety that is resistant to powdery mildew. Some varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew, but others are resistant. A few good varieties of purple-leaved perennials are Center Glow, Royal Candles, and Coppertina, or “Mindia.”
Evergreens
When choosing evergreen shrubs for your landscape, look for plants that will thrive in your zone. This is where the temperatures are typically 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 20 degrees F. This zone encompasses much of the Southeast, as well as parts of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle and Atlanta, for example, both lie in this zone. For a shaded area, plant a maple tree or a shady evergreen. Both varieties produce a nice canopy of leaves that offer a cooling shade in the summer. These shrubs have needled or broad leaves and come in many colors.
If you have limited space, you can try dwarf Evergreen Shrubs. This plant will grow to about 5ft tall and will provide structure in a compact garden. Its dense foliage will add visual interest to your landscape. You can also use it as formal topiary. Dwarf Evergreen Shrubs are excellent choices for this zone. They grow slowly and do well in partial sun. In addition to being low-maintenance, they also require very little maintenance.
Decide how tall and wide you want your evergreen shrubs to be. If you want a screen or privacy fence, a tall hedge will work well. Spring Grove(r) Western Arborvitaes grow 25-30 feet tall and up to 10-12 feet wide. You’ll need eight or more of these shrubs to line a 100-foot lot. Both species are low maintenance and deer-resistant, making them a great option for your landscape.
Trailing perennials
When choosing a trailing perennial, be sure to pick one that will grow well in your climate. Some of the best choices include: Abronia latifolia, a trailing perennial with fleshy, oval to rounded leaves and showy snowballs of golden flowers. The blooms appear in the leaf axils of the trailing stems in late spring or early summer. These plants do not like frost and are often used to accent plants in containers and pots.
Trailing Alyssum, for example, is a good choice for zone eight gardens. This plant thrives in the shade and can be grown from seed. Its blue flowers bloom in spring, and its variegated foliage attracts butterflies. This plant can grow up to 18 inches tall, depending on the variety. When not in bloom, it is a compact plant. If you’re looking for a trailing perennial for zone 8, you may want to try the Jack Frost cultivar. It grows up to eighteen inches tall, but can be kept compact when not in bloom.
Aster is another option for Zone 8 gardens. Its long growing season makes it suitable for a garden in this area. These plants can grow up to 2 years. If you don’t mind the hot summers, you can consider a range of colorful and hardy perennials. This includes bulbs, ornamental grasses, and perennial sedums. In addition to asters, you can choose from a variety of species, including asters and bee balm.
Shrubs that thrive in full sun
For those who love to have flowers in the landscape, there are many easy-to-grow shrubs that thrive in full sunlight. Sun-loving bushes add a splash of color to your garden and will offer year-round style. If you aren’t sure which shrubs thrive in full sun, read on for a list of some of our favorites. They’re perfect for sunny patios, rock gardens, and backyards.
Golden Ticket – This low-maintenance plant produces a cluster of yellow flowers in early spring. It’s also deer-resistant, and grows well in full sun to part shade. It’s a great choice for shady areas, and the flowers have a gorgeous fragrance. In fact, it is so popular that you might find yourself picking it up even for neighbors’ gardens.
French Vanilla – This perennial blooms prolifically with a red eye on its bloom. Its dark green foliage gives it a stunning presence in the garden. It also grows in substitute of shrubs and can tolerate zone 8’s winter cold. Spinderella – This deciduous shrub features a pinwheel-patterned flower that covers its dense habit. For added color, consider the dwarf mugo pine, which is drought-resistant and requires only occasional pruning.
Lantanas
Lantanas are excellent choice for planting near the water. They grow best in full sun and tolerate most soil types, although they prefer slightly acidic soil. Plant them in spring, but be prepared for no growth until late summer or fall. Plant them heavily in fall if you expect cold winters. If you live in Zone 8, planting lantanas in fall is not necessary, but be sure to mulch them heavily.
Lantanas are low-maintenance plants, although they do require pruning. Spring pruning encourages branching and discourages aggressive growth. In addition, pruning prevents the spread of seeds. You may need to cut back up to a third of the plant once a year. Then, deadhead the flowers. While deadheading is not necessary for plant health, it keeps the plants looking good.
If you have limited space, you can try growing lantanas in pots. They do well indoors and thrive in well-drained soil. Their roots do not like being constantly wet. But once they are established, they need about an inch of water a week. Lantanas do not require much fertilizer, but they do like slightly acidic soil. A well-balanced organic fertilizer should be applied to the soil in spring.
Privet
A well-liked shrub that grows in zones six to eight, privet (Ligustrum) is a popular choice for the home landscape. It is fast growing, evergreen, and tolerant of pruning. Unlike other shrubs, privets do not require much water once they have established themselves. Privets are heat and deer-resistant, making them the ideal choice for privacy hedges.
Common Privet is a hardy, multi-stemmed plant that grows between four and five feet tall and three to four feet wide. It is a good choice for full sun or part shade, and tolerates light shade. It is a good choice for a sunny patio or deck, and is a hardy shrub that grows in zones four through eight. It is an excellent choice for areas with mild winters and warm summers.
Another hardy and attractive shrub that thrives in zones three to seven is the ninebark. Its bark is red-purple in spring and ages to a rich red in autumn. Flower buds develop in late summer. Coppertina can grow up to four feet tall, and its foliage is medium-to-dark green. It needs full sun to bloom its best. It grows moderately quickly, and once it has bloomed, it will continue to bloom throughout the winter.
Amelanchier canadensis
Amelanchier canadensi shrubs for zone 8 are easy to grow and have showy, short-lived flowers. The flowers are composed of five petals with many stamens, and are generally white. The flowers will last for a week and will then be followed by 1/4 to 1/2-inch purple pome fruit. These fruits are edible, and when ripe, taste similar to blueberries. The fruits will be ready to harvest two to three months after blooming.
Amelanchier canadensus is an attractive, multi-stemmed shrub with a distinctive dome-shaped crown. The flowers open before the leaves, and they attract pollinators. The fruits, which are edible, are blue-black. During the fall, Amelanchier canadensis shrubs for zone 8 retain their attractive growth habits and have bright red and orange fall foliage.
The serviceberry is native to the New England region. It is about twenty feet tall and has red twigs. This multi-stemmed shrub has brilliant fall color and grows well in soils containing humus and clay. These shrubs can grow up to thirty feet in height and are an excellent choice for zone 8 gardens. Despite their low-maintenance needs, they will be beautiful and fragrant in your yard for many years to come.
