What Are the Best Plants for My Yard

What are the best plants for my yard is a question we receive a lot. Choosing the right plant isn’t always as simple as picking the prettiest one at the nursery. A plant may look perfect in the pot, but it still needs the right sunlight, space, soil, and growing conditions to thrive once it’s planted.

This page is designed to help you narrow down your choices and find plants that are better suited for your Southern yard.

Start by choosing the option that best matches what you need.

I Need a Plant for Full Sun

Got a hot, sunny spot that receives six or more hours of direct sunlight each day?

These plants are better suited for bright locations and Southern heat. You’ll find flowering shrubs, perennials, and other plants that can handle plenty of sunshine.

I Need a Plant for Part Shade

Not every part of the yard gets full sun. Some areas may receive morning sun, filtered light, or shade during the hottest part of the afternoon.

These plants are good choices for areas that receive a mixture of sun and shade throughout the day.

I Need Something Small

Looking for a plant that won’t take over the flower bed, cover your windows, or outgrow a small space?

Explore compact shrubs and smaller plants that work well near foundations, walkways, patios, mailboxes, and smaller Southern yards.

I Want to Help Pollinators

Want more bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators visiting your yard?

These plants offer flowers, nectar, or habitat that can help support pollinators throughout the growing season.

I Have a Difficult Area

Every yard seems to have at least one spot where nothing wants to grow.

Whether you’re dealing with heat, shade, wet soil, dry ground, deer, poor soil, or limited space, these plant suggestions may help you find a better solution.

I Want a Certain Bloom Color

Sometimes you already know the look you want.

Browse plants by bloom color to find options that fit your flower beds, landscaping, or garden color scheme.

You may want:

• White flowers for a clean, classic look
• Pink flowers for soft color
• Blue or purple flowers for cooler tones
• Red flowers for bold color
• Yellow flowers for a bright, cheerful garden

I Want a Low-Maintenance Plant

You don’t have to spend every weekend pruning, watering, and fussing over your plants.

These selections are good starting points for gardeners who want dependable plants that don’t require constant attention.

Still Not Sure What to Choose?

That’s perfectly normal. Most homeowners know what they want a plant to do before they know the plant’s name.

Think about these questions:

• How much sunlight does the area receive?
• How tall and wide can the plant grow?
• Do you want flowers, foliage, or both?
• Is the soil usually dry, average, or wet?
• Are deer a problem in your area?
• Do you want to attract butterflies and bees?
• How much pruning and care are you willing to do?

The answers will help you choose plants that are more likely to perform well in your yard.

Browse Our Plant Directory

You can also search our complete Plant Directory to compare plant size, sun needs, bloom color, bloom time, pruning information, and basic care requirements.

A Helpful Reminder

Plant performance can vary depending on your soil, weather, planting location, and care. Always check the mature height and width before planting, and make sure the location provides the proper amount of sunlight.

A little planning before you plant can save you a whole lot of digging later.

Bobby & Lynn’s Plant Farm
Real Plants. Real People. Real Passion.