Top 5 Plants for Your Savannah Quarters Dream Garden
September 26th, 2022
Savannah is synonymous with the word, garden. You know, there’s the infamous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Then of course, there’s iconic Forsyth Park with its gorgeous dripping live oaks and native magnolias, crepe myrtles and sycamores. And don’t forget the Savannah Botanical Gardens, with its breathtaking roses and azaleas.
Well, now it’s your time to take that inspiration and plant a garden of your dreams, right at home in Savannah Quarters. Don’t worry, we’re here to help take the guesswork out of purchasing the right annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines and native plants for your yard.
Experts from the Georgia Plant Selections Committee — an all-volunteer group of nurserymen, flower growers, garden center retailers, landscape professionals, botanical garden professionals and faculty from the University of Georgia — recommend the following plants for home gardeners in coastal Georgia:
#1 ARKANSAS BLUESTAR (Amsonia hubrectii)
An Arkansas Bluestar will grow to 3 feet tall when fully mature. It is drought-tolerant, deer- and rabbit-resistant, easy to maintain and likely to attract butterflies. Look for blue, star-shaped flowers in the spring and deep golden colors in the fall.
Planting Depth — Crown of plant should rest just at or above the soil surface
Soil Type — Loamy soil, moist/wet soil
Light Requirements — Full sun, half sun/half shade
Watering — Weekly (more often in extreme heat or containers)
#2 ROZANNE GERANIUM
This purplish-blue perennial thrives even in the most extreme summer heat. Look for gorgeous blossoms in shades of blue kissed with violet and white. Its foliage turns burnt red in the fall. Performs as great ground cover.
Planting Depth — Plant so that the top of the root is 1″ below the soil line
Soil Type — Loamy soil, moist/wet soil
Light Requirements — Full sun, half sun/half shade
Watering — Keep moist, not soaked. Water regularly.
#3 SWAMP HIBISCUS (Hibiscus coccineus)
This sun-loving perennial can grow up to 10 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It is native to the southeast and well-suited to Georgia’s climate. It loves rich, moist soil. Look for stunning flowers that bloom from late spring until early winter.
Planting Depth — ¼”
Soil Type — Wet soil with medium drainage
Light Requirements — Full sun
Watering — Thoroughly every couple of days
#4 PAPERBUSH (Edgeworthia chrysantha)
Stop and smell the paperbush! At 4 to 6 feet in height and width, this deciduous plant’s fragrant chocolate-colored branches and white blossoms with golden yellow centers are sure to delight. Thrives in partial shade and appreciates well-enriched, moist soil.
Space to Plant — 3-6 feet
Planting Depth — ¼”
Soil Type — Evenly spread moist soil
Light Requirements — Full sun, half sun/half shade
Watering — Regularly during summer and fall
#5 BUTTERFLY WEED (Asclepias tuberosa)
This flowering perennial is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s the darling of any yard in Savannah. In fact. it’s a go-to food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar spot for hummingbirds and creatures. Reaching 2 to 4 feet tall, its orange blossoms shine bright in the Savannah summer. Plant near purple coneflower, blue salvia, or Persian shield for a colorful bouquet.
Planting Depth — 4 times the size of the seeds
Soil Type — Sandy soil, loamy soil, drought/dry soil
Light Requirements — Full sun
Bloom Time — Summer
Watering — No more than once a week
See the full list of recommended plants for your garden and discover an easy way to Live the Good Life.
