Anyone who's lived in Louisiana knows how dynamic our weather can be. The state's climate can make finding the right plants a challenge. Choosing the right plants is key, whether you're looking for a complete redesign or just to spruce up your flower beds. The pros at Greenscape Design explore ten great plants for Louisiana landscaping.

Dianthus Ideal Select

Dianthus translates to Divine Flower; judging by its vibrant blooms, we can see why!

They’re fast-growing and compact, making them great in a pinch. They also come in a variety of colors, such as red, violet, and white.

Scientific Name: Dianthus chinensis x barbatus

Type: Annual

Maintenance: Mild

Zones: 6a - 8b

Exposure: Full sun

Soil: Well drained

GG Gerbing Azalea

The beautiful and adaptable GG Gerbing Azalea is a go-to for Louisiana landscaping. In its infancy, this evergreen shrub boasts coarse yellow-green leaves that set it apart in a flower bed. During bloom, the upright-growing shrub produces large white petals that give your garden a touch of elegance.

Related: 7 Creative Baton Rouge Garden Design Ideas

The rhododendron’s versatile nature makes it a staple for Louisiana landscape designers. GG Gerbing Azaleas have a high heat tolerance and are best in full or partial sunlight. They are also relatively low maintenance, requiring light post-spring pruning.

Scientific Name: Rhododendron indicum 'Mrs. G. G. Gerbing'

Type: Evergreen

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 7-10

Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade

Soil: Rich, slightly acidic, well drained

‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum

Want to make your flower bed a little brighter? Meet the 'Sunshine' Ligustrum! The 'Sunshine' Ligustrum is a bit of a pioneer, as it's the first non-spreading privet of this color. Flexibility is a defining characteristic of the evergreen shrub. Its golden-yellow leaves can be used as a focal point or in mass to accent other foliage.

The best part is, as the privet gets more sun, its leaves turn more gold!

Scientific Name: Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’

Type: Evergreen

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 6a-10b

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Well drained

Shishi Gashira Camellia

The Shishi Gashira Camellia is a Japanese evergreen that’s become a staple in southern landscape design. These shrubs stay colorful year-round and flower quickly, typically beginning in October and then fully into December.

Scientific Name: Camellia sasanqua 'Shishi Gashira'

Type: Evergreen

Maintenance: low

Zones: 7-9

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Rich, acidic, well-drained

Blood Banana

Banana Plants are wonderful additions to your backyard getaway. As the name implies, your plant may even sprout small bananas. These plants are popular in Louisiana landscaping because they thrive in our hot, humid climate.

Related: 5 Perfect Plants for Landscaping in Louisiana

Banana Plants need moist soil, making them a perfect poolside companion. However, they are also great for patios for container planting.

Scientific Name: Musa × paradisiaca L.

Type: Perennial

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 7-11

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Loamy, well-drained

Garden Petunia

Common garden petunias describe a variety of petunia cultivated for excellent flower bed performance. They come in an abundance of colors, so they can pop in any flower bed. They’re also quick-growers, so expect great blooms after deadheading.

Scientific Name: Petunia x atkinsiana

Type: Perennial

Maintenance: Low to mild

Zones: 9-11

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Light to well drained

Drift Rose

The Conard-Pyle Company created the Drift Rose as a manageable rose that brightens almost any outdoor space. The flowering plant fits in various gardens, blooming in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. Drift Roses are often called “groundcover roses” as their short height allows them to blanket flower beds.

Don’t let its delicate looks fool you. These plants are about as durable as it gets. The drought-resistant flower only needs watering in the summer. Additionally, they’re bred to survive in many soil types, though they prefer moist soil with mild acidity.

Scientific Name: Rosa hybrid 'Drift'

Type: Perennial

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 4-11

Exposure: Full sun

Soil: Rich, acidic, well-drained

Giant Leopard

This evergreen shrub is another favorite among landscape designers. The giant leopard plant, with its large emerald leaves, makes a great focal point. However, the plant is also an excellent alternative for hedges, accenting other design features.

Giant leopard plants are perfect for the moist soil conditions of Louisiana. They pair well with water features like streams or pools. Also, these shrubs thrive in our organically rich, loamy soil. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant focal point or an alternative to classic hedges, giant leopard plants are an excellent choice.

Scientific Name: Ligularia tussilaginea ‘Gigantea’

Type: Perennials

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 7-10

Exposure: Full to partial shade

Soil: rich, loamy

Variegated Flax Lily

When it comes to Louisiana landscaping plants, you can never go wrong with Variegated flax lily. Flax lilies do it all! They work great as a centerpiece or background plant.

Not to mention, they’re tough as nails! Flax lilies thrive in the hot southern sun and are relatively resistant to common pests and diseases.

Scientific Name: Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Type: Evergreen perennial

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 8-11

Exposure: Full to partial sun

Soil: Moist

Buddhist Pine

Tired of soft holly hedges? Want some shrub with little pizazz? Boy, have we got the hedge for you!

The Buddhist pine is a conifer evergreen perfect for spicing up your flowering bed. It can be used as trees, hedges, or even as household bonsai plants. The pine grows slowly (8-10 ft. over a decade), meaning less maintenance for you.

When in bloom, the conifers grow gorgeous baby blue berries. However, parents and pet owners should be cautious, as these berries are poisonous.

Scientific Name: Podocarpus macrophyllus

Type: Evergreen

Maintenance: Low

Zones: 7b-11

Exposure: Full to partial sun, tolerates shade

Soil: Rich, slightly acidic, well drained

Talk to The Louisiana Landscaping Pros

Want to make the most of your outdoor space?

Greenscape Design has helped hundreds of clients create the outdoor space of their dreams for over a decade. We work one-on-one with clients to execute their Louisiana landscape design vision. Send us a message or call (225) 333-9680 for a free consultation from an expert designer. We can't wait to hear from you!