Plants for Warm Zones 10-11 - Diane's Flower Seeds

Plants for Warm Zones 10-11
by Diane Linsley

What are the best seed-grown plants for warm zones?

After getting requests from three different customers for a list of plants that will grow in zones 10-11, I decided it was time to write an article. I'm certainly not an expert. I've never lived in a sub-tropical climate. But I am familiar with the seeds I sell, since I've grown them all. So I did some research and came up with a list of plants for warm zones.

I think it's funny that people who live in warm zones regret not being able to grow plants that are only adapted to colder regions. Those of us who live in cold zones bemoan our lack of tropical plants, but do we consider how we would miss our northern plants if we lived in the tropics? What about the beautiful leaf colors created by fall frosts?

I also learned some things about the state of Florida. There are several different hardiness zones in Florida, but experts disagree on where to draw the lines.

The plants on my list should be appropriate for zone 10 (and zone 11 in some cases), as well as cooler regions. Some of the plants that we grow in the north as annuals are native to warmer regions where they are grown as perennials. These annuals are often referred to as tender perennials.

Just because a plant is hardy in your area doesn't mean that it will grow well. Other conditions that affect plant growth include rainfall, humidity, and the texture and quality of the soil. For example, zinnias grow well in the arid southwest, but they are prone to mildew in humid climates. Annual flowers like sweet peas that prefer cooler weather are only grown during the "winter" months in Florida. It's worth doing some research before trying new plants.

Hardy Perennials for Warm Zones

Agastache

Bronze Fennel

Gaillardia

Geum chiloense

Ipomopsis rubra

Lavender 'Vera'

Liatris spicata

Lychnis chalcedonica

Penstemon angustifolius

Ratibida columnifera

Ruta graveolens

Salvia greggii


Tender Perennials for Warm Zones

Diascia 'Pink Queen'

Mirabilis jalapa

Moonflower Vine

Nicotiana

Petunia

Salvia coccinea

Salvia farinacea

Snapdragon


Annuals for Warm Zones

African Daisy

Amaranth

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Calendula

California Bluebell

California Poppy

Cardinal Climber

Clarkia amoena

Centaurea cyanus

Cleome

Coreopsis

Cosmos

Cynoglossum amabile

Gilia tricolor

Lavatera trimestris

Marigold

Monarda citriodora

Morning Glory

Nigella

Phlox drummondii

Sweet Pea

Tithonia rotundifolia

White Cypress Vine

Zinnia


Related Articles

Flowers for Hummingbirds -- The best flowers for attracting hummingbirds.

Flowers for Butterflies -- Attracting butterflies with nectar and host plants.

Drought-Tolerant Flowers -- Save water and still have a beautiful garden.


Seeds

Annual Flower Seeds

Perennial Flower Seeds


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