Abutilon pictum (Flowering Maple)  This relative to Hibiscus is a prolific bloomer and thrives in our hot, humid climate. Its pendulous blossoms are usually born in Summer and Fall, but with some protection from hard freezes, will bloom almost year round. The nectar of the flowers attracts Hummingbirds and provides a food source when many other flowering plants are not in bloom. The drooping, bell shaped flowers are orange-yellow with crimson veins or other colors depending on the cultivar. Best planted in full sun, but blooms surprising well in shade. Its maximum height and width depends on the cultivar. Zones 8-10

Agave lophanthe ‘Quadricolor’ (Variegated Agave)  This wonderful compact plant looks amazing in a rock garden or decorative pot on your deck or patio. Its spiny, thick, wide leaves have a chartreuse yellow center, edged in green and surrounded by pale green margins with a white border. It may be the most interesting of all the variegated forms of Agave. Expected height is 18" by 24" and will produce offsets. Place it in full sun to part shade. Zones 8-11

Bulbine frutescens (Rock Lily)  This attractive cold hardy perennial forms tight clumps of narrow succulent green leaves. Tall spikes of orange or yellow flowers arise above the 1½-foot foliage. Ten to twelve flower stalks per individual plant bloom almost continuously from late winter to first freeze. Its cold hardiness is amazing and will only have damaged foliage in temperatures below 20 degrees. Although extremely drought tolerant, it also tolerates our wet seasons and heavy humidity. This exceptionally tough plant is virtually pest and disease free. Use in your perennial garden or as an accent plant in your landscape. Try it in a container with other perennials for a real "show stopper" on your deck or porch. Best planted in full sun to light shade. Zones 8-9

Cestrum fasciculatum "Newelli" (Red Jasmine)  This vigorous perennial blooms almost non-stop. Clusters of tiny red tubular flowers on the branch ends contrast brilliantly with the dark waxy foliage. Red-purple berries follow the blooms, making this a wonderful plant to attract wildlife. It looks great in a naturalistic setting as well as mixed in a perennial garden. May need to be pruned once a year to develop sturdy branches that will support its 4 to 7 foot height. Plant in full sun to part shade. Zones 8-11

Clivia miniata (Kafir Lily)  The intense orange lily-like blooms on tall stems contrasted by deep strap-like leaves make a dynamic display in any shade garden. The flower heads remain on the plant for several weeks in Spring. This clumping perennial is cold hardy and evergreen. Use as a gorgeous accent, border plant or container specimen. Moderate growing to 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet tall and wide. Zones 9-11

Elaeocarpus decipiens (Japanese Blueberry)  This is a welcome addition to the few evergreen trees that grow well in our region. Maturing to 30-45 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide, this medium to fast growing evergreen even gives us Fall color. In Fall, the older leaves will turn vibrant red as a new flush of leaves appears. As the tree matures, it will produce lily of the valley like flowers and then yield clusters of deep blue berries. Both are quite attractive. Although ideal as a street, lawn, or park tree, it may also be used as a tall screen.
Zones 8-11

Gardenia ‘Frost Proof’   This gardenia has actually been around for a while, although it is unclear where it had its beginning. What separates it from the rest of the many cultivars of Gardenias, is its durability. It seems to overcome root rot, which seems to be one of our greatest problems with Gardenias in the Deep South. Very dense, compact habit with dark glossy elongated leaves, make it useful for many applications in your full sun to part shade garden. Fragrant medium sized flowers appear in Spring and occasionally in Summer and Fall. Average height is 3-4 feet tall, but can reach 4-5 feet in older un-managed specimens. Although this is usually not a concern in our region, this Gardenia has demonstrated extreme cold hardiness. Zones 8-9

Ginkgo biloba ((Maidenhair Tree)  This large growing tree, a native of China, has become one of the most widely planted trees in the United States. However, in New Orleans, we still don’t see enough of these planted. It is an excellent street or park tree, longed lived, drought tolerant, and even produces reliable Fall color. Its consistent, symmetrical form and unique shaped leaves make it an interesting shade tree for any yard. It is tolerant of most environmental stresses and is insect and disease tolerant. The male cultivars are highly favored, as they do not produce the foul smelling fruit that the female trees produce. The Ginkgo grows to an average height of 50 feet and is deciduous and cold hardy. Zones 4-9

Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca)  The rosette of gray-green narrow foliage hugs the ground and supports a towering 4-6 foot stalk of deep pink, almost red flowers. It blooms from May through Fall and shows well against the Yucca-like foliage. The leaves are soft and not dangerous to pedestrians. Although it is very drought tolerant, it has performed very well in our region where abundant rainfall is often the demise of similar plants. Cold hardy and evergreen. Zones 7-10

Ilex vomitoria ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Yaupon)  This native small tree deserves much more consideration in our landscapes. The multitude of red berries in Fall and Winter, coupled with pendulous, curved, gray branches, makes this an interesting specimen in a full sun to part shade garden. Although it does have a strong upright habit, allow 6-8 feet for the spread of the mature canopy. It’s tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and will endure wet or dry conditions. Try it in a large container on a deck or porch and enjoy its beauty in your outdoor living space. Cold hardy and evergreen. Zones 7-9

Loropetalum chinense ‘Purple Pixie’ (dwarf Loropetalum)  This is a true dwarf Loropetalum with a spreading growth habit reaching approximately 1-2 feet tall by 4-5 feet wide. Purple Pixie’s new flush of growth starts upward and then gently cascades downward, creating a beautiful purple carpet effect. Vibrant pink blooms appear in Spring and occasionally in Summer and Fall. Its unique habit makes it an excellent choice as a ground cover in a sun to part shade garden. It looks great in decorative containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Zones 7-9

Mahonia fortunei (Chinese Mahonia)  This is one of the most attractive and study plants you’ll ever grow in a shade garden. Dark fernlike leaves make this compact graceful shrub a wonderful selection for an accent or for mass planting. Little to no pruning is necessary on this insect and disease resistant evergreen. Yellow flower clusters appear in Spring. This Mahonia lacks the sharp leaf spines typical of other species of the genus. It is cold hardy and normally is 4 feet tall and wide. Zones 8-9

Mascagnia macroptera (Butterfly Vine)  This evergreen to semi evergreen vine is a prolific grower with beautiful golden yellow flowers Summer through Fall. Although usually cold hardy, in a severe freeze, it may freeze to the ground and return in Spring. Beyond the beauty of the delicate multitude of Orchid-like yellow flowers, the seedpods bear a marked resemblance to a butterfly (thus the name). Seeds and flowers appear together, making this a most unusual vine. Plant in locations receiving morning sun and shade in the afternoon. It requires some kind of support. Zones 8-10

Neomarica gracilis (Walking Iris)   This low growing perennial has fanlike clusters of light green foliage. It offers architectural appeal in any shade to part shade garden. White flowers with distinct blue markings and brown streaks appear near the end of the flat sword like scapes above the foliage. As the flowers mature, they bend over and touch the ground where they root, forming new plants. This unusual behavior gives the plant its name "Walking Iris". Because of the long pendulous stems, a container planting can really show off this curious plant. It’s cold hardy and evergreen in our normal New Orleans’ temperatures. Zones 8-10

Pandorea jasminoides (Bower/PandoraVine)  Although this vine is rated for zones 9-11, it is normally cold hardy and evergreen in New Orleans. Its dark, glossy leaves show off abundant tubular flowers in either pink or white. In our mild temperatures, it seems to bloom non-stop. In a hard freeze, it may die to the ground, but will re-grow the following Spring. Once established, this vine will fill out nicely on a trellis or fence in full to part sun. Many new cultivars are available in the trade, including a variegated form.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)  This delightful cold hardy perennial is a must in any cottage garden. Its gray-green foliage and wispy purple-blue tubular flowers combine well with Rudbeckia and Coreopsis, as well as many other perennials. The stems and leaves give off a pungent aroma when crushed or bruised. Russian Sage blooms Summer through Fall, but even when it is not in bloom, the silvery foliage and open architecture are enough to get your attention. It may need staking as it grows 3-4 feet and may flop a little. Good drainage and aeration will enable the plant to survive wet periods. Plant in full sun. Zones 4-9

Pistacia chinensis (Chinese Pistachio)  Brilliant Fall color is the crowning glory of this dependable shade tree. The interesting leaflets are aromatic and the branching pattern forms a wonderful oval to rounded form. It’s a very clean tree and tolerant of urban conditions. Slow rate of growth is really the only "down side" of this otherwise outstanding tree. Average size is 35’ x 25’, but can reach 50 feet. Zones 8-9

Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Needle Palm)  This Palm, though native, has escaped use in our normal landscapes. It is one of the most cold hardy Palms, making it useful in all parts of our State. Dark green palmate leaves extend above the fibrous trunk with an average overall height of 5 to 8 feet tall. Spines are formed at the base of the trunk, and although interesting, they can damage curious fingers. This wonderful Palm can provide a bold accent in any landscape or may be used in a container on your deck or porch. Best planted in full sun, but it will also tolerate partial shade quite well. Zones 7-11

Rondeletia leucophylla (Panama Rose)  This tender shrub blooms best from November to April, making it a welcome relief to our often dreary landscapes. The nectar in the plentiful flowers provides nectar for butterflies when little else is in bloom. Clusters of rose pink tubular flowers are borne on new growth. Flowers become fragrant (thus the name Panama Rose) after sunset. May need some winter protection in zone 8, but we have been amazed at its cold tolerance. With many warm winters in a row, Panama Rose may grow to 5 feet or more. Zones 9-11

Ruellia Ragin Cajun  Ragin Cajun is from the Athens Select plant collection, and offered by Southern Living plant collection. This tough low growing plant holds up well in our heat and humidity. Vivid red flowers appear in Spring and continue well into Fall. The wispy flower stems dance gracefully atop the medium green leaves and provide a wonderful blanket in your perennial garden. Grows 12-14" with a spread of about 2 feet. Plant in full sun. Zones 7b-11

Thunbergia battiscombei (Blue Glory Vine)  This stunning vine has long arching branches with exotic dark purple-blue flowers with yellow throats. The large leaves and massive vibrant flowers are a striking combination. It’s surprisingly cold hardy in the lower South. It climbs or sprawls to 4-5’ or more. You can even use it as a ground cover. Zones 8-11

Whitfieldia elongata ‘White Candles’ (White Candles Shrimp Plant)  This is one of the most profusely flowering plants for shade that you will ever see. The plentiful white blooms are produced on new growth and contrast well to the large dark green foliage of this 4’-6’ foot plant. If protected from freezes and frosts, it will bloom almost continually. It will re-bloom quickly after pruning, and you may want to do this to make a fuller plant. For optimum performance, plant in full to part shade and avoid temperatures in the 30s. Without winter protection, in zone 8, it may freeze to the ground and re-grow the following Spring. Zones 9-11