Sun Tolerant Plants for Zone 8
Zone 8 in the U.S. is a temperate climate with mild winters and stretches from patchy areas of the west coast, through Texas and the middle section of the southeast. It’s a pleasant climate and one in which a lot of different plants thrive. There are some, though, that won’t tolerate the heat, the sunlight, or the potential for drought. That said, there are many more that will tolerate such conditions in the landscape. Since there are so many heat loving plants and trees to choose from in zone 8, below are just a handful of favorites.
Shrubs and Flowers
Here are some zone 8 plants for full sun and heat (specifically shrubs and flowers) that you can enjoy in your garden: Century plant. This agave species loves full sun and dry soil. It’s a stunning, large plant that really makes a statement. It is called a century plant because it blooms just once before it dies, but it will last for many years. Just be sure not to overwater it. Lavender. This well-known herb is a great small shrub for landscaping, and it produces pretty little flowers with a distinctive floral smell. Lavender plants love sun and dry conditions. Oleander. Oleander is a flowering shrub that thrives in full sun and grows up to 10 feet (3 m.) tall and wide. It also resists drought. The flowers are large and range from white to red to pink. This plant is highly toxic, so it may not be suitable for kids or pets. Crape myrtle. This is another popular, sun-loving shrub or small tree that produces showy flowers. Crepe myrtle comes in a variety of sizes, from miniature to full size.
Zone 8 Trees for Sun
With a sunny, hot yard in zone 8, you want trees to provide shade and cool spots. There are plenty of trees that will tolerate and even thrive in the sun you can provide them: Oak. There are a few varieties of oak, including Shumard, Water, and Sawtooth, that are native to southern regions, thrive in the sun, and grow tall and wide, providing plenty of shade. Green ash. This is another tall-growing sun tree that is native to the southern U.S. Ash trees grow fast and will provide shade quickly. American persimmon. The persimmon is a medium-sized tree, growing to 60 feet (18 m.) at a maximum, but often only half that height. It loves sun, needs well-drained soil, and provides annual fruit. Fig. The Ficus family of trees is popular at nurseries and is often sold as a houseplant, but it really only thrives outdoors in sun and heat. It needs moist soil that is well drained and will grow up to about 20 feet (6 m.) tall. As a bonus, fig trees provide lots of tasty fruit. Sun and heat loving plants are abundant and that means that if you live in zone 8, you have a lot of choices. Make the most of your sunny, warm climate and enjoy these beautiful plants and trees.
